The State of Travel as of June, 2021

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Over the last few months, we have heard and used the expression “Revenge Travel”. Americans are feeling the need to get out of their home, their city and state to either see something new or something that they have enjoyed in the past. Travelers are also willing to spend more to do more than in the past. So, if you are feeling this way, you are in very good company. 

Every day we are getting new communications about what countries are opening to Americans and what new tours or cruise itineraries are now available. Travel trending for 2021 and 2022 includes new experiences, new destinations, more immersive travel with the locals, more private touring, private villas, food and wine tours and multi-generational travel. Americans are no longer putting off those bucket list vacations because “one day” is now here.

So what are your options if you want to travel within the next 3 months?

We are now able to book Alaska tours for August to October on just a few ocean cruise ships with no stops in Canada. As well, there are some small cruise lines doing Alaska that will have just a couple hundred guests onboard for that more private experience.

Viking Ocean is sailing from Bermuda in July, remaining in Bermuda for 7 days.  A rare opportunity to spend 7 days in Bermuda and not have to pay the exorbitant hotel/dining costs of a land vacation.

Celebrity, Royal Caribbean and Crystal Cruises are sailing right now from St Maarten and Bahamas. Crystal is even allowing embarkation in Bimini which is a unique opportunity.

Several cruise lines will sail in July and August with a limited number of ships departing from the USA, mostly Florida and Texas to start. The protocols for sailing from the USA are changing rapidly but rest assured we are on top of what our clients need to know to be ready to sail on each cruise line.

In Europe, we are seeing Greece as the hotspot this summer with Celebrity, Royal Caribbean, Seabourn, Holland America, Silver Sea, Viking Ocean and Celestyal Cruises all sending ships to this country that opened up early to vaccinated Americans.

With all travel, the three “I’s” are always at the top of the travel trending destinations, Italy, Ireland and Iceland.  Italy and Ireland are planning on opening to Americans this summer but Iceland is open now for both cruise and land vaccinated visitors. 

It is also exciting to see many of the river cruise lines restarting on the rivers of Europe.  Italy, France, Portugal, Germany and other EU countries will all have a limited number of river cruises starting in July.   Of course our American river and coastal cruise lines have been restarting right here in the USA.

As you can see, there are more countries opening up for land tours and more ships returning to service every week, and we do our best to stay up to date. But remember, that revenge travel means 2022 bookings are extremely high and to make sure you get the best price and availability, do not delay in getting your vacation booked.  There are refundable deposits in some cases and the travel suppliers are offering more flexible changes than usual.

Call us to chat about where your travel dreams can take you next.

Rick and Karen Saltarelli, Salty Breeze Cruise Planners, an American Express Travel Representative

727-290-4998 or email us at info@saltybreezecruiseplanners.com

Check out our websites at www.saltybreezecruiseplanners.com  or www.saltybreezetravel.com