Norwegian Cruise Line Ash Scattering: Policy & Guide
He Would Have Loved This Ship
Maybe the person you lost was a Norwegian loyalist. Maybe they loved the freedom of Freestyle Cruising, no assigned dinner times, no set schedule, just the open water and the chance to do things their own way. Maybe they always talked about taking a cruise and never got the chance.
Whatever brought you here, you are trying to figure out how to scatter ashes on a Norwegian cruise. You want to know if NCL allows it, what the rules are, and whether it will feel like a real goodbye or just a logistical exercise squeezed between trivia games and the buffet line.
It will feel real. Norwegian handles these ceremonies with quiet care, and the crew treats them with the respect they deserve. NCL has confirmed that ash scattering is a common request, one they accommodate regularly across their entire fleet. You are not the first family to do this, and you will not be the last.
Norwegian Cruise Line's Ash Scattering Policy
Norwegian Cruise Line permits ash scattering ceremonies on all 20 ships in its current fleet. The service is free. There is no additional charge beyond your cruise fare.
NCL requires the cremated remains to be in a biodegradable container. The container must be sealed, leak-proof, and able to pass through x-ray machines at both the TSA checkpoint and the cruise terminal. A biodegradable urn designed for water ceremonies is the ideal choice because it meets every requirement and dissolves completely after release.
You will need to bring a death certificate and a cremation certificate. If your urn is biodegradable, a certificate of biodegradability is strongly recommended. Pachamama urns include this certificate in every kit, which gives the crew one less thing to verify.
The ashes must remain in your stateroom for the entire voyage. You cannot take them off the ship at any port of call. Each country has its own laws governing the transport of human remains, and NCL's policy requires the urn to stay onboard until the ceremony.
How to Arrange the Ceremony
Start before your sailing. Contact Norwegian's guest relations team by phone at (866) 625-1164 or by email at guestrelations@ncl.com. Let them know you plan to hold an ash scattering ceremony onboard, and provide your booking number, ship name, and sailing date. NCL has said this is a common request and the team will note it in your reservation.
Once onboard, visit Guest Services on your first full day at sea. They will ask for your preferred date and time, the number of people attending, and will take a copy of the death certificate. Guest Services then coordinates with the ship's Environmental Officer, who is responsible for ensuring the ceremony meets all environmental and maritime regulations.
The ceremony must take place at least 12 nautical miles from land. This is stricter than the EPA's general requirement of three nautical miles, but it is standard across NCL's fleet and ensures the farewell happens well into open water, far from port traffic and coastal activity.
The timing will depend on your itinerary. Open-water sailing days are ideal. Port-intensive routes may have fewer available windows, so it helps to mention your plans early so the crew can identify the best day. For a broader look at how different cruise lines handle this, our overview of cruise lines that allow ash scattering compares policies across the industry.
What Happens on the Day
On the scheduled date and time, the Environmental Officer and a Security Officer will meet your group and escort you to the designated location. This is typically a section of open deck that is not accessible to other passengers during the ceremony. The area is secured for privacy, and the crew ensures that other guest activities are not interrupted.
The captain monitors wind conditions and lets Guest Services know when conditions are favorable for releasing ashes. This matters more than you might think. The crew wants the moment to go smoothly, and they will time it so the wind carries everything out over the water rather than back toward the ship.
You will be given privacy to hold your ceremony however you choose. Some families read aloud. Some play a song on a phone. Some say nothing at all and just stand together watching the water. There is no script provided by the ship and no formal ceremony led by crew. This is your time.
If you are placing a biodegradable urn into the water, you will watch it float gently on the surface before it begins to sink and dissolve. If you are looking for something to say in that moment, our guide on what to say at an ash scattering ceremony has short, natural phrases that work well at sea. And our collection of readings and blessings for a water farewell offers passages families have used during cruise ceremonies.
You can scatter natural flowers, dried petals, or small biodegradable wreaths alongside the ashes. No plastic ribbons, plastic flowers, plastic urns, balloons, or any non-biodegradable materials are permitted. Norwegian takes ocean conservation seriously. Every ship carries a dedicated Environmental Officer, and the line holds ISO 14001 certification for environmental management, so they practice what they ask of you.
