Kosher Cruiser

Although I have never been on a cruise ship during Passover, many cruise lines do make accommodations. I have spoken to several cruise lines to learn about their Passover accommodations. Although none of these cruise lines' Sedarim appears to work for an Orthodox Jew, I am providing a summary of my findings here. Several lines do offer kosher for Passover food however. Offerings by cruise line Carnival will offer Kosher for Passover food provided by their kosher caterer, upon request, which must be received 60 days in advance. A Sedar is only offered on board if a rabbi contacts the cruise line to lead it on a volunteer basis.  (read more at: Keeping kosher on Carnival ) Celebrity stated there is a Sedar on board. The person I spoke with was unaware of who leads it or if they have only 1 or 2 Sedars. No information available on Passover food as well.  (read more at: Keeping kosher on Celebrity ) Costa makes no kosher food accommodations and makes no spe...

Cruise Line: Carnival Cruise Line Kosher Caterer: Weberman's Traditional Foods of Miami, Florida certified by OK Meals offered: All meals come double wrapped and come frozen. Food can be ordered from either the buffet or in the main dining hall, but the cruise line recommends the main dining hall, with orders placed the day before. Meat: Roasted chicken breast with sweet noodle kugel and carrot tzimmis Pot roast with kishka and vegetable  souffle Turkey schnitzel with sweet potato fries and spinach croquettes Salmon with white rice and green beans Stuffed cabbage with barley Steak with mashed potatoes Grilled chicken leg with risotto and spinach kugel Dairy: Vegetable lasagna Pareve: Snapper with potato and carrots Notice needed for Kosher meals: Carnival requests 60 days notice. Accommodations up to 2 weeks prior to the cruise, for North American cruises, can be made based on availability. How are the warmed: ...

One thing that may surprise most people is that when they book a cruise it may not cover gratuities, which is the major source of income for many employees on the ship. The cruise line does not usually pay the people that help you in the dining rooms and in your stateroom; you pay them, separately. Gratuities are automatically charged to your room on a per person and per day basis. So for example, if there are 4 people in your cabin and you go on a 7 day cruise, the current Carnival rate would mean you would be charged $391.72 at the end of your trip. This can be even larger in a suite or on another cruise line, so be mindful of this. Most cruise lines give you the option of either paying these gratuities in advance or having it added to your on board account. How much do they are Here is a breakdown oh what cruise lines charge. Obviously there are many more, but I just wanted to give you a summary for your benefit of understanding the differences. In addition the below...

Cruise Line: Cunard Line Kosher Caterer: Hermolis & Co. from England and is certified by Kedassia Meals offered: All meals come double wrapped and frozen. A menu will be sent upon request and needs to be sent back 6 weeks prior to sailing. I have attached below the menu that I received upon calling Cunard. As indicated, you can only order 2 meals per day, which consists of 1 entrée and 1 soup. They make no guarantees as to the availability of kosher food available for breakfast. Beginning October 12, 2018 fresh kosher meat is available on ships, which can be cooked fresh, based on the request of the passenger. Meaning they will have it there for you and can request they cook it double wrapped for you. Notice needed for Kosher meals: All requests must be made and returned 6 weeks prior to departure. Any requests later than 6 weeks will not be honored. Request can be made by phone or by emailing cunardonboardservices@cunard.com How are the warmed: ...

Cruise Line: Costa Cruises Kosher Caterer: N/A Meals offered: For those of you who are not familiar with Costa Cruises, it is a much smaller cruise line, from a North American perspective. The Italian company does have some cruises in North America, but they are much more limited than other major cruise lines. Costa is a subsidiary of Carnival, much like Holland America and Princess. However, unlike those other subsidiaries, my conversations with Costa has lead me to learn that they offer no kosher food. Although they stated there probably are kosher breads and cereal on board, they make no guarantees. Anyone wishing to have kosher food on Costa can contact guest relations and make arranges for bringing their own food on board. All food must be cooked and individually wrapped, and they will store and warm for you. Based on this, unless there is a specific itinerary you feel very strongly you want to take, the chances are, Costa is not the cruise line for you. ...

Cruise Line: Royal Caribbean Cruise Line Kosher Caterer: No caterer information was available from the cruise line when I spoke with them; however, they stated all food is Glatt kosher and certified by the OK. Meals offered: All meals come double wrapped. Food is available only in the main dining room when open and available in the Windjammer Café at all other times. Although there is no kosher breakfast meals offered, RCCL has stated they ensure that there is kosher cereal, bagels and cream cheese on all ships. Appetizers: • Challah • Matzo ball soup • Corn chowder • Israeli couscous with green olives and peppers • Pita with chummus and baba ghanoush • Rice and bean salad Meat: • Coconut chicken with eggplant and yellow rice • Chicken with mushroom sauce and garlic mashed potatoes • Braised beef with green beans and potatoes • Beef stew with rice pilaf Dairy: • Mushroom Ravioli with tomato Pareve:  • Grilled...

