Eastern Caribbean Kosher Cruise
Norwegian Cruise Lines: Pearl
December 26 - January 2, 2010
7 Nights

Whether relaxing in the Caribbean or exploring Alaska, Norwegian Pearl has something for everyone. The bowling alley, the 16 different dining options, 13 bars & lounges, a massive spa, two pools, six hot tubs, the Aqua Kid's Club, kid's pool, a rock climbing wall, fitness center with floor-to-ceiling windows, the Broadway theater and a lively casino certainly proves that point. For accommodations, she has it all, with the three-bedroom Garden Villas, the exclusive Courtyard Villas with private pool deck, and lots of multi-room suites and inter-connecting staterooms to make traveling as a family a breeze.

Gross Tonnage: 93,350 grt.(One registered ton equals 100 cubic feet)
Length: 965 feet
Beam: 125 feet
Maximum speed: 25 knots
Passenger capacity: 2,3994
Dedicated: December 2006

Rabbi Steven Weil
President and Exec VP of The Orthodox Union

Rabbi Steven Weil is the newly-installed Executive Vice President of the Orthodox Union, effective July 1, 2009. Rabbi Weil comes to the OU from his position as Senior Rabbi of Beth Jacob Congregation of Beverly Hills, which is the largest Orthodox congregation outside the metropolitan New York area.

The Orthodox Union is the umbrella organization for hundreds of Orthodox synagogues in the United States and Canada. It is a world leader in community and synagogue services, outreach, youth work through NCSY, adult education, political action, and advocacy for persons with disabilities. Its kosher certification label is the world's most recognized kosher symbol.

Rabbi Weil’s personal and professional journey, and his journey to the OU, has been filled with interesting and enriching experiences. Raised on a cattle farm in upstate New York, Rabbi Weil’s was the only Jewish home within a 40-mile radius.

In search of a more intense Jewish environment, Rabbi Weil came to New York City at age 14 to pursue a high-school education in a yeshiva. He flourished there, and spent a year of post-high school studies at the esteemed yeshiva in Israel, Kerem B’Yavneh. Rabbi Weil then returned to New York to attend Yeshiva University, where he earned a degree in health sciences. He continued his studies in YU at the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary, where he earned his rabbinical ordination while simultaneously studying for and obtaining an MBA in Finance from New York University’s Stern School of Business.

Rabbi Weil then worked as an educator in the New York/New Jersey area. After delivering an impressive d’var Torah (lecture on the Torah) at the Young Israel of Oak Park in suburban Detroit, the Orthodox Union-member synagogue invited him to apply for the available pulpit position there. Within a year, he had doubled the size of the congregation and introduced many new social and educational programs, including an active youth department, a young couple’s club, and a scholar-in-residence series. In Michigan, Rabbi Weil was an active participant in the Federation and greater Jewish community.

In August of 2000, Rabbi Weil assumed the role of spiritual leader at Beth Jacob Congregation in Beverly Hills. Over the next eight years, the synagogue grew by more than 300 families. A gifted fundraiser, he provided a master plan for Beth Jacob’s growth and emphasized serious Torah learning on all levels, including two kollels (institutes for post-rabbinical students) of very different religious outlooks. He also developed significant programming at Beth Jacob.

Rabbi Weil became involved in building relationships with community leaders and was devoted to many communal activities in Los Angeles. He was invited by then President Bush and Vice President Cheney to deliver the invocation for the President’s 2004 National Campaign Dinner.

Rabbi Weil and his wife, Yael, have three sons and four daughters.

Taken from the ou.org

Virtually everything, with the exception of certain items of a personal nature, for which there is a fair and reasonable charge. Your cruise fare includes shipboard accommodations, ocean transportation, standard meals, services and onboard entertainment.

Items that are of a personal nature, for which there is a fair and reasonable charge. Not included in the cruise fare are items that are of a personal nature including gratuities, shore excursions, airfare, telephone calls, faxes, spa treatments, salon services, photographs, laundry and valet service as well as wine, liquor and other beverages. .

