Religious services

[FigmentSpark]

Are there ever any religious services held on the ships for the guests to attend?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Are there ever any religious services held on the ships for the guests to attend?

If the cruise has Sunday as a full day onboard the ship, as in - not embarkation or debarkation day - there's typically a interdenominational service, usually facilitated by a CM. Check the Navigator you get on Saturday to see when/where.

And on Easter, there's a large service in the WDT, usually.

 

[FigmentSpark]

Thanks. I assume it's lead by a DCL minister on staff, as opposed to a guest who is also a minister of some sort?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Thanks. I assume it's lead by a DCL minister on staff, as opposed to a guest who is also a minister of some sort?

It can be lead by a guest or a CM (each of which may or may not be an actual "minister"). Just someone to step in and say "I'll lead the service".

On our Fantasy B2B cruises the service was lead by one of the chefs. Another cruise we had one of the entertainment people. On other cruise lines there have been passengers, who are ministers, step in and do them.

Just depends on who's up for it.

 

[FigmentSpark]

Hmmm... you know, it kind of sounds like the right spirit for a religious service. Kind of a grass roots feel, I should think.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Hmmm... you know, it kind of sounds like the right spirit for a religious service. Kind of a grass roots feel, I should think.

If you go, you'll find (other than Easter) that the services are fairly lightly attended by guests.

 

[Amunet]

I inquired about a service for a specific religion/spirituality for my last cruise and DCL said that if so many people signed up, it could be more of a private event; they would provide the space at a certain time and you would be responsible for the actual service.

I forget the exact number but thought it would be worth mentioning

 

[FigmentSpark]

Yeah, I could see that. I doubt I could drag my family, but it's nice to know there's the option if I want to go. Thanks.

 

[wilkeliza]

Just in case anyone would find it helpful there is usually a Shabbat service as well. Maybe we have been very lucky but each of our 3 cruises have had them.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Just in case anyone would find it helpful there is usually a Shabbat service as well. Maybe we have been very lucky but each of our 3 cruises have had them.

Is that also listed in the Navigator?

 

[wilkeliza]

Is that also listed in the Navigator?

Yes it has been. I believe they offer it so that guests don't light candles on their own. We never go (either use our nontraditional travel shabbat kit with electric candles or don't do it) but we noticed it was offered.

 

[FigmentSpark]

It's nice that they can accommodate people that way. When that's an important part of your life, you don't want to leave it behind. Also, it's another way for people to meet each other.

 

[bobbiwoz]

A minister conducted services on one of our longer cruises, I cannot remember if it was WBPC or EBTA.

 

[sc426]

Just in case anyone would find it helpful there is usually a Shabbat service as well. Maybe we have been very lucky but each of our 3 cruises have had them.

On all of our disney cruises on the wonder, shabbat services have been offered, listed on the navigator and nicely attended by at least a dozen or so people. For those in the know, there is definitely enough for a minyon At least one guest, if not most of us, chime in and lead the quick service together. We really appreciate it and will continue to go on our future cruises. Disney also supplies us with our grape juice, candles and bread. Very nice of them. It usually happens about 5:30pm on the friday night during the cruise just before the main seating.

 

[bksaffle]

Whenever we have been on the Fantasy we have had service up in the Outlook "Forward Funnel", with different CM's that lead the service, usually they are the CM who leads Bible Studies / Services with the Crew throughout their contract time (kind of like the cruise chaplain). It has always been great to see how people from different countries preach/worship. It is something that my family has always looked forward to. When we were on the Wonder / Magic, Disney reserves an area (listing it in the Navigator), but it needs to be organized and led by a guest.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Whenever we have been on the Fantasy we have had service up in the Outlook "Forward Funnel", with different CM's that lead the service, usually they are the CM who leads Bible Studies / Services with the Crew throughout their contract time (kind of like the cruise chaplain). It has always been great to see how people from different countries preach/worship. It is something that my family has always looked forward to. When we were on the Wonder / Magic, Disney reserves an area (listing it in the Navigator), but it needs to be organized and led by a guest.

All of the interdenominational services we've attended (Fantasy, Magic, Wonder) were led by a CM. On the Fantasy it was in the Outlook. On the Magic & Wonder it was in the piano bar (Sessions-at the time, and Cadillac Lounge respectively).

 

[FigmentSpark]

Anybody ever heard of a Catholic Mass on board?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Anybody ever heard of a Catholic Mass on board?

I know they have one on Easter. I would imagine that, unless there were a priest taking a Disney cruise, as a guest, and willing to do the service, there wouldn't be one.

I believe, unlike Holland America, there is no priest onboard for crew member services, as a regular part of the crew complement.

 

[carolina_yankee]

I'm an Episcopal priest going on the Fantasy next April.p (with 3 other priests and 2 spouses, no less)! I'd be happy to offer an Episcopal/Anglican communion service on Sunday morning that was open to anyone who wanted the Eucharist. Since it's the first full day of the cruise, anyone know of how to go about doing that? Is there a person to contact at DCL to offer?

Dirk

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I'm an Episcopal priest going on the Fantasy next April.p (with 3 other priests and 2 spouses, no less)! I'd be happy to offer an Episcopal/Anglican communion service on Sunday morning that was open to anyone who wanted the Eucharist. Since it's the first full day of the cruise, anyone know of how to go about doing that? Is there a person to contact at DCL to offer?

Dirk

I might suggest you post this on the cruise meet specific thread. That way you'll be reaching some of the people who are actually on your cruise.

Probably wouldn't hurt to call DCL and ask who to set this up with. Just call the main DCL number and tell them what you want and ask who to talk to. Hopefully, they will direct you to the proper person.