Celebrity Banishes Catholic Chaplains from Cruise Ships

[Blue Lagoon]

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!

 

 

Would this be like me asking Celebrity to take the water out of the pools because I don't like swimming???

[Blue Lagoon]

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!

 

 

Would this be like me asking Celebrity to take the water out of the pools because I don't like swimming???

[cindy'njohn]

:) Relax, everybody. The different religions are nothing more than different paths to the same pool. Let's all hop in, relax, enjoy the warmth, and stop all whining and bickering! Semper Fidelis. :cool:

[davestic]

I just re-read the headline by the OP and find it a bit misleading.

 

Celebrity didn't banish anyone, just stated they would no longer offer free cruise fare (likely w/ single supplement?). That from some "blog" without any confirmation from Celebrity.

 

If I was Catholic, while being disappointed, I'd be thankful for the expense and accommodation Celebrity provided over the years.

 

Happy New Year!

[Ma Bell]

We don't cruise over the Jewish Holidays. Having said that' date=' we often go to Shabbat services and I have yet to see a Rabbi.[/quote']

 

 

What I meant to say is they have always been there for the Jewish holidays. Just do a search on the Celebrity boards and you will see reports of Rabbis on board for holiday services. Is there some reason that anyone would think I was lying about this?

[Bridge Maven]

I just did some research and it appears that Celebrity has Rabbi's for cruises during the Jewish Holidays. Since our Celebrity Cruises have never been on Jewish Holidays that explains why I never saw a Rabbi on a Celebrity ship while other people have.

[Can'tstopcruising]

What I meant to say is they have always been there for the Jewish holidays. Just do a search on the Celebrity boards and you will see reports of Rabbis on board for holiday services. Is there some reason that anyone would think I was lying about this?

 

No, you just weren't very clear!

[Ma Bell]

Sorry, since the lady was describing her experience on another cruise line during the holidays my response was regarding that.

 

I'm not even of the Jewish faith but I was aware they were there for the holidays.

[Gablin]

" …are people really unhappy with the traditional arrangement of a Catholic Priesst [sic] and a generic sort Protestant Minister for the non Catholics?"

 

In a word, "YES." That leaves out my religion. While I do not believe that God will damn me if I do not attend religious services each week, a "generic sort Protestant Minister" does not cut it.

 

… masses were inter-denominational…

 

"Mass" can not be "inter-denominational." Only Catholics celebrate/participate in "Mass." Interdenominational would be "worship" not "mass."

 

I assume that this business decision was not intended to offend, but to save money.

I am deeply grateful to have a faith that does not require that I stay at home if travel on a Sunday will not include a worship service.

That said, I would welcome a Sunday morning service provided by a clergy member from my religion. It's not going to happen, but I would certainly welcome it if it did.

I think my Catholic friends should relax a bit about this. As I understand your obligation, if you are in labor, or in traction, or otherwise can't get there, you are excused. God will still love you. I think being in the middle of an ocean is probably a very good excuse.

 

[lovesublime]

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!

 

 

Wow! So you don't want to participate in a religious service? What's to stop you from walking on by and ignoring what's going on behind closed doors in the chapel? I guess your answer is to take it away from those who want it just because you don't like it. No one is forcing you to participate in anything religious. As someone else stated, why don't they just remove the swimming pools because you don't like swimming? That makes sense :rolleyes:

[sasset]

Well, since Christmas is over, maybe Bill O'Reilly could channel his energies against the "War on Christmas" to the Celebrity 'War Against Catholics'.

 

OK...I'm ready for the flack.

[Gablin]

sasset,

:D LOL!

[Sskar]

Seems like a "generic" chaplain would be a decent invest in the spiritual well-being of Celebrity guests. =X= looks out after the physical and mental well-being, seems like there would be benefit for a chaplain being on-board -- one who could minister to many faiths.

[FinelyCruising]

Seems like a "generic" chaplain would be a decent invest in the spiritual well-being of Celebrity guests. =X= looks out after the physical and mental well-being, seems like there would be benefit for a chaplain being on-board -- one who could minister to many faiths.

 

That sounds like it makes sense to me. I think each of us is capable of individual prayer if we so choose. I definitely do like the idea of spiritual leadership during special holidays, but we don't cruise at those times since our hearts are most decidedly home.:)

[teajak]

Gablin you said the magic words, GOD WILL STILL LOVE YOU.

[keela1eva2]

I am booked on the 19th April T/A on the Equinox. I am always grateful that there is a Catholic Priest on board but in times past RCCL did not have and I tried to get to Mass in Port where possible.

My problem with this is that I am treating a friend who is a NUN to this cruise and I don't where this will leave me if she decided she is unable to go due to this. I had told her that there was a Priest on board as she attends Mass on a daily basis and not just on a Sunday.

We leave the UK on a Sunday and we have already talked about getting to the Saturday evening Vigil Mass.

As yet X have not confirmed this but where there is smoke there is usually a fire!