Cruise Line: Holland America Cruise Line Kosher Caterer: In the process of moving from Webermans Traditional Foods of Miami, Florida certified by OK to Sterling Kosher certified by OK Meals offered: All meals come double wrapped. Once requested a kosher order form will be emailed to you in advance. The form will need to be filled out and returned to guest services 90 days prior to sailing. Breakfast is not provided under this program however they ensure there is kosher cereal and bread on each ship. Holland American will limit you to 2 packaged meals per day. Additional meals can be ordered for $5 per meal and $2 for additional soup/dessert. Notice needed for Kosher meals: All completed forms need to be returned 90 days prior to the cruise. This can be done via phone or by emailing hal_ship_services@hollandamerica.com How are the warmed: No information available Special food for Shabbat: Wine may be ordered through the order form. They had no in...

Continuing in my series of posts focusing on  kosher food by cruise line , this time I am focusing on Celebrity Cruises. The representative I spoke with was extremely helpful and knowledgeable. The variety of products they offer were extensive, and included breakfast as well. Cruise Line: Celebrity Cruises Kosher Caterer: Sterling Kosher certified by OK Meals offered: All meals come double wrapped and frozen. In addition to the below offerings, Celebrity will allow for special ordering of kosher meats delivered raw which can be double wrapped and cooked in the regular oven if this is something you are comfortable with. There package meals are so extensive; I do not really see a need for this. Breakfast: • Cheese omelet with home fries • Pancakes • Cheese blintzes with hash browns • Vegetarian omelet with home fries • Eggbeater omelet with vegetarian patty Meat: • Veal patty with carrot kugel • Stuffed cabbage with toasted egg, barley and...

Continuing in my series of posts focusing on kosher food by cruise line , this time I am focusing on Princess Cruises. Unfortunately the representative I spoke with did not have as much information as other cruise lines I spoke to. Cruise Line:   Princess Cruises Kosher Caterer: Customer service representative told me that caterer and who certifies is not available as it changes depending on boat, however all meat is Glatt kosher. Meals offered: All meals come double wrapped and frozen Meat: • Pot roast • Roasted chicken • Veal • Salisbury steak Pareve: • Veggie chilli • Filet of Sole Notice needed for Kosher meals: Requires as much notice as possible, but not minimum required. How are the warmed: No information available Special food for Shabbat: No information available Passover/Pesach:  For Pesach information please see:  Spending Passover/Pesach on a cruise ship Prayer services: Sedar is provided on the shi...

In my last post I focused on Norwegian Cruise Line and their new kosher offerings. In continuing with the series, I am focusing on another cruise line's kosher offerings, this time its Disney Cruise Line. Cruise Line: Disney Cruise Line Kosher Caterer: Information not available of who is caterer but its certified by OK. All meat is Glatt, all dairy is cholov yisroel, pareve is pas yisroel. All products are bishul yisroel. Meals offered: Kosher meals are available in the full service dining only. Not available in the buffet or through room service. Breakfast: • Lox/Bagels • Cheese Omelet • Egg Beater Omelet • Chocolate Danish • Roasted Potatoes • Cheese Blintzes • Hash Brown • Challah French Toast Meat lunch/dinner: • Matzo ball soup • Roasted chicken • Schnitzel • Brisket • Short ribs Dairy: • Veggie lasagna • Ravioli Pareve: • Salmon Cake • Garden vegetable soup Desserts: • Applie pie • ...

I hope to do a whole series of these type posts, where in each post I will highlight one cruise line and their kosher offerings. I have chosen Norwegian to be the first as they recently revamped their entire kosher menu, and now easily has the best out of any of the major lines. Cruise Line: Norwegian Cruise Line Kosher Caterer: Borenstein Caterers under the OU (note this is a recent change and there may still be some food on the ship from Sterling Caterers, under the OK) Meals offered: All meals come double wrapped and frozen. Kosher meals can only be ordered in the main dining room, and not in the buffet or via room service. NCL recently completely revamped their kosher meal offerings, so I cannot speak from first-hand experience on this new program. I called NCL and spoke with them about it, and I have summarized my conversation here. Rather than using only plastic utensils and paper plates, this new program can come with real plates and utensils for you to u...