Luxury Cruise Line Hosts Seder Dinner for Jewish Travelers

Seabourn Encore passengers celebrate Passover tradition while sailing around Japan

Apr. 5, 2026 at 10:49pm

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On a Seabourn Encore cruise around Japan during cherry blossom season, 30 Jewish passengers gathered to celebrate Passover with a traditional Seder dinner. The cruise line made special arrangements to accommodate the ritual meal, providing a Haggadah, ceremonial Seder plate, and a seven-course menu of holiday dishes. The Seder allowed the travelers, some of whom were celebrating the holiday away from family for the first time, to maintain their traditions while exploring a new destination.

Why it matters

Planning travel around major religious holidays can be challenging, as travelers must balance their desire for a vacation with the need to uphold cherished traditions. The Seabourn Encore Seder demonstrates how luxury cruise lines can help Jewish passengers preserve their heritage while enjoying the benefits of a getaway.

The details

The Seder was organized by passenger Marshall Pasternack, who reached out to Seabourn's president months in advance to request the special meal. When the group gathered, they found copies of the Haggadah, the ritual Seder plate, and other traditional items waiting for them. They were then escorted to the ship's formal dining room, where they were served a seven-course menu of holiday dishes prepared by the executive chef.

  • The Seder took place during a Seabourn Encore "Crafts & Cherry Blossoms" sailing around Japan in early April 2026.
  • Passover, the 7-day Jewish holiday commemorating the Exodus from Egypt, began on April 5, 2026.

The players

Marshall Pasternack

A retired attorney from Miami who was the driving force behind organizing the Seder dinner on the Seabourn Encore cruise.

Mark Tamis

The president of Seabourn, who worked with Pasternack to make arrangements for the Seder on the cruise ship.

Andrew McQueen

The executive chef de cuisine on the Seabourn Encore, who prepared the special seven-course Seder menu.

Jan Finkelstein and Alan Neff

Passengers from Prescott, Arizona, who were celebrating Passover away from their families for the first time in a decade.

Steve Edwards

Pasternack's college roommate, who was celebrating his 72nd birthday and the fourth anniversary of his successful bone marrow transplant on the cruise.

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What they’re saying

“When I first realized my wife, Shelly Rubin, and I would be on the ship for Passover, my initial inclination was to try to re-book the trip for the following year.”

— Marshall Pasternack, Retired attorney

“Looking around, we recognized (metaphorically) the faces of several fellow travelers who felt like family. Even though we were almost 6,000 miles from home, we felt perfectly at home.”

— Alan Neff

“We met new friends and excelled at the timeless game of 'Jewish geography.' Because, after all, we're all connected.”

— Alan Neff

What’s next

Seabourn plans to continue offering Seder dinners on select cruises during the Passover holiday, catering to the growing demand from Jewish travelers seeking to maintain their traditions while exploring the world.

The takeaway

This story highlights how luxury cruise lines can accommodate the needs of diverse passengers, allowing them to celebrate important cultural and religious events even while traveling far from home. The Seabourn Encore Seder exemplifies the company's commitment to providing exceptional experiences that cater to the unique requirements of its guests.