The wife wants to go on a cruise. But Shabat for us presents several problems.
The easy problem to resolve is food.
According to many sources, it's possible to order kosher meals in advance of the cruise. (The mashgeach at one of the kosher-meals-for-cruises providers makes minyan with me. I need to check if the food is "Ashkenazi kosher" or "Sefardi kosher"; there is a difference. Aside from the meat - glat vs. Bet Yosef/Halak - there is the issue of how much Jewish participation is involved in the food prep - lighting the fire is sufficient for "Ashkenazi kosher" but falls short for "Sefardi kosher.")
It turns out there is a second problem that's easily resolved.
Candles on Shabat.
According to many authorities, when an open flame is prohibited - this would be the norm for cruise ships, hospitals, hotels/motels/B&Bs, trains, and some private homes electric lights are permissible.
The problem with electric lights is that once on (for Shabat and haggim) they must be left on. Asking, even hinting for, a non-Jew come turn the lights off is not an option for us.
The following opinions were culled from the Internet:
AISH HATORAH
1. Most hospitals will not let you light candles in your room. Some who have a large Jewish clientele will provide candlesticks that light up when you plug them in. This is perfectly acceptable, just say the blessing after you "light" them, as usual. http://www.aish.com/sh/l/48970256.html
DAILY HALACHA (R. Eli Monsour)
TORAH MUSINGS (R. Ari Enkin)
If one is forced to use the electric lights in one’s home as the Shabbat candles they should first be shut off momentarily and then turned back on in order for them to now be designated as the Shabbat “candles”. Indeed, some authorities rule that every week before the lady of the house lights her Shabbat candles, she should momentarily turn off the household lights and then turn on them back on. When she recites her blessing over the candles she should have in mind that her blessing include the electric lights as well which will also provide light over the course of Shabbat. Those who are forced to use the electric lights instead of candles should endeavor to turn on even those lights which are not normally used in order for there to be some distinction that the electric lights are in honor of Shabbat. http://www.torahmusings.com/2011/09/more-on-electricity-shabbathavdala-candles/
iMitzvah.net (Shabbat Candles FAQs)
What is the blessing when lighting electric-light Shabbat candles?
You may only use electric lamps for Shabbat candles when you absolutely cannot light real candles. (For example, a woman in the hospital after giving birth would not be allowed to light real candles in the hospital).
In such a circumstance you would recite the regular Shabbat candle-lighting blessing. http://imitzvah.net/shabbat-candles-faqs/
Hakham Ben Sion Abba Shaul's reasoning appeals to me.
Flameless candles are battery operated. Many available from the Big Box Stores include what the descriptions suggest (none never exactly states) that the batteries are common and easily acquired.
The flameless candles come in many different shapes and sizes; something to appeal to every woman who lights Shabat candles. (Every man, too, when there is no female above bat mitzvah age - traditionally 12 years old - to light the candles for the household.)
BUT, unless the travelers eat in their quarters, where do you put the candles? They are supposed to be viewable from the dinner table, but once lit (or turned on), they should not be moved.
Many other Shabat-specific problems remain, but two are obvious.
1. Getting into the cabin (state room). I'm told doors to most guest quarters on board ships and in hotels/motels are electronically controlled; swipe a card and the lock is released. I know, because a neighbor has one, that combination mechanical-and-electronic locks are made, but due to costs, they would be rare in a commercial environment.
Short of asking a non-Jew to open the door for us - which we won't do - how can we get back into our quarters after a meal or stroll around the deck?
2. Getting to our quarters. Ships have ladders (stairs) between decks. When I was much younger I climbed from a container ship's bowels to the bridge; trust me, I won’t do THAT again.
If the ship has escalators the problem goes away. Trouble is, I've never seen any photos of ships with escalators. According to the Star-K, escalators may be used on Shabat. The same Star-K page presents a multitude of problems plaguing the observant Shabat guest; the site is worth reading. A "Shabat elevator" also eliminates the inter-deck travel problem, but again, how many ships have "Shabat elevators."
I know there are cruise lines that cater to observant Jews, but these "kashered" ships have limited sailing dates and limited departure/arrival ports.
What did observant Jews do before airplanes made travel fast, if not necessarily comfortable?