What It Costs
Nothing beyond what you are already paying. The ceremony coordination, the escort, the private deck access, and the crew's time are all complimentary. NCL does not charge a fee for ash scattering services.
Your only cost is the urn. A Pachamama cruise farewell urn starts at $49 with free shipping in the U.S. Each kit includes the biodegradable urn, an ashes bag, a handmade paper flower, dried flower confetti for scattering alongside the urn, a ceremony guide, and a curated music playlist accessible by QR code.
Compare that to a private charter boat ceremony, which typically costs $500 to $2,500 depending on your location and group size. A cruise farewell gives you the same open-ocean goodbye at a fraction of the cost, with the added gift of a trip to grieve, rest, and be together as a family.
For more context on what cruise lines require and what to expect logistically, our cruise-approved biodegradable urns page covers the essentials.
Bringing Ashes Onboard an NCL Ship
If you are driving to the departure port, place the urn in a bag you can carry through the terminal. It will pass through x-ray screening like any other item. Have your death certificate, cremation certificate, and biodegradability certificate ready in case security asks.
If you are flying to the port, always pack the urn in your carry-on luggage. Never place it in checked bags. TSA allows cremated remains through the security checkpoint as long as the container is x-rayable, and biodegradable urns have no metal, so they clear without issue. Our TSA guide for flying with a biodegradable urn walks through every step, and our traveling with ashes guide covers airline-specific rules you should review before your flight.
Once onboard, keep the urn in your stateroom. It is your responsibility for the entire cruise. Do not leave it in public areas. Do not take it ashore at any port. This is both NCL's policy and common sense, because returning through port security in another country with cremated remains can create complications you do not want on this trip.
The Freestyle Difference
Norwegian built its brand around the idea that cruise vacations should not be rigid. No assigned dining times. No formal dress codes. No fixed schedules telling you where to be and when. They call it Freestyle Cruising.
That philosophy extends to how they handle ash scattering. Families who have arranged ceremonies on NCL ships describe a crew that works around your preferences rather than slotting you into a narrow window. If you want sunrise because that was your person's favorite time of day, they try to make it happen. If you want sunset because it feels right, they work with that too. The ceremony bends to you, not the other way around.
NCL also sails to a wide range of destinations. Caribbean and Bahamas itineraries are the most popular for ash scattering because of the warm water and long stretches of open sea. But Norwegian also sails Alaska, the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, and Hawaii, and the service is available on every route as long as the ship is in open water at the required distance from land.
If you are still deciding which cruise line is right for this farewell, our guide on planning a meaningful farewell at sea covers the emotional side of choosing a cruise for this purpose, regardless of the line.
Getting the Captain's Letter
After the ceremony, some NCL captains provide a letter or certificate that includes the date, time, and GPS coordinates of where the ashes were released. This is not guaranteed on every sailing, so ask Guest Services when you are arranging the ceremony. If they cannot confirm it in advance, ask the Environmental Officer or Security Officer to note the time and coordinates during the ceremony so you can record them yourself.
Having the coordinates matters. It gives you a way to return to the exact spot on a future cruise, to mark it on a map at home, or to share it with family members who could not be there. It also makes the EPA reporting easier.
Our EPA burial at sea step-by-step guide walks through the entire reporting process, including the direct link to the form. The report is required within 30 days if the ceremony happens in U.S. waters. It is free and takes about five minutes.
Dividing Ashes for Multiple Farewells
Not every family wants to scatter everything in one place. Some hold a cruise ceremony for part of the ashes and keep a portion at home. Others plan one farewell at sea and another in a garden, at a lake, or at a place the person loved on land.
If you are dividing ashes, our guide on sharing ashes among loved ones explains how to do it thoughtfully and without guilt. For multiple small urns for different ceremonies, our multi-location memorial guide covers the logistics.
And if you are not ready to scatter everything yet, there is no rush. You can keep a portion in a keepsake urn at home for as long as you need. There is no timeline for this. The cruise ceremony can be one part of a longer goodbye, not the only one.
