By Karen Quinn-Panzer
Travel Matters
Karen Quinn-Panzer
Goodbye 2020, and welcome 2021. For so many of us, 2020 will always help us remember what we love so much about the experiences of travel. With a veritable tsunami of canceled vacations from 2020 (yours may be one of them) it really does make sense to plan that new vacation for 2021 – or even 2022 – now.
This advice especially applies to cruises, both on the ocean and on rivers. Although ships are not sailing yet, the Centers for Disease Control has given clear direction on the procedures to take, including test cruises, to operate in the near future.
When cruises begin sailing, they will have fewer itinerary options available and fewer passengers traveling. Many people are also either already booked on these ships or they may have rescheduled a previously canceled vacation. That means there are limited options available to select a preferred cabin.
It is a myth that cruising will have rock-bottom prices when it returns. Due to increased demand and limited supply, pricing will actually go up. Instead of dropping prices, many cruise lines are adding extra perks to the price of the cruise, such as prepaid gratuities or onboard spending. If pricing drops before final payment, some agencies including ours will make an adjustment.
2020 has been the year of canceled vacations and missed milestones. After being housebound for nearly a year, and with winter looming, the time is ripe to plan a cruise vacation for later this year or early 2022 so you have something to look forward to.
For a limited time, cruise lines have relaxed their cancelation policies, so it is possible to cancel penalty-free anywhere from 48 hours to 60 days prior to sailing, depending on the cruise line. That is a huge opportunity to get something on the calendar now.
By booking a cruise with a local travel agent, you not only get personalized service and a travel advocate who has your back, but you are also supporting your local economy. Now more than ever it is important to book a cruise with a travel agent. We can walk clients step-by-step through the entire planning process, from selecting destinations and excursions based on clients’ interests to providing enhanced packing lists and guidance on what to expect when traveling or cruising begins post-pandemic.
Karen Quinn-Panzer is the owner and vacation specialist at Dream Vacations Quinn Panzer Travel.