Bob and I are just back from Virtuoso Travel Week in Las Vegas, and we’ll use this space over the next couple of weeks to pass along what we learned from our travel suppliers and peers while we were there.
Many of you had logistic questions about why cruise lines, hotels, tour providers or other vendors have changed itineraries or their product offerings. Some of those answers are more obvious than others, so here’s a bit of a summary:
Political Considerations – Governments throughout the world are trying to balance the safety of their populations and visitors with the economic considerations that tourism (or lack thereof) bring. This dynamic tension means things change often, and without warning, as all travel vendors must react to such changes.
Demand Considerations – The cruise lines and other travel providers are for-profit businesses, so they are continually reassessing what will maximize the number of people who will travel with them. They are polling potential clients weekly about opinions on vaccination, masks, and other conditions of travelling during a pandemic. Their decisions are driven by what the majority of their clients are telling them.
Logistic Considerations – Cruise lines with lots of ships are phasing them back into service over the course of the next several months. The demand for travel could put them all to work tomorrow. So why are they waiting? They need staff and crew to deliver a product that is consistent with their clients’ expectations, and after having been shut down for 16 months, it will take several more to get back to full capacity. We learned this week that many hotels around the world are also running at 50% – 75% capacity simply because there is not enough trained staff to have those properties operating at higher numbers.
Air Limitations – Cruise, hotel, and resort operators are at the mercy of the airlines to deliver most guests to the start of their vacation. The airline industry (particularly our domestic carriers) is in complete disarray, and until that problem is solved, cruise ships and other accommodations will be running at reduced capacity.
The overwhelming sentiment of the feedback we’re getting from our clients who are currently travelling or recently returned home is that while there are a few extra hoops to jump through in order to travel during a pandemic, the onboard experience is fantastic, and fewer people both on the ship and at shore attractions makes for a very positive experience overall.
You can expect the return to “normal” to take several more months, but the good news is that as the cruise lines adjust to the above considerations, you’ll see a number of new and innovative products and itineraries on offer.
Which brings us to today’s travel opportunities:
Hot off the press… Viking Cruises just announced some exciting new ocean itineraries for this fall. Remember that Viking fares include taxes and fees, airport transfers, a shore excursion in each port of call, beer/wine with meals, Wifi on the ship, and specialty dining.
Viking Cruises Caribbean – 14 nights round trip from Fort Lauderdale, visiting 9 ports in the eastern and southern Caribbean. Fares start at $2999 per person for a veranda room (with all the above inclusions) for departures on October 20 and November 3 of 2021.
Viking Cruises Hawaii – 16 nights round trip from Los Angeles, visiting 4 different islands in Hawaii, as well as Ensenada, Mexico. Fares start at $3999 per person for a veranda room, for departures on December 4 or December 20, 2021. These Hawaii cruises are perfect for those who really enjoy sea days. These itineraries are not even on the Viking website at time of publication, but they are open for booking already.
Quiet Season Mediterranean with Viking Cruises – Viking is offering free flights for those wanting to visit the Mediterranean in December, January or February:
- Athens to Barcelona (15 days). Fares start at $5598 per person.
- Rome to Istanbul (15 days). Fares start at $5598 pp.
- Athens round trip (11 days). Fares start at $3999 pp.
If you would rather travel later in 2022, SilverSea is offering 20% Off selected voyages if you book by Aug. 31.
SilverSea is a small ship, luxury experience with everything included. Included in “everything”: Flights to/from the port, all beverages (including daily restocking of your in-suite mini-bar according to your preferences); gratuities, wifi on the ship, specialty dining, and a shore excursion in every port.
When you take into consideration all the inclusions and the 20% off, the actual cost approaches what you might pay for a nice cabin on one of the megaships – but you don’t have to share the ship with 5000 others. Here are a few examples:
- Alaska departing Anchorage on June 23, 2022 for 7 nights, bound for Vancouver: $5310 per person.
- Western Mediterranean departing Barcelona April 7, 2022 for 7 nights, bound for Rome: $5120 per person. You also get a $300 on board credit on this sailing, and you can add Business Class flights for an additional $699 per person
- Eastern Mediterranean departing Rome April 14, 2022 for 11 nights, bound for Athens: $6160 per person (you also get a $300 on board credit, and the opportunity to fly in Business Class for $699.
- Antarctica: departing Ushuaia February 26, 2022 for 10 days: $11,360 per person with a $300 OBC.
- Canada/New England: Departing Fort Lauderdale on May 3, 2022 for 11 nights, bound for Halifax: $6560 per person. Upgrade to Business Class flights for $349.
- Dubai to Mumbai: Departing December 8, 2022 for 12 days: $5280 with a $300 onboard credit. Add Business Class flights for $1499.
The prices above reflect the 20% discount, and the fine print on their offer requires payment in full by August 31st, 2021.
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I look forward to hearing from you.
Sue Bradley
Sue Bradley
