Kosherica Cruises Announcements!

Kosherica Presents The First Leading Pesach Hotel of the World Program

Value-Added Luxury at Affordable Prices

Kosherica is proud to announce its first-ever Leading Pesach Hotel of the World Program.

Kosherica’s inaugural 2010 Leading Pesach Hotel of the World Program gets underway this spring at the Miami Biltmore Resort and Spa. The program combines a five-star vacation experience with signature Glatt Kosher, Cholov Yisrael and Pas Yisrael gourmet meals at affordable prices.

While some Passover programs easily exceed costs of $4,000 or $5,000 per person, Kosherica’s seven-day luxury Passover packages – complete with full board and sedarim -- start at $3,480 in the United States or Israel. And Kosherica value-added cruises begin at $1,600.*

Since its founding in 1996, Kosherica has brought more passengers to international ports of call at affordable prices than all other kosher cruise companies combined.

“As the company that started it all, we’ve set the bar high. And we keep setting it higher and higher,” says Kosherica Owner and CEO Yehuda Shifman. “No other company knows better how to combine honest value with five-star luxury. Our new Leading Pesach Hotel of the World Program is the perfect example of Kosherica’s long-established tradition: combining the best in luxurious kosher travel with affordable pricing.”

A proven industry leader, Kosherica has set new standards at sea--with an extensive menu of luxury cruises to exotic ports of call--and on land, with luxurious Passover programs. And it’s no secret Kosherica’s full-service packages nourish both body and soul. This family-owned business offers everything from meaningful Shabbat services, inspiring lectures with scholars in residence, Daf Yomi classes and Minyanim to top-notch live concerts with Jewish headliners, all-women’s dance classes, movie screenings, mixers and more.

Passover 2010

This spring, Kosherica serves up its first annual Leading Pesach Hotel of the World Program. For a Passover vacation different from all others, escape kosher l’Pesach style to three fantastic venues: Miami’s legendary Biltmore Golf Resort and Spa, Israel’s wonderful Moriah Plaza Tiberias and Ramat Rachel resort in Jerusalem. Packages begin Passover eve, Tuesday, March 30, with optional pre- and post-holiday hotel night add-ons at each location. Shorter packages are also available at adjusted rates.

The elegant, alluring and tranquil Miami Biltmore Golf Resort and Spa is a European-style national historic landmark listed among the luxurious “Leading Hotels of the World.” Grand hotel rooms and suites are paired with a world-class spa offering a plethora of treatments, as well as a 10,000-sq. ft. state-of-the-art fitness center, an 18-hole Donald Ross-designed golf course, 10 tennis courts and the renowned, oversized Biltmore pool. Its private cabana suites, with personalized butler service, rest among palms, bougainvillea and hibiscus. Keeping with its well established tradition, Kosherica invites a brilliant thinker and teacher for insightful classes, holiday drashot and on-site rabbinic leadership. Last year’s Scholar in Residence, for example, was Rabbi Marc Schneier, named by Newsweek magazine as one of America’s top 50 rabbis. Seven-night packages starting at $3,480 include all meals, a sumptuous tea room, Jewish programming and two complete glatt kosher Passover seders. Optional spa services are available ala carte. Note: Please register early for medical conferences for all interested physicians.

On the shores of Lake Kinneret, the Moriah Plaza Tiberias indulges the senses. Enjoy wet and dry saunas, hot and cold Jacuzzis, an outdoor pool and a wealth of spa treatments ranging from Swedish, sports and tai, to shiatsu, reiki meditation, Aior-veda and more. Nearby attractions include the legendary Hamat Tiveria Hot Springs, boating, water skiing, parasailing and easy access to the best of Israel's excursions, including horseback riding, wine tasting and day trips to the historic holy city of Tsfat, the birthplace of Kaballah, “L’cha Dodi” and legions of mystics, rabbis and teachers. This year’s Scholar in Residence is Rabbi Daniel Beller. Seven-night packages include all meals, tea room, Jewish programming and sedarim. Optional spa services are available ala carte.

