Why Not Live Your Dreams as Soon As Possible?
Published Wednesday, June 17th 2020 - Updated Wednesday, June 17th 2020Imagine a gondola ride through romantic Venice, and then cruising to the stunning Greek Isles.
The sun warms your very soul...
Most cruise lines have been shifting their focus to 2021 and beyond, because nobody knows what governments will do with the balance of the year for travel.
If you're afraid to ever board a cruise ship ever again, or perhaps don't want to take a chance until next year, you can stop reading right here. I am not trying to twist anybody's arm.
Most of us certainly like the idea of cruising in 2021, but many of us don't want to wait that long to return to enjoying this unique era in history where average people like us can visit the wonders of the world.
If you're like me and don't want to wait longer than necessary, you can skip down to the big bold BUT below.
The older we get, the greater our understanding that each year is precious, and waiting until next year might find us unable to travel due to health complications. That used to mean our personal health, but now it seems we are subject to the ramifications of ten billion butterfly sneezes.
Who would have guessed this flu season would hatch such a strong reaction for this new COVID strain?
What happens if there is COVID-20 and then COVID-21?
This week, Norwegian Cruise Lines began what seems like the inevitable next step, shutting down all cruises in August, basically crushing summer travel for mainstream cruisers if all the other lines follow suit, as often happens.
NCL's upscale sister Oceania slapped September out of the realm of possibility at the same time as it nixed August, which might be an indication of the next shoe to drop.
So, where do we stand?
Is it worth trying to book a cruise in September or even October of 2020?
Worst case scenario, the cruise line cancels your cruise, in which case you can get a refund. For most mainstream cruises, that has been a choice between a cash refund or 125% as future cruise credit if you are paid in full and didn't cancel before the cruise line cancelled.
As I said, if you have no interest in ever cruising again, this is not for you, but if you aren't ready to give up living a full life on your terms, then this is a backdoor way to save on next year's cruise.
Incidentally, 2021 seems to be shaping up as a more expensive season due to required modifications of capacity and operations in order to meet considerably more stringent social distancing and hygienic standards.
Plus, there will be all that pent-up demand from people like you and me who are not ready to sit in a rest home eating overpriced pablum locked away in our "safe spaces."
BUT --- and this is the Bertha of all BUTS in this rambling post --- you might just have an opportunity to take an amazing cruise in a less crowded environment, before crowds have returned and prices go up with increased demand.
Cruise lines have indicated they will initially be cruising with much less than full capacity, so the onboard experience on a mainstream ship may be more like that less-crowded experience on more luxurious ships.
In addition, the ports will be relatively empty, because it is a fact that this will not be the year for homebodies to finally take that big vacation they've dreamt about for a lifetime.
It could be that governments will stop you from going in October as in August, but in that case, you find yourself banking future credits for that vacation you definitely want to take next year.
Why not live your dreams as soon as possible?
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