How NCL Compares to Other Cruise Lines
If you are weighing your options, here is how Norwegian stacks up against the other major lines we have covered.
| Detail | Norwegian | Carnival | Royal Caribbean |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free | Free | Free |
| Distance from Shore | 12 nautical miles | 12 nautical miles | 3 nautical miles (EPA minimum) |
| Urn Requirement | Biodegradable | Wood, plastic, cardboard, or ceramic (biodegradable recommended) | Biodegradable only, no plastic or wire |
| Fleet Size | 20 ships | 27 ships | 28 ships |
| Escort | Environmental Officer + Security Officer | Guest Services + Environmental Officer | Guest Services crew member |
| Attendee Cap | Not published | 12 guests | Not published |
| Pre-Cruise Contact | guestrelations@ncl.com or (866) 625-1164 | John Heald (Brand Ambassador) | gfotravelservices@rccl.com |
For full details on Royal Caribbean, see our Royal Caribbean ash scattering guide. For Carnival, see our Carnival burial at sea guide.
What to Bring to the Ceremony
Keep it simple. The ceremony does not need to be elaborate. It needs to be yours.
Essentials include the biodegradable urn with ashes already placed inside, the death certificate and cremation certificate (copies are fine), and the certificate of biodegradability.
Optional items that families often bring: a printed reading, poem, or short letter. Natural flower petals or dried flowers for scattering after the urn is released. A phone to play a meaningful song. Pachamama kits include a curated ceremony playlist accessible by QR code, so you do not have to figure that part out on your own. A small notepad to write down the time and coordinates if the crew shares them.
Do not bring plastic flowers, balloons, glitter, synthetic ribbons, or anything non-biodegradable. Norwegian prohibits all non-biodegradable materials from entering the water. For a more detailed packing list, our ceremony checklist covers everything you might want to have with you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Norwegian Cruise Line charge for ash scattering at sea? No. The ceremony is complimentary on all NCL ships. The crew coordinates the timing, location, and escort at no cost beyond your cruise fare. Your only expense is a suitable biodegradable urn.
How far from shore does the ceremony take place? NCL requires the ship to be at least 12 nautical miles from land. This exceeds the EPA minimum of three nautical miles and ensures the ceremony takes place well into open water.
What documents do I need to bring? You will need a death certificate and a cremation certificate. A certificate of biodegradability for your urn is also strongly recommended. Pachamama cruise farewell urns include this certificate in every kit.
Can I contact NCL before the cruise to make arrangements? Yes. Call (866) 625-1164 or email guestrelations@ncl.com with your booking number, ship name, and sailing date. Let them know you plan to hold an ash scattering so they can note it in your reservation before you board.
Who escorts the family during the ceremony? On NCL ships, the Environmental Officer and a Security Officer escort the family to the designated location. They secure the area for privacy and stay nearby without intruding on the ceremony itself.
Can I scatter flowers along with the ashes? Yes, as long as they are natural and biodegradable. Fresh or dried petals, loose flowers, and small natural wreaths are all permitted. No plastic, synthetic, or non-biodegradable materials of any kind.
Do I need to file an EPA report after the ceremony? If the ceremony occurs in U.S. waters, yes. The EPA requires a brief online notification within 30 days. It includes the date, approximate GPS coordinates, the name of the deceased, and the vessel name. There is no fee. Our EPA guide has the direct link and step-by-step instructions.
Will the captain provide a letter with the coordinates? Some NCL captains do provide a letter or certificate with the date, time, and GPS coordinates of the ceremony. This is not guaranteed on every sailing, so request it through Guest Services when you are making arrangements. If a letter is not available, ask the officers present to note the coordinates so you can record them yourself.
Freestyle Means You Get to Do This Your Way
Norwegian calls its approach Freestyle Cruising because they believe a vacation should not come with a rigid itinerary. The same applies to saying goodbye on one of their ships. There is no script. There is no formal program. There is just an open stretch of ocean, a crew that knows how to give you privacy, and a few quiet minutes that belong entirely to you and the person you are letting go.
Some families tell me afterward that it was the most peaceful moment of the entire trip. That the ship felt enormous and full of noise, and then suddenly they were standing at the railing and the world shrank down to just the water and the sky and the people they love.
You do not need to know what to say. You do not need to have a plan. You just need to show up. The ocean will do the rest.
With love,
Virginia