Cruise Lines and Experiences

[Marco Polo]

Going on my first Carnival cruise next month. Any suggestions on how to deal with food on shabbos day and/or on excursions?

Any other cruise related suggestions/ tips are greatly appreciated.

You can pre-order your food before Shabbat. Can also get food that does not need to be warmed up if you want.

I would highly recommend that you pre-order every single meal the day before, especially since you most likely will have special requests. If you decide to order it at the meal, it will take a very long time to get what you want.

[mechayamom]

So I am gluten free. What kind of food would cruise lines be able to provide. Kosher and gluten free? 
Always an issue in airplane meals. For that I bring my own stuff.
Thx

[CS1]

So I am gluten free. What kind of food would cruise lines be able to provide. Kosher and gluten free? 
Always an issue in airplane meals. For that I bring my own stuff.
Thx

Kosherica.com is extremely accommodating and they will make efforts to provide you with amazing 5-Star Kosher meats, fish, chicken, rice, BBQ's, lamb/duck, etc.... However, they are priced higher than other vacations, so that's your call.

[Emkay]

[However, they are priced higher than other vacations, so that's your call.

as in ALOT higher

[mechayamom]

Yeah not doing kosherica. Like 3 times the price of regular cruise
Was looking for recommendations on standard cruise. Will start calling guest relations
Just was looking if anybody here had any experience
Thx

[CS1]

as in ALOT higher

true -- could be 2-3X higher and 6-8X better quantity and higher quality (plus strictly Kosher) food.....   ...and daf yomi/minyanim...

[mechayamom]

I'm not knocking Kosherica. Have heard wonderful things about it
Just too expensive for us.

[Yaalili]

Kosherica.com is extremely accommodating and they will make efforts to provide you with amazing 5-Star Kosher meats, fish, chicken, rice, BBQ's, lamb/duck, etc.... However, they are priced higher than other vacations, so that's your call.

Yup, I remember when I was with them they had some special request (like Gluten-free and others) and they were always very accommodating about it, making a few choices for every course at every meal.

[CS1]

Yup, I remember when I was with them they had some special request (like Gluten-free and others) and they were always very accommodating about it, making a few choices for every course at every meal.

+1
Yes, I've seen them literally bend over backwards to accommodate all food styles and restrictions as best as possible. Even young, picky eaters who would only eat french fries and chicken at every meal... For the rest of us -- they had amazing 5-course upscale, tasty Menus each night. You could almost order every single item. Even all desserts, and doubles on creme brulee.

[Emkay]

+1
Yes, I've seen them literally bend over backwards to accommodate all food styles and restrictions as best as possible. Even young, picky eaters who would only eat french fries and chicken at every meal... For the rest of us -- they had amazing 5-course upscale, tasty Menus each night. You could almost order every single item. Even all desserts, and doubles on creme brulee.

You pay me that markup on the true cost and Ill bend over backwards for you too

[CS1]

You pay me that markup on the true cost and Ill bend over backwards for you too

Agreed -- However, it's easy to see that there are costs involved in leasing a portion of the kitchen, paying extra Mashgichim, purchasing extra large quantities of additional costly food, renting out a "shul" space and paying for Rabbis, classes, daf yomi, workshops, and coordinating a Sefer Torah and minyanim, huge Shabbos spread (the Italian captain came special for the cholent!), and extra services... 

[Marco Polo]

Agreed -- However, it's easy to see that there are costs involved in leasing a portion of the kitchen, paying extra Mashgichim, purchasing extra large quantities of additional costly food, renting out a "shul" space and paying for Rabbis, classes, daf yomi, workshops, and coordinating a Sefer Torah and minyanim, huge Shabbos spread (the Italian captain came special for the cholent!), and extra services...

For some, they need/want all those extras. I'm okay slumming it with regular food.

[CS1]

For some, they need/want all those extras. I'm okay slumming it with regular food.

same here -- especially when leaving 10 degree winter weather and entering 72 degrees, Carribbean blue sky, tall palm trees, and crystal blue ocean.
At that point canned tuna and fresh fruit are perfect. No slumming needed, especially with the Celebrity or Royal Carribbean ambiance.

PS (We like the Kosherica staff, too -- affording that is quite high, but sometimes groups can do very well...)

