Carribean Islands (Which One?) Master Thread

[E-MAN]

Another vote for the cruise here, though will be very expensive if you do it the right way with Kosherica.

Not guaranteed a minyan without Kosherica. Although you can book a regular reservation on a boat that has a kosher group on it and daven with them, but won't be able to eat their food.

[Menachem613]

Not guaranteed a minyan without Kosherica. Although you can book a regular reservation on a boat that has a kosher group on it and daven with them, but won't be able to eat their food.

+1

[Yaalili]

Not guaranteed a minyan without Kosherica. Although you can book a regular reservation on a boat that has a kosher group on it and daven with them, but won't be able to eat their food.

Even that you may not be able to do. They have gotten more strict about it over the years, now they make you pay if you want to Daven in their room.

[E-MAN]

Even that you may not be able to do. They have gotten more strict about it over the years, now they make you pay if you want to Daven in their room.

Wow. I did that about 2.5 years ago and there was some commotion about the kosher group not wanting "the others" to use their Torah, but in the end we were all one happy minyan. 

[Yaalili]

Wow. I did that about 2.5 years ago and there was some commotion about the kosher group not wanting "the others" to use their Torah, but in the end we were all one happy minyan. 

When I did it about 1.5 years ago with Kosherica, they told the other people to give a donation to a certain Yeshiva if they participate in the Minyan, thought that was fair. But they told me, one time a huge group (like 50+ people) who weren't part of Kosherica, came on a cruise that had a group on it, and they were turned away for the Minyan.

[Menachem613]

Even that you may not be able to do. They have gotten more strict about it over the years, now they make you pay if you want to Daven in their room.

That's new.

[Yaalili]

That's new.

People were taking advantage over them. And at the end of the day, Minyan costs money too, to get the Torah, rent the private room etc..

[henche]

They really should contract with the cruise operator that nobody is allowed to get kosher meals at all outside of their program.

That's how I would structure it.

[Menachem613]

They really should contract with the cruise operator that nobody is allowed to get kosher meals at all outside of their program.

That's how I would structure it.

But some food happens to be kosher.

[Yaalili]

They really should contract with the cruise operator that nobody is allowed to get kosher meals at all outside of their program.

That's how I would structure it.

Why would the cruise do that? The kosher food you get from kosherica and the food you get otherwise is completely different. You would get same kosher food on any cruise.

[henche]

Why would the cruise do that? The kosher food you get from kosherica and the food you get otherwise is completely different. You would get same kosher food on any cruise.

The cruise would not want to.   Kosherica would have to negotiate it from them as part of their agreement. Kosherica would want to do it to stop freeloading on their program and to corner the kosher market.

[Hershelsdeals]

Which Caribbean island can I book with avios?

[Yaalili]

Which Caribbean island can I book with avios?

Basically every one is connected through MIA.

[nirc]

Go on a cruise from Sunday till Sunday so shabbos u are on the water

do you really recommend going on a 7 day cruise rather then staying on 1 island for a week?

[nirc]

Another vote for the cruise here, though will be very expensive if you do it the right way with Kosherica.

Kosherica is way too expensive for me, close to 3k pp.

do you really recommend going on a 7 night cruise, rather than staying on 1 island for the week?

[dhalpern1]

Basically every one is connected through MIA.

There are also a bunch with direct AA flights from NYC (mostly JFK). I would recommend booking well in advance since its not so easy to find availability IMHO (if you are looking for exact dates)

http://www.dansdeals.com/archives/32877

[Yaalili]

Kosherica is way too expensive for me, close to 3k pp.

do you really recommend going on a 7 night cruise, rather than staying on 1 island for the week?

So do it without kosherica if too expensive. I loved my cruise going to few places instead of just one.

[CS1]

People were taking advantage over them. And at the end of the day, Minyan costs money too, to get the Torah, rent the private room etc..

Yes -- Just those costs, Kosherica would swallow and share with others on Shabbos, however, the Kosherica groups that I was with had a large Shabbos crowd and limited seating for both the men and women. Therefore, if the 25 pple that wanted to join for free would come, then they'd be filling up the space and seats of those who paid $3K-$5Kpp for the Kosherica week. Daf Yomi and weekday Shacharis were free and open to all...

[joelr773]

do you really recommend going on a 7 day cruise rather then staying on 1 island for a week?

Yes absolutely

[CS1]

Yes absolutely

+1
This way you can see and learn the pros and cons of 5 islands -- plus, the ship itself is an experience. No need to pack/unpack, rent cars either... Afterwards, if you really love a particular destination, i.e. St. Thomas, St. Barts, then you can go for an entire week.

However, the flights to MIA or FLL (where the cruise lines depart from) are much cheaper than flying direct to the Caribbean.