Nimitz Friends and Family Day Cruise

Boarding was between 5:00 and 7:00 AM so we had to get up and around very early. We stood in a very long line but it moved quickly and soon we were on the hanger deck of the Nimitz. There were many long tables set up with rows and rows of doughnuts and pastries. Orange Juice, water and coffee were also available. I was disappointed that there were no protein items for breakfast. I elected to skip it rather than later pay the price for an all sugar breakfast.

Literally tons of wash are done every day by Nimitz' laundry, dry cleaning and tailoring services personnel.

Ammunition and some kind of gun.


Welcome Aboard Banner featuring Admiral Nimitz


There was a band at one end of the Hangar Deck


Not quite sure what these are. Missiles? Torpedos?

After breakfast it was time to explore the ship. After seeing the galley and Nick's bunk it was already time for lunch. They must have started lunch early because there were so many people to serve. It takes a while to move 8000 people through the line. It was served buffet style with 18 buffet lines. The lines of people snaked and swirled around the hangar deck but it did move pretty quickly. The menu consisted of hamburgers, hot dogs, spare ribs, roast beef, fried chicken, cole slaw, green salad, potato salad, pasta salad, baked beans, corn on the cob and dinner rolls.

Nick had to stand watch at 2:00 pm so he didn't get to show us all that he wanted. He had wanted to show us the brig and the diesels but there wasn't enough time.

While Matt was wandering around the ship he saw a marriage proposal on the flight deck. She said yes!

My Daddy is a Sailor on the USS Nimitz
For the child who is proud of their sailor Daddy. A wreath of patriotic stars, sea weed, bubbles and cute sea creatures.
$24.99

Product Information
Stay warm while lookin' casual-cool. Deep front pocket and hood for extra protection. Made of cotton/polyester blend that's thick (not bulky) for enjoying roomy comfort that allows adding layers underneath. Great durability for playing hard or hangin' out.

See all of the "My Daddy is a Sailor on the Nimitz" gear here

Nuclear power allows the ship to store 50 percent more ammunition and almost twice as much aviation fuel as the largest conventional carrier.

Buy at AllPosters.com

The Nimitz hangar deck was the base of operation for the families. It was here that we were served breakfast and lunch. There were lots of tables and chairs set up. There were several displays and vendors around the perimeter, such as a firefighting display. Firefighting is very important on a ship. There was a table set up with information on nutrition. Across the deck you could buy Nimitz caps, mugs and shirts. These were very popular items and there was a line for those all day. Next to that there was a booth set up with information for deploying sailors and their families, such as information on the ombudsman, important phone numbers and things like that. There was a band at one end of the deck and an animated movie for the kids at the other end.

Proud Nimitz Mom Jr. Raglan
Feminine design with the text, "Proud Mom of a US Sailor USS Nimitz.".
$25.99

Product Information
Our Jr. Raglan from American Apparel is body contoured and baby soft. Made of 100% superfine combed cotton baby rib, this raglan provides the perfect look for any season.

* 5.8 oz. 100% Ultra-fine combed ring spun 1x1 baby rib cotton
* Size up for a looser fit
* Made in the U.S.A.

See all of the gear for Proud Moms of Nimitz Sailors here

Nimitz' three chaplains conduct daily religious services in an interdenominational chapel.

As we passed Point Loma headed out to sea we saw 3 or 4 dolphins. Everyone standing at the rail squealed when the dolphins jumped out of the water. They were so quick that I didn't get a photo.

We kept an eye out for Diego, the whale that is currently lingering in the harbor but we didn't see him on our way out or on our way back in. I heard on the local news that Diego seems to be healthy. He did start to leave the harbor and head toward the migration route but he turned around and came back in. Of course there are lots of whale watching tours being offered right now in hopes of spotting Diego.

The captain welcomed us to the ship and pointed out that we should keep in mind that this was not a cruise ship but a war ship and therefore not to expect much in the way of creature comforts.

Nimitz is a part of Carrier Strike Group 11


Coronado Bay Bridge


San Diego Skyline, Star of India


San Diego Skyline, The Midway

The Medical Department is manned by six doctors, including a general surgeon, who provide everything from surgery to hydro-therapy. The ship also features a 53-bed hospital ward, a three bed ICU, and acts as the hospital ship for the entire Nimitz battle group.