In the pine covered hills of the Jerusalem forest, the Ramat Rachel Hotel, Congress and Spa complex merges with the city’s green belt of natural woods and picturesque landscape. Here, in the heart of the Jewish world, the Old City calls, archaeological remains testify to the history of the Jewish people, and an exclusive country club, spa, swimming pool and fitness center cater to modern needs for rest and relaxation. Seven-night packages include all meals, tea room, Jewish programming and sedarim. Optional spa services are available ala carte.

2010 Passover at the Miami Biltmore Hotel

* Beautiful grounds including LARGEST HOTEL POOL in the US.
* Incredible 18 Hole Donald Ross designed golf course and 10 tennis courts. Leading Hotels of the World
* Delightful in-room amenities in a contemporary setting including luxurious comfort bedding and a flat screen TV.
* Complimentary entrance to the lavish and luxurious Biltmore Spa and Fitness Center
* Sumptuous and Superb famous Kosherica Tea Room.
* Teen and adult activities programs and entertainment.
* Excellent, fun, and educational Children's day camp and infant care programs.
* Quickly becoming one of the most desirable Passover Hotels worldwide.

Miami beach Resort for Passover 2010!

The Miami Beach Resort truly exudes the ultimate in elegance. Quality and professionalism combined with fine service and excellence give this facility its well deserved reputation. The concierge service attending to your every need will assist with your reservations for tennis, spa services, golf, deep sea fishing, local touring and much more. The beachfront Saturnia Fitness Center has state of the art Nautilus equipment as well as, saunas, steam rooms, weight room and massage treatments. The Aqua Sport Center is equipped with catamarans, wind surfing, wave runners, beach bikes and parasailing.

Kosherica Cruises to Alaska!

Join us in Alaska next summer for the Kosher cruise of a lifetime! Imagine standing on your private verandah and watching whales breach and eagles soar. Imagine being among the lucky few to spend a whole day in Glacier Bay National Park. Imagine traveling through Alaska’s sublime beauty and frontier ports in unsurpassed luxury and comfort. The Glatt Kosher Cruise cruise to Alaska.

Jewish Music Festival!!

Kosherica, in association with the American Society For The Advancement of Cantorial Arts, is proud to present the greatest Chazzanim of our generation on a stunning 7-day Festival of Jewish Music Cruise featuring Cantorial Opera, Yiddish and Israeli Music!

BERMUDA cruise added!

Hey cruisers! Kosherica Enterprises recently added a dream cruise to Bermuda! Departing from New York, this 7-day Kosher excursion to the tropical island with a British culture will take place July 25- August 1, 2010. Head over to the site for much more info!

Kosherica Cruises: Fabulous Destinations and Elegant Dining

Spending Shabbat on the
Aegean Sea with Kosherica
wasn’t any different on this huge
ocean liner than at any other
luxury hotel. For my wife and
me and nearly 100 others who
were aboard the Costa Fortuna
with its passenger load of nearly
3500, the kosher cuisine was
remarkable.
Offy Schiffman, part of
the family that owns Kosherica,
made sure that the visits
to ports in Italy, Greece and
Croatia amounted to more than
just a cruise aboard an elegant
ship. He and a team of mashgichim
oversaw a glatt-kosher
presentation that was sumptuous,
fresh, and creative.
Offy guards the kitchens
like a hawk to assure quality
as well as kashrus. It is standard
for Kosherica to have as
many as 6 mashgichim aboard
its cruises.
READ MORE at Kosherica.com....

More pre-departure advice

Planning ahead
What are the benefits of taking a cruise vacation?
There are many benefits to cruising. Some of our favorites include all-inclusive meals, unlimited entertainment options, and traveling from one destination to the next from the comfort of your ship (plus, only having to unpack once). Rather than spending your travel time in a car or on a train, you can be watching Broadway-style shows, eating fine cuisine, swimming in the pool, and sleeping in your private stateroom.

Can I add a passenger to my stateroom at a later date?
You may be able to add another passenger, depending on the stateroom’s passenger capacity and the point at which you decide to add the passenger; however, there is no guarantee that the person can be added, or that the price would stay the same. If you would like to add another passenger, please call your Travel Agent.

