Looking for a place to celebrate a wedding anniversary or some other special occasion? Don’t settle on a single destination, advises Malcolm Ginsberg. Instead, choose a cruise and see a variety of places, transported between them on a floating hotel.
By Malcolm Ginsberg
Cruising is romantic and a wonderful way to mark an occasion. See the world, or at least part of it depending on how much time you have, without ever having to repack a suitcase, or even worry about keeping your wardrobe in tip top condition.
Most ships offer a concierge or butler service. The trip can be relaxing or energetic, depending on your needs. You can dine for two at every meal, or make the effort to establish new friendships at larger tables.
It is amazing just how much a Jewish couple from Edgware in North London has in common with their counterparts from Chicago or Los Angeles.
Many ships offer a kosher menu, in effect a (frozen) main course from an authorized supplier. Always book ahead and make an appointment to see the maitre d’ as soon as you get on board the ship. He will probably introduce you to the head chef and even allow an inspection of the kitchen.
If you are dining at a fixed time there is no problem with your waiter knowing your special requirements, and this is recommended. If your habit is the flexible arrangements now available try and settle on a particular part of the dining room every time. The food serving team will quickly sass you out and delight in giving that special service.
A number of tour operators do offer kosher cruises, where a travel organizer will take over a kitchen and offer supervised innovative meals to a very high standard as well as traditional menus. Morning and evening prayers are available and arrangements are made to deal with the problems encountered by the strictly Sabbath observant, such as electric door mechanisms.
The Kosher Expeditions company is taking over one of the high quality Amadeus river ships for the ten days of Passover in April 2014. Operating Vienna to Vienna on the Danube it should prove an exhilarating experience along the scenic river as it meanders towards Budapest.
Passengers will pass through three European countries — Austria, Hungary and Slovakia — as well as the picturesque Wachau Valley district of Austria – steeped in thousands of years of rich European history. The all-inclusive Passover program includes Glatt Kosher-for-Passover cuisine under strict supervision, Seders and an
on-board synagogue with daily services. The package includes local Jewish tours with on-board historians, lecturers and educators.
* Cruises have taken me to visit shuls around the globe, big (and very big) and small on some of the Caribbean Islands. Here are some of my highlights:Victoria the capital of British Columbia (Canada) has a synagogue, said to be the oldest community on the west coast of America. Hobart, capital of Tasmania (Australia), likewise has a claim to fame as the oldest in that huge continent.
* The Caribbean islands are dotted with synagogues, perhaps the most famous is in St Thomas with its sand floor, said to symbolize Moses and the desert. It is a US territory too. The Mikvé Israel-Emanuel synagogue on the Dutch island of Curacao is accepted as the oldest synagogue in continuous use in the Americas, built in 1703. The building is known for its solid mahogany in terior, 18th-century copper chandeliers and famed sand floor.
* The British founded Hong Kong in the 1840’s and the Jews soon followed. The most famous Jewish establishment is the community centre at One Robinson Place, high on The Island. There are both meat and milk kosher restaurants and a well-stocked delicatessen. A Conservative congregation also thrives. The adjoining Ohel Leah Synagogue, which is Orthodox, dates from 1901 and was built by businessman Sir Jacob Sassoon in memory of his mother. On the mainland part of Hong Kong are both Sephardic and Chabad- Lubavitch outposts. All of them welcome visitors from cruise liners.
* Venice was the site of the first Ghetto in the 16th century and the Jewish quarter still exists and is well identified. It is a short walk from the train station or take vaporetto (ferry) number 42 or 52. There are two active synagogues (and a further three that can be visited) and a number of Jewish shops and eating-places. By the Guglie Bridge, the Gam Gam restaurant is top quality.
Your cruise ship can be big or small. Britain’s tiny Hebridean Princess, perhaps the most exclusive of all liners with just a maximum of 50 passengers cruising. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth has made a habit of chartering the ship in recent years as part of her traditional family summer holiday. By contrast Norwegian Cruise Lines has
* The British founded Hong Kong in the 1840’s and the Jews soon followed. The most famous Jewish establishment is the community centre at One Robinson Place, high on The Island. There are both meat and milk kosher restaurants and a well-stocked delicatessen. A Conservative congregation also thrives. The adjoining Ohel Leah Synagogue, which is Orthodox, dates from 1901 and was built by businessman Sir Jacob Sassoon in memory of his mother. On the mainland part of Hong Kong are both Sephardic and Chabad- Lubavitch outposts. All of them welcome visitors from cruise liners.
* Venice was the site of the first Ghetto in the 16th century and the Jewish quarter still exists and is well identified. It is a short walk from the train station or take vaporetto (ferry) number 42 or 52. There are two active synagogues (and a further three that can be visited) and a number of Jewish shops and eating-places. By the Guglie Bridge, the Gam Gam restaurant is top quality.
Your cruise ship can be big or small. Britain’s tiny Hebridean Princess, perhaps the most exclusive of all liners with just a maximum of 50 passengers cruising. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth has made a habit of chartering the ship in recent years as part of her traditional family summer holiday. By contrast Norwegian Cruise Lines has
huge 4,500-passenger vessels.
Don’t be put off by the large liners. Yes, lots of people must rush to board at noon when the gangway opens in
order to start on their eating experience as soon as they can but once the initial crush has got out of the way, the ship operators have really got the boarding down to a fine art. You will have been relieved of your suitcase when you arrived at the port terminal (or at the airport with all inclusive packages) and it is just a question of lining up at one of the many check-in desks, and then casually strolling through security — all very pleasant and low key.
Some ships cruise from port to port while others interspersed with sea days, and then there is the Queen Mary 2 with its North Atlantic program, mainly during the summer months, of seven nights without seeing land.
“Lifestyle living” is now the norm of the cruise ships. Famous land-based spa franchises offer a whole range of treatments, massages and therapies, all designed to relax, refresh and rejuvenate. The gym will be busy from first thing with the latest cardio machines plus a big choice of fitness classes from Pilates and yoga to spinning. A hairdresser is not far away. And the ships’ boutiques stock the latest chic designer clothes.
Art classes and board games, bridge, cookery classes and dance instructions are some of the daytime activities. Sporty people can ice skate, ten-pin bowl, take golf driving instruction, run or swim. Or you can just sit in the sun, perhaps watching a movie. The casino and shops will be open whenever the ship is at sea.
At night you can take in a variety of shows and there is music to suit all tastes. Frank Sinatra and Tom Jones dominate the karaoke sessions. In fact some of the amateur performers are excellent. Others less so.
With its first class accommodation, plentiful food, good entertainment, and a mixture of ship days and shore days, cruising is a great way of seeing the world relaxed and in style.
Malcolm Ginsberg is editor-in-chief of Business Travel News–London.
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