As Israelis plan their holiday vacations, a clear new trend seems to be emerging: Cruise vacations are becoming increasingly popular ahead of the Jewish High Holidays. Instead of the traditional holiday, many are choosing to start the Hebrew New Year on deck.
Ahead of the High Holidays, there is a noticeable increase in demand for leisure cruises among the Israeli public. MSC Cruises reports that Israelis have embraced cruise vacations, with demand growing year after year. Popular holiday destinations include Europe, Scandinavia and the fjords, the Mediterranean basin, and the Caribbean islands. The cruises offer a winning combination of wonderful weather, breathtaking scenery, attractive prices, and unforgettable family experiences.
Eyal Attias, CEO of MSC Cruises Israel, explained the phenomenon: “The upcoming holiday season is a perfect opportunity to go on vacation. Pleasant weather and attractive prices allow many families to enjoy a cruise vacation at a reasonable cost. This year, the calendar also works in favor of travelers – consecutive holiday and vacation days in the middle of the week create a perfect window for a longer vacation, suitable even for distant and exotic destinations like the Caribbean. There is no more festive way to start the Hebrew New Year than on deck, with endless sea and unforgettable experiences.”
Selected Cruises for the 2025 High Holidays
The Caribbean Islands – sun-soaked destinations, white sands, and endless shades of blue. A 7-night cruise in the Caribbean with breathtaking scenery departs from Miami on October 5 aboard the MSC Seascape, priced at $621 for a double room with an ocean view. The itinerary includes a visit to MSC’s private island – Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, San Juan in Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and back to Miami. With thousands of islands surrounded by inviting beaches and stunning coral reefs, a Caribbean cruise is a tropical escape full of fun, adventure, and relaxation in a sun-drenched paradise.
A Transcontinental Journey to Europe’s Classic Treasures – a 10-night cruise from Warnemünde, Germany, to the Norwegian fjords, Belgium, France, and England departs on October 6, at an attractive price of $899 including port taxes and service charges per person in an interior double cabin. The MSC Poesia sets sail from Warnemünde, Germany, and opens with three magical destinations in Norway: Sandness, a small Norwegian town in the heart of breathtaking fjords, Bergen, the picturesque and famous port city of western Norway, and Kristiansand, a friendly and charming coastal town.
From there, the cruise continues to Hamburg, Germany; Zeebrugge, Belgium, a port town with authentic character; Le Havre, France, a vibrant port with an arts scene, museums, and interesting architecture; and finally Southampton, England, a cultural hub with a rich maritime past. A unique combination of wild nature, picturesque towns, and European history.
Sukkot Amid Fjord Landscapes and Scandinavian Serenity – An 11-night cruise from Germany to the magical Norwegian fjords departs on September 24, priced at $1,671 including port taxes and service charges per person in a double balcony cabin. The MSC Preziosa departs from Hamburg, Germany, and ventures deep into the Norwegian fjords: Picturesque Bergen with its colorful wooden houses, historic Trondheim in the north, unique Art Nouveau town Ålesund, Vik, a small town surrounded by dramatic nature, Stavanger, a city of fjords and museums, and Oslo, the vibrant and green capital of Norway.