Can I change a passenger in my stateroom?
Many cruise lines will not let you change a passenger’s name after you complete your reservation. If they do allow changes, a large fee will likely be tacked on to the change.

Should I upgrade to an oceanview or balcony stateroom?
Different passengers have different stateroom preferences. Some passengers book an inside stateroom in order to save money, especially if they're active types who spend little time in their staterooms. However, if you plan to spend a lot of time in your stateroom, we suggest booking one with an ocean view. You may want to splurge a bit and upgrade to a balcony stateroom. Many new ships now have a large quantity of balcony staterooms, making them more affordable than ever before.

How early should I arrive at the pier?
Ship boarding usually begins four to five hours before the ship is scheduled to depart, and all passengers must be onboard 90-120 minutes prior to departure. Check with your cruise line about their policy.

Planning Ahead Tips, Part 2

Planning ahead
What are the benefits of taking a cruise vacation?
There are many benefits to cruising. Some of our favorites include all-inclusive meals, unlimited entertainment options, and traveling from one destination to the next from the comfort of your ship (plus, only having to unpack once). Rather than spending your travel time in a car or on a train, you can be watching Broadway-style shows, eating fine cuisine, swimming in the pool, and sleeping in your private stateroom.

Can I add a passenger to my stateroom at a later date?
You may be able to add another passenger, depending on the stateroom’s passenger capacity and the point at which you decide to add the passenger; however, there is no guarantee that the person can be added, or that the price would stay the same. If you would like to add another passenger, please call your Travel Agent.

Can I change a passenger in my stateroom?
Many cruise lines will not let you change a passenger’s name after you complete your reservation. If they do allow changes, a large fee will likely be tacked on to the change.

Should I upgrade to an oceanview or balcony stateroom?
Different passengers have different stateroom preferences. Some passengers book an inside stateroom in order to save money, especially if they're active types who spend little time in their staterooms. However, if you plan to spend a lot of time in your stateroom, we suggest booking one with an ocean view. You may want to splurge a bit and upgrade to a balcony stateroom. Many new ships now have a large quantity of balcony staterooms, making them more affordable than ever before.

How early should I arrive at the pier?
Ship boarding usually begins four to five hours before the ship is scheduled to depart, and all passengers must be onboard 90-120 minutes prior to departure. Check with your cruise line about their policy.

Pre-Cruise Checklist!

Before you head out on your cruise, ensure you take care of the essentials beforehand. Print out the following list to make sure you have a smooth beginning to the trip of a lifetime!

Pre-departure


* Identification requirements vary with every trip. Be sure to know exactly what type of I.D. you will be required to present before you go.

* Leave copies of your passport, airline tickets, traveler's cheques and credit cards with a family member or a friend back on the mainland.

* Some countries require certain immunizations to enter. Discuss you travel plans with a doctor. It may be necessary to bring proof of immunizations with you.

* Setting up a web-based e-mail account before you depart (such as Hotmail, Yahoo or AOL) makes it easy to e-mail friends and family while you're abroad.

* Always call to confirm your flight 24 hours prior to departure.

* If you have any ongoing medical conditions, ask your doctor to write up a brief medical history for you to travel with.

* Double-check your flight information and airline documents for accuracy.

* Remember, if you book "cruise only", you are responsible for arriving at the port in time for check-in, security and departure.

* If you plan to bring a hair dryer or an electric razor, inquire with your cruise line as to what the cabin voltage will be. You may need an adaptor.

* Leave the ship's contact information with a friend or family member back home. This information can usually be found on the cruise line's web site or by contacting them directly by phone.

* Check-in and security procedures can be involved. Be sure to arrive at the embarkation area at least two hours prior to sailing. If you board early, there are plenty of activities that begin before the ship leaves port.

* Most lines send an onboard credit card application form with the tickets. To save time, complete the form beforehand and bring it with you when you check-in.

* Some lines help you save time by allowing you to complete your immigration and embarkation forms online. Check with your cruise line.

