Kosher cruises have been around for a few years now, and they continue to gain in popularity. Cruises are a favorite vacation for many families, including kosher ones, who want to experience new places while keeping to their dietary and religious restrictions. Here are some tips for enjoying your kosher cruise:
Slow Down
One of the most important tips is to slow down and take time to enjoy the moment. The pace on a cruise is relaxing, so you don't need to rush from one activity to another. Take time for yourself to just relax at the pool or read a book in the sun.
This isn't a vacation where you are trying to see and do everything at once, so be sure to spend some quiet time by yourself. As you lay on the deck chair, think about how lucky you are to be there and how far you have come.
Talk More
Over the course of an entire vacation, there is plenty of time to meet new people, but talking more on the cruise will help you make stronger connections with others. Even if you are not normally an outgoing person, try to get involved in conversations around you or strike up conversations with new people that may lead to friendships or future opportunities.
Cruise During Special Occasions
When you want to celebrate a birthday or anniversary, take advantage of the festive nature of a kosher cruise by booking a cruise during your favorite Jewish holiday. For example, you can celebrate Rosh Hashanah at sea with live music and lectures about the holiday. Or if you're looking forward to celebrating Passover with your family, choose a cruise that offers daily services to help you get in the spirit.
Research
Not all cruise ships are alike, so it is important that you do some research before making a decision about which one will be best for you. This means looking into their policies and their reviews on travel websites.
A good place to start is cruise critic.com, where you can read about people's experiences on different ships and get an idea of what kind of amenities they offer. If you really want a unique experience, consider an adventure cruise instead of one that goes for longer periods of time.
Avoid the Buffet
The buffet on a cruise ship is much like the buffets in any other setting, there are numerous food choices that are not kosher. Though the ship may have a kosher kitchen, they will not be preparing any of the food served in the buffet, which means that the food could have been previously cooked with treif (non-kosher) utensils or contaminated with non-kosher ingredients. Instead, choose to eat in one of the restaurants on board to ensure a more enjoyable and kosher experience.
Stick to Your Diet
While on a cruise vacation, it is easy to forget about sticking to your diet. However, it can be difficult when you are eating at restaurants that serve large portions of food and constantly surrounded by people who are eating foods that you cannot have.
Make sure that you pack plenty of snacks for yourself so that you can avoid eating things that aren't permissible for you to eat.
Figure Out What Kind of Trip You Want
There are many kinds of kosher cruises that cater to different audiences. You can choose from a family-oriented cruise with children's programs, to an adult-only cruise with an array of activities and amenities.
You can also choose between a smooth-sailing, luxury cruise, or a smaller cruise ship with a more intimate feel. The type of trip you choose will be up to you, but it is important to know what is offered by each one in order to make the best decision for your preferences.
Choose the Right Cruise Line
There are many reasons why people choose one kosher cruise line over another: better food or entertainment options; friendlier staff; or just because they already have experience on this particular line. If you like to sail on a river, then consider kosher river cruises. Once you know what you're looking for in a trip, stick with your decision and enjoy it!
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