BonTexasNY Posted December 21, 2017 #101 Share Posted December 21, 2017 Minor to you, I assume you’re not Jewish. Not that I have to defend myself to a total stranger, but I can daven during the chagim and shabbos with the best of them in shul. I belong to a Conservative shul and we don't have a mechitza and women can go up the bima and get an Aliyah. Am I Jewish enough for you???? Let me know if you need an interpretation. I will be glad to supply one. And, yes it really is considered a minor holiday. I don't make this stuff up and it isn't my own personal opinion. Quite a few in here also stated it isn't considered a major holiday. According to your assumption, maybe they also aren't Jewish??:rolleyes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mek Posted December 22, 2017 #102 Share Posted December 22, 2017 I guess my opinion is if the religious aspect of any holiday is really important to you, then perhaps it would be best to stay at home where there is a place of worship. I'm not sure I expect a cruise ship to provide that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
do_not_spindle Posted December 22, 2017 #103 Share Posted December 22, 2017 Was just on RCCL Grandeur of the Seas. Hanukkah was well observed. Big hanukkiah in Centrum, smaller on Guest Services counter. Dedicated largest conference room for service every night, another hanukkiah in that room, latkes and jelly donuts. And challah and decent kosher wine for Shabbat. Standing room only 1st night and excellent attendance the other 7. We had at least one rabbi on board and several other passengers could have led things if needed. RCCL very supportive as we’ve had similar experience on other sailings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martyap Posted December 22, 2017 #104 Share Posted December 22, 2017 The confusion likely comes from it not being a biblical holiday. So it does not have the religious aspect of holidays like Rosh Hashanah and Passover. Jews can work on Chanukah. But the holiday is a major Jewish celebration that is very widely celebrated by Jews. It is not a very minor or minor holiday. And unlike Christmas, Hanukkah is celebrated for a mere 8 days........we don't have to hang stuff up in October and take it down in February.........no stockings, no elves on shelves, no milk and cookies, no reindeer, no mistletoe, no jolly guy coming down the chimney.....just a simple menorah and a few candles. There is no reason for any cruise line not to at least highlight a menorah and a scheduled location for a lighting ceremony. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dani negreanu Posted December 22, 2017 #105 Share Posted December 22, 2017 I guess my opinion is if the religious aspect of any holiday is really important to you, then perhaps it would be best to stay at home where there is a place of worship. I'm not sure I expect a cruise ship to provide that. That's my opinion too. I really appreciate it when it is done, but don't expect it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pamrose228 Posted December 22, 2017 #106 Share Posted December 22, 2017 (edited) Was on HAL Zuiderdam during the holiday. All i can say is HAL tried to make it right First night 75 people showed up in small meeting room while next door 25 showed up for mass. Video taken Entertainment director changed it next night Plaintain latkes with raisins served pax gave ED recipe we winded up with sweet potato and potato latkes with carrots and raisins and awful jelly doughnut balld Two shabbat service kiddishes were great Sent from my iPhone using Forums Edited December 22, 2017 by pamrose228 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisin0504 Posted December 23, 2017 Author #107 Share Posted December 23, 2017 The crew on anthem were amazingly supportive! The menorah had electrical issues and they sent it down to be worked on. They provided wine, latkes and jelly donuts nightly. All in the back of WJ before they opened for dinner. Met many nice people there. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobal Posted December 23, 2017 #108 Share Posted December 23, 2017 How about Diwali, Eid, Chinese New Year. Never seen any of them celebrated on a cruise but are all important to people of those religions. Just saying.. ....please don't flame - and if you do I won't be responding Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mindyla Posted December 23, 2017 #109 Share Posted December 23, 2017 We were just on the Rhapsody of the Seas and we celebrated Hanukkah with a Rabbi each night! The ship provided the menorah (which sometimes lit up), Manischewitz wine, latkes ( not too tasty) with applesauce, and doughnuts ( again, not too tasty) but very generous! Rabbi Steve led us in prayer and song. Each night he composed his own song that he wrote incorporating our days at sea or ports of call in his lyrics. Much appreciated! It was held in the Windjammer annex. He then went over to light the big Menorah located in the Centrum for all to see! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisegirl1 Posted December 23, 2017 #110 Share Posted December 23, 2017 Every cruise we have sailed on or around Chanukah has had at least a menorah somewhere on the ship (usually near guest services) and some ships had a banner in the centrum. It has been several years since we actually sailed during Chanukah, but there was a candle "lighting" every night ( not in a huge public area, but in a conference type room) and RCCL provided wine, donuts etc. There was no formal leader, we all said the prayers and sang a few songs. I recall that RCCL made a nice effort, as they generally do with Shabbat Services. M Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HereIGoAgain! Posted December 24, 2017 #111 Share Posted December 24, 2017 .please don't flame - and if you do I won't be responding �� I guess this is the appropriate time of year to get what I understand is called a ‘snowflake’ response. :rolleyes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rifky Posted December 25, 2017 #112 Share Posted December 25, 2017 Not that I have to defend myself to a total stranger, but I can daven during the chagim and shabbos with the best of them in shul. I belong to a Conservative shul and we don't have a mechitza and women can go up the