What can you expect from kosher cruises?

One Trip Advisor user wrote about his experience back in August with one our kosher summer cruises. Keep reading if you're curious about how our kosher cruises compare to any ole regular cruise:

"I wanted to make a post with the kosher cruiser in mind. This was our first cruise and our first kosher cruise, but it was a different enough and fantastic enough experience that I felt I had to post about it. The cost is roughly double the cost of the same cruise, but we felt it was worth every penny.

We sailed on the Norwegian Pearl from Seattle to Alaska, August 14-21, 2011. Usually in a cruise or airplane situation, ordering kosher food means that you get airline food wrapped in foil - nothing to write home about. Kosherica had 300 people in their group, and rented out part of one of the dining rooms (the Indigo). The had five mashgiachs (kosher supervisors) working on board around the clock to make sure that all food was prepared in an kosher way (glatt kosher, pas yisroel, cholov yisroel, etc. etc.).

The variety of food was phenomenal, with breakfast and lunch as buffets and dinner with a menu and served by wait staff. There were several solid entrees available at every meal, and meals included items like lamb shawarma, beef ribs, sushi, and chocolate pecan pie. Of course on Shabbos (the Sabbath) we had cholent (stew) and kishke (stuffed sausage). These foods were as good as any kosher restaurant I have ever eaten at (ribs even as good as La Gondola in Los Angeles).

It was a "comedy cruise" theme, with Yisroel Campbell (had a hit off-Broadway show), who I thought was very funny, but I am not sure he was the right match for all of the crowd. Rabbi Moshe Bryski was the scholar in residence (Chabad of Conejo Valley, California), whom I also liked very much, and I believe that he was universally well-received.

For Glacier watching they had a separate viewing area, and a farewell barbecue for the group. There was daf yomi (daily Talmud study) and davening (daily prayers) and lectures from Rabbi Bryski nearly every day. The chevra (community / group) was mostly people from the greater NYC area, with the next largest groups being from Montreal and Florida.

This is obviously a niche - you need to really want kosher food and be willing to pay significantly for the difference. We found the service, organization, and quality at the top of our traveling experiences and would highly recommend it. I also have to hand it to Norwegian, as the staff was clearly well aware of the many rules and customs involved."

For exciting deals on kosher cruises and passover vacations, sign up for our online newsletter at Kosherica.com.

5 Steps to Picking the Perfect PASSOVER Hotel Program

Once you've selected your passover destination, the next step is to choose your passover hotel. If you are particular about your hotel, you may need to pick your hotel before your destination or you might end up switching locations a couple of times. Play around with it and keep your options open. Many destinations are similar - white sandy beaches or mountain skiing - but your passover hotels will make all the difference. You will be spending a lot of time at the hotel or in your room, so do the research.

Choose the location of your hotel. Do you want to be by an incredible golf course? In warm weather? This will narrow down your selection quiet a bit.

How much can you spend? You may be surprised how affordable a Passover vacation can be when you factor that all meals, accommodations, activities and events are included in the price.

What type of hotel do you want to stay out? Hotels can vary from couples-only, adult-only, all-inclusive, large resorts, small boutique hotels... We recommend a resort that has wonderful grounds to roam.

What kind of room or suite do you imagine? You will be spending quality time in your hotel room, so keep this in mind when picking your hotel.

Amenities? Hotel costs usually increase as the number of amenities increases. If you're planning on spending most of your time away from your hotel ~ sightseeing, shopping, excursions... then the number of amenities shouldn't be very important. If you don't want to leave your resort, then the amenities are key! 

Here is a list of important resort amenities to consider:
  • Tea Room availability
  • Concierge
  • Golf center
  • Fitness center
  • Great Pool
  • Live entertainment
  • Kids Club
  • Adult activities
  • Quality food
  • Spa ~ Massage
  • Access to main attractions in Coral Gables and Miami

Kosher Special Events and Group Vacations

Mazel Tov! If you are planning a Simcha or a Kosher group jewish vacations you have arrived at the right place. A growing number of Jewish families, have one thing in common, they count on Kosherica event planning to make their special simcha a success. For over 15 years, Kosherica has teamed up with the best cruise ships, gourmet chefs, hotels, top notch Jewish entertainers, Rabbi’s and an incredible planning/ hosting staff to create vacations and simchas that surpass our guests highest expectations. We are honored and excited to be your personal party planner and hold you hand every step of the way to insure that you have the simcha or your dreams!

The Kosherica Team Group Benefits:
-Group Discounts
-Specialized Jewish Interest Group Tours and Excursions
-Specialized Menus by five Star Chefs (Glatt Kosher Chalov Yisroel Pas Yisroel)
-Specialized Jewish entertainment and Rabbis (depending on the venue)

Kosherica Special Events:
Jewish Weddings alongside with Sheva Brochos
Bar and Bat Mitzvahs
Anniversary Parties
Family Reunion

Kosherica Group Vacation Venues:
Kosher Cruises around the world
Kosher Riverboats in Europe and China
Kosher 5 Star Hotels in the United States, Europe and Israel

Call us today and ask to speak with our event planning department. 877-724-5567 or 305-695-2700.


Tips for Your Jewish Wedding / Bar Bat Mitzvah / Anniversary

1. Choosing a Date
Jewish weddings are generally prohibited on Shabbat and festivals--including Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Passover, Shavuot, and Sukkot--and the fast days Tisha B'Av, the 10th of Tevet, the 17th of Tammuz, the Fast of Gedaliah, and the Fast of Esther. Traditionally, Jewish weddings are not held during the counting of the omer between Passover and Shavuot, although customs differ as to whether that entire seven-week stretch or just part of it is a problem. Marrying during the three weeks between the 17th of Tammuz and Tisha B'Av is also prohibited in traditional Jewish practice. Because many of these dates fall during prime wedding season (spring-summer), it's important to check an accurate Jewish calendar (such as www.hebcal.com) before you select a date.

We recommend calling our agents and we can either have your wedding on an existing Glatt Kosher cruise or create a completely new cruises or venue depending on your requirements and wishes.

2. Planning the Destination
Kosherica has events throughout the world. We have had the most spectacular weddings as we set sail to the Caribbean, family reunions in Europe, Bar Mitzvahs in Alaska. The options are plentiful.

3. Who to invite?
Kosherica can arrange wonderful and affordable packages for big or small groups. Call us today so we can give you quotes on jewish travel trips.

Visit www.kosherica.com today to book your next kosher travel trip today!

Open Cabins Still Available for Luxury Jewish Music Cruise

Join the most talented Jewish artists on a cruise of a lifetime! Every day is filled with concerts, lectures, daf yomi, minyanim and world class gourmet cuisine.

We still have four cabins lefts aboard the Norwegian Cruise Lines on Jan. 22-29, 2012 for the Jewish Music Festival at Sea.

We also have three cabins left aboard the Allure of the Seas on Jan. 22-29, 2012 for the  Royal Caribbean Yeshiva Week long kosher cruise.

Visit www.kosherica.com for more info or call us directly at 877-724-5567 to reserve your spot today!