MisterCruise.com is all about keeping cruising travelers informed about the cruise topics of the day, showcasing special offers and discounts from cruise lines and cruise agencies and answering any and all cruise travel related questions from the traveling public. Travel safety is of the utmost importance to us - as we know it is to YOU! Currently, the focus of the entire travel industry is on guaranteeing health safety while traveling. The "new normal" for global travel will be a prioritized focus on health and personal safety, as it should be!
I know that, for any type of travel, with any travel supplier, to any destination, knowledge promotes safety, and traveling safely truly makes one a Smart Traveler. With a lifetime of knowledge in the travel industry, and with a focus on traveling safely, I am here to share my knowledge with you, and, hopefully, that will provide the guidance you seek to help you make decisions that will keep you safer when traveling and we can assist you in booking the exact travel arrangements you want at the best possible price - helping YOU become a Smart Traveler! When booking your vacation, educational or business trip through Smart Traveler, your heanth and personal safety while traveling is the dominant factor driving our decisions, and we will always be there to help!
"Mister Cruise"
Peter Coloyan
Sr.
President, Smart Traveler
With the recent announcement that over 120 countries have not yet administered any Covid vaccines, and the unknown efficacy of the existing vaccines on variants that have arisen from multiple countries worldwide, including Brazil, England and South Africa, the prospect of a "back to normal" cruise calendar is uncertain.
Canada has extended its no-cruise policy for one year, and despite a measure of success with mitigation efforts on Europe cruises since July of 2020, the industry is still facing an uncertain future. CLIA (the Cruise Lines International Association - the cruise industry association which represents most cruise lines) member cruise lines, which had hoped to resume cruises sailing from US ports back on September 15, 2020, has annonced members' "best practices" for future cruises departing US ports, once allowed. Outside of the USA, some cruises resumed sailing months ago, based on the local laws and guidance provided by government health authorities.
(From CLIA) CLIA members have agreed to adopt multiple layers of protocols informed by the insights and guidance of leading experts in health and science, including but not limited to:
So, is it Safe to Cruise?
In a word - NO! At least, not everywhere - yet! I have sailed on more than 120 cruises on over 90 ships, and have toured another 60 or so ships. After sailing (or even a cruise ship tour) I have often pointed out to the cruise lines' management certain problem areas / policies that I have encountered onboard that may compromise health and/or safety for cruise passengers. In conjunction, I have made suggestions on how to improve and/or minimize/eliminate the negative consequences that these discovered issues may have. Until there is verifiable proof of an individual cruise ship's new health and safety measures having been implemented, and those measures have been deemed acceptable and sufficient to ensure the safety of its passengers per CDC, WHO and SCA protocols and guidelines, I will not suggest cruising on that particular ship, and I will not cruise on that particular ship myself!
Since there are now multiple effective vaccines (3 as of 3/1/21) for Covid-19, I, and my family, will be looking forward to traveling, and specifically, cruising again, but only from, and to, ports with significant Covid vaccine acceptance and distribution, and only on ships strictly adhering to the above listed protocols! But, for those who have any kind of underlying health issue like diabetes, asthma, heart disease, COPD, etc. and/or are over 65 years old, I would HEARTILY suggest refraining from cruising at this time! If you are not in the high risk group, I would still wait until worldwide "control" of Covid is attained!
I certainly do not enjoy putting out these recommendations! But, because of the former US leadership, which failed to do anything to contain Covid, I cannot, in good faith, suggest that there is a normalcy to cruising from US ports at this time, or any time soon! We must trust facts and science implicitly, and to do otherwise is putting lives at risk. Until Covid-19 is under control worldwide (and, hopefully, eradicated), dealing with an annual vaccine for protection may be the "new normal" for the cruise industry, and life in general. I am happy to see the measures cruise lines have taken so far to handle safety for Covid-19, but, just as scientists had been warning that this Coronavirus pandemic was a matter of when, not if, that is the same guidance given for the next one - it is not "if", it is "when" will it occur. Cruise lines must be ready the next time!
