Holidays without Ministers or Rabbis

[eaf]

I just learned that Princess will carry no Ministers or Rabbis over Christmas and Hanukah this December.

Tell me it isn't true

[crusdiva]

I just learned that Princess will carry no Ministers or Rabbis over Christmas and Hanukah this December.

Tell me it isn't true

Welcome to the boards.

This is generally the case.

Usually a staff officer conducts one service and they ask a passenger to conduct the other. There will still be services onboard.

[Andee]

Chanukah is a minor holiday, with no special services held at synagogue. Celebrations are held in the home and involve saying three blessings, lighting candles, playing dreidel, singing songs, and eating fried foods. A Rabbi isn't necessary.

[Lynda90]

Chanukah is a minor holiday, with no special services held at synagogue. Celebrations are held in the home and involve saying three blessings, lighting candles, playing dreidel, singing songs, and eating fried foods. A Rabbi isn't necessary.

I was on the Diamond to Hawaii last December during Chanukah and there was a Rabbi onboard who was hired by Princess. He conducted services on all the nights of Chanukah plus shabbat services on Friday nights.

[wizard-of-roz]

There are ALWAYS services onboard Princess and other lines. On Friday nights/Saturdays/Sundays and Holidays.

You may go to the chapel and pray or meditate, anytime. Just be aware that the chapel may be used for Weddings and other celebrations, that have been pre-arranged. If so, talk to the purser to make sure that you will be given another room to meet in.

Sometimes there is clergy and sometimes the services are led by a fellow passenger, in any case there are ALWAYS opportunies to pray.

Princess will provide the candle holders and candles. They will even provide bread and wine. You may have to bring your own Menorah....I'm not sure they would have one.

Just speak with the purser.

[Cruz Crazi]

We were on the Emerald Princess last year during Chanukkah and there was a Rabbi on board as a matter of fact he was from our local area.

He conducted Services and we even had Latkes (traditional food for Chanukkah).

Unless Princess is not hiring Clergy anymore.

[DeepWaterMariner]

I've never been on a Princess cruise where there has been clergy provided by the cruise line. That includes a cruise over Easter. There has been clergy on a few other cruise lines we sail including HAL and RCI.

[Shoalwater]

I just learned that Princess will carry no Ministers or Rabbis over Christmas and Hanukah this December.

Tell me it isn't true

 

Need attribution as to the source to figure out if it is credible.

[abrakadabra]

as long as they have Christmas trees and Christmas carols I'm fine.The Religious stuff stays home and the cruise itself is the biggest Christmas gift no need for extra gifts.

[cruznliz]

To the OP: where did you hear this? I would be surprised if Princess did not have clergy on a majority of their ships over the holidays. We have been on non holiday cruises where there are clergy and have "heard" that they are there for holidays. Try calling Princess and maybe they can check your particular cruise. Of course with the economy the way it is, it could be a cost savings for Princess. There are usually plenty of clergy/passengers on board who will run the services or one of the ship's officers or cruise director. They will provide anything needed for a service, including hymnals and a piano player! ;)

[Cruisin' Chick]

It may have been three years since our holiday cruise but this is what happened:

there was a rabbi onboard (as were a priest and reverend for the Christmas services) who led Shabbot services as well as the nightly lighting of the menorah. Many people brought their menorah on their cruise, and the rabbi said that anyone who brought theirs to the service to bring them up front. Then he asked the children there to help him light the candles.

 

We didn't bring ours, but we did have a foam sticker menorah, which we put up in our cabin and "lit" a foam candle every night.

 

There were two menorahs in the atrium during that cruise (Island Princess).

 

In the fun zone, the kids made plenty of holiday oriented arts and crafts, including ones for Hanukkah.

[Lynda90]

It may have been three years since our holiday cruise but this is what happened:

there was a rabbi onboard (as were a priest and reverend for the Christmas services) who led Shabbot services as well as the nightly lighting of the menorah. Many people brought their menorah on their cruise' date=' and the rabbi said that anyone who brought theirs to the service to bring them up front. Then he asked the children there to help him light the candles.

 

We didn't bring ours, but we did have a foam sticker menorah, which we put up in our cabin and "lit" a foam candle every night.

 

There were two menorahs in the atrium during that cruise (Island Princess).

 

In the fun zone, the kids made plenty of holiday oriented arts and crafts, including ones for Hanukkah.[/quote']

That's just the way it was on the cruise I was on last year. Princess did a wonderful job of decorating for both holidays. Sounds like it might have been the same rabbi.

[Coral]

On our Christmas cruise, there was a Priest onboard. I have cruised over Hanakuh many times and there has always been a Rabbi.