Celebrity Banishes Catholic Chaplains from Cruise Ships

[Blue Lagoon]

Can anyone inform me of another religion besides Roman Catholicism where weekly attendance at the service is an obligation?

 

Also, is there another religion where daily attendance of the service is available? Typically, Catholic churches provide daily Mass and even in larger parishes, Mass is said twice a day.

 

Providing Catholic Mass onboard has been a very,very significant reason why we have been cruising on Celebrity. Judging by the numbers that are present for Mass, we are not alone in that thinking.

 

Arriving in a port and having to scurry around looking for a Mass is often difficult. We might even miss out on some of the highlights of that port, but, that is the choice we make. My husband and I don't miss Mass. When we are travelling in another country, we still attend Mass even if is in another language.

 

I am very disappointed to hear this and wish that Celebrity would use this service as something different that they can offer their guests that other cruise lines are not providing.

[Dabu17]

Going to lose a lot of money if I cancel my cruise now, so I hope the "rumor" is not true. Catholics are OBLIGATED by their religion to attend Mass each Sunday. I don't believe that's so with other religions.

Leaving on a Sunday and returning on a Sunday is not a problem for us - but trying to attend Mass in a foreign port can be difficult because it takes so long to be permitted off the ship and the Masses are usually early in the morning.

[Dabu17]

Going to lose a lot of money if I cancel my cruise now, so I hope the "rumor" is not true. Catholics are OBLIGATED by their religion to attend Mass each Sunday. I don't believe that's so with other religions.

Leaving on a Sunday and returning on a Sunday is not a problem for us - but trying to attend Mass in a foreign port can be difficult because it takes so long to be permitted off the ship and the Masses are usually early in the morning.

[jaybird from SC]

I would say mass is no more important than the weekly worship service of any denomination. We have always attended services (inter-denominational) if offered on board and have sometimes wondered why the "minister" is usually Catholic. Is our "Baptist' faith any less significant? We, as a traveling group, sometimes do our own service if we must. We always have access to our Bible and we do not need a priest to pray. I can see Celebrity's point-one denomination shouldn't take precidence over another and in all fairness, any service offered should be inter-denominational.

[jaybird from SC]

I would say mass is no more important than the weekly worship service of any denomination. We have always attended services (inter-denominational) if offered on board and have sometimes wondered why the "minister" is usually Catholic. Is our "Baptist' faith any less significant? We, as a traveling group, sometimes do our own service if we must. We always have access to our Bible and we do not need a priest to pray. I can see Celebrity's point-one denomination shouldn't take precidence over another and in all fairness, any service offered should be inter-denominational.

[02143]

There have always been Rabbis aboard Celebrity ships.

 

Do you have a link that can verify that fact? Please don't take offense, but I would find it surprising if it were true in light of the new policy regarding priests. It's impossible to believe they would cancel the priest chaplaincy and cite the reason they did if they were continuing to have rabbis on board on the same terms, especially since Catholics are almost certainly the largest faith group on most cruises. Even the ones from Ft. Lauderdale. :)

 

I would think it is not necessary because Jews can conduct services without a rabbi, but Catholics can't have a mass without a priest. (This may not be 100% theologically accurate on the Catholic side but it is close enough.)

[02143]

There have always been Rabbis aboard Celebrity ships.

 

Do you have a link that can verify that fact? Please don't take offense, but I would find it surprising if it were true in light of the new policy regarding priests. It's impossible to believe they would cancel the priest chaplaincy and cite the reason they did if they were continuing to have rabbis on board on the same terms, especially since Catholics are almost certainly the largest faith group on most cruises. Even the ones from Ft. Lauderdale. :)

 

I would think it is not necessary because Jews can conduct services without a rabbi, but Catholics can't have a mass without a priest. (This may not be 100% theologically accurate on the Catholic side but it is close enough.)

[02143]

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[02143]

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[Bridge Maven]

There have always been Rabbis aboard Celebrity ships.

