IS there a menorah on board

[AmberDaClown]

We want to know if there is a menorah on board (even with simulated candles)? We will be sailing over Hanukkah.

I remember one year at DTD at DL there was this pitiful two foot display of Hanukkah related Disney items. I wonder if there will be any on board DCL.

 

[CraftyMouse]

I know that they have services on the Jewish high holy days so I am sure they will have a menorah onboard over Hanukkah.

 

[AmberDaClown]

Bumping. Does anyone know for sure?

 

[CraftyMouse]

Bumping. Does anyone know for sure?

Why don't you give DCL a quick call and ask. I"m sure they'd be able to help.

 

[AmberDaClown]

Why don't you give DCL a quick call and ask. I"m sure they'd be able to help.

I actually have and got three different answers three different times. I thought I would ask the DIS since they seem to know everything, even moreso than the telephone agents.

 

[CraftyMouse]

I actually have and got three different answers three different times. I thought I would ask the DIS since they seem to know everything, even moreso than the telephone agents.

Ah yes...I've gotten misinformation from the DCL reps as well. I am quite sure they will have a menorah on board. I seem to recall someone writing a trip report saying that there was a menorah lighting ceremony each evening of Hanukkah so that is what I am going by. DCL is very conscientious about celebrating Jewish holidays for it's Jewish passengers so I am sure they will offer this for their Jewish guests sailing over Hanukkah.

 

[coastgirl]

Amber, we have never witnessed any Hanukkah observances. Would it be appropriate for a non-Jewish family to be (quietly, respectfully) present for the lighting?

 

[tvguy]

In the past Disney has always made facilities available for religious services. Don't think they would have a Menorah on board, but if you brought a simulated one, I'm sure they would accomadate you. Remember, candles aren't allowed, so it would have to be simulated.

 

[AmberDaClown]

Of course others are welcome to participate, and I know it would have to be simulated because of the candle factor. I would just hope DCL would provide it since there is such accommodation made for Christmas. Like I said I was not that hopeful given my experience two years ago at DTD in DL.

 

[I M Grumpy]

I cruised last December and YES they have a candle lighting.

There was a Rabbi and they gave him one of the conference rooms.
Short candle lighting service, Kiddush and latkes.

Only problem was timing with early dinner seating, but it worked.

 

[CraftyMouse]

Of course others are welcome to participate, and I know it would have to be simulated because of the candle factor. I would just hope DCL would provide it since there is such accommodation made for Christmas. Like I said I was not that hopeful given my experience two years ago at DTD in DL.

I believe they have a menorah lighting at the American Adventure in EPCOT.

 

[JoiseyMom]

I cruised last December and YES they have a candle lighting.

There was a Rabbi and they gave him one of the conference rooms.
Short candle lighting service, Kiddush and latkes.

Only problem was timing with early dinner seating, but it worked.

Kewl, I hope it's on this cruise. It would be nice to have.

 

[beachblanket]

In the past Disney has always made facilities available for religious services.

Yeah, like an empty lounge or theatre DCL should get with the program (the one that most of their competiors started years ago) and add specific space for religious services, ergo chapels (which can be used by any faith) to the two existing ships and incude them on plans for the new ones.

And please, none of those silly "they don't have enough room" responses. If they can fit in multple lounges and gift shops, they can most certainly find room for a small chapel.

Here are some fine examples from other lines:

On the RCI Freedom of the Seas:

ON NCL's Pride of America (in this shot set up for a wedding):

Aboard the Carnival Spirit (yeah, good 'ole "downscale" Carnival, which is nice enough to give passengers real stained glass and polished red oak pews). They've now standardized this general design for chapels on all their ships, which in the humble opinion of this marketer reflects some very slick customer insight on their part. How? It offers wedding parties a respite into tradition -- which is what many (if not most) of them want -- and is a nice contrast to the glitzly feel of most of the other interior space on their vessels.

 

[disneycruise05]

Didn't we have this debate about chapels like a year ago? And didn't it get all heated and locked by the mods?

As per celebrating Hanukkah on board: I wrote DCL a while ago because I thought we would be going on our cruise during Hanukkah and wanted to know if there would be anything going on. Here is what they wrote back with:

Dear William,

Thank you for your interest in a Disney Cruise Line Vacation!

Although we do not have any specific information, please be assured services for Hanukkah will include menorahs, candles, wine, and latkes. Once onboard, please check your Personal Navigator for any special times or locations.

We look forward to sailing with you! Have a Magical Day!

Wilma
Reservations Department
Disney Cruise Vacations

HTH!

 

[ashman]

Of course others are welcome to participate, and I know it would have to be simulated because of the candle factor. I would just hope DCL would provide it since there is such accommodation made for Christmas. Like I said I was not that hopeful given my experience two years ago at DTD in DL.

Amber I wish you sucess as you seek out an appropriate opportunity to worship according to your tradition celebrating what I think is one of the most impressive moments of Jewish history, the Maccabee rebellion.

