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A Cruise Courtesy the US Navy

You are invited...
on a Tiger Cruise courtesy of the US Navy. USS Kauffmann FFG59

A Tiger Cruise is the chance for family and friends to see up close what the US Navy does on a day to day basis by observing at-sea operations during transit from one port to another.

A "Tiger" is any relative or friend (but not girlfriend/boyfriend, fiancée or spouse) of a crew member  joining the crew during transit.

Tiger Brother-in-Law (son) and Tiger Father-in-Law (husband)
eagerly accepted the invitation from our Sailor Boy for the final cruise
on board the USS Kauffmann sailing from Florida to Virginia.
I opted to meet them in the port of arrival and sleep in a 4 star hotel. Leaving from Jacksonville, FL

Tiger Quote: Trying to sleep on a battleship is like running a lawnmower in your bedroom all night. Tiger Dad, Sailor Boy, Tiger Brother in Law, Tiger Father in Law

Tiger Quote: I lifted my head from the pillow and hit my head on the rack (bunk) above me.

Tiger Thought: This food is terrible.
Sailor Quote: We're glad you're here.  The food is like it is from Martha Stewart compared to the usual fare. Starting the grill for the Steel Beach Picnic

Tiger Quote: This (bakery bread) does not in anyway resemble the stuff they called bread on that ship.

Tiger Quote: It was an experience and I am not sure I will ever repeat it. Demo helo flyby

Tiger Quote:  When they build battleships there is no consideration for human comfort.
There is no place to sit outside of the mess hall.

Tiger Quote to Sailor's Wife: If he doesn't hear you...he really doesn't hear you.
I think I suffered hearing loss. Tiger Brother-in-Law
poses with an unloaded weapon for a pic to send Mom.

Tiger Quote:  You should have seen the storm we saw.  I knew it was unusually cool because all the sailors came out to take pictures of the lightning too.

Tiger Quote:  We had a Steel Picnic.  Burgers and hotdogs on the flight deck.  I passed on those unidentifiable meats and ate ice cream instead. Ammo for the weapons demo

Tiger Quote: When the CIWS fires (90 rounds/second)
it is like having a messed up pacemaker thumping in your chest.

Tiger Quote: You can't mess up ice cream.
Sailor Quote: Oh? Yes.you.can. Weapons Demo

Tiger Quote: I had one sip of coffee and I don't think I will ever drink coffee again.
How do you ruin coffee?
Answer - You don't change the filter, just keep adding coffee grounds. Weapons demo

Tiger Quote: There is absolutely no privacy on a battleship. CIWS Demo - 90 rounds per second fired by our Sailor Boy.
A close-in weapon system (CIWS), often pronounced sea-whiz, is a point-defense weapon for detecting and destroying short-range incoming missiles and enemy aircraft which have penetrated the outer defenses.
Cool Fact: This weapon fires in every direction but is designed that it will not
fire on any part of its own ship.

Tiger Quote: We had luxury of 2 toilets, 2 showers, and 3 sinks for 60 guys. Text from Tiger: I see land. Thank God.

The 29 year old USS Kauffmann is now being decommissioned
and will likely be sold to another country.
It will await its fate in nearby Philadelphia.

Photos by Tiger Father-in-Law

To see my heartwarming Sailor Boy homecoming post click here. Posted by rebecca haegele at 7/20/2015 11:47:00 AM Labels: Tiger Cruise, USS Kauffmann FFG 59 
Fascinating pics! My big question is how did you get (allowed) to take these pics (because I only see men)? Special clearance?

July 20, 2015 at 3:30 PM 
What an awesome experience!

July 20, 2015 at 3:56 PM 
Wow, that was something special.

July 20, 2015 at 4:03 PM 
My husband took the pictures. I stayed on land. Because it is an old ship all the enlisted people are men since there are separate accommodations. There were a few female officers though.

July 20, 2015 at 4:06 PM 
I like the first shot of USS Kaufmann FFG59! Tom The Backroads Traveller

July 20, 2015 at 7:32 PM 
That was a very special adventure....Loved all the photographs....How are things going with your daughter?

July 20, 2015 at 8:07 PM 
July 20, 2015 at 8:08 PM 
Tell Tiger FIL he captured some great images.

July 20, 2015 at 10:07 PM 
That was a great tour! The Tiger quotes are great. Gives you perspective in an entertaining way! We appreciate your service, Sailor Boy!

July 21, 2015 at 12:13 AM 
What an amazing experience!

July 21, 2015 at 1:57 AM 
wow! I loved reading this! felt like I was there without having to endure the food etc...

July 21, 2015 at 5:10 AM 
What an amazing experience. Was any sea sickness involved?

July 21, 2015 at 11:26 AM 
Calm seas and no seasickness.

July 21, 2015 at 5:35 PM 
How cool and what a great experience for all those tigers even if they don't want to do it again. Loved the tiger quotes, lol.


July 22, 2015 at 5:48 AM 
the experience of a lifetime...well represented with the images!! i LOVED the perspective on the first image!!

i'm glad i did not miss this!!!

July 22, 2015 at 8:28 AM 
Great post, great photos, what an adventure! You had the better deal with the four star hotel :)

July 22, 2015 at 5:44 PM 
What a great time you must have had a great time. That is a good looking ship. this coming from a former YN3.


July 22, 2015 at 9:51 PM 
Oh that certainly sounds like an experience, interesting, informative and possibly not to be repeated. My Sis G has joined the army and she will back up the lack of privacy and good food. I guess that happens everywhere. She loves it though.

July 22, 2015 at 10:05 PM 
Wow! That looks like it was a great day out.

July 23, 2015 at 10:08 AM 
Fabulous photography but I am not sure I could be around all those guns.... they make me shudder


July 25, 2015 at 7:38 AM Rebeckah Leatherman said...

That sounds like a wretched experience! Well, maybe not wretched, but I was lost at the bad sleeping arrangements. I think you went a MUCH smarter route!

August 10, 2015 at 8:30 PM