Travel hopes 2021

[Bamaman]

We've been sitting around semi-quarantined for 14 months, and we're frankly bored.

We long ago forgot how many cruises we've been on and have seen islands in the Caribbean few have even heard of. We miss those giant monsters of the seas. Recently, we've been only taking repositioning cruises to Europe.

And in the last 50 years, we've been to Europe untold times. I know the streets of London, Amsterdam, Munich, Paris, Madrid, Rome, Venice, Vienna and Budapest better than I know the streets of Atlanta where I lived 10 years.

After having my flights cancelled 4/2020 to Berlin, it took almost 1 year to get my return airfare back from Ovago.com--who was sitting on my money.

But we're flying to Vegas Monday for 9 days and taking the grandkids to the Grand Canyon. I just hope there's a rental car available for the few days we'll need one.

 

[Happyras]

I think there are a lot of people who want to get back on a cruise ship, myself included. But I don't want to have to wear a mask or deal with other restrictions, like social distancing in common areas or the theater, or not being allowed to leave the ship on my own, so I will wait until those restrictions are lifted before I resume cruising.

I believe the mask requirement on board may not be in force if everyone is assumed to be vaccinated. I guess one could be careful in larger group areas.

Interesting.....We are re-booked once again for our Greek cruise in Sept, now leaving out of Athens. We lost one of the B_B cruises when they moved the port from Barcelona over to Athens. We made the best of it now with a 5 night tour in Prague, 5 nights in Vienna, 7 night Greek cruise, then on to Barcelona for 5 nights and home. I booked some really great hotels. Flying 1st class British 787 suites! and Aegean Air Business between Euro cities. I had covid, maybe twice now, but last time I got the antibody's and recovered in a few days. My wife never tested positive, but has been vaccinated, and I am going in this week for the great J&J one shot (likely to be a huge reaction as I am still pretty immune with antibodies). Unless the variants are really strong, we should be fairly safe from Covid at least. Now cryptosporidium I worry about, but for most things we carry a Z-pac and other antibiotics when we travel. Bacteria we can generally deal with, except for the flesh eating type. Parasites are another matter, but most survive infections.

Tomorrow Celebrity will open up reservations on the Summit to Alaska for July. I am putting it on speed dial to book a suite. Likely will be the safest time to travel, with everyone freshly vaccinated, and likely fewer other diseases due to the time of year and quarantine many have experienced.

By winter, I am not so certain it will be as safe until the boosters are released, also the normal flu viruses starts spreading.

 

[gayl]

I think there are a lot of people who want to get back on a cruise ship, myself included. But I don't want to have to wear a mask or deal with other restrictions, like social distancing in common areas or the theater, or not being allowed to leave the ship on my own, so I will wait until those restrictions are lifted before I resume cruising.

CDC no longer requires masking outside, no embarkation & disembarkation testing, plus independent shore excursions are permitted. Caveat is that 95% crew / 98% pax must be vaccinated. Princess requires 100% pax vaccination

 

[Markola]

We rolled the dice, because France is currently closed, and bought tickets to Bordeaux in October/Nov. I bought the trip insurance and, if it’s still closed then, we’ll get a credit and go later. 70,000 Delta points pp and $92 each gets us there, via Amsterdam. Wow.

 

[audreyh1]

Bordeaux is really nice.

 

[JustCurious]

CDC no longer requires masking outside, no embarkation & disembarkation testing, plus independent shore excursions are permitted. Caveat is that 95% crew / 98% pax must be vaccinated. Princess requires 100% pax vaccination

I'm glad to hear the CDC no longer requires masking outside, but what about common areas of the ship that are inside? Also, each cruise line may have their own rules that are different than the CDC requirements. So I did a bit of research and the new CDC guidance is as you say...

"Cruise ship operators, at their discretion, may advise passengers and crew that—if they are fully vaccinated—they may gather or conduct activities outdoors, including engaging in extended meal service or beverage consumption, without wearing a mask except in crowded settings," according to the CDC's updated rules for cruise ships.

That means even if you are vaccinated you will have to wear a mask in all inside areas of the ship, except your own cabin. No thanks.

 

[roadtripper]

But we're flying to Vegas Monday for 9 days and taking the grandkids to the Grand Canyon. I just hope there's a rental car available for the few days we'll need one.

I waited nearly an hour in Vegas for a rental with a reservation. Make sure you're in the loyalty program for the rental company, and definitely reserve in advance!

 

[kaudrey]

Our first scheduled international trip is Grand Cayman in November (rescheduled from last year). Right now we can't get onto the island....so we will see how things look in 6 months! Fingers crossed!

 

[brett]

Our practice has been to pick up last minute cruises while on extended land trips. We must have done 20 plus on various cruise lines.

Like many others we are desperate to start traveling again. We have no desire to get on a cruise ship at the moment. It will probably be a while for us....at least until late next year. Cruises have changed over the years and this covid business has turned us off cruising for now.

