This first post in a series answers the number one question fans of travel by ship are asking travel agents:

“When will it be safe to cruise again?” asks, well, everyone.

Totally safe? When someone invents a time machine that works and can take us back to 2019 OR when there is a vaccine. The 2nd or 3rd quarter of 2021 looks to be the most optimistic CDC guestimate on that. I would not put a lot of trust in any politician or cruise line’s assessment of the situation, good or bad.

Science rules here.
This is your life.
Don’t throw it away.

My plan? Read between the lines for the most accurate information. Look for news of increased hospital admissions in the greater Miami/Fort Lauderdale areas after sailings resume. I don’t want any part of that. There is something about getting deathly sick that skews bubbly happy cruise reviews. Covid is kind of a party pooper to say the least. And you thought the cheating smoker upwind from your balcony was a problem. We’re in an entirely different world now.

What I tell my travel agency clients is rather to the point. “Let’s get the ships sailing and see what happens 14 days after the return of the first and second, maybe third sailing”. If the word/thought “dead people” are in the mix, it’s not time yet. This was initially aimed at seniors, thought to be the group with the biggest risk. New information indicates people of all ages, even kids, can be affected.

One step at a time. We’ll talk about flights, shore excursions and the like later. Actually, let’s consult the top expert on flights right here.