After staying close to home for much of 2020, a lot of people are starting to dream about traveling again, and many are ready to plan a trip. According to Travel Daily News, 58 percent of Americans say they feel comfortable traveling in the next six months, with 19 percent ready to pack their bags and go now!
As the world starts to open up over the next several months, travel will be different, and new measures will be in place to keep us safe. However, it’s sometimes hard to separate fact from fiction about what to expect in the “new normal.” The Cruise Dreams team is plugged into the latest cruise industry news and information, and with many of our clients considering travel options for later this year and throughout 2021, it’s time to debunk some of the common misperceptions.
One of the biggest concerns we’re hearing is that cruise travel will be high-risk for catching the COVID-19 virus. Of course, until there’s a vaccine, we all need to take recommended precautions based on our personal risk factors. The cruise industry has spent the last several months recalibrating its processes and retooling ships to minimize the risks. As a result of the new protocols being implemented, cruises may be one of the safer travel options in the months ahead. We’ll be diving deeper into the safety measures the cruise lines are taking and what you can expect in an upcoming blog. Stay tuned. In the meantime, let’s look at a few other misperceptions.
Why “wait and see” may not be your best option
If you want to take a cruise in 2021 and think you have plenty of time to book your trip because there will be excess availability, think again. Pent-up demand, combined with rescheduled trips as a result of 2020 cancellations, is translating into an abundance of advance reservations.
After the 2020 interruptions, we’re seeing interest in European destinations bounce back strong, with many cruises already booked at 70 percent capacity for 2021. It’s much the same for the perennially popular Alaska cruises, with deferred 2020 travel and new reservations pushing many options to be booked to 80 percent capacity.
To ensure you’re able to take the cruise you’re dreaming of in 2021, the best advice is to book now. The Cruise Dreams team can help you assess your options, answer your questions, and help you take the appropriate steps to protect yourself and your vacation.
Don’t count on sale pricing that won’t happen
Because of the high demand after 2020 travel was paused for destinations worldwide, clients have been rebooking their canceled trips for 2021 and ships are filling quickly. The cruise lines are coming off an extremely difficult financial period and are looking to get back to the business of delivering fantastic experiences to their customers. Don’t count on deep discounts or out-of-the-ordinary sales. It is all about supply and demand, and we’re seeing a tremendous demand looking to travel in 2021 and 2022.
That’s not to say you won’t be able to find good values. As always, the Cruise Dreams team can help you plan a memorable trip within your budget, with all the amenities you envision. It’s easy. Tell us your travel dreams, and we’ll work with you to find the perfect destination, cruise line, and itinerary!
You don’t have to wait until 2021
European cruises are setting sail now for intra-Europe travelers, and cruise lines are planning departures for a range of destinations from U.S. ports later in the fall. As operations ramp up over time, not all options or ports may be available. Still, we’re putting together some wonderful trips in late 2020, including Caribbean cruises for clients looking to escape the December chill! Contact us now to explore the available options.
When you choose Cruise Dreams, we’re with you every step of the way. Our preferred relationships mean we’re able to monitor the evolving situation, share up-to-the-minute insights, and secure the best value and added amenities, every time. When you’re ready to travel, we’re here to help. Call us at (877) 999-4533 or email us at
travelplans@cruisedreams.com to plan your next individual, group, or incentive trip.
Waves to you and smooth sailings ahead!
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