You are responsible for obtaining all necessary travel documents and for complying with Customs and Immigration requirements. Guests with out proper travel documents will not be allowed to board the vessel. If for some reason you must leave the ship mid-cruise, you will be denied re-entry into the U.S. unless you possess a valid U.S. passport and no refund of cruise fare will be given to any guest failing to bring such documentation. Costa Cruise Lines encourages all guests to obtain passports as soon as possible to avoid backlogs. For more information, please visit the U.S State department website at www.travel.state.gov.


Passports will be required for any air travel from the Caribbean as of January 23, 2007. ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling by air between the United States and Canada, Mexico and South America, the Caribbean and Bermuda will be required to present a valid passport.

As early as January 1st, 2008, subject to U.S. Government amendment, ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean and Bermuda may be required to present a valid passport or other documents as determined by the Department of Homeland Security.

United States and Canadian citizens must have valid passports and necessary Visas. The expiration date of your passport must not occur within 6 months of the scheduled return date of travel. Naturalized U.S. citizens are advised to carry their naturalization papers. Aliens who are residents of the U.S. must carry their Alien Registration Card and passport. All others must have valid passports and necessary visas.

Please check current visa requirements with the appropriate embassies or consulates.

Most of the time, you'll feel comfortable in casual resort wear including light cotton clothing. Sweaters, lightweight jackets, raincoats and hats are also appropriate for Northern Europe. Tennis shoes or low-heeled walking shoes are recommended for exploring the ports of call. While most shore excursions do not have dress codes, some tours specifically prohibit shorts and sleeveless shirts, and require ladies to wear knee-length skirts or slacks.
There is usually two formal galas to which ladies will wish to wear long gowns or cocktail-length dresses; gentlemen may choose either tuxedos or dark suits. Number of formal nights may vary depending on cruise length and itinerary. On other evenings, resort attire is the norm.


Temperatures in Northern Europe and the Mediterranean (April through October) average 14 - 31 degrees Celsius; 57 - 88 degrees Fahrenheit. Of course, they may vary.
Temperatures in Caribbean: (November - April) average 72-85 degrees. Of course, they may vary.
Temperatures in South America: (December - March) average 71-84 degrees. Of course, they may vary.

Ship-to-shore telephone service is available 24 hours a day while the ship is at sea or in port from your stateroom. You'll find a telephone and dialing instructions in your stateroom.
If you need to be reached by people at home, have them call or fax the ship directly; or they can contact you via email through your own Internet Service Provider which you can then access via the Internet Cafe.


You can send and receive emails through your own service provider in the Internet Café for a nominal charge.

Naturally, you are free to explore many of the ports of call on your own, however, Costa has arranged a variety of shore excursion for you convenience. Each excursion is carefully researched by our Shore Excursion Staff to ensure your experience ashore is as enriching and enjoyable as your stay aboard. You may pre-book your excursions online by visiting www.costacruises.com and selecting . Personalize Your Cruise. . You will need to enter your booking number and your name as it appears on your reservation. The excursion selected will be debited to you onboard account . Or, if you prefer, you may purchase the shore excursion onboard at the Shore Excursion Desk. Shore Excursions are subject to availability and not available on all ships and sail dates.

Complete valet services including laundry, pressing and dry cleaning, can be arranged through your stateroom steward/stewardess and billed to your shipboard account.


You are responsible for obtaining all travel documents as well as compliance with Customs and Immigration requirements. You will be required to comply with all government imposed security measures, which may change without notice.

Please check current VISA requirements with the appropriate embassies or consulates prior to departing on your cruise vacation.

For guests on itineraries visiting Russia and Ukraine, who wish to tour independently in these countries (not on a Celebrity shore excursion) will need to obtain a VISA from the respective embassy/consulate prior to travel.

All United States citizens traveling to Brazil must obtain a valid VISA from the Brazilian consulate or embassy prior to boarding the cruise.

Please note that additional restrictions and requirements may exist for entrance into other countries. You are advised to check with local embassies and consulates for their requirements.