Many of the changes I promoted last year to ensure passenger safety, and which I discussed with several cruise lines' management, have been adopted, and are included in these new protocols. For avid cruisers, the cruise news is getting better, but we're just not there - YET!
Once again, Richard Branson leads the way in the travel industry, and the actions taken, and announcements made, by Virgin Voyages, to required Covid-19 vaccination by all passengers and crew, will, undoubtedly, lead to all cruise l,ines moving to 100% vaccinations for adult passengers! In our opinion, this is the ONLY way that the cruise industry can guarantee the safety of every passenger going forwad. We applaud Virgin for its foresight, and hope that every other cruise line, worldwide, quickly adopts this requirement. Based on TravelSurveys.com's "New Travel Normal - The Effects of Cpvid on Future Travel" survey, a 100% requirement of vaccination is the #1 factor that will bring back the avid cruiser, and their pent-up desire for travel.
Several suppliers and destinations have temporarily suspended operations amid COVID-19 concerns.
The following suppliers have suspended cruise, tour, and/or package operations, with plans to resume operations on the dates listed below:
In light of recent concerns in the travel industry regarding the Coronavirus, Passport Online has created a repository of the latest travel advisory updates from our suppliers for your convenience. We will continue to review and modify this list as we receive updates.
Abercrombie & Kent |
https://www.abercrombiekent.com/coronavirus-update |
African Travel, Inc. |
Coronavirus Travel Update for Africa |
AmaWaterways |
https://www.amawaterways.com/travel-updates |
Aqua Expeditions |
https://www.aquaexpeditions.com/book-with-flexibility/ |
Avalon Waterways |
Avalon Waterways Travel Update and Peace of Mind Policy |
Avanti Destinations |
https://www.avantidestinations.com/Web_covid19_resource_center.jsp |
Azamara |
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Travel Advisory |
Carnival Cruise Line |
https://www.carnival.com/health-and-sailing-update |
Celebrity Cruises |
Voluntary Suspension of Cruising |
CIE Tours International |
https://www.cietours.com/global/travel-update |
Club Med |
Club Med Coronavirus Updates |
Collette Tours |
Travel Alert – COVID-19 Update |
Cosmos |
Cosmos Travel Update and Peace of Mind Policy |
Costa Cruises |
Updates on Cancellations and Fleet Activities |
Crystal Cruises |
Coronavirus Advisory Alerts |
Cunard |
COVID-19 Travel Health Advisories |
Delta Vacations |
Travel Advisory Waiver Policy |
Disney Cruise Line |
https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/guest-services/advisory/ |
Emerald Waterways |
https://www.emeraldwaterways.com/travel-advisory |
G Adventures |
G Adventures Coronavirus Travel FAQs |
Globus |
Globus Travel Update and Peace of Mind Policy |
Hilton Hotels |
https://www.hilton.com/en/corporate/coronavirus/ |
Holland America Line |
Coronavirus Travel Advisory |
Hurtigruten |
Covid-19: Updated information from Hurtigruten Book Your Hurtigruten Cruise with Confidence Safer Together – Health and Safety on Board |
Insight Vacations |
Insight Vacations Travel Update |
Intrepid Travel |
Intrepid Travel Coronavirus Customer Information |
Journese |
https://www.journese.com/alerts/ |
Kensington Tours |
Travel Updates |
Lindblad Expeditions |
https://www.expeditions.com/covid19-message/ |
Luxury Gold |
Luxury Gold Travel Update |
Marriott Bonvoy |
https://marriott-re-2019ncovc.com/ |
Micato Safaris |
https://www.micato.com/why-safari-with-micato/covid-19-policy/ |
Monograms |
Monograms Travel Update |
MSC Cruises |
Itinerary Updates due to COVID-19 |
MT Sobek |
MT Sobek Updates on COVID-19 |
Norwegian Cruise Line |
Suspended Sailings Information |
Oceania Cruises |
Oceania Coronavirus Statement |
Paul Gauguin |
https://www.pgcruises.com/travel-advisory |
Pleasant Holidays |
https://www.pleasantholidays.com/Travel-Alerts#CoronavirusTravelAlert |
Ponant |
https://us.ponant.com/blog/covid-19-biosecurity-measures/ |
Princess Cruises |
Information on Impacted and Cancelled Cruises |
Quark Expeditions |
Quark Expeditions Book with Confidence – Lifetime Rebook Guarantee |
Regent Seven Seas |
Travel Health Advisory |
Rocky Mountaineer |
COVID-19: Keeping You Updated |