[Achas Veachas]

Agreed -- However, it's easy to see that there are costs involved in leasing a portion of the kitchen, paying extra Mashgichim, purchasing extra large quantities of additional costly food, renting out a "shul" space and paying for Rabbis, classes, daf yomi, workshops, and coordinating a Sefer Torah and minyanim, huge Shabbos spread (the Italian captain came special for the cholent!), and extra services... 

As mentioned, no one is begrudging Kosherica the money they are charging. They offer a great product at a great price. If I was one of those people for whom money isn't an issue I probably would have enjoyed them. It's just that at that price range their services are a bit beyond the average Frum family.

[Jay the PRESIDENT]

Does it matter where you book cruise- directly through cruise (i.e. Carnival) or through travel site (i.e. orbitz)... assuming price is the the same?
Would trip insurance help in event of cancellation? better credit cards to use for booking?

Thanks!

[CS1]

As mentioned, no one is begrudging Kosherica the money they are charging. They offer a great product at a great price. If I was one of those people for whom money isn't an issue I probably would have enjoyed them. It's just that at that price range their services are a bit beyond the average Frum family.

... It's just that at that price range, their services are even a bit beyond the above average Frum family.

[Jay the PRESIDENT]

Opinion for a short cheapish cruise to complement a Miami trip:

MSC Divina            
Cruise Itinerary:

Day   Ports of Call   Arrival   Departure   
         
1   Miami, Florida   ---   7:00 p.m.

2   Nassau, Bahamas   8:00 a.m.   6:00 p.m.

3   Miami, Florida   7:00 a.m.   ---

around $150 (pp, incl tax) for interior... nicer ship but basically only one day...

Carnival Ecstasy
Cruise Itinerary:

Day   Ports of Call   Arrival   Departure   
         
1   Miami, Florida   ---   4:00 p.m.

2   Key West, Florida   7:30 a.m.   1:30 p.m.

3   Cozumel, Mexico   1:30 p.m.   10:00 p.m.

4   At Sea   ---   ---

5   Miami, Florida   8:00 a.m.   ---

around $250 for window... iffy carnival reputation, more attractive itinerary

Thanks

[brooklyndan]

Does it matter where you book cruise- directly through cruise (i.e. Carnival) or through travel site (i.e. orbitz)... assuming price is the the same?
Would trip insurance help in event of cancellation? better credit cards to use for booking?

Thanks!

I found it cheapest to go to cruisecompete.com they send your request to various agencies. They give you links to email them with the quote number and the agencies email you back with their price. I found vacationstogo.com to be the cheapest. There was no sales pressure, just here's our price let us know if you'd like to book.

We found a 7 day Western Caribbean cruise on Norwegian Jan. 18 out of New Orleans for $269pp Total of $755 for 2 incl tax and fees Plus $50 onboard credit

[HarryPotterFan]

I've been eying that MSC Divina itinerary on the 11th. Price can't be beat for a rather new ship. Usually this ship does 7 day sailings but this is to occupy it between 2 charters. I have yet to try this brand and am thinking this is the perfect time to do so.

Opinion for a short cheapish cruise to complement a Miami trip:

MSC Divina            
Cruise Itinerary:

Day   Ports of Call   Arrival   Departure   
         
1   Miami, Florida   ---   7:00 p.m.

2   Nassau, Bahamas   8:00 a.m.   6:00 p.m.

3   Miami, Florida   7:00 a.m.   ---

around $150 (pp, incl tax) for interior... nicer ship but basically only one day...

Carnival Ecstasy
Cruise Itinerary:

Day   Ports of Call   Arrival   Departure   
         
1   Miami, Florida   ---   4:00 p.m.

2   Key West, Florida   7:30 a.m.   1:30 p.m.

3   Cozumel, Mexico   1:30 p.m.   10:00 p.m.

4   At Sea   ---   ---

5   Miami, Florida   8:00 a.m.   ---

around $250 for window... iffy carnival reputation, more attractive itinerary

Thanks

[Jay the PRESIDENT]

I've been eying that MSC Divina itinerary on the 11th. Price can't be beat for a rather new ship. Usually this ship does 7 day sailings but this is to occupy it between 2 charters. I have yet to try this brand and am thinking this is the perfect time to do so.

let us know what you decide!