By Karen Quinn-Panzer
Travel Mattters
Karen Quinn-Panzer
Last issue, I detailed a number of closer destinations to travel to in 2020. That was when the virus was centered in China and Italy and before we reached the critical tipping point on March 15 in the US, which called for 15 days of social distancing, recently extended to May 1.
Too much has transpired for all of us in less than one month.
As a travel advisor, I have spent countless hours of hold time contacting travel companies, airlines and cruise lines as flights and sailings were canceled worldwide. We have arranged new flights for nervous clients trying to get home from destinations such as New Zealand before flights are grounded – and succeeded in getting them home. On the other hand, we had one client who took one of the last cruises out on March 8 and couldn’t wait to book her next cruise for Aug. 31. She got a suite for one third the average cost for that cruise. There is everything in between those two scenarios.
As part of World Travel Holdings, my business has preferred contact with over 45 travel suppliers. This allows us to communicate, firsthand, the ever-changing cancelation and rebooking policies that are critically important to our clients as they sort through future vacation plans. Our objective is to keep our clients whole financially. When there is a “grey” area (will this sailing be canceled and when should I cancel my trip if it hasn’t been canceled yet), we can advise people on their options.
In this unprecedented crisis, travel companies have been inundated with cancelations in March, April and now May. Those companies make it as easy as possible for travelers to postpone their decision for summer or fall vacations, and it’s important that people know they can make a decision when they have more information. Most companies are giving either refunds or future cruise or trip credit within a year of your original vacation, depending on when your vacation was scheduled and when you are canceling.
If your cruise has been canceled by the cruise line, for example, most companies are offering full cash refunds or added value if you take your funds as a future cruise credit. A recent example is Holland America, offering 125 percent future cruise credit to be used in 2020 or 2021, plus $250 per person onboard credit. If you find you cannot use this credit, at any time you are eligible for a full refund of your money. Land tour operators generally issue a trip credit that is good for a year or more.
So what does all this mean for future travel? We will get past this crisis, and when we do, travel will come back. Contact your local travel advisor for assistance. We can help you rebook your trip if you have one of the future cruise or trip credits, and we will save you a lot of time and aggravation in the process.
Karen Quinn-Panzer is the owner and vacation specialist at Dream Vacations Quinn Panzer Travel.