Cruising With The Navy

Based on the phone calls and letters the U.S. Navy has received after publication of the story “Civilians Can Cruise With Navy” (April 8), there seems to be some public misunderstandings regarding the Navy’s cruise programs.

The cruise described in the article is a Tiger Cruise. These are for primarily male relatives or friends of crew members on a ship, usually returning from an overseas deployment. Civilians cannot sign up or apply but must be specifically invited by a member of the crew.

There are other cruise programs that place civilians on Navy ships. The most common of these is the Guest of the Navy Cruise, conducted on all types of Navy surface ships. These are scheduled on specific ships home ported in San Diego and Long Beach with each cruise lasting from one to five days. Some cruises begin in the ship’s home port and conclude in another city, such as Pearl Harbor, San Francisco or even Mexican and Canadian ports. In these instances, the guest is responsible for return transportation. Other cruises begin and end in the ship’s home port. All guests are berthed in office accommodations.

Guests under this program are drawn from mid-level executives, community leaders and educators who are involved in civic, professional and social organizations.

For further information on the Guest of the Navy cruises, call me at the public affairs office, Naval Surface Group in Long Beach (213) 831-8729. For San Diego and southern Orange County residents, contact Vince Bond at the Naval Base San Diego public affairs office (619) 532-1430.

Steven B. Chesser

Public Affairs Officer

U.S. Navy