* You'll be given a receipt when you hand over your passport upon boarding. If not, ask for one.

* Reading up on your ports of call (in guidebooks and on the Internet) can greatly enrich your journey. In addition, most ships have a library with information on your destinations.

* Want to learn to scuba dive? Consider doing the class work at a local dive center before you leave and save the open water portion for your trip. This will minimize your time sitting at a desk while on vacation.

Dr. Yael Respler

Dr. Yael Respler is a psychotherapist in private practice who provides marital, dating and family counseling, and deals with problems in the intimate marital relationship. Dr. Respler utilizes cognitive-behavior therapy and hypnosis for phobias, smoking cessation, anger management and weight loss. Dr. Respler will be joining Kosherica on the January Spiritual Wellness Cruise!!

Go on a cruise!

Kosherica Announces “Kosher Stimulus Package”: 2009 Program of Five-Star Luxury Kosher Travel at Newly Affordable Prices

Kosherica, worldwide leaders in the Kosher cruise and tour industry, is proud to announce its “Kosher Stimulus Package,” a dazzling lineup of luxury vacations for Passover, 2009, and cruises year round. From breathtaking Israel to the razzle dazzle of Miami Beach , Kosherica is committed to giving its clients the most luxurious and delicious options, and this commitment has earned Kosherica its sterling reputation as the premier Kosher cruise and Passover company. Kosherica’s “Kosher Stimulus Package” provides a five-star vacation experience, plus Kosherica’s renowned Glatt kosher, cholov Yisrael, pas Yisrael gourmet meals, at affordable, recession-busting prices: Passover starting at $2150 and Cruises at $999!

AQUA SPA Day Spa is world's largest!

Discover the state of complete tranquility. You'll find it in our AquaSpa, the largest, most luxurious spa afloat. You will be caressed by the bubbling aqua jets of our Thalassotherapy pool, renourished by a soothing massage with heat from aromatic stones and rejuvenated by an exotic jasmine flower bath. Our spa rituals transport you to another place and time with the Egyptian ceremony of milk and ginger, the Tahitian ceremony of flowers and the legendary Hawaiian four-hands massage.

10 Lost Tribes Challenge!

Kosherica Enterprises is now offering once-in-a-lifetime tours around the world! The 10 Lost Tribes Challenge heads to countries such as Ethiopia, Japan and India to search for the descendants of the mysterious tribes from ancient history. Learn much more at the site!

Concerts with Kosherica Cruises!

Here's a sample of a recent Kosherica-sponsored concert, held at the Miami Deauville Resort!

Kosherica now offers TREKS!!

This is it.

The once-in-a-lifetime, mother-of-all treks. To stand at Uhuru peak, 19,340 feet high, watching the sun rise above the African continent, is an extraordinary experience of beauty, wonder, and gratitude. The trek is very strenuous, and takes us about as high as one can go on any mountain without technical climbing. As we ascend through five different climatic zones (equatorial forest, heath, moraine, alpine desert, glacial) the main challenge is the altitude. That's why we proceed slowly, schedule rest days for acclimatization, take Diamox (an altitude sickness prophylactic), drink a lot and eat heartily. It's also why we've chosen to take a more scenic, much less traveled, longer route up the mountain. We believe this route is ultimately safer, and ensures a much higher summit success rate.

Check out this trekking adventure and many more!

Rabbi Dr. Shlomo Riskin

A distinguished communal Rabbi for over 35 years, Rabbi Riskin continues to change the face of modern Orthodox Jewry in Israel and the Diaspora. Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., Rabbi Riskin graduated valedictorian, summa cum laude from Yeshiva University in 1960, where he majored in Greek, Latin and English literatures. He received his Smicha (rabbinical ordination) from the eminent Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik. Rabbi Riskin holds a Master's Degree in Jewish History and was awarded his PhD from New York University's department of Near Eastern Languages and Literature.

As a young rabbinical graduate, Rabbi Riskin became the founding rabbi of the Lincoln Square Synagogue in Manhattan, internationally renowned for its outreach to the entire Jewish community, as well as for its educational and social action programs. He became a major spokesperson for Modern Orthodoxy by pioneering the first women's Advanced Talmud Study program (Kollelet) and the first synagogue service conducted for women by women in the early 70's.