 

Sue

[contom]

I have heard from my pastor that on short notice Celebrity Cruise Lines canceled all the chaplain postings on Celebrity and Azamara ships for 2010, with the exception two days: Christmas and Easter Sunday. This left many priests holding nonrefundable airline tickets for which Celebrity refuses to compensate. These chaplains, mostly retired priests, have long provided inter-denominational services on Sundays, both daily and Sunday Masses for Catholic passengers and officers on board, and usually a service for the crew once a week or so. In addition, they also provide informal gratis counseling, wedding vow renewals, etc. For a time Celebrity also had Protestant Chaplains on board for one service a week.

 

Since Celebrity neither paid the chaplains or provided air fare as they often do with other "entertainers" on board, and since these chaplains spent money on board (including daily tips for room and wait staff and staff who helped set up services), its not clear why Celebrity took this step since all they provided was basic passage--a revenue point that is being deeply discounted wherever you look. Now only Hollard American provides this chaplain service among larger cruise lines.

 

In spite of daily Mass often being scheduled at impossible times, 30-40 passengers availed themselves of this daily religious renewal on a relaxing cruise. I have been on 16 cruises with this line and always found it a plus to be able to pray at sea. Depending on the size of the ship, and the timing of Sunday services (the 11th Commandment is that one must never compete with Bingo or Shore Shopping talks), often 200-400 people would come to church at sea on Sunday. No more. No More---perhaps Celebrity will have time now for yet another Diamonds International talk instead....

 

Passengers who enjoyed this religious "activity" on board Celebrity should let RCCL know that although they are cutting back in several passenger service areas, this is one they should keep. I do so hope the rumors about Celebrity going downhill in several areas prove to be untrue. President and CEO is Adam Goldstein at RCCL. Give him a jingle. Otherwise start at www.captainsclub@celebrity.com.

 

Sad.

I attempted that Website but received a message stating that was not valid. Can you reconfirm, because I would be more than willing to express my discontent.

 

My ship cruises in less than 2 1/2 weeks, and I was GUARANTEED by Celebrity when I booked that a Catholic Priest would be available. If they could not have provided me that service I would have booked elsewhere. Now I am in a catch 22-Either I am out over $3000 or I commit a serious sin against my faith. While Celebrity may chose to discontinue this service, it should not be done without notifying their guests far enough in advance that they could receive a refund and make alternative plans.

 

As far as the Catholic bashers and their responses, they just don't get it. We have an obligation to attend Mass. And, while some may not believe, they should not have ill wishes for those of us who do, What's next; they eliminate pork from their menu because it offends someone, and then take beef off of the menu because another faith does not believe in eating it, and yes even empty the swimming pool because someone may fall in or they do not like water.

 

One selling point of Celebrity is that they do have Church service for the different faiths. I know that on one cruise the Catholic Priest even attended the service that the Jewish Rabbi performed. It is becoming a sad world when the faithful are begrudged for making their faith a priority, Yes, even on vacation we are expected to attend Mass. God does not take a vacation when we need him, why should we not make it a priority. The bottm line is, that if this "rumor" is true, then Celebrity did not deliver to me on a promise they made at booking. To make matters worse Sunday is a sea, so finding a Church on the island is not an option. I intend to confirm this rumor as soon as Celebrity opens this morning. I will post my answer when I get it. If it is true, it will be the last Celebrity cruise that I will be taking. As Tamburlaine69 states that will allow them to have time now for yet another Diamonds International talk instead....

[Can'tstopcruising]

It appears that Celebrity would be wise to give ample (one year) warning concerning cutbacks. This way, pax can plan accordingly.

 

I find it very interesting to read the responses of observant Catholics. In my city, I know there is a problem of getting people (especially young people) to church (or synagogue) on a weekly basis, let alone daily. Are most of you retired? How do you manage daily mass with a work schedule?

 

Very orthodox Jewish people go to synagogue twice a day. I do not think they would go on a cruise unless it was chartered by a religious organization, guranteeing rabbi,services and Kashrut.

[sailsalot]

I feel compelled to comment about the spitefulness some people exhibit towards the Catholic faith and its obligations. Clearly, these comments come from people who either have no knowledge of the Catholic faith, or know about it and have no respect for people who follow it.

 

As others have stated, Sunday Mass is an obligation for ALL Catholics to attend. It is not a prayer service or sing-along, but a sacrament that involves the Holy Eucharist and can only be conducted by a Catholic priest, and therefore, a non-denominational service, or just praying on one's own, does not cut it.

 

Now, the unforunate reality of today's society is that the many non-practicing Catholics who do not follow this obligation tend to water down its existence or importance. But it is STILL an obligation, and the many practicing Catholics who cruise find the existence of a priest on board to be a comfort and relief to help them in keeping the obligation. Why are others so flippant and dismissive about this?? It's hard to understand the hostility people have exhibited towards this. This idea of fairness and a level playing field for passengers makes no sense. It sounds like people want to just make everyone carbon copies of each other--let's just all pray on our own and be happy with it. If you're happy praying on your own, then fine. But that is not the proper observance for Catholics in meeting the Sunday Mass obligation. And while it is an "obligation," please don't interpret it to mean that we do not observe it freely and joyfully.

