Trash or Treasured Memories?

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Last week, I urged you to Dream With Us.

I can't say the response has been overwhelming.  In fact, the bulk of my sales activity was the COVID-19-inspired cancellation of an amazing Celebrity New Year's Eve Southern Caribbean Cruise that is actually still scheduled to go.

In the cruise news, NCL announced they would be shut down their cruises worldwide through October 31, putting another nail in the coffin of this year's vacation Dream, especially if other lines follow suit.

That seems more likely because the CDC began conducting a public survey which won't close until September 21.  Assuming they actually intend to consider suggestions, which given their closed mind on the subject of resuming cruising to this point is perhaps doubtful, that survey would be pretty hard to digest by September 30, the current date set for possibly lifting the cruise ban in US waters.

There was one bright spot in my dismal Cruise Planning week.

One of the last couples to take a 2020 cruise booked through me --- and they cruised way back on President's Day Week in February --- did contact me about an all-inclusive vacation in the heart of the Caribbean, Jamaica, but thus far that is on the back burner.

As sometimes happens, ads might have made the level of discount seem greater than reality for a 5 star all-inclusive property at a time when all Caribbean cruises are shut down, although I think it might be more a matter of needing time to consider the possibilities.

If Bob Marley, open bar, unlimited water sports and gourmet meals can't lure someone to Negril, then perhaps I better cast my Dream lure into next year.

In any case, you now know how it feels to sit home all summer.

What are you going to do about it?

If you haven't cleaned out your closet and garage three times already, then you might want to get started today.  If you find some long-forgotten treasures that might sell on eBay, take a picture and post it to see what happens.

You'd be surprised how much some hipster will bid for an "ironic" 8-track player or a vintage baseball cap that you didn't even know you had.  In fact, one person's trash is another person's treasure, so list all that junk you would otherwise just toss away...unless it literally is nothing but trash that somehow got stashed to make the living room temporarily clean enough to host company.

Okay, now you've got the money you saved by having no place to spend it, the bonus check from the government for doing absolutely nothing but stay home, and the proceeds from turning junk into moola.

Where do you want to spend that found money next year?

Take that summer vacation you missed this year.  You know, the trip you've dreamt about your whole life.

Getting a Summer of 2021 river or ocean cruise on the books will give you a warm glow inside.

The ships will be better than ever, with several older ships being jettisoned from fleets and remaining ships being upgraded to include innovative safety features so you will be less likely to catch any virus on board.  It's also probable that all cruises will be sailing at less than full capacity, which will make even mega-ships feel uncrowded.

For people still hesitating about a big ship, don't forget that there's no better vacation than a European river cruise for worry-free satiation of all your senses.

Another great possibility would be one of the smaller ocean ships, where you have lots more elbow room and theaters are never crowded.

So, what will it be?

Some old stuff you've been hoarding or the greatest vacation of your life?

Pretty easy choice, really.

"Better service leads to better trips!"

Wes