If you’re looking for an unusual luxury vacation, imagine a leisurely voyage down the Danube or Rhine, ensconced in the splendid comfort of an exclusive river boat, and pausing to disembark and explore the old Jewish quarters of great cultural centers like Vienna, Budapest or Cologne. Or perhaps relaxing with a drink on deck and taking in the spectacular scenic beauty of the Rhine Gorge or the Black Forest.
Kosher river cruises provide all the luxurious facilities of a seagoing cruise, but offer far more opportunities to make a meaningful connection to Jewish history and culture, particularly if you join a European river cruise that passes through the continent’s major Jewish travel destinations.
Most American Jews are familiar with the idea of taking a luxury vacation on a cruise liner. The Caribbean is a particularly popular winter destination, with sunny days at sea and enjoyable excursions to island ports and resorts. A summer river cruise in Central Europe also promises an abundance of warm sunshine, calm waters, and romantic starlit nights. The big difference is that when you take a European river cruise (or a Nile cruise) it’s never more than a short journey to the next amazing historical or cultural site.
The great rivers were also the ancient travel arteries, trade routes and frontiers between nations. A modern river journey - even one with gourmet kosher dining, a well-stocked bar and luxury cabins - recreates those ancient journeys on a certain level and provides a connection to the past. There’s something wonderfully adventurous and satisfying about sailing down one of the big rivers and stopping off to explore enroute. It’s one of the best ways to discover a foreign country - far more pleasant and relaxing than driving or flying.
A river cruise also offers an opportunity for spiritual observance and growth. The gentle pace and quiet rhythm of a river journey is conducive to thought and reflection and there’s a sense of closeness to nature. If your cruise includes visits to places where your ancestors lived, or to historical Jewish religious or spiritual centers, the whole experience can lead to profound new insights. Cruises are a good opportunity to catch up on your reading, or to plug in your headphones and listen to podcasts. A river journey is a chance for personal growth and renewal and is a seriously underrated example of faith-friendly travel.
The million dollar question for observant American Jews who want to join a high end river cruise is whether it is genuinely kosher. This is where it pays to work with an experienced Jewish travel company that has its finger on the pulse and understands - and cares about - passenger requirements. There’s no need to compromise on refined travel experiences and religious observance or to worry that your religious or cultural needs will be compromised. Cruises endorsed by Gil Travel offer full gourmet glatt kosher dining, under the supervision of onboard mashgichim. You can also create a customized Shabbos compliant itinerary without compromising on the elegance or quality of your travel experience. A typical solution is to time the voyage so that you spend Shabbat on land in a kosher hotel with access to a synagogue.
An ocean-going cruise is first and foremost a fun experience. A massive cruise liner is a floating luxury hotel that attracts a wide variety of passengers, all of whom are out to have a good time. This can be amazing, but it might not be what you’re looking for.
River cruises offer a very different atmosphere. The ships are smaller, the setting more intimate and there are fewer passengers. People who opt for river cruises often tend to be quite interesting company and it’s easier to make new friends on a river boat. Equally, if you’re looking for some peace and quiet and a chance to recharge your batteries, contemplate spiritual matters - or even enjoy a second honeymoon - you’ll be left in peace.
Luxury kosher river cruises offer far more scenic beauty. If you’re someone who finds the sight of endless blue seas a bit boring after the first few days, you’ll thrive on a journey down Europe’s most famous rivers. A slow, culturally immersive voyage down the Danube, Rhine, Seine, or Douro, docking in the continent’s most important cultural centers, is on a completely different level to an ocean cruise. If you travel on a luxury cruise liner you might attend lectures on art history. On a river cruise, you may be able to visit galleries and museums and see the actual paintings! The highbrow excursions led by expert guides (including private tours of Jewish heritage sites) are a unique experience.
Once you’ve visited your choice of cultural sites, completed guided walking tours, shopped for souvenirs, and sampled local kosher delicacies, you’ll have the pleasure of returning to the boat. Amenities include spacious luxury cabins and suites and old world luxury, with discreet and attentive service from the ship’s crew. It’s wonderful to relax onboard after a long day exploring on shore. Passengers have full access to lounges, spas, and entertainment.
This article has focused on luxury river vacations in Europe, mainly because the majority of American Jews are of European origin and are keen to visit the old Jewish quarters and the cities or villages where their ancestors lived. It’s also possible to join a river cruise in more exotic locations - try the Amazon River (which has some surprising Historical Jewish connections), a trip along the Ganges and the chance to meet India's Jewish communities, or you could even explore the historical treasures of the River Nile.
Gil Travel has decades of experience arranging luxury Jewish tours and will help you to create the perfect custom cruise itinerary on one of the world’s great rivers. The trip can be tailored to meet your needs for Shabbat-friendly schedules, prayer spaces and Torah readings (with full Kosher certification and supervision). If you prefer a quiet ship that meets your requirements for civilized company and a warm, like-minded community of passengers, there are plenty of options.
It’s also possible to arrange sailings during the high holidays and cater to holiday traditions and requirements. Nothing beats a Passover or Sukkot visit to the old Jewish quarters of Prague, Vienna or Budapest, or the chance to meander down the Rhine and enjoy the region’s fine wines and historic castles - or the art and cuisine of France and an excursion to le Marais when you sail the Seine.
Talk to Gil Travel today about experiencing the magic of a luxury river cruise and the chance to combine your trip with a tailored Jewish heritage tour.
Author Bio
Iris Hami is President of Gil Travel Group, the largest travel management firm sending people to Israel. She has over 40 years of experience in the travel industry, and uses that knowledge to craft unique Jewish journeys around the world. Her company has won multiple awards, including one from State of Israel Bonds for Extraordinary Achievements Promoting the State of Israel.