 

Are you positive about that? I am asking because I have been on Celebrity cruises where Sabbath services were held without a Rabbi. I realize it is possible that a Rabbi was on these ships and I didn't know about it, but I can't understand why Sabbath services would have been held without a Rabbi, if one was on the ship.

[Bridge Maven]

There have always been Rabbis aboard Celebrity ships.

 

Are you positive about that? I am asking because I have been on Celebrity cruises where Sabbath services were held without a Rabbi. I realize it is possible that a Rabbi was on these ships and I didn't know about it, but I can't understand why Sabbath services would have been held without a Rabbi, if one was on the ship.

[contom]

This is one of the main reasons that I sail Celebrity, especially for cruises that crossover a Sunday. When I booked Celbrity assured me of Catholic services. They should make whoile on their promises. If they are to curtail they should give fair warning. If this is the case, it will affect my future cruising choices.

[contom]

This is one of the main reasons that I sail Celebrity, especially for cruises that crossover a Sunday. When I booked Celbrity assured me of Catholic services. They should make whoile on their promises. If they are to curtail they should give fair warning. If this is the case, it will affect my future cruising choices.

[Lois R]

I don't know that the ships regularly have Rabbis but I can tell you as long as there are 10 guys you can have a Minyan (or a service in English terms)

(If you are following Jewish Law).

[Lois R]

I don't know that the ships regularly have Rabbis but I can tell you as long as there are 10 guys you can have a Minyan (or a service in English terms)

(If you are following Jewish Law).

[Bridge Maven]

I don't know that the ships regularly have Rabbis but I can tell you as long as there are 10 guys you can have a Minyan (or a service in English terms)

(If you are following Jewish Law).

 

In light of the fact that Jews can have services without a Rabbi and we are such a small minority (approximately 2 percent of Americans today vs 4 percent sixty years ago) it doesn't bother in the least that I never saw a Rabbi on Celebrity. At the same time I was very pleasantly surprised to find one on our recent NCL cruise, but that might have been because it was the week of Hanukkah. That turned out to be another small world story at sea because he knew my childhood Rabbi from Great Neck.

[Bridge Maven]

I don't know that the ships regularly have Rabbis but I can tell you as long as there are 10 guys you can have a Minyan (or a service in English terms)

(If you are following Jewish Law).

 

In light of the fact that Jews can have services without a Rabbi and we are such a small minority (approximately 2 percent of Americans today vs 4 percent sixty years ago) it doesn't bother in the least that I never saw a Rabbi on Celebrity. At the same time I was very pleasantly surprised to find one on our recent NCL cruise, but that might have been because it was the week of Hanukkah. That turned out to be another small world story at sea because he knew my childhood Rabbi from Great Neck.

[contom]

I just talked to a Celebrity representative. She stated that her records still indicate a Priest on board for my January 22nd sailing. HOWEVER, she stated that I should call back during normal business hours to confirm.

[contom]

I just talked to a Celebrity representative. She stated that her records still indicate a Priest on board for my January 22nd sailing. HOWEVER, she stated that I should call back during normal business hours to confirm.

[elvnga]

I am speaking as a Catholic who has greatly appreciated the availability of a priest on board Celebrity. There is a big difference between a nondenominational worship service and mass which is a sacramental rite that can only be performed by an ordained priest. We are obligated to attend mass if at all possible on Sundays and six other "holy days of obligation." Different people interpret this in different ways and there are a number of people who have chosen not to take cruises on other lines (especially long cruises) because of the lack of a priest.

 

There are two aspects to this decision. This is a business choice that will cost Celebrity some business. I don't think it will be much, but the revenue lost will probably be more than they are saving.

 

On the issue of fairness, Celebrity has no obligation to provide any religious services. However it makes sense to have priests because they are the most adaptable. They can lead nondenominational services. They can be helpful to those that need a spiritual leader during an illness or tragedy while on board (believe me when I say that happens). And they can perform sacraments which is usually limited to mass I believe. Protestant ministers may great religious leaders, but they simply can not fill that need for Catholic passengers or crew. It is for this practical reason the military has always been glad to utilize priests as chaplains when they are available.

