For many years, the religious community faced a dilemma: How to enjoy a trip abroad without giving up on a religious lifestyle? The complex logistics—from kosher food to Shabbat observance and prayer schedules—led many to avoid overseas trips altogether or to settle for short and limited ones. Now comes a surprising solution: Kosher river cruises. The trend, already proven successful among the general public, is particularly well suited for tradition-observant travelers.
Siman Ovadia, CEO of “Cruise Tour”: “In the past two years it seems that the tradition-observant public has also ‘discovered’ river cruises, and we are experiencing significant growth in demand from this sector. In light of this, we have developed special itineraries—trips with a Jewish character tailored to their unique needs.”
Unlike massive cruises with thousands of passengers, river cruises take place on relatively small ships that serve as a five-star “floating hotel.” The ship makes its way along the river and docks every day at a different location, allowing passengers to go on tours in cities and villages along the route.
The great advantage for the religious community: The ship’s kitchen is fully koshered and adapted, including private chefs and custom-made menus. In this way, travelers are spared all the concerns surrounding kosher dining.
More Than Just Kosher Cuisine
The adaptation does not end with the kitchen. The trips include skilled guides who give space to Jewish tradition and emphasize relevant sites. Naturally, it is also important to take into account prayer, Shabbat meals, and the Shabbat sermon. “Cruise Tour” recently decided to take the trend one step further by adding performances of leading cantors, including Cantors Udi Ullman and Chaim Stern, as well as popular singers in the sector—adding a powerful Jewish atmosphere to the journey, they explain.
Among the most popular destinations for kosher cruises are the rivers of Holland and Belgium, the Rhine and the Moselle, the Norwegian fjords, and the Danube. Each itinerary offers a mix of large cities and pastoral rural landscapes, while staying aboard a luxury floating hotel with all the services.
This arrangement allows tradition-observant travelers to enjoy a pampering and culturally rich travel experience without compromising their religious way of life. Instead of hesitation and compromise, these journeys offer a solution that perfectly combines both worlds.