That said, and I mean this with the utmost respect, does DCL infact make accomodation for Christmas? I know there are holiday decorations (some places don't even call them Christmas decorations or Christmas Trees) and the hat tipped to Jolly ol Saint Nick, but is Christmas, the birth of the Christ child, born of a Virgin, the manger, the wise men, the shepherds accomodated for on DCL?

Again I ask the question not to be antagonistic but to sincerely know. I don't. I would suspect that such overt accomodations would be avoided. I don't know and I am asking for more info.

 

[disneycruise05]

Amber I wish you sucess as you seek out an appropriate opportunity to worship according to your tradition celebrating what I think is one of the most impressive moments of Jewish history, the Maccabee rebellion.

That said, and I mean this with the utmost respect, does DCL infact make accomodation for Christmas? I know there are holiday decorations (some places don't even call them Christmas decorations or Christmas Trees) and the hat tipped to Jolly ol Saint Nick, but is Christmas, the birth of the Christ child, born of a Virgin, the manger, the wise men, the shepherds accomodated for on DCL?

Again I ask the question not to be antagonistic but to sincerely know. I don't. I would suspect that such overt accomodations would be avoided. I don't know and I am asking for more info.

There will be a clergy member on board to perform Christmas service. I don't know how many services will be available (not sure if it's just one, or if there is one at midnight, another on Christmas morning, etc.) I looked on the DCL website and the exact wording they used was:

Does the ship provide religious services?

During certain religious holidays, onboard clergy perform services. Check your Personal Navigator for more information, including locations and times.

I would be very, VERY surprised if DCL didn't have a service for Christmas. You can always look at trip reports from Christmas cruises to see what exactly happend and was available.

 

[brack]

Amber I wish you sucess as you seek out an appropriate opportunity to worship according to your tradition celebrating what I think is one of the most impressive moments of Jewish history, the Maccabee rebellion.

That said, and I mean this with the utmost respect, does DCL infact make accomodation for Christmas? I know there are holiday decorations (some places don't even call them Christmas decorations or Christmas Trees) and the hat tipped to Jolly ol Saint Nick, but is Christmas, the birth of the Christ child, born of a Virgin, the manger, the wise men, the shepherds accomodated for on DCL?

Again I ask the question not to be antagonistic but to sincerely know. I don't. I would suspect that such overt accomodations would be avoided. I don't know and I am asking for more info.

Last year during our December cruise the decorations were probably 99.9% holiday and not religious. I say 99.9% only because I can not be completely sure that there was no religious content but I did not see any. Their clear intent was to celebrate the holiday season not the Christian observance of Christmas.

As an ordained minister I am not bothered by this because it is not Disney's place to celebrate my religious holiday. I will do that at home or in my own way onboard ship.

For an additional 2 cents ..... I do not need a chapel onboard. I can celebrate my religion on Deck 10 marveling at His handiwork. It appears to me that the other shiplines that do have them only do so to increase their profit margin for booking weddings.

 

[kcashner]

It has been my experience on each of my 15 sailings on the Magic that space was made available for Jewish services and for a Christian non-denominational service. Times and locations were noted in the Navigator. On at least one cruise, there was a notice of a meeting for anyone interested in planning the service. I'm not aware of DCL providing a Rabbi or minister unless one is sailing as a passenger and volunteered his services, but I certainly can't say that one is not provided for special holidays.

I've never seen religious oriented decorations. The only event I've seen with a Christian orientation at WDW is the Candlelight Processional. However, I don't go to WDW or cruise the Magic in order to participate in a religious celebration or worship service. Neither DCL nor WDW in any way impedes my personal worship, and I've found them both to be cooperative in making space available if requested.

Back to the original question-based on my past experiences on the ship, I'd say that there will probably be a menorah, especially if your desire for one has been communicated before the sailing. Enjoy the cruise!

 

[tvguy]

I'm not aware of DCL providing a Rabbi or minister unless one is sailing as a passenger and volunteered his services, but I certainly can't say that one is not provided for special holidays.

I think that they don't provide the religious leader, just the location.

Maybe the new ships with have chapels. Although in 8 cruises on 7 different ships, the Magic is the only ship I cruised on that did not have a chapel. However, in 7 cruises on ships with chapels I have never seen anyone in there.

 

[Aisling]

I think that they don't provide the religious leader, just the location.

Maybe the new ships with have chapels. Although in 8 cruises on 7 different ships, the Magic is the only ship I cruised on that did not have a chapel. However, in 7 cruises on ships with chapels I have never seen anyone in there.

The only Christian religios thing I remember was the caroling of Joy To The World, and songs like that. I didn't see a menorah displayed, but there must have been one at the Jewish holiday service, since a rabbi was on board.

There was indeed a midnight Mass, and Mass every morning, since priests are obligated to celebrate Mass everyday, even if they are the only one there attending. If my memory serves, I believe there was also daily evening Jewish gatherings. I'll check my old Navigator to be sure, and get back to you.