Cruise The World With A Psycho! (Therapist)

Spend this winter connecting with loved ones on a special Kosherica cruise featuring M. Gary Neuman, one of Americas most respected psychotherapists. M. Gary Neuman is a regular on the Opera Show and a best selling author.

M. Gary Neuman is a Florida psychotherapist, rabbi, creator of the internationally recognized Sandcastles Program for children of divorced and author of Helping Your Kids Cope With Divorce the Sandcastles Way (Random House) and Emotional Infidelity, How to Affair-Proof Your Marriage and Other Secrets to a Great Marriage (Crown). His work has received national media coverage including multiple appearances on Oprah, the Today Show, the View, NPR as well as appearances on Dateline, NBC Nightly News, CBS Weekend News and Good Morning America. He has been written about in numerous publications including People, Time, Cosmo, Parents, Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, Miami Herald and elsewhere. Gary lives with his wife and five children in Miami Beach, Florida.

Rabbi Marvin Hier sails with Kosherica Cruises!

Rabbi Marvin Hier
In 1977, Rabbi Hier came to Los Angeles to create the Simon Wiesenthal Center, named in honor of famed Nazi hunter, Simon Wiesenthal. Under his leadership, the Center has become one of the foremost Jewish human rights agencies in the world, with a constituency of more than 400,000 families, and offices throughout the United States, in Canada, Europe, Israel and Argentina. In 1993, an article in the Los Angeles Times noted that Rabbi Hier had made the Wiesenthal Center, "the most visible Jewish organization in the world" and, in 2007, an article in Newsweek named him the "number one most influential rabbi in America."

The Center's educational arm, The Museum of Tolerance, opened in February 1993 to worldwide acclaim. Founded to challenge visitors to confront bigotry and racism and to understand the Holocaust in both historic and contemporary contexts, the Museum hosts over a half million visitors a year, including 110,000 students. Because of the success of its diversity training programs, the New York Tolerance Center opened in Manhattan in February 2004. The Wiesenthal Center is also in the process of creating the Center for Human Dignity-Museum of Tolerance Jerusalem, a 400,000 square foot site located in the heart of the city, designed by renowned architect Frank O. Gehry.

Glatt Kosher Alaska Cruises and Tours

With Kosherica’s amazing tours of Alaska, you’ll see its breathtaking natural beauty—Klondike gold, glaciers glowing blue and magnificent wildlife—from your vantage point aboard the five-star Holland America. Whether you’re touring the rainforests and fjords of Ketchikan, helicopering over the stunning Mendenhall Glacier or seeing whales up close, you’ll understand why Alaska is so sought after.

Kosherica Announces “Kosher Stimulus Package”: 2009 Program of Five-Star Luxury Kosher Travel at Newly Affordable Prices

Kosherica, worldwide leaders in the Kosher cruise and tour industry, is proud to announce its “Kosher Stimulus Package,” a dazzling lineup of luxury vacations for Passover, 2009, and cruises year round. From breathtaking Israel to the razzle dazzle of Miami Beach , Kosherica is committed to giving its clients the most luxurious and delicious options, and this commitment has earned Kosherica its sterling reputation as the premier Kosher cruise and Passover company. Kosherica’s “Kosher Stimulus Package” provides a five-star vacation experience, plus Kosherica’s renowned Glatt kosher, cholov Yisrael, pas Yisrael gourmet meals, at affordable, recession-busting prices: Passover starting at $2150 and Cruises at $999!

“Times are tough,” says Yehuda Shifman, Kosherica’s owner and CEO, “So people want to get real value for their vacation dollar. That’s why we’ve launched our Kosher Stimulus Package.” He continues, “We know there are many options in Kosher travel, but only Kosherica’s Kosher Stimulus Package can boast true five-star Glatt kosher luxury at affordable prices.”

Besides the great luxury cruises, Kosherica also offers Jewish SINGLES cruises!!