KOSHER CRUISES GO BIG TIME

A recent story in the Frommer”s newsletter highlighted the fact that
kosher cruises have come into their own in a big way.

Chosen Voyage at INTRAV Debuts Kosher Cruise Catalog

In 2003, ordained rabbi and travel-industry veteran Matthew Shollar
founded Chosen Voyage, a Pittsburgh-based company dedicated to
offering the cruise industry”s only all-kosher experience. Then, in
late 2005, the company teamed up with specialty travel operator
INTRAV, parent company of Clipper Cruise Line, to create a new
division, Chosen Voyage at INTRAV (tel. 800/990-0890;
chosenvoyage@intrav.com), intended to combine Chosen Voyage”s track
record in the kosher travel market with INTRAV”s infrastructure and
wide range of travel offerings. This month, the company debuted its
2006 catalog, featuring kosher cruises in Europe, North America, the
Caribbean, and the Pacific. Trips include:

Passover
Splendor in Holland & Belgium: A Passover holiday voyage aboard the
brand new river vessel Sound of Music, combining scenic beauty and
Jewish history on an 11-day trip. Cruise departs April 11, 2006. Rates
begin at $4,200.

Jewish History Along the Blue Danube: A 9-day journey on the Danube River aboard Sound of Music, uncovering the sights and Jewish history of Germany, Austria, and Hungary. Cruise
departs June 13, 2006. Rates begin at $3,095.

Exploring the Russian Waterways: A 13-day Russian voyage combining the historic
cities of St. Petersburg and Moscow with a cruise aboard the Kazan to
outlying rural towns and islands. Cruise departs August 24, 2006. Rates begin at $5,395.

Fall Foliage on the Hudson River: An
8-day round-trip cruise from New York aboard the Nantucket Clipper,
visiting sites like the Franklin D. Roosevelt Library at Hyde Park and
the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, plus the landscapes and fall
foliage of the Hudson River Valley. Cruise departs October 26, 2006.
Rates begin at $2,995.

The Essence of Northern California: An
8-day trip aboard the Yorktown Clipper visits Sacramento, the Napa
Valley, Sausalito, and San Francisco, with award-winning kosher chef
Susie Fishbein (Kosher by Design) aboard to serve a Shabbat meal.
Cruises depart October 30, 2006 and April 26, 2007. Rates begin at
$2,995.

Navigating New Zealand”s Islands: A 14-day exploration
that travels along New Zealand”s North and South islands aboard the
Clipper Odyssey. Cruise departs December 25, 2006. Rates begin at
$6,495.

Western Caribbean Idyll: Departing from Ft. Lauderdale,
this 8-day round-trip journey aboard the Explorer visits Playa del
Carmen, Cozumel, Belize City, and Costa Maya. Cruise departs January
17, 2007. Rates begin at $1,395.

All rates per person, double
occupancy. All Chosen Voyage by INTRAV cruises are offered on a
full-ship kosher basis. Meals are served with Glatt Kosher meats,
Chalav Yisrael dairy products, and Pas Yisrael baking offered
exclusively. Under the internationally recognized supervision of OK
Kosher Certification of New York, menus are planned to correspond with
the requirements of Kashrut, and itineraries are customized to offer
Shabbat in Port, with no competing programming on board and tours
planned to maintain the highest halachic standards. Added attractions
include special Jewish historical tours, scholars-in-residence, and
regional experts.

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