Tiger cruise

[mpcincal]

My sister's in the Navy and has been on an aircraft carrier for the last four months, and she has provided me an opportunity to go on a "Tiger cruise," where we ride along with the sailors and officers and experience the everyday life of those on the boat.

Has anybody been on one of these? What kind of stuff can I expect? I've read up a little bit on the Web, and will some more, but I'm thinking this is one of those opportunities I won't want to pass up, although it's not exactly gonna be like riding on the Love Boat.

 

[dooley_womack1]

I was much more looking forward to the "Tiger cruise" I was imagining this thread to be about.

 

[Shoeless Joe]

I haven't been haze gray and under way in nearly 20 years, but so I can't tell you exactly what to expect in today's new Navy. But I say go for it.
When we used to do them, the dependents would come on, they'd spend a night or two, visit the different parts of the ship they were allowed into, receive a cap, experience life in berthing and on the mess deck.

 

[imjustagirl]

I was much more looking forward to the "Tiger cruise" I was imagining this thread to be about.

They have Cougar Cruises.

http://singlestravelcompany.com/singles/2010_3rd_international_cougar_cruise.html

 

[dooley_womack1]

Nah, I was imagining a cruise where you could live life Tiger-style (at least the Tiger of 2-3 years ago). Complete with a Perkins in the food court.

 

[maumann]

When I was working in radio in central Florida in the mid-'80s, the Navy was doing routine Trident missile launches off the coast. Cape Canaveral NAS would allow a couple of journalists to tag along on the submarine tender, on a invitation basis. Being good friends with the public affairs folks, I got my name on the list.

I finally got my turn for a pair of night launches -- and the whole trip was unforgettable, from the dinner in the officer's mess to sleeping in the top bunk in the enlisted quarters on the trip back. I was amazed by all the shops and storerooms they had -- everything needed to repair a sub while at sea.

Since the Cold War was still in full swing -- and the Soviets were more than interested -- the tender ran without lights. I can't describe the feeling of walking through the outside hatch just before the first launch and being immersed in total blackness.

I stood there for probably two or three minutes before my eyes finally adjusted -- and then realized I was no more than five feet from a sailor on deck. Because we were far enough from the coastline, I saw dozens of shooting stars that night. And when the sub finally shot the first missile, the combination of sound and light was total sensory overload.

That tender was scrapped not long ago, but I remember that day vividly. I wanted to take my dad on the next trip, but wound up moving back to California before my name came back up on the list.

If you have a chance to experience an aircraft carrier, run to be first in line.

 

[Shoeless Joe]

When I was working in radio in central Florida in the mid-'80s, the Navy was doing routine Trident missile launches off the coast. Cape Canaveral NAS would allow a couple of journalists to tag along on the submarine tender, on a invitation basis. Being good friends with the public affairs folks, I got my name on the list.

I finally got my turn for a pair of night launches -- and the whole trip was unforgettable, from the dinner in the officer's mess to sleeping in the top bunk in the enlisted quarters on the trip back. I was amazed by all the shops and storerooms they had -- everything needed to repair a sub while at sea.

Since the Cold War was still in full swing -- and the Soviets were more than interested -- the tender ran without lights. I can't describe the feeling of walking through the outside hatch just before the first launch and being immersed in total blackness.

I stood there for probably two or three minutes before my eyes finally adjusted -- and then realized I was no more than five feet from a sailor on deck. Because we were far enough from the coastline, I saw dozens of shooting stars that night. And when the sub finally shot the first missile, the combination of sound and light was total sensory overload.

That tender was scrapped not long ago, but I remember that day vividly. I wanted to take my dad on the next trip, but wound up moving back to California before my name came back up on the list.

If you have a chance to experience an aircraft carrier, run to be first in line.

See the big radar antenna waaay up high there (painted black). Imagine being up there, at sea, at night. That's a sensory overload. Going up there under way was a majorly against regs, but the linkage between the motor and the antenna shaft snapped one night. We had to secure the antenna from just spinning wildly to prevent all kinds of damage. I was on the only one of our guys willing to do it. It was something I'll never forget.

 

[Walter_Sobchak]

I had the opportunity to do one of these 20 years ago or so when I was about 10. My father was stationed on the Eisenhower, an aircraft carrier. Flew down to Fort Lauderdale and cruised back to Norfolk, Va. They did flight drills for all the kids and a bunch of other stuff. Still remember one of the pilots creating a sonic boom which shook the whole damn ship.

If you can do this, you won't regret it.

 

[DanOregon]

You have to go. I'm figuring it won't be as lame as the Disney movie by the same name, or as dangerous as Under Siege, but damn a ride on a flat top? I'd be there in a heartbeat.
I'm guessing there will be tours, demonstrations - kind of like an open house. And the ride out should be fun, would you board by boat or will they fly you out?

 

[SoCalDude]

If Kelsey Grammer is there, ask about his tattoo.

 

[trifectarich]

Being able to get in a plane and take off and land, now THAT would be major where-are-my-insides cool.

 

[Sharkmc]

I went on a Tiger Cruise on my oldest son's ship about four years ago, along with my two younger sons (10 and 12 at the time.) We all thoroughly enjoyed the three days we spent at sea on the destroyer. The racks, by the way, our coffin-size, and I couldn't believe the enlisted men slept in them. We met the ship in port, boarded and headed out to sea for the journey of a lifetime. I'd do it again in a heartbeat, if given the chance, and I might get the chance because the son in the Navy is now an officer and almost finished with flight school. Ironically, I took a buyout three years one step ahead of getting laid off after 30 years as a journalist, and I now teach journalism at a Department of Defense Dependents School (DoDDS) overseas on a Navy base.

 

[Sharkmc]

Oops, that should read "I took a buyout three years ago one step..." By the way, my wife is claustrophobic, went down one deck to the mess, sat down for five minutes and bolted for the ladder to leave the ship. She and our daughter drove our car to Norfolk where she met us before we all drove back to the Midwest. Even if she wasn't claustrophobic she could not have come because there were no women on the ship and no berthing for women. My daughter, however, was bummed out.

 

[TigerVols]

I went on a Tiger Cruise on my oldest son's ship about four years ago, along with my two younger sons (10 and 12 at the time.) We all thoroughly enjoyed the three days we spent at sea on the destroyer. The racks, by the way, our coffin-size, and I couldn't believe the enlisted men slept in them. We met the ship in port, boarded and headed out to sea for the journey of a lifetime. I'd do it again in a heartbeat, if given the chance, and I might get the chance because the son in the Navy is now an officer and almost finished with flight school. Ironically, I took a buyout three years one step ahead of getting laid off after 30 years as a journalist, and I now teach journalism at a Department of Defense Dependents School (DoDDS) overseas on a Navy base.

Damn, that would be a cool gig. Are you on a base with your son? Is it a good location?

 

[Sharkmc]

No, my son in the Navy is back in the States finishing up his training. But there is a chance he could be stationed about four hours from his mother and me when he's got his wings. I am in a great location, and compared to teaching back home, teaching here is a breeze. I had classes that averaged 35 before, now I have classes of 18, 18, 9, and 20. My wife and I love living just off the base immersed in the culture.