You are officially tired of the pandemic and you’re ready to travel.
Two weeks ago, we conducted a survey of our readers, and they confirmed in detail many of the things we suspected, and we learned a few new things too. We intend to reply individually to all of you that participated, but please be patient with us… the response was overwhelming.
Here’s what you told us:
- Over 75% of you intend to travel in 2021. In many cases, you are leaning towards domestic trips this year, although 25% intend to go abroad before the end of the year.
- People are generally not worried about their health and safety. This makes sense – with the combination of vaccines, rapid testing, masks and cleaning protocols, travel is likely safer than it has ever been.
- The larger concern holding people back is whether an overseas travel experience will be diminished by closed attractions or other restrictions.
- For specific travel options, there is a high correlation between WHEN and WHERE:
- Spring Travel: National Parks and City Stays
- Summer Travel: Vacation Rentals and Resort Stays in the USA.
- Fall Travel: Tropical Travel to Hawaii, Mexico, and the Caribbean.
- Underscoring all of this is people’s higher tolerance for ambiguity. Many of our clients who have overseas trips booked for this summer fully realize the situation is fluid, and they seem comfortable to wait and see. They are hopeful, but realistically so. Overall, I think this is a healthy frame of mind for travel in the immediate term.
Thank you to all of you that took the time to respond. It really helps us to be able to highlight those travel opportunities most relevant to you. With that in mind, in the next few weeks we’ll highlight trips that match what you’ve told us.
Here are a few ideas to get started:
- ALASKA CRUISE:
“WAIT!”, you say. “I thought Alaska was cancelled for 2021?”. In reality, the US and Canadian governments continue to dither on what may or may not happen in Alaska this year. While they fail their citizens in both countries, the cruise lines have largely moved on. The good news is that small American-flagged cruise ships with fewer than 500 people are exempt from all the silliness, so they are carrying on as usual. There isn’t a better year to cruise to Alaska than this one, with the mega-ships absent, and you have the place to yourself. Here’s an example:
American Cruise Lines (ACL)
- 7-nights, round trip from Juneau (a 2-hour plane ride from Seattle).
- Visits Petersburg, Tracy Arm (for Sawyer Glacier), Haines (for the Yukon Railway), Icy Strait Point (for the world’s longest zip-line), and Glacier Bay National Park (for spectacular scenery).
- The American Constitution was launched in 2018 and holds 170 guests.
- Departures in July and August from $5650 per person.
What we like about this trip: ACL is more like a river cruise line that operates on the ocean. The upgraded small ship environment provides superior food and service options, and this itinerary includes the highlights featured by many of the mega-ships, while also visiting some more out-of-the-way places as well. You’ll get to see more of Alaska on a trip like this, and in 2021 you don’t have to share it with the floating amusement park ships carrying 4000 passengers or more.
Alternatives:
- Uncruise Adventures also uses small, US-flagged vessels, so they are exempt from the current regulatory quagmire. Uncruise is more of an expedition offering, and is perfect for those who want to have a more active experience in Alaska. Travelling with teenagers? This is a great option.
- We highlighted some Alaska Rail trips a few weeks ago. Here’s the link: https://pamperedcruiser.com/land-cruise-ideas-for-spring-2021/
2. CARIBBEAN
Celebrity Cruises announced this deal a couple of days ago, making it very easy to get back to cruising:
- 7-nights cruises on the Celebrity Millennium round trip from St. Maarten, starting on June 5, and carrying on through to October. If the CDC keeps playing games with their uninformed action towards the cruise industry, it is possible the Millennium will be doing this itinerary well into the fall.
- Balcony rooms from $1599, and Suites from $3399.
- Inside and ocean view rooms are not available, because the ship is running at 40% – 50% capacity for this year. This means there will be about 1000 people on a 90,000-ton vessel (talk about social distancing).
- Book through me and you’ll get a free bonus: Specialty Dining for Two (Value $90). Book a Suite and you’ll get Specialty Dining for Two AND a $75 shopping credit as well! (If you booked directly with the cruise line please get in touch ASAP so I can get this perk added for you).
- Here’s the best part: Celebrity is offering air add-ons for $500 for round-trip economy air. That is from east coast gateways, but you can also fly from LA from $800. Other gateways are between these two price points.
- The Celebrity fare includes all beverages, pre-paid gratuities, and wifi on the ship.
- The Millennium has undergone a massive $40 million refurbishment in the past few months. The ship is brand new, and you’ll be the first to be on her.
- Here’s the fine print:
- Proof of vaccination will be required.
- A PCR test within 3 days of departure is required to get into St. Maarten.
- For the first cruises back, shore activities will be restricted to sanctioned shore excursions. This will be lifted as restrictions ease, but we don’t know exactly when.
What we like about this trip: The ship is brand new, and even if the shore activities are limited, the ship itself is a destination. Also, the low-cost flight add-on provides price certainty and minimizes the hassle of finding your own flights.
3. REMINDERS OF OTHER NEAR-TERM TRAVEL OPPORTUNITIES
- Mississippi and Columbia River Cruises. American Queen Steamboat Company has been operating since mid-March, and by all accounts it is going extremely well: https://pamperedcruiser.com/spring-2021-alaska-or-mississippi/
- Rocky Mountaineer Rail Packages between Denver and Las Vegas or Salt Lake City: https://youtu.be/7D2vFBWA500
- Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts: https://pamperedcruiser.com/were-learning-new-travel-tricks-for-you/
You told us you were committed to travelling, so we’re ready to help you nail down your plans. Hopefully some of the above gives you some ideas.
Have something to say about this?
Join the conversation on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PamperedCruiser/posts/2963955367220291
If you’re planning a trip, I’d love to help! Click here to get in touch today.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Sue Bradley
Sue Bradley