Royal Caribbean Cruises |
Royal Caribbean Health and Travel Alerts |
Scenic |
https://www.scenicusa.com/coronavirus-update |
Seabourn |
Seabourn Travel Update |
Silversea Cruises |
Information on Itinerary Changes |
Swain Destinations |
https://www.swaindestinations.com/about/wttc-safetravels |
Star Clippers |
https://www.starclippers.com/us-dom/travel-health-us.html |
Tauck |
Tauck Travel Policy Update |
Trafalgar |
Coronavirus Travel Update |
Travel2 |
https://travel2-us.com/presidents-desk-latest-on-covid-19/ |
Universal Orlando Resort |
https://www.universalorlando.com/web/en/us/terms-of-service/operations-update |
Universal Studios Hollywood |
https://www.universalstudioshollywood.com/web/en/us/Safety-and-Travel-Update |
Uniworld |
https://www.uniworld.com/en/already-booked/travel-information/ |
Viking Ocean Cruises |
Changes Affecting Itineraries |
Viking River Cruises |
Changes Affecting Itineraries |
Virgin Voyages |
An update on our upcoming sailings: Details for impacted sailings |
Windstar Cruises |
Travel Health Advisory and Travel Assurance Booking Policy |
Q? - I prefer just walking off my cruise ship and exploring on my own to taking bus tours, I have been on several ocean cruises, and it has been a great money saver, but next year, I am doing a Europe river cruise, and I was curious as to how it would be there? Thank you, Jean Impellitier, Fort Lauderdale, FL
A! - Most river cruise excursions in Europe are walking tours since many attractions are very close to the river, which was, and is, the lifeline of any European city. Walking tours will require varying levels of fitness as defined by each river cruise line for their excursions, and in many historic European towns there are cobblstone streets. For those with mobility issues, slower paced tours are usually available.
Thank you, Jean, for your great question!
Mister Cruise - Peter E Coloyan, Sr.
(To ask your cruising question, please use the form below.)
BONUS INFO FOR ALL -
Mobility issues and river cruises: For river cruise excursions that involve bus travel, you will be required to store mobility aids beneath the bus in the luggage hold, and climb the steps onto the coach. In Europe, excursions are often included in the price of a river cruise, and, if included, you’ll be wasting money if you can’t join them due to an inability to climb the stairs of a coach..
One of the best things about a European river cruise, regardless of whether it's on the Danube, Rhine, Moselle, or any other river, is the scenery continually passing by as seen from the ship. Historic castles, vineyards, and beautiful vistas often fill both banks of the river as your ship cruises by!
Accessible, or not?: There is a river cruise somewhere in the world for those with most any disability or mobility issue. Plus, new river cruise ships are launched every year, with more, and better, accessibility. So, don't think you can't go just because today there may not be exactly what you want where you want it. It may be coming next month, or next year! As river cruising grows in popularity, the options for accessible river cruising will expand - and we will help you every step of the way!
With so many cruise options, it's impossible to know which is truly the best, and truly the most accessible, for YOUR particular needs! Without years of experience and the knowledge and access to information that those years bring, consumers run the risk of paying more than they need to, or getting less than they expected to! Just talk to an expert - cruising is NOT something that you want to, or can, in most cases, book online. Especially if accessibility is an issue - please.don't try to do it yourself!
That is where we come in! A service of Smart Traveler, we put you in touch with the best cruise counselors for your lifestyle and budget, and with your particular needs in mind- and our service is FREE. -yes, it costs nothing to utilize the services of a Cruise Expert.
In fact, we guarantee that, at the time of your initial cruise reservation, you will never pay more than if you booked it yourself directly! In addition to absolutely NOT paying more using our services, for over 80% of our reservations, our customers pay less, sometimes MUCH less, than if they booked it themselves and you have an Expert on your side!