Private Charter - Kosher Cruise

[Dan]

This is the reality of the market, for better or worse. A tour operator doesn't put this info online because nobody asks or cares.

The owner of PIR told me I was the first person to raise this issue.

This makes me sad.

[JS69]

Never looked into them. Those are private charters?

I know the typical Kosherica cruise isn't.

Yes, both companies charter the whole boat. Always docked for Shabbos which coincides with a walking tour of the city that usually ends up with a tour of the local Shul/chabad.

[Dan]

Yes, both companies charter the whole boat. Always docked for Shabbos which coincides with a walking tour of the city that usually ends up with a tour of the local Shul/chabad.

Anyone here ever been on one?

I guess nobody knows, nobody asks, and nobody cares.

[moko]

, and even (gasp) prices publicly.

can you imagine if a hashgacha posted their rates online?

[JS69]

Anyone here ever been on one?

I guess nobody knows, nobody asks, and nobody cares.

I’ve been on 2 now, Danube and Seine, both with Kosherica.   kosherrivercruises.com just finished Bordeaux 2 days ago….. these cruises have very much been happening

[cgr]

Antarctica 2026:
https://kosherrivercruise.com/antarctic-expedition/

[Dan]

I’ve been on 2 now, Danube and Seine, both with Kosherica.   kosherrivercruises.com just finished Bordeaux 2 days ago….. these cruises have very much been happening

So, can you share more about Shabbos?

[Dan]

Antarctica 2026:
https://kosherrivercruise.com/antarctic-expedition/

Show me the Rav that signed off on this charter. 

All kosher (except Shabbos).

[cgr]

Show me the Rav that signed off on this charter. 

All kosher (except Shabbos).

This is what they write about their Shabbos plans:
Our magical Antarctic Shabbat together will take place as we are docked within view of magical icebergs and ice shelves teaming with wildlife. They can be viewed up close with incredible detail from your cabin balcony and ship’s observation decks.

[EliJelly]

For Antarctica, we posted kashrus, Shabbos, and even (gasp) prices publicly.

Kashrus and even prices is posted for this as well. Shabbos is totally different for an Antarctica cruise undocked, it's almost the first thing that comes to mind.

[JS69]

So, can you share more about Shabbos?

The boat is docked the whole time so it essentially becomes a hotel on water. They put up a small eruv Around the gangway. Magnet on the doors like any other hotel. Walking tours on Shabbos .
One ship made us use electric lights Friday night another ship let us light upstairs on the deck with the captain sitting their With the fire extinguisher

[Dan]

This is what they write about their Shabbos plans:
Our magical Antarctic Shabbat together will take place as we are docked within view of magical icebergs and ice shelves teaming with wildlife. They can be viewed up close with incredible detail from your cabin balcony and ship’s observation decks.

And where do they plan on docking in Antarctica??

[Dan]

The ship will be hooked up to land power, water, sewer, and gas.

It seems like most ships continue to use their onboard generators and desalination for water and power, or they use a combination of both, which wouldn't be allowed for a chartered cruise.

Very curious if anyone has fully researched this or if Rabanim are signing off on things without fully researching them.

[Dan]

And where do they plan on docking in Antarctica??

Not just a port to dock at, but one that can supply power and water needs.

I don't think this unicorn exists but CMIIW.

[Dan]

https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/cruises/2024/07/14/cruise-ship-shore-power/74380303007/

Less than 3% of ports worldwide currently offer onshore power. A cruise ship could be running five, 10, maybe even sometimes 20 megawatts of power in shore, so it's not a small load,” he said. “So you need to have the infrastructure to get the power to the pier, which is an investment from the port side, and your power grid has to have the ability to take on this extra load.

[Dan]

Not just a port to dock at, but one that can supply power and water needs.

I don't think this unicorn exists but CMIIW.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/cruises/2024/07/14/cruise-ship-shore-power/74380303007/

Less than 3% of ports worldwide currently offer onshore power. A cruise ship could be running five, 10, maybe even sometimes 20 megawatts of power in shore, so it's not a small load,” he said. “So you need to have the infrastructure to get the power to the pier, which is an investment from the port side, and your power grid has to have the ability to take on this extra load.

This all seems ripe for further investigation. Are the trip organizers asking the right questions? Are the Rabonim being informed of the actual facts on the ground?

[Yehudaa]

You embarked on the wrong cruise

ALOL, but you have a good point. Post deleted.

If you’d like, you can delete your quote of my now-deleted post too.

[Chilla]

@chff , we are waiting with bated breath to hear from your lawyers.
Seriously, hope you can find a lichatchila way do do this beautiful tour, or adjust accordingly.

[WayBackMachine]

Warning: I don't think it's possible to be compliant with halacha and be on a chartered cruise over Shabbos where more than 50% of the pax are Jewish.

don't worry they'll make sure to bring enough goyim

[chff]

Seriously, hope you can find a lichatchila way do do this beautiful tour, or adjust accordingly.

this is a demand? and if not?