bima and get an Aliyah. Am I Jewish enough for you????Let me know if you need an interpretation. I will be glad to supply one. And, yes it really is considered a minor holiday. I don't make this stuff up and it isn't my own personal opinion. Quite a few in here also stated it isn't considered a major holiday. According to your assumption, maybe they also aren't Jewish??:rolleyes: If you only knew, how many miracles were seen, and prayers were responded at the light of these lil flames, you wouldn't call it a minor holiday. I know it's a matter of belief. But lemme tell you something: I don't believe because I see, I see BECAUSE I believe. Sent from my SM-G930P using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rifky Posted December 25, 2017 #113 Share Posted December 25, 2017 Oh, and no, didn't expect the ship to provide anything, that's why I brought my own menorah. But it was very nice of them to provide everything they did. Sent from my SM-G930P using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary72 Posted December 25, 2017 #114 Share Posted December 25, 2017 On our recent cruise on Allure there was a rabbi who conducted Hanukkah services each night. Also, upon request, there were latkes in the MDR... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BonTexasNY Posted December 26, 2017 #115 Share Posted December 26, 2017 If you only knew, how many miracles were seen, and prayers were responded at the light of these lil flames, you wouldn't call it a minor holiday. I know it's a matter of belief. But lemme tell you something: I don't believe because I see, I see BECAUSE I believe. Sent from my SM-G930P using Forums mobile app I understand. I feel the same way when I light shabbos candles. Someone already explained why it's considered a minor holiday. It isn't my assumption or my personal belief. It is what it is. Here's hoping you continue to experience many more miracles and answered prayers in the glowing light of the chanukah candles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sisocialworker Posted December 27, 2017 #116 Share Posted December 27, 2017 just off harmony last week..they had a Chanukah service every night at 5pm and a Shabbos service on Friday night....they were all listed in the daily compass Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lenquixote66 Posted December 27, 2017 #117 Share Posted December 27, 2017 Was just on RCCL Grandeur of the Seas. Hanukkah was well observed. Big hanukkiah in Centrum, smaller on Guest Services counter. Dedicated largest conference room for service every night, another hanukkiah in that room, latkes and jelly donuts. And challah and decent kosher wine for Shabbat. Standing room only 1st night and excellent attendance the other 7. We had at least one rabbi on board and several other passengers could have led things if needed. RCCL very supportive as we’ve had similar experience on other sailings. I was on the Grandeur and attended the Hanukah service every evening.Royal Caribbean hired a Cantor to conduct the service as well as the sabbath service. One of the passengers happened to be a Rabbi and took part in the service . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grest Posted December 27, 2017 #118 Share Posted December 27, 2017 last week on the Majesty there was a large banner depicting a menorah in the atrium, but that's all I saw that suggested Hannukah Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GottaKnowWhen Posted December 28, 2017 #119 Share Posted December 28, 2017 People would boycott if the ships weren't decorated for Christmas. ... Really? After months of tawdry so-called Christmas decorations blemishing every store, mall, and cityscape, it would be a relief to get aboard a ship that celebrated cruising or World Cup or anything else! IMNSHO. Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbeergut Posted December 28, 2017 #120 Share Posted December 28, 2017 Really? After months of tawdry so-called Christmas decorations blemishing every store, mall, and cityscape, it would be a relief to get aboard a ship that celebrated cruising or World Cup or anything else! IMNSHO. Sent from my iPad using Forums This is good to know. I'm sure that RCCL can get some Buckeye decorations for your next cruise. I'll bet they'll provide a Block O for your door. ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruisingNole Posted December 28, 2017 #121 Share Posted December 28, 2017 Really? After months of tawdry so-called Christmas decorations blemishing every store, mall, and cityscape, it would be a relief to get aboard a ship that celebrated cruising or World Cup or anything else! IMNSHO. Sent from my iPad using Forums I would have been thrilled if December cruises lacked holiday themes altogether, any and all denominations. But then of course you'd have some conservative snowflakes crying that there's a "war on Christmas." ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BonTexasNY Posted December 28, 2017 #122 Share Posted December 28, 2017 After reading all of the posts in here, I am glad to discover that unlike the title of this thread, apparently Chanukah DOES exist on RCI. Nice! Have a healthy New Year, all! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F27TW Posted December 28, 2017 #123 Share Posted December 28, 2017 Not that I have to defend myself to a total stranger, but I can daven during the chagim and shabbos with the best of them in shul. I belong to a Conservative shul and we don't have a mechitza and women can go up the bima and get an Aliyah. Am I Jewish enough for you???? Quite a mouthful that was! :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BonTexasNY Posted December 29, 2017 #124 Share Posted December 29, 2017 Quite a mouthful that was! :D It gave me a chance to practice my Hebrew :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QueenofKrakatoa Posted December 29, 2017 #125 Share Posted December 29, 2017 I would have been thrilled if December cruises lacked holiday themes altogether, any and all denominations. But then of course you'd have some conservative snowflakes crying that there's a "war on Christmas." ;) Starbucks will be free to distribute plain red cups once more! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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