 

[gayl]

I'm glad to hear the CDC no longer requires masking outside, but what about common areas of the ship that are inside? Also, each cruise line may have their own rules that are different than the CDC requirements. So I did a bit of research and the new CDC guidance is as you say...

"Cruise ship operators, at their discretion, may advise passengers and crew that—if they are fully vaccinated—they may gather or conduct activities outdoors, including engaging in extended meal service or beverage consumption, without wearing a mask except in crowded settings," according to the CDC's updated rules for cruise ships.

That means even if you are vaccinated you will have to wear a mask in all inside areas of the ship, except your own cabin. No thanks.

Its rapidly changing. As of May 26th:

CDC Updates Cruise Guidance, Masks No Longer Needed On Vaccinated Ships

May 26, 2021

Chris Gray Faust

Managing Editor

(6:15 p.m. EDT) -- Cruise travelers who sail from the U.S. on fully vaccinated ships will no longer be required to wear a mask indoors or maintain social distancing, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention said today.

In updated guidance to the CDC's Conditional Sail Order, the agency put in a new section, essentially giving more discretion to cruise lines that sail with a COVID-19 vaccine requirement.

In the amended section, the agency said that ships that agree to have at least 95 percent of crew and 95 percent of passengers vaccinated can tell both that they do not have to wear a mask or maintain physical distance in any areas.

https://www.cruisecritic.com/news/6150/
My August 15, 2021 ship will require ALL pax to be fully vaccinated so I'm wondering how 'normal' it'll be.

 

[explanade]

I'm curious if people returning from cruises where they've visited foreign countries would be subject to testing requirements.

Especially if people returning from the same countries by plane would be required to show negative test results, whether or not they've been vaccinated.

 

[gayl]

Hard to say especially since CSO is changing so fast now. 2 weeks ago there was test sailings, mandatory testing, no independent shore excursions, masking, no Alaska (PVSA). Now, cruise to Alaska, wander independently, no masking or testing, 95% pax / 98% crew vaxed. CDC re-entry from foreign ports is also changing. And more changes are due next week

 

[Chuckanut]

In regards to travel in Europe here's a small development. Rick Steve's has announced and opened his 2022 tours for reservations. The few 'end of season' 2021 tours left have disappeared from his tour site. The email sounded very pessimistic about running any 2021 tours.

He does warn potential customers that they most likely will need to be able to provide proof of vaccination. Also, his deposit refund policy now extends all the way to the end of 2021 for the 2022 tours booked before December. Previously, it was 60 days.

Needless to say, the factors he takes into consideration are probably different from those of the independent traveler and other tour companies. For example, he need hotels with at least sixteen rooms, etc. We independents don't. He has to meet the expectations of his promised itinerary. We independents can change as we wish. But, that is why he gets paid the big bucks.

I don't know if I will do another tour or not. I certainly prefer a land tour in a bus, to a cruise on some river or the Mediterranean. Perhaps, I'll do the big boat cruises when I can no longer do stairs and must have an elevator.

 

[gayl]

.... Perhaps, I'll do the big boat cruises when I can no longer do stairs and must have an elevator.

I think of it as a floating casino with optional ports. Not as a substitute for cityscapes but a desirable substitute to Vegas for me

 

[JustCurious]

Its rapidly changing. As of May 26th:

My August 15, 2021 ship will require ALL pax to be fully vaccinated so I'm wondering how 'normal' it'll be.

That is good news, that the CDC no longer requires masks in any areas if the ship is "fully vaccinated."

 

[Chuckanut]

I think of it as a floating casino with optional ports. Not as a substitute for cityscapes but a desirable substitute to Vegas for me

To each his/her own when it comes to entertainment activities.

I am not a casino fan, having had any urge to gamble purged from me while in college. On my first trip to Vegas, I lost $100 the first evening there (a lot of money considering I was making about $2.25 an hour). When you Lose, Lose and Lose at the gaming tables, the fun really goes out of it. And it goes fast. The next day I took a tour of Boulder Dam and then spent the rest of the weekend hanging out at the pool checking out the gals. But, since I had no money left, they considered me......

 

[mystang52]

DW turns 70 this December. Pre COVID we had planned to go on a Christmas cruise with both sets of kids and grandkids, on our dime. None of us are ready to resume cruising. We decided to delay the celebration to late June 2022 (right after school ends) at a resort in the Bahamas.

 

[brett]

We are desperate to get away. We are hoping that a Greece trip will be possible in late Sept-Oct.

The air fares are incredibly attractive. The next two or three weeks could decide it for us

-need to get our 2nd Pfizer shot in the next two weeks-no issue
-need to book a direct flight to Greece-no issue
-need the Greece covid stats to continue to decline as they have-50/50
-need our country to change entry from forced quarantine to proof of vaccine 60/40

 

[Koolau]

To each his/her own when it comes to entertainment activities.

