Cruise Lines and Experiences

[CS1]

Couldn't agree more with you. I have also worked as a Mashgiach on a Kosherica cruise, from Seattle to Alaska in the summer last year. Out of about 2,500 passengers there was a group of about 75 Kosherica guests. The food you will be getting if you are a guest with them, is amazing, complete 5-star service, the best food you will ever have in your life. I can't stop thinking about the braised boneless beef shorts ribs that we had friday night, out of this world.

Starting from breakfast, there is so much to choose from, whether you like classical cereal and milk, bread with cream cheese, tons of salads, omelets, eggs, hash browns, waffles, pancakes they have so much and it just keeps on coming out. Every lunch is a full on buffet, with 5-6 different hot dishes, always 1 or 2 soups, lots of different salads and so much more. And at dinner every night, you are given a real good menu to choose from what you like, they always have 3-4 appetizers, 2 soups, 3-4 main dishes, and about 3 desserts to choose from. The waiters are also all super friendly.

For any foodie out there (Dan?) - this is the best possible kosher vacation you can give yourself.

There are lots of foods available that are kosher, but it won't be anything like the real thing. Fruit and veggies are usually ok, kellogs cereal, cholov stam chocolate milk, soft drinks, and some of the bread. This was from past Norwegian cruise experience.

Been telling Dan this for years. I discussed this in depth with him at a wedding over a year ago and described the 16 floor central lobby atrium with the 6 glass elevators, casinos, amazing quality and quantity of food, great minyanim and programming, and wonderful, friendly down-to-earth Kosherica owners.

If Dan loves Hawaii, then he'll really enjoy the Carribean. No packing, unpacking; no runway delays, airline noise/ear pressure.
Challenging for children, however I think that it's such a great fit of travel, food, people, and paradise for Dan that I'd assist with finding the right babysitters for them to enjoy an amazing week on a Kosherica cruise. I've done the Celebrity, Norwegian, and Costa. Great experiences 24/7.
Literally.

[Yaalili]

Been telling Dan this for years. I discussed this in depth with him at a wedding over a year ago and described the 16 floor central lobby atrium with the 6 glass elevators, casinos, amazing quality and quantity of food, great minyanim and programming, and wonderful, friendly down-to-earth Kosherica owners.

If Dan loves Hawaii, then he'll really enjoy the Carribean. No packing, unpacking; no runway delays, airline noise/ear pressure.
Challenging for children, however I think that it's such a great fit of travel, food, people, and paradise for Dan that I'd assist with finding the right babysitters for them to enjoy an amazing week on a Kosherica cruise. I've done the Celebrity, Norwegian, and Costa. Great experiences 24/7.
Literally.

I would probably do a western cruise faster than a Caribbean cruise, cleaner and fresher air. Like a cruise to Alaska in the summer or a cruise to Cabo/Mexico in the winter, Kosherica has both of them But definitely any cruise will be a great experience, i could personally only speak for NCL which i have done, but supposedly others (RC etc..) are great as well.

[kangarruu]

I would probably do a western cruise faster than a Caribbean cruise, cleaner and fresher air. Like a cruise to Alaska in the summer or a cruise to Cabo/Mexico in the winter, Kosherica has both of them But definitely any cruise will be a great experience, i could personally only speak for NCL which i have done, but supposedly others (RC etc..) are great as well.

We did a Kosherica cruise to the Greek Isles last year and it was spectacular. It's every bit as good as people say it is.

[whacked1]

How much does a kosherica cruise cost? (Avg, I'm trying to convince my wife to go on one)

[kangarruu]

How much does a kosherica cruise cost? (Avg, I'm trying to convince my wife to go on one)

We took the most basic room, which on our cruise was $3000 per person (we only paid for one person because of a promotion). Then we paid something like $250pp in port fees and taxes. We were responsible for getting to and from the the point of departure (which we did on points) and lodging before and after the cruise. All of the excursions, whether through the cruise or Kosherica, are additional. The Kosherica ones were between $40-$150pp, but we really planned most of our own excursions and IMO had a much better time of them than the people who did the organized ones. Alcohol and activities on board are mostly additional as well. All told, we paid something like $5000 after all was said and done. It's way more than we would normally pay on a vacation, but the half-off promotion was too good to pass up for something that we would really never otherwise do.

