PEARL HARBOR — Sailors and Marines aboard USS Peleliu welcomed more than 250 friends and family members for a "tiger cruise" as the ship departed Naval Station Pearl Harbor late last month, following a four-day port visit.

The term "tigers" is used to describe the guests, often family, of crew members who take part in these types of orientation cruises throughout the fleet.

A total of 266 tigers joined the crew of Peleliu for the final leg of its 2008 deployment as the ship began the more than 2,000-mile final trek toward its homeport of San Diego following a six-month deployment that included duty in the Persian Gulf.

An amphibious assault ship, the Peleliu has a flattop deck similar to an aircraft carrier. It carries helicopters, Harrier jump jets and a contingent of Marines.

Removing their Peleliu ball caps and standing at attention, guests joined the sailors and Marines to render honors to the USS Arizona Memorial as the ship pulled out of Pearl Harbor.

Everyone who gathered on the flight deck also got a history lesson, as a sailor who works at the Arizona Memorial narrated the history and pointed out landmarks of the naval base that played such a key role in World War II.

"It's pretty hard to describe, but it's an honor for all of us to be here, and it's pretty amazing to be a part of this history," said Seaman Shawn Armstrong from Naval Station Pearl Harbor's Arizona Memorial Detachment.

"Being able to narrate the history of this harbor during the transit is an honor for me, and I'm happy I was asked to do it," Armstrong said.

During the transit back to homeport, the visitors eat, sleep and join Peleliu sailors and Marines in experiencing life at sea aboard the ship.

According to Lt. Cmdr. Steve Audelo, Peleliu's tiger cruise coordinator, the highlights of the cruise are the damage control Olympics, weapons demonstrations and flight operations. Numerous tours of different parts of the ship are also available.

"My favorite part is seeing the excitement from a tiger when they experience something for the first time," said Audelo.

"A tiger cruise is a rare opportunity for family and friends to see firsthand operations aboard a naval warship," Audelo said. "It is often hard to fully describe what exactly it is we do on board Peleliu, and there is no better experience than actually being here."

Tigers said they enjoy the opportunity to see what their friends and family members do on a daily basis.

"I feel like I'm really experiencing the Navy," said Taylor Prell, the father of Jordan Press, an aviation electronics technician 2nd Class. Prell is assigned to Peleliu's aircraft intermediate maintenance department. Prell brought two guests aboard for the return trip, his father and grandfather, Fred Torres.

Peleliu is the flagship of the Peleliu Expeditionary Strike Group, which left San Diego May 4. Peleliu made port visits to Singapore, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Jordan and Australia.