Kosherica Sets Sail for Breathtaking Alaska

MIAMI BEACH, May 1, 2005 -- Five-star luxury, glatt kosher gourmet dining, thrilling shore excursions, breathtaking scenery and headline Jewish entertainment -- including Mordechai Ben David, Dudu Fisher, Shlomo Simcha and many more -- these are all on the itinerary when Kosherica embarks on its summer getaways to Alaska, July 10 – 17, 2005 and August 19 – 26, 2005.

These Jewish family vacations aboard Celebrity Cruises' highly rated, five-star ships, Infinity and Mercury, feature a huge array of activities both on and off-board, as well as the extravagant dining always central to the cruise experience.

Kosherica Cruises is the leader in the kosher cruise industry. Founded in 1996 by Yehuda Shifman, Kosherica has delivered memorable vacations to more Jewish cruise travelers than all other cruise companies combined. "Our world-class service has kept Kosherica a household name for nearly a decade," Shifman says, adding, "With our quality Jewish entertainment and gourmet Glatt Kosher, cholov yisroel, pas yisroel food prepared fresh daily by five star chefs, we offer vacations that will be remembered for a lifetime."

The cruises include several days at sea, plying the calm summer waters of Alaska ’s famous Inside Passage . On August 19, Mercury will depart from Seattle . Spectacular ports of call include: Juneau , Skagway , Ketchikan , Prince Rupert , British Columbia . The July cruise onboard Infinity calls at Vancouver , Ketchikan , Juneau and Sitka . Both ships also visit the stunning and world famous Hubbard Glacier.

“These Kosherica voyages offer a special program of headline cantorial entertainment,” Shifman says. It features Broadway great Dudu Fisher, Cantors Mordechai Ben David, Shlomo Simcha, Yeedle Wirdiger, Michoel Schnitzler and Benzion Miller, as well as Daniel Gildar, Heshi Kuhnreich, Shai Bachar and Shifman himself

In addition, there are all the minyanim, Daf Yomi shiurim and highly regarded speakers, that have come to define Kosherica’s extraordinary reputation for providing a world-class Jewish vacation.

Private movie screenings and a wide variety of non-stop family activities are also on offer.

As if that excitement on board Mercury and Infinity weren't enough, when the ships dock, guests can find yet more memorable activities, exploring the ports independently or booking group excursions. Celebrity Cruises offers a staggering variety of options, including guided shopping, city tours, sightseeing, nature walks, wildlife observation, and sports. Most excursions are usually two to four hours in duration.

In Juneau, Alaska's capital city, for example, the many possible shore excursions include once-in-a-lifetime tours to the Mendenhall Glacier. You can visit these alien landscapes by bus, kayak, boat or helicopter - and on the latter, land on the ice for a walking tour or even a dogsled adventure. Those desiring a more sedate excursion can visit the Alaska State Museum which houses a renowned collection documenting the history of the state from its days as a Russian settlement through to the Gold Rush and the modern era. Or take the Mt. Roberts Tramway for a mountaintop view of Juneau and its surroundings.

In Ketchikan, kayaking offers up close glimpses of Alaska's glorious and plentiful wildlife. Seaplane trips to the renowned Misty Fjords National Monument and its 2.2 million acres of unspoiled wilderness are a highlight as is a visit to the world's largest collection of totem poles. Skagway, also offers a variety of excursions. Guests may opt to take a ride on the White Pass and Yukon Railway or a Klondike bicycle journey.

These and other excursions are available for purchase online up to 10 days prior to departure. After that date, excursions may be purchased onboard.

Mercury and Infinity are impressive not just in terms of visual appeal, but also in the vast array of world-class amenities and services they offer. These include: the AquaSpa, a health club and gym facility which offers treatments inspired by rituals from exotic cultures. Indoor and outdoor swimming pools are adjacent. Beautifully appointed club rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows allow you to enjoy relaxed conversation as you float past the ocean scenery. Online@Celebrity offers 24/7 internet connectivity aboard ship. Casinos offer non-stop gaming action, and the many nightclubs onboard host quality lounge entertainment. The Celebrity Theater is the venue for live Broadway-style entertainment, stand-up comedy, magic shows and concerts. Mercury and Infinity also have onboard cinemas, libraries, and conference facilities. Their huge international crews operates at the highest level of professionalism, and - a must in today's environment - work diligently to provide a safe and secure voyage.

While at sea, passengers can enjoy the serenity of the North Pacific's Gulf of Alaska and the beauty of the Alaskan scenery, or they can fill their day with either of two exciting programs of activities. Celebrity's cruise staff publishes a daily program of events including everything from art auctions to classes to games to lectures to Yoga. On top of all that, Kosherica offers the wonderful Jewish entertainment, stimulating lectures, and religious activities described above.

Mercury and Infinity feature dramatic two-story, white linen restaurants serving ocean views and glatt kosher, cholov Yisrael, award-winning gourmet cuisine prepared under the strict supervision of the masgichim of Maritime Kosher International and under the guidance of world renowned master chef Michel Roux. Extensive breakfast buffets and daily "themed" luncheons (sushi one day, deli the next, Italian the next, Israeli the next, etc.) are served. And like any great sailing, the cruises also include afternoon tea as well as midnight noshing.

Prices start at well under $2000 for an inside stateroom, based on double occupancy. Cabin and all meals are included. Spa services, excursions and roundtrip transporation to Seattle are additional costs.

For more information and reservations, call (877) 724-5567, (305) 695-2700.

...And for Jewish Singles:

JSinglesCruise.com joins this Alaska getaway, offering an extraordinary vacation - and he chance to meet their beshert - to quality Jewish singles. Founded in 2004 by Shifman's daughter, Helit Edelstein, JSinglesCruise.com has already established a reputation as the leader in the Jewish singles travel industry. In addition to the extraordinary program of activities offered by Celebrity and Kosherica, JSinglesCruise's professional staff organizes mixers and get-togethers designed to facilitate bringing singles together. In addition, all JSinglesCruise guests are offered a complimentary session with Life Coach and dating advisor Sheryl Giffis. "Not only do romantic relationships form, but strong friendships, too," says Edelstein. "Our quality singles bond with one another through the excitement and fun of the cruise experience," she adds. "On our previous sailings, people have become the closest of friends and have continued to stay in touch long after the voyage's end." JSinglesCruise is thrilled to announce its first marriage! Julie Ramelson of New York and Danny Goldberg of London were total strangers when they boarded JSinglesCruise's 2004 week-long Jewish singles cruise to Alaska. Amidst towering glaciers and spouting humpback whales, Ramelson and Goldberg began a relationship that culminated in an engagement and a glorious Central Park wedding in March, 2005. "These two singles, separated by the Atlantic Ocean, came together on the Pacific," Edelstein says. "Their marriage, and two additional engagements that resulted from our January, 2005 Caribbean Adventure, prove that there are terrific Jewish singles out there, and that JSinglesCruise is their ideal matchmaker!" For more information and reservations, call (917) 952-4033 or (323) 640-7230, emailing or visiting www.jsinglescruise.com.

ABOUT KOSHERICA CRUISES - Established by Yehuda Shifman in 1996, Kosherica is the leader in the kosher cruise industry. More information can be found by calling (877) 724-5567, (305) 695-2700.