Captain Paul O. Monger was commissioned an Ensign upon graduation from the United States Naval Academy in June 1982 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Aerospace Engineering. The son of a career Naval Aviator, he attended flight school and was designated a Naval Flight Officer upon receiving his wings of gold in August 1983. He completed F-14A training with VF-124 at NAS Miramar and reported to the Bounty Hunters of VF-2 in March 1985

Photo and information comes from USS Nimitz Home Page

The Post Office processes more than one million pounds of mail each year.

After lunch everyone went up to the flight deck for an air show. They have aircraft elevators for moving the planes from the hangar deck to the flight deck. We rode these up to the flight deck. They are really just platforms but it was much better than climbing the "ladders" up there.

I was noticing that there were only two jets and I was thinking it might not be much of an air show. At this time someone was handing out earplugs to everyone. I was thinking, yeah, it probably does get pretty loud up here. Little did I know! The two planes made a circuit around the carrier and dropped some flares and I thought that was nice. They did several flybys at eye level. Pretty soon one of the planes circled around and buzzed the length of the carrier right over our heads creating two sonic booms in the process. Ah, that's what the earplugs are for!! Then one of the planes buzzed us from behind creating another sonic boom. That took everyone by surprise!

We saw one of the planes take off and land on the carrier. It is amazing how fast they can get up speed to take off and how quickly they can stop when they land.

Two Helicopters


Nimitz Tower, Flight Deck


Nimitz Flight Deck, Tower


The Catapult

When the air show was over most everyone returned to the hangar deck. They still had the buffet set up and I was surprised to see a long chow line once again. This time they had added cookies, chocolate cake, white cake and big fruit bowls with apples, bananas and oranges. Bottled water was available all day.

We ran into a sailor and his wife and daughter that we had met earlier in the day and enjoyed talking with them. I think my husband met his witty match in Robert H. and the two of them kept us laughing. Robert, if you read this, your bottle of Space Aliens BBQ sauce is on the way!

Nimitz reaches over 18 stories high from the keel to the top of the mast.

As the Nimitz entered the San Diego channel the captain informed us that there were about 1000 dolphins off the starboard side. We asked a sailor which side was the starboard side and rushed over to look. We managed to see several hundred of them. What a sight! They looked like they were black with a white belly and a tan area on their sides. I haven't been able to find a picture like that so I don't know what kind of dolphins they were.

Buy at AllPosters.com

Nimitz Friends and Family Cruise
Were you on the Nimitz Friends and Family Day Cruise? Here are T-shirts and gear just for you. A souvenir of that fun cruise.
$26.99

Product Information
Look cool without breaking the bank. Our durable, high-quality, pre-shrunk 100% cotton t-shirt is what to wear when you want to go comfortably casual. Preshrunk, durable and guaranteed.
* 5.6 oz. 100% cotton
* Standard fit

See all of the Nimitz Friends and Family Day Cruise Gear

Buy at AllPosters.com

San Diego Skyline


A Tugboat helping the Nimitz into port.


Lighthouse Point Loma


Armed with a 50 caliber, these Navy Security boats warned other vessels away from the Nimitz

Four distilling units enable Nimitz engineers to make over 400,000 gallons of fresh water a day, for use by the propulsion plants, catapults and crew.

Proud Navy Dad Dark T-Shirt
Take pride in your sailor by wearing a T-shirt with a patriotic, red and blue Proud Navy Dad logo.
$26.99

Product Information
Look cool without breaking the bank. Our durable, high-quality, pre-shrunk 100% cotton t-shirt is what to wear when you want to go comfortably casual. Preshrunk, durable and guaranteed.
* 5.6 oz. 100% cotton
* Standard fit

See all of the Proud Navy Dad Gear here

Nimitz' one barber shop trims over 1,500 heads each week.

Nimitz can stock at least 70 days of refrigerated and dry storage goods.

Buy at AllPosters.com

Heart US Sailor Women's V-Neck Dark T-Shirt
My Heart Belongs to a US Sailor. Pretty swirly girly heart with Navy Blue text.
$26.99

Product Information
Our 100% cotton, women's v-neck dark tee is preshrunk, durable and guaranteed.

* 5.6 oz. 100% cotton
* Standard fit

See more "My Heart Belongs to a US Sailor" Gear here

Nimitz' Food Services Department provides 18,000-20,000 meals a day.

Buy at AllPosters.com

All of the Nimitz facts on this page come from the USS Nimitz Home Page.