Let's Get Ready to Go!

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Normally at this time of year, I would be chiding you about not having finalized summer vacation plans, encouraging to never allow one of your few precious summers to pass without taking the trip of a lifetime.

This year, however, we've all become accustomed to waiting for our health astrological forecast, and thus far the stars have delivered unsatisfying projections at least through the end of July, which is pretty much the whole summer if your kids go back to school the third week in August.

It seems the one sure way to get the cruise lines to delay re-starting cruises is to include information about that in my newsletter, so hopefully by not mentioning it, that won't happen.

Cruise ships are hustling to meet more stringent safety protocols, including frequent screening of passengers and crew, beginning with embarkation day and continuing throughout the cruise.

The ships have always been sanitary, but hygiene is being take to even higher standards with new technologies and techniques.

When you get back on a ship, you will find buffets will be radically changed if not totally replaced with something more akin to a food court at a mall.

Entertainment venues will be set up to accommodate fewer guests for any given event, and the ships themselves will be going out at less than full capacity.

It may well turn out to be a Godsend in terms of quality, though that may come at a dearer price, as upgrades often due.

In any case, most of us don't like seeing someone in front of us sneeze as they enter a buffet, or hearing hacking coughs behind us in crowded theaters, both of which should become less likely.

The policy of allowing guests to cancel up to 48 hours before the cruise embarks (24 hours on some lines like Viking) will carry forward, and land packagers have been getting into the act, such as free cancellation up to 8 days prior to departure with Classic Vacations with a change fee of just $20 per guest.  That means fewer will carry on just to avoid losing their uninsured trip without compensation, and the policy carries on for cruises departing well into 2021 and possibly beyond.

As has been the case during the pandemic, those free escape clauses will return future cruise credits (or vacation credits) to be used on future trips on trips.

What if you decide to seize the day to book a cruise before the end 2020?

That relaxed cancellation penalty policy is sweetened if the cruise cancels your trip (before you do), with the choice between cash back or some sweetened future cruise credit offer.

However, what you really want is to visit some beautiful beaches and foreign lands, right?

You've had the chance to rest up and save all that money you would have blown to buy Starbucks lattes that are too hot to drink and "save" money at happy hours where your cheap munchies somehow add up to a $100 bar tab.

Speaking of which, you may have noticed that one way cruise lines are sweetening deals are with offers of free beverage packages among other amenities to entice you back.

You have had the unique opportunity to stay home and contemplate your navel, hopefully arriving at the enlightened thought that each day of your life is too precious to not pursue your dreams when you get the chance to escape from "self-quarantine."

Why not travel in the style you deserve and make your next trip the best ever?

I've been sitting around re-learning the guitar, taking online classes in philosophy, and either cancelling cruises or following up on future cruise credits for cancellations, so I would welcome the opportunity to do some vacations searches for you.

"Better service leads to better trips!"

Wes

P.S. If you want to travel in early summer, note that many resorts in Mexico and the Caribbean are available now, as are an increasing number of once-in-a-lifetime European dreams including gorgeous Greece.