| Lasko Kosher Cruises, which recently merged with | | | | “What is so nice about a kosher cruise is that you |
| Suite Life, a leading kosher cruise operator for the past | | | | enjoy a true luxury vacation yet you don’t have to |
| seven years, has announced that it will be adding the | | | | compromise any of your religious practices,” added |
| first Glatt Kosher cruise to Israel and Egypt to its list of | | | | Avrumi Flam, a partner in Lasko Kosher Cruises and a |
| 2009 sailings. This “Ancient Empires” cruise will | | | | singer well known in the tri-state area Jewish |
| include 13 days aboard Celebrity Cruises’ brand | | | | Community. “We make you feel like you’re |
| new Equinox leaving from Rome, Italy on Tuesday, | | | | home, but you’re actually in the most fascinating |
| August 18, 2009. | | | | destinations you would otherwise not be able to |
| The Ancient Empires itinerary features culturally rich | | | | experience without the services of a kosher tour |
| ports of call including Rome and Naples, Italy; Athens | | | | company like Lasko.” |
| and Rhodes, Greece; Ephesus, Turkey; Alexandria, | | | | In fact, in addition to delicious gourmet dining, Lasko |
| Egypt; and Haifa and Ashdod, Israel. Guests will sail | | | | Kosher Cruises is known for its esteemed scholar in |
| around the Mediterranean Sea visiting ruins, perusing | | | | residence program, inspiring lectures from highly |
| architecture and sampling the flavor of these ancient | | | | respected rabbis, and entertainment provided by |
| empires. | | | | popular Jewish musicians. Among the other |
| The Israel/Egypt cruise, like all Lasko Kosher Cruises, | | | | added-value features of a Lasko Kosher Cruise are |
| offers premium accommodations plus three fresh, | | | | extensive tea rooms between meals as well as |
| gourmet Glatt Kosher, Cholov Yisroel meals and | | | | personalized tours that visit Jewish related points of |
| snacks daily as well as three minyanim a day in a | | | | interest and explore the culture of the Jewish people. |
| dedicated shul on board. All are complimentary and | | | | As an independent yet integrated group of each |
| reserved for Lasko Kosher Cruises passengers | | | | cruise, guests are always free to partake in all of the |
| exclusively. | | | | ship’s programs and exhilarating excursions. |
| Lasko brings onboard a full staff of mashgichim to | | | | “When we launch Celebrity Equinox in Europe in |
| kasher a designated portion of the galley in advance | | | | 2009, some of her first voyages will include calls at |
| of the sailing and maintain 24-hour presence in the | | | | Ashdod and Haifa,” said Dondra Ritzenthaler, senior |
| kitchen. A Lasko Kosher Cruise representative is also | | | | vice president of sales, Celebrity Cruises. “We |
| onboard every cruise to tend to guests’ personal | | | | know that our guests will be as thrilled to discover |
| needs. | | | | these parts of Israel as they will be to discover all that |
| “Our all-inclusive destinations at sea are | | | | the ship herself has to offer.” |
| distinguished by the quality of the ships we use, the | | | | In 2009, Lasko Kosher Cruises is also offering nine |
| standards of Kashrut we uphold, and the unique | | | | other first-class sailings: two seven-day cruises to the |
| vacations we provide our guests,” said Sam Lasko, | | | | Eastern Caribbean, January 18th and January 25th; |
| a partner in Lasko Kosher Cruises and founder of | | | | two seven-day cruises to Alaska, June 28th and |
| Lasko Family Kosher Tours, which has been serving | | | | August 2nd; a seven-day cruise to the Baltic region |
| the Jewish community for over 20 years, most notably | | | | and Russia, August 9th; two 10-day cruises to the |
| in Kosher for Passover hotel programs. “We pride | | | | Eastern Mediterranean and exotic Greek Isles, June |
| ourselves on the personal attention we provide, from | | | | 26th and August 7th; a seven-day cruise to the |
| the moment a customer calls to book until they | | | | Norwegian Fjords, August 16th; and a combined |
| disembark. Going that extra mile to create a warm | | | | Northern Europe/Norwegian Fjords cruise for 14 days |
| family environment is part of our operating | | | | leaving August 9th. |
| philosophy.” | | | | |