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When can I travel again?

Unusual. Difficult. Tough. Fluid. Unprecedented. All words you’re probably tired of hearing when used to describe the current COVID-19 situation. Challenging is another one that applies to many industries. Unfortunately, especially to the travel industry.

Roughly 1 in 10 people working on our planet is employed in travel. Think of hotel employees, restaurant workers, pilots and flight attendants. But also tour guides, check-in agents at cruise and airports, museum and tour guides.  And of course, travel advisors like the team at Q.

Like many clients, we can’t wait to explore the world again. And a question that we are asked often is “When can we travel again?”

Nobody has a precise answer. But we have kept a close eye on current developments over the past few months. We get first-hand “facts-on-the-ground” from our favorite hotels, tourism boards and onsite travel partners around the world. We talk with senior executives at cruise lines. We actively work with Virtuoso. We also share insights with other agency executives during meetings with Travel + Leisure magazine’s Travel Advisory Board.

So over the next few days, we would like to share what we are seeing in various sectors of the travel industry. Today we start with cruise travel.

Cruise Travel and COVID19 – What happened so far?

In mid-March, all major cruise lines started their “voluntary pause”: cruise ships returned to the first logical port as soon as logistically and legally possible, and had their passengers disembark.

Getting guests home

We helped guests return from an interrupted world cruise in Australia. Other disappointed clients were told with just a day or two notice that their long-planned vacation could not take place. And as captains were trying to get their passengers home, some countries closed their ports despite prior arrangements, forcing passengers on some ships to stay onboard much beyond their original return dates. Other lines chartered widebody aircraft and private jets to fly their guests home.

Returning cruise ship crew

But as ships are not in service, the crew need to get home too. Right now, cruise lines are working hard to return tens of thousands of crew members to their home countries. That is a very difficult task, due to border closures, government restrictions and limited air schedules. Current CDC restrictions, for example, prohibit crew members to use “public” commercial transportation in or from the USA. So cruise lines have chartered planes, coaches and other transportation to get crew home. Where border restrictions or logistics made chartering aircraft unfeasible, cruise lines use their own ships to sail across the oceans to get their crew home. Even then, countries may prohibit entry for crew members, or require quarantine before they let in their own citizens.

Royal Caribbean’s Adventure of the Seas “paused” in Fort Lauderdale

At Q, we have guided hundreds of clients through cancelling or rebooking flights, land vacations, hotels, cruises and more. Our frequent cruise clients can’t wait until the next time they can set sail. So, when cruise travel starts again, what can you expect?

Cruise Travel and COVID19 – What can you expect?

By now, most lines extended their pause, as more countries closed borders and airlines canceled flights, so right now, you cannot go on a cruise.

The cruise industry is now creating and implementing new operational standards suitable for a post-Coronavirus world in collaboration with the CDC, WHO and other government organizations. Coronavirus, Norovirus or other diseases don’t start on a ship. They are brought on a ship by passengers or crew members.

Strict health and hygiene standards are not new to cruise lines. Unlike other places where thousands of people congregate (sports arenas, theme parks, theaters), the cruise industry, like hospitals and care facilities, is already under strict review and reporting requirements by government organizations. Past cruise travelers will remember the many hand sanitizers around a ship, the health questionnaire before boarding or even the friendly nod or fist bump rather than a handshake at a Captain’s welcome party!

When can cruise travel restart?

For cruise travel to start again, three things have to happen:

1. Cruise lines and health authorities must design and implement procedures and protocols to ensure a healthy return to service.
2. Borders need to reopen
3. Airlines need to offer sufficient airlift to get passengers and crew to and from the ships

Currently, these moving targets mean that each line or corporation has set a different start date. Royal Caribbean, Celebrity and others for example have just announced their intention to start sailing again after July 31. Others, like Princess and Seabourn, are not expecting to resume their cruises until October or November. Based on the progress made, these dates might shift again.

How will cruise travel change?

While the guidelines of the CDC and cruise industry haven’t been published yet, when ships start sailing again, here is what we expect you might see on ocean and/or river cruises:

(This will vary by cruise line and ship size, and constant adjustments will be made as the situation warrants)

• Not all cruise lines and ships will resume sailing at the same time. Cruise lines will use experiences gained on the first few sailings. They’ll then use them to ramp up service elsewhere.
• Not all cruises will start everywhere all at the same time. Cruises in Europe or Asia might start before cruises from the USA.
• River cruises might start before ocean cruises.
• US domestic cruises on the Mississippi River, Great Lakes or Columbia River might start before cruises that cross borders.
• Stricter pre-boarding screening: detailed questionnaires, no-touch temperature screening, with denied boarding for those who appear to be ill
• Physical distancing at embarkation and throughout the ship. Fewer, more spacious lines, separation of waiting passengers, stricter boarding groups, crowd control to avoid mixing of embarking and disembarking passengers or crew
• Technology (like Princess Medallion Class) to speed up embarkation, no-touch check-in, no touch payment throughout the ship
• Reduced non-essential visits to a ship (no day guests, reduced ship inspections)
• No self-service buffets or ice-cream machines. Crew members might serve you instead.
• Like restaurants on land, more separation between tables. You’ll find more tables for 2 or 4, but no communal tables for people who don’t know each other.
• Some lines may reintroduce or expand separate seatings (early or late dining). This will allow ships to accommodate guests with sufficient space in restaurants.
• Where feasible, more outdoor dining or alternative dining spaces to accommodate physical distancing.
• Additional cleaning and disinfection protocols for public areas and accommodation.
• Physical distancing between crew and passengers. For example, room