 

The argument that there should be no priests if all religions are not available is simply childish. There are more religions than there are cabins on board, so we know that can never really happen. If you pick a cruise based on the ship, the line, the price, and the itinerary and never experience 75% of the entertainers, speakers, or activities on board; what difference does it make if one of those happen to be religious in nature? I don't complain if there is a literature professor speaking instead of a biologist. If you don't want to attend mass, just don't go. But don't complain that I want to.

[elvnga]

I am speaking as a Catholic who has greatly appreciated the availability of a priest on board Celebrity. There is a big difference between a nondenominational worship service and mass which is a sacramental rite that can only be performed by an ordained priest. We are obligated to attend mass if at all possible on Sundays and six other "holy days of obligation." Different people interpret this in different ways and there are a number of people who have chosen not to take cruises on other lines (especially long cruises) because of the lack of a priest.

 

There are two aspects to this decision. This is a business choice that will cost Celebrity some business. I don't think it will be much, but the revenue lost will probably be more than they are saving.

 

On the issue of fairness, Celebrity has no obligation to provide any religious services. However it makes sense to have priests because they are the most adaptable. They can lead nondenominational services. They can be helpful to those that need a spiritual leader during an illness or tragedy while on board (believe me when I say that happens). And they can perform sacraments which is usually limited to mass I believe. Protestant ministers may great religious leaders, but they simply can not fill that need for Catholic passengers or crew. It is for this practical reason the military has always been glad to utilize priests as chaplains when they are available.

 

The argument that there should be no priests if all religions are not available is simply childish. There are more religions than there are cabins on board, so we know that can never really happen. If you pick a cruise based on the ship, the line, the price, and the itinerary and never experience 75% of the entertainers, speakers, or activities on board; what difference does it make if one of those happen to be religious in nature? I don't complain if there is a literature professor speaking instead of a biologist. If you don't want to attend mass, just don't go. But don't complain that I want to.

[westcoast1330]

I sure like the changes Celebrity has been making of late. Their Captains Club benefits are incredible, the smoking policies make the whole ship, including the casino, more enjoyable for everyone. Now removing religious services from the ship in respect of those that wish for freedom FROM religion. Furthermore, I don't see any representation for muslims, scientologists, mormons, JWs etc etc etc..........

 

Keep up the good work X!

[westcoast1330]

I sure like the changes Celebrity has been making of late. Their Captains Club benefits are incredible, the smoking policies make the whole ship, including the casino, more enjoyable for everyone. Now removing religious services from the ship in respect of those that wish for freedom FROM religion. Furthermore, I don't see any representation for muslims, scientologists, mormons, JWs etc etc etc..........

 

Keep up the good work X!

[ma40]

Catholics do have an obligation to attend Sunday Mass, to the best of your ability, if it is impossible because there is no Mass on ship, you may be excused from the obligation. I sail Celebrity because I did not need to find a Mass on shore to attend. When I sailed other cruiselines it meant doing research to find the time, place and how to get there, also wear clothes that blend in with the congregation (no shorts). In a lot of ports it's a real hassle. I sail Celebrity for several reasons,Sunday Mass on board is very important to me. The Catholic priest provides an necessary service so perhaps Celebrity could invite a local priest to come aboard for 1 Sunday mass, it would be greatly appreciated, I will contact the Captains Club with this suggestion and hope other members will too.

[ma40]

Catholics do have an obligation to attend Sunday Mass, to the best of your ability, if it is impossible because there is no Mass on ship, you may be excused from the obligation. I sail Celebrity because I did not need to find a Mass on shore to attend. When I sailed other cruiselines it meant doing research to find the time, place and how to get there, also wear clothes that blend in with the congregation (no shorts). In a lot of ports it's a real hassle. I sail Celebrity for several reasons,Sunday Mass on board is very important to me. The Catholic priest provides an necessary service so perhaps Celebrity could invite a local priest to come aboard for 1 Sunday mass, it would be greatly appreciated, I will contact the Captains Club with this suggestion and hope other members will too.