[Yaalili]

We took the most basic room, which on our cruise was $3000 per person (we only paid for one person because of a promotion). Then we paid something like $250pp in port fees and taxes. We were responsible for getting to and from the the point of departure (which we did on points) and lodging before and after the cruise. All of the excursions, whether through the cruise or Kosherica, are additional. The Kosherica ones were between $40-$150pp, but we really planned most of our own excursions and IMO had a much better time of them than the people who did the organized ones. Alcohol and activities on board are mostly additional as well. All told, we paid something like $5000 after all was said and done. It's way more than we would normally pay on a vacation, but the half-off promotion was too good to pass up for something that we would really never otherwise do.

Wow, still seems like a lot even with that promotion. For the cruise i was on they were charging 2200 per person (based on double occupancy) plus port fees and taxes. Going price direct from NCL was about 900 for the same room option. Keep in mind that Kosherica has to bring down and pay 4 mashgichim along with a senior head mashgiach, usually a scholar on board, sometimes entertainment/singers on board and a host/hostess. The amount of kosher food that they have to buy is enormous, they serve tons of food, with some really good cuts of meat, variety of exotic cheeses, and so much more..

[Marco Polo]

If you want to have tons of fresh kosher food and don't mind paying double the regular rate, go with Kosherica. Otherwise, just book regularly and eat what the kosher food the ship offers.

/.02

[CS1]

If you want to have tons of fresh kosher food and don't mind paying double the regular rate, go with Kosherica. Otherwise, just book regularly and eat what the kosher food the ship offers.

/.02

tons of fresh Kosher food => high Kashrus standards, Five Star quality food, morning custom made omelettes/pancakes,
awesome steaks, lamb, meats, fish, chicken, Kosher entertainment, (Chazzanim cruise during Yeshiva Week) sometimes children's classes/activities,
3x a day Minyanim with Sefer Tora, Daf Yomi, Torah-topic classes/learning,
Shabbos minyanim + D'var Torah, etc...

[mordyl19]

Are you going on the pearl? I did this cruise before and they do have some very strict rules about food being brought on, call up ncl.

Yes I think I am going on the Pearl. I will call NCL and see what they say. Thanks

[Yaalili]

Yes I think I am going on the Pearl. I will call NCL and see what they say. Thanks

Np, definitely no open food will be allowed, they snatched away my friend's sandwich

[CS1]

Np, definitely no open food will be allowed, they snatched away my friend's sandwich

would they let people eat in their room/on their balcony?

[Marco Polo]

tons of fresh Kosher food => high Kashrus standards, Five Star quality food, morning custom made omelettes/pancakes,
awesome steaks, lamb, meats, fish, chicken, Kosher entertainment, (Chazzanim cruise during Yeshiva Week) sometimes children's classes/activities,
3x a day Minyanim with Sefer Tora, Daf Yomi, Torah-topic classes/learning,
Shabbos minyanim + D'var Torah, etc...

Agreed. Was just mentioning it may depend on what a person may be looking for. Some don't care much for the additional food and activities and would just book a regular cruise.

[Yaalili]

would they let people eat in their room/on their balcony?

Sure you're allowed to eat their, but only from the ship offers, not from ur personal open food.

[CS1]

Sure you're allowed to eat their, but only from the ship offers, not from ur personal open food.

i see (to clarify,) my question was if you can eat your own Pomegranate meals or your own fruits and vegetables in your own cabin/balcony?

[Yaalili]

i see (to clarify,) my question was if you can eat your own Pomegranate meals or your own fruits and vegetables in your own cabin/balcony?

IIRC you can as long at is closed and sealed. But def call up your cruise line to make sure.

[Kabrams1618]

where is the best place to look for a last minute deal for after school ends late june early july cruise.
open to any port, looking for good price

[Marco Polo]

where is the best place to look for a last minute deal for after school ends late june early july cruise.
open to any port, looking for good price

Vacationstogo.com. Check out the 90-day ticker.

[ueaiouioei]

Do these cruises have reliable internet access?

[robbie]

Do these cruises have reliable internet access?

yes for a charge

[Yaalili]

yes for a charge

A very very expensive one