I am not a casino fan, having had any urge to gamble purged from me while in college. On my first trip to Vegas, I lost $100 the first evening there (a lot of money considering I was making about $2.25 an hour). When you Lose, Lose and Lose at the gaming tables, the fun really goes out of it. And it goes fast. The next day I took a tour of Boulder Dam and then spent the rest of the weekend hanging out at the pool checking out the gals. But, since I had no money left, they considered me......

Heh, heh, not to worry. Even if you'd still had your $100, back in the day, I'm guessing the only girls interested in you (and your "mere" $100) wouldn't have been around the pool.

DW and I feel the same way about gambling. It's so strange to live here in Paradise and hear Vegas called "The NINTH Island." The number one tourist destination for Hawaiians is Vegas. When Hawaiians move off-Island, the largest proportion move to Vegas. I don't get it, but I absolutely support folks going where they want to go.

When we visited Vegas, DW always spent her "gambling" money (what we WOULD have spent at the casinos) on Native American pottery and jewelry. I always wanted to explore (Hoover Dam was my favorite but I loved wandering through all the fabulous hotel lobbies.) YMMV

 

[MuirWannabe]

https://www.cntraveler.com/story/vaccinated-americans-may-be-able-to-travel-to-europe-this-summer

I’ve read and heard the EU will begin a vaccine passport system starting July 1. But details are still sketchy and since it’s so close already, I have my concerns. Sure wish they’d get off the snide and get their program defined. This article gives some information about what is being considered. Hopefully whatever is decided, it will include ability to travel for folks who’ve not only been vaccinated but also those unvaccinated who have recovered from Covid.

 

[explanade]

https://www.cntraveler.com/story/vaccinated-americans-may-be-able-to-travel-to-europe-this-summer

I’ve read and heard the EU will begin a vaccine passport system starting July 1. But details are still sketchy and since it’s so close already, I have my concerns. Sure wish they’d get off the snide and get their program defined. This article gives some information about what is being considered. Hopefully whatever is decided, it will include ability to travel for folks who’ve not only been vaccinated but also those unvaccinated who have recovered from Covid.

It’s not finalized, vote of Euro Parliament scheduled June 7.

Countries have discretion to set their own requirements. Also this Green Pass is for intra EU travel, not for non EU tourists.

 

[jcfradio]

https://www.cntraveler.com/story/vaccinated-americans-may-be-able-to-travel-to-europe-this-summer

I’ve read and heard the EU will begin a vaccine passport system starting July 1. But details are still sketchy and since it’s so close already, I have my concerns. Sure wish they’d get off the snide and get their program defined. This article gives some information about what is being considered. Hopefully whatever is decided, it will include ability to travel for folks who’ve not only been vaccinated but also those unvaccinated who have recovered from Covid.

The article only talks about the possibility of vaccinated Americans being allowed in. What about vaccinated people from other countries? Australia? Israel? Canada? UK?

 

[MuirWannabe]

The article only talks about the possibility of vaccinated Americans being allowed in. What about vaccinated people from other countries? Australia? Israel? Canada? UK?

Well, I certainly don’t know the answer to your question. I’m not certain the EU does yet either. I’d assume a ‘vaccine passport’ might apply to most countries.

From the article:

In other words, those coming from countries with a “good epidemiological situation” who have also received all recommended doses of an E.U.-approved vaccine (or, potentially, vaccines that are not E.U. approved but have completed the WHO emergency-use listing process) should be allowed entry.

 

[Librarian]

We hit Vegas for a week in March & just returned from another week. (DH retired May 21).
It's been our "COVID" vacation spot...OK, it is ALWAYS a fav...

We have a golf event in Kansas City in June with another couple. Haven't been in a few years & very much looking forward to this.

We have booked the Celebrity Edge to the Caribbean with friends for July 24...SOO hoping this goes. We originally booked NCL Jade cruising Greece the 1st week of August for about the same price (including air!) but we just didn't feel like a port intensive cruise. Feel like a relaxed Caribbean vibe instead.

We also have a poker cruise aboard the NCL Joy in Nov. DH won this on our Dec. 2019 cruise...and it was postponed from Nov. 2020.

FINGERS CROSSED on these cruises!!

 

[Chuckanut]

Here's an interesting quote I ran across today. Maybe we can visit Canada soon. Time will tell if it is accurate.

Dr. Laurie Trautman, director of the Border Policy Research Institute at Western Washington University, expects that on June 21st — the end date of the current border extension — we won’t simply see another 30-day extension as has happened every month since the border first closed in March 2020. Instead, she predicts an announcement of coming change, or those changes even being put into place already.
“From what I’m hearing from the Canadian side, there will likely be something happening — whether that is announcing an actual plan, which has not yet been developed, around easing the border restrictions, or perhaps some sort of easing,” she said.