 

I don't know if it's true or not that there will be no more priests on board. But aside from that, let's not turn this into a FREEDOM FROM RELIGION argument, as one poster proudly asserted. Until there is a mandate that all passengers, regardless of religion, must attend Catholic Mass (which would be absurd and never happen), then this issue does not involve any of you who are not practicing Catholics. So what's with the antagonism?? All is reflects is a complete lack of respect. Is that how you want to be known on this board??

 

Happy New Year of cruising to all!!

[keela1eva2]

I agree totally with you Sailaway. Yes there is a lot of negative posts on this board and no doubt they will continue because that is just something that some feel compelled to do. Knock religion any religion.

 

I called CC here in the UK and Sally tells me that she knows nothing of this. Nor she tells me is there anything on the X web site regarding this.

For now I am not going to overly concern myself about something that may or may not happen.

 

Sue

[keela1eva2]

OOPS! Sorry Sailsalot

 

Sue

[contom]

I agree totally with you Sailaway. Yes there is a lot of negative posts on this board and no doubt they will continue because that is just something that some feel compelled to do. Knock religion any religion.

 

I called CC here in the UK and Sally tells me that she knows nothing of this. Nor she tells me is there anything on the X web site regarding this.

For now I am not going to overly concern myself about something that may or may not happen.

 

Sue

I just called and Celebrity did confirm that the rumor is true. The intial person that I talked with knew nothing about it, but when she checked with her supevisor, it was confirmed. I expressed my discontent, and they basically said too bad...so sad. Celebrity continues their downward spiral. They are doing away witht he things that used to set them apart from the others.

[TMLAalum]

I echo Sailsalots sentiments that this is not about freedom of religion. RCL is a business, not a government agency, and can provide a priest on its cruises if it so chooses. When I check into a hotel in the US and look for the phone book, I find the Gideon Bible. In Marriott hotels, there is the Book of Mormon. These religious documents may not represent my beliefs, but my rights aren't violated by their presence. Neither are my rights violated on a cruise if there are meetings of groups such as AA, Friends of Dorothy, etc. and religious services of any kind, if the choice to participate remains mine.

 

One reason we chose Celebrity over other cruiselines for our Baltic itinerary was having a priest aboard. DH is a devout Catholic (he's at daily mass now, while I am on CC) and he was glad`to know he would have the opportunity to partcipate frequently while aboard and I was glad to know that we would be able to meet our Sunday obligation.

 

If the rumor is true that Catholic priests will no longer be the guests of Celebrity, we will find a Mass on the Sabbath if we are in port. On our Connections roll calls, we can share information on churches and mass schedules. If at sea, as long as Celebrity will provide a meeting room, we Catholics can gather for a communal prayer service.

[Solstice23]

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!

 

You do have a point.

[Bridge Maven]

I feel compelled to comment about the spitefulness some people exhibit towards the Catholic faith and its obligations. Clearly, these comments come from people who either have no knowledge of the Catholic faith, or know about it and have no respect for people who follow it.

 

As others have stated, Sunday Mass is an obligation for ALL Catholics to attend. It is not a prayer service or sing-along, but a sacrament that involves the Holy Eucharist and can only be conducted by a Catholic priest, and therefore, a non-denominational service, or just praying on one's own, does not cut it.

 

Now, the unforunate reality of today's society is that the many non-practicing Catholics who do not follow this obligation tend to water down its existence or importance. But it is STILL an obligation, and the many practicing Catholics who cruise find the existence of a priest on board to be a comfort and relief to help them in keeping the obligation. Why are others so flippant and dismissive about this?? It's hard to understand the hostility people have exhibited towards this. This idea of fairness and a level playing field for passengers makes no sense. It sounds like people want to just make everyone carbon copies of each other--let's just all pray on our own and be happy with it. If you're happy praying on your own, then fine. But that is not the proper observance for Catholics in meeting the Sunday Mass obligation. And while it is an "obligation," please don't interpret it to mean that we do not observe it freely and joyfully.

 

I don't know if it's true or not that there will be no more priests on board. But aside from that, let's not turn this into a FREEDOM FROM RELIGION argument, as one poster proudly asserted. Until there is a mandate that all passengers, regardless of religion, must attend Catholic Mass (which would be absurd and never happen), then this issue does not involve any of you who are not practicing Catholics. So what's with the antagonism?? All is reflects is a complete lack of respect. Is that how you want to be known on this board??

 

Happy New Year of cruising to all!!

 

I agree with you and I am Jewish. One of my best friends, who is Catholic, frequently slept over our house on Saturday nights when I was growing up. When she did one of my parents would drive her to church on Sunday morning, and I went to church with her so she wasn't alone, because she was a devout Catholic who felt it would have been a sin if she didn't go to church on Sunday. With that in mind, I can empathize with every Catholic who feels it is a problem if they don't have an opportunity to go to a priest led mass on Sundays.