Sammy Sails

Welcome to Part 2 of All Things Explorer of the Seas.

This new thread was created to ensure continued enjoyment of your cruise conversations :D.

 

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:D New thread.....Does anyone have the new menu for the EOS? Been on her 2X before and was a little disappointed. We sail 1/13/13 from Bayonne.

Thanks Sammy

Hi. 'Kosher style' is not the same as 'Kosher'. There is no way a kitchen on a cruise ship can cater for Kosher needs fully as the staffing and very specific preparation requirements preclude this service. If the whole ship were kosher that would be different. Even eating vegetarian / fish dishes would not suffice the orthodox Jew as all the dishes and preparation tools would have been used to prepare other, non Kosher, meals. That is why Kosher meals can be brought on board for those who require this assurance along with the sealed cutlery required.

 

Your friends made adjustments to their diet for spiritual reasons. It's totally different to the adjustments for no salt or gluten free which is for health and wellbeing reasons.

:confused: I see trying to be helpful is not. I'm the Sisterhood president at my Temple and have been a practicing Jew for over 50 years. So enjoy your cruise and don't ask questions that you don't want answered.

Sailing on Explorer March 2013 and would like some info on Hotels that offer Park and Shuttle packages. Thanks

:)

Fairfield by Marriot at Newark AP is reasonable. $95 with breakfast and free parking included. Free shuttle to pier. Park and stay available less than pier parking. Marriot miles and AARP discounts make the $ less.

So it is my understanding that RCI provides electric tealight candles, challah, and wine during the 'sabbath services' on Friday nights on all of their cruises, at least based on all of the threads I read via the search function. (So please don't tell me to search!) It seems like, at some point, there will be a sign up for 'sabbath services' on the cruise compass and you sign up, then go on friday evening. So far so good! I just have a few questions so we can work out logistics.

 

If it matters, we're cruising on Independence of the Seas in January(Western Caribbean).

 

When are the candles given out? To make use of them, we would need to make a blessing on them BEFORE sunset.

 

Is the wine certified kosher? Is it mevushal as well? I understand that you can buy Barkan(a kosher Israeli wine) on board -- is this what is offered?

 

Is the challah certified kosher, or is it baked by RCI?

 

We are Orthodox Jews, so we probably won't be able to take advantage of the prayer service, unless there are many other Orthodox Jews on board(it's just a strictness thing in regards to the prayer service -- no biggie). I understand that the challah and wine is given after the prayer service. Would we still be able to take advantage of it? Or would we be able to request challah and wine independently of the service?

 

I am sure we are not the only orthodox jews to ever take a cruise that takes place over shabbat with RCI, so I am sure we won't be the first to make such requests. I would just appreciate any advice anyone has, so I can make the necessary arrangements to ensure we have what we need.

 

Thanks everyone! You've all been so helpful with all my random questions in planning this cruise :)

We were on Explorer for Hanukkah last year. We had met the Rabbi and Cantor at the buffet and they were both lovely men. The had services every night with holiday foods. The services were show up and more heavily attended first night and last night but still about 30 average on the other nights. Services were Conservative style.

We travel with friends who keep Kosher and they had no problem finding food to eat on any other cruise. They eat Kosher style and we respected their dietary needs, but they said eat whatever you want just don't share wit us. There are lots of vegetarian dishes and fish to sample. I'm sure that dietary needs will be followed. Just to make sure contact "special needs" and explain what you need, If they can make no salt, gluten free I'm sure that Kosher will be no problem They went to services with me and again the style was more Conservative in structure. I'm not sure about wines however at services the wine was Kosher.

Enjoy the cruise.

Does anyone know if there is a Cruise Critic Meet & Greet on the Fantasy 7/17/10 out of Charleston, SC to the Caribbean?

Just wondering. We always have them on Celebrity.