Travelling on a cruise can be a luxurious and relaxing experience, but for those who keep kosher, it’s essential to know what dining options are available. Thankfully, many major cruise lines offer kosher meals onboard to ensure all guests have a delightful culinary experience.
Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival Cruise Line provides kosher meals on all their ships. However, these meals are limited to pre-packaged, frozen Glatt Kosher options. It’s important to note that Carnival does not have the facilities to prepare kosher food on board, so all meals come pre-packaged and sealed.
Guests must request kosher meals onboard at least three weeks prior to the sail date for American cruises and eight weeks in advance for European and Australian cruises. Kosher meals are served in the main dining room, and when the ship is in port meaning the dining room is closed, meals can be arranged through room service. Breakfast items are not available, so guests should plan accordingly.
Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Cruise Line offers kosher dining options with prior notice. Guests should contact the reservations department at least 30 days before their sail date to arrange kosher meals. Onboard staff will assist in meal selections on embarkation day. Norwegian Cruise line strives to accommodate guests’ dietary needs, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable dining experience.
Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean International offers kosher meals on all its ships at no additional cost. These meals are Glatt Kosher, available for lunch and dinner in the main dining room or the Windjammer Cafe. The meals are pre-packaged, frozen, and served sealed with disposable cutlery.
Additionally, Royal Caribbean can prepare hand-torn salads and a daily fish option, although these are not prepared under strict kosher supervision. Kosher meal requests must be made well in advance, with deadlines ranging from 45 days before North American sailings to 100 days before Australia/Asia sailings.
MSC Cruises
MSC Cruises provides pre-packaged kosher meals if requested at least two months before departure. These meals come at an additional charge, starting from €25 per person. MSC ensures that kosher options are available but requires significant notice to accommodate these dietary needs.
Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity Cruises offers a limited selection of kosher meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. These meals are pre-packaged and available for dinner in the main restaurant. Special orders for kosher food must be placed with the Celebrity Cruises Access Department and are subject to a minimum order of 10 items. The selection includes various traditional dishes, ensuring that kosher guests have a satisfying dining experience. Orders need to be placed at the time of booking to ensure availability.
Cunard
Cunard offers double-wrapped and frozen kosher meals, which guests must order six weeks in advance. These meals include one entrée and one soup per day, with no guarantees for breakfast options.
Cunard have begun offering fresh kosher meat on board, which can be cooked upon request. A rabbi is also available on board during major Jewish holidays, such as Rosh HaShana, Yom Kippur, Hanukkah, and Passover, with services like Seders scheduled around onboard activities.
Holland America Line
Holland America provides double-wrapped kosher meals upon request, with a form that must be filled out and returned 90 days prior to sailing. While breakfast is not included, kosher cereal and bread are available. The cruise line allows for two packaged meals per day, with additional meals available at a nominal fee.
Princess Cruises
Princess Cruises works with a certified kosher vendor to offer a variety of kosher meals under rabbinical supervision. Kosher meals must be requested in writing 35 days before departure for certain cruises such as Alaska, Canada/New England, Caribbean, Hawaii, Mexico, Panama Canal and 65 days prior for all others. Special services, such as a Seder during Passover and Hanukkah prayers, are also provided onboard.
Disney Cruise Line
Disney Cruise Line stocks kosher meals on all ships, certified by OK Kosher Certification. These meals are available in full-service dining only and must be noted on the guest’s account after booking. For Passover sailings, Disney requires 60 days’ notice. Disney’s kosher meals include Glatt kosher meat, cholov yisroel dairy, and pas yisroel products, ensuring a wide range of dietary needs are met.
P&O Cruises
P&O Cruises offers kosher meals if informed at least 10 weeks before sailing. If this notice period is not met, they may not be able to accommodate the request. The kosher meals onboard are limited and unsupervised, so guests should plan accordingly.
Virgin Voyages
Virgin Voyages does not offer kosher or Halal dining options, and their kitchens are not allergen-free. Guests with specific dietary needs may need to consider other cruise lines that cater to kosher meals.
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Please note that all information is correct at the time of publishing and to please check the cruise lines own website before booking.
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