Summer of 2020 will likely not be remembered for the vacations you took. We have all been dealing with stress from the unseen contagion that has been aging us more than it should.
Amidst a conversation with a friend with whom we vacation with regularly, he said, “It’s your turn to plan the next trip. 2021 is coming up, and we should have a vaccine by then.”
Planning for a vacation in the past has involved searching for destinations, booking online, and simply going. This year, with all the rules, special conditions, and offers, I felt it would be best to seek professional help.
I reached out to Carlos and Renee Boozer, from Cruise Planners. They are full-service travel planners and offered a lot of valuable insight into the current state of the vacation planning industry.
“Most river cruises on the Mississippi river are sold out ’til July 2021,” Carlos mentioned, “unless there is a cancellation.” Not having to travel internationally, the Mississippi trip is growing in popularity.
Another popular option for our New Normal is RVing. I learned travel planners can help you rent an RV, and ensure you have all you need to camp in a national park with style. It’s not only a good option for a family vacation but also a group of friends.
A Caribbean cruise would normally be a great way for a group of friends to enjoy the islands. With the pandemic, the Caribbean cruise protocols and plans are still pretty much in flux. According to Carlos, the cruise industry is offering extra perks to excite their customers into taking advantage of 2021 and 2022.
Another option is to check out one of the many resorts in the Caribbean. All-inclusive resorts were a favorite for us and provided a great way to experience the local culture, with a well-defined budget. Many of the top tier resorts like Sandals and Beaches offer a concierge service to help ensure you clear immigration and customs smoothly. With all the rules governing international travel being constantly adjusted, having the guidance of local professionals will make your trip much less stressful.
After a season of too much Youtube, I am looking forward to next summer. Hopefully, a vaccine for COVID-19 will be widely available in time, and we can again gather with family and friends while sharing a cool summer cocktail. Working with a travel agency like Cruise Planners will make it easier to navigate through the complicated rules for each country and avoid surprises.
By Li Pan