The JeWish ChroNiCle
19 june 2009
For Helen Hill, Jewish camaraderie sets the seal on a kosher cruise
Go with the flow
T
hese days, kosher
cruising is more
appetising than
ever. you enjoy the
best of all worlds:
ship’s amenities —
swimming pools,
spas, gyms, libraries,
casinos and shops —
and lively professional entertainment,
interspersed with shore excursions
highlighting places of Jewish interest.
But it’s the cultural and education-
al programmes that add substance,
with expert speakers who inspire and
impress. Guests also appreciate having
a sefer Torah and synagogue on board
as well as daily minyanim, traditional
shabbat services (always on sea days)
and special shabbat activities.
Rather than pre-packed, airline-style
meals, five-star chefs cook everything
fresh, to glatt kosher requirements,
under the eye of kosher supervisors
and serve the meals on fine china with
silver cutlery. Kosher cruises replicate
the vanished world of luxury kosher
hotels, with five-course luncheons and
dinners, morning coffee, afternoon tea
and late night buffets.
eddie’s Travel (www.koshertravel-
ers.com) has been arranging kosher
cruise packages on luxury ships for
many years. It has a loyal following,
especially for its cuisine, prepared on
board daily under the direction of
ariel Porat, executive chef of the dan
accadia herzlia.
“We personally host our cruises and
give guests individual attention,” notes
david Walles, eddie’s Travel business
manager, “we’re also known for the
quality of our food; the ships’ regular
chefs like to stop by the kosher kitchen
to see what’s cooking and often ask us
for recipes.”
educational programmes are var-
ied, with daily shiurim and at least one
scholar-in-residence on each cruise.
The 2009 line-up includes Rabbi Laibl
Wolf, Malcolm hoenlein, Richard Joel,
president of yeshiva University and
Rabbi J.J. schachter. an innovative chil-
dren’s programme is also offered on
some cruises.
eddie’s Travel, with Lasko Tours, is
featuring five kosher summer cruises.
There is still time to get on board for
alaska, departing on august 9 from
seattle for seven nights on holland
Laid-back pursuits on Costa Fortuna include fun on the water-slide
Kosherica’s itineraries for Costa Fortuna include a Jewish music cruise
america’s Westerdam. a 10-night
Mediterranean cruise sails around the
Greek Islands on Celebrity solstice,
from august 7 to 17. and departing on
august 18, for 13 nights, is The ancient
empires cruise, from Italy to Greece,
Turkey and egypt, stopping in Israel
for a day each in haifa and ashdod.
summer cruises go north, too, to the
Baltics and Russia on Costa atlantica,
from august 9 to 16. scenic Norway is
on the itinerary for an august 16 to 23
kosher cruise on the same ship.
In winter, kosher cruises head to
the sunshine. eddie’s Travel has seven-
night cruises to the eastern Caribbean
on Celebrity solstice departing Janu-
ary 17 to 24 and January 24 to 31, 2010.
Kosherica (www.Kosherica.com and
www.JSinglesCruise.com) is a family-run
business with a 15-year background
in kosher cruises. “We have a huge
international clientèle and many have
become friends over the years.” says
hilit edelstein, a company executive.
“We’re a hands-on company, with a
Kosherica representative on each
cruise, so get to know every one of our
guests on board.
“Food is five-star, to match the
ships,” adds Mr edelstein. “Our chefs
collaborate with the top chefs from the
shipping line to match menus as far as
thejc.com kosher holidays kh13
All these
hOlidAy O
ARe KOsh
FFeRs
eR
leMehAdRi
N!
Visit our NEW LOOK website at www.kosherholidays.net
RELAXING SUMMER & SUCCOT IN ITALY
31 May 09 - 12 October 09
Grand Hotel Michelacci 4 Star Superior - Gabicce Mare
On the Adriatic coast near Rimini.
REFRESHING SUMMER & SUCCOT IN CYPRUS
14 June 09 - 12 October 09
Hotel Pendeli - 3 Star – Platres
In the Troodos mountains at 1200 meters altitude.
Organized guided tours on request.
SUMMER IN CYPRUS
14 June 09 - 31 October 09
Aqua Sol Holiday Village Category A - Paphos
In the enchanting Coral Bay by the sea shore.
Self catering apartments with kosher kitchenette and mini-market
with kosher food section. Ready frozen meals available at request.
SUMMER IN HOLLAND
2 August 09 - 21 August 09
possible.” so kosher duck à l’orange, Hotel Tulip Inn - Beekbergen
coq au vin and corvina with the velvety
white sauce soubise vie with the favour- A high standard 3 star hotel located in the most fascinating
ites grandmother used to make, but area, ideal for families with children. Very reasonable rates.
with a gourmet edge.
Kosher alaska is on Kosherica’s
cruise list, from august 16 to 23, depart-
ing from seattle on holland america’s
Westerdam. summer cruises cover
Mediterranean ports in Italy, spain,
France and Tunisia (august 3 to 10, on
the MsC Fantasia) and Greek Isles and
Croatia from Venice (august 17 to 24 on Mr Parienti & Sirius Tours
the Costa Fortuna with Rabbi Marvin
hier as scholar in residence). Proudly Announce
PESACH HOLIDAY 2010
a Northern europe and scandinavia
cruise from august 11 to 23 on the ms
Rotterdam (holland america) visits
estonia, Russia, Finland, sweden, Ger- 30 March to 8 April
many, denmark and Norway and con-
cludes, appropriately, in Rotterdam.
Kosherica’s first winter cruise to the Hotel Elpiro 4* Hotel Green Garden 4*
eastern Caribbean is convenient for Italy Mallorca
school holidays, december 20 to 27, on www.hotelelpirojesolo.com www.gardenhotels.com
the MsC Posia. The Western Caribbean Suites
cruise goes out for seven nights from
Fort Lauderdale, Florida on december
27, 2009, on Costa Fortuna.
In early 2010, Kosherica is planning
a Caribbean cruise from January 24
to 31, on holland america’s Wester-
dam, as well as two theme cruises. The
spiritual Wellness Cruise sails out on
the Costa Fortuna to the Western Car-
ibbean, January 17 to 24, featuring dr
Gary Neuman and dr yael Respler.
The Jewish Music Festival with can-
torial, opera, yiddish and Israeli music
will hit all the right notes. Costa For-
tuna sets sail on January 24 to 31 for the
eastern Caribbean, carrying a bumper * 2 sedorim * 3 copious meals daily * Tea & Coffee Bar
complement of the biggest names in * Wine & soft drink * Synagogue services * Swimming Pool
Jewish music. almost non-stop music-
making, concerts and recitals will * Evening entertainment * Children’s club (Mallorca only)
barely leave time to consume all that Under the Supervision of NICE BETH DIN (Glatt, no kitniot)
non-stop kosher food. full board (excellent Children’s Reduction)
Groups of friends, families or
organisations can even charter their
own small ship, complete with kosher
food and amenities. Kosher expedi-
For Further Information please call
tions (www.kosherexpeditions.com) Tel: 020 8958 7917 Mob: 07988 737182
offers custom group departures with Fax: 020 8958 94 35
20 to 200 guests on year-round pro-
grammes. They cover the world, with E-mail: parientiedensea@hotmail.com
such destinations as the Mediterra-
nean, Caribbean, Galapagos, antarc-
tica and europe (river boats). Kosher We wish you a Shana Tova and
Cruise enterprises (www.kcecruises.
com) is also promoting Kosher expe- look forward to seeing you soon.
ditions’ cruise exploring the Panama
Canal region on The discovery, a pri-
Sirius tours, BAL: 261
vate 24-person, 12-cabin catamaran.