Still, it seems more of a thing of a bygone age.

I can't recall seeing many pics of chapels or other places of worship on british ships. French and Italian ships used to have (a sometimes very splendid) chapel on board.

On board Achille Lauro i was lucky to see the chapel, which was indeed very tiny.

During my recent cruise, I was able to visit the synagogue on 3 Deck on board QE2. In the saturday program it was said, that as it was saturday, there was a service. I went there on saturday morning. The room was open, but no-one was there. Again, I was surprised how tiny it was, it must be with relative difficulty the requirements of a real sabbath celebration can be fulfilled.

I think it was the very first time i saw the synagogue, not having seen it in books or elsewhere. Is this an oversight of me, or if not, why is this ?

According to the Program there was an interdenominational service in the Theatre led by the Captain. I wasn't able to make it, as I went ashore.

Every evening at 5.30 there was a catholic mass in the Theatre. I only went there on Sunday. There were some 15 people. A short mass (long time ago i went to an english speaking one, so I don't know how this one compared to one on land in a parish). It was the first time i experienced the priest asked that those wanted communion should raise their hands.

Here is a picture I took just after mass, when the projectionist who had set up the altar, was preparing to put it away.

I heard later that also on the captains service only some 15 persons were present (what surprised me).

QE2 is of course a liner, in a long tradition, so a synagogue and (daily) religious services shouldn't be surprising.

Are there nowadays still chapels being built in ships and synagogues - were there anywhere else ?

Perhaps a strange topic of discussion, but a rather unknown one, so still fascinating ?

Johan

Sorry, I can't get the pictures right...

[ 05-06-2005: Message edited by: joe at travelpage ]

The Normandie had a synagogue too.

SSNorway's religious service was after breakfast in the Saga theatre. It was Christian interdenominational.

Canberra had a rabbi on board.

Except for the 2 day party cruises, all I have taken had religious services. The Greek Line ships had kosher dining rooms. Crystal cruises has kosher cuisine since it has a large Jewish following.

Just like an FOD party; ask the cruise director for a service and he/she will find a venue. If one is a Buddist, they may have to lead the service since a preacher may not be on board.

Big problem is that there are many factions of the same faiths and can never agree on a format.

quote:

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Originally posted by Johan:

Are there nowadays still chapels being built in ships and synagogues - were there anywhere else ?

[ 05-06-2005: Message edited by: joe at travelpage ]

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There are still chapels being put on new ships; especially on Princess, Royal Caribbean and the Carnival Spirit class vessels. These are usually called "Wedding Chapels" and are used for shipboard weddings; these are high-revenue producing activities for the cruise lines, which is why they will grant space for such a venue.

quote:

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Originally posted by Johan:

I think it was the very first time i saw the synagogue, not having seen it in books or elsewhere. Is this an oversight of me, or if not, why is this ?

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QE2's Synagogue on Three Deck at the A Stairway has been there since the ship was built. According to Potter & Frost*, Professer Mischa Black was in charge of its design.

Although I have rarely seen photos of the Synagogue, it appears on the deck plans I have going back to QE2's original layout.

Brian

I have the Neil Potter & Jack Frost book on the Queen Mary....I worked with the son of Jack Frost on the QE2 and he said he was doing a re-write of the original Queen Mary book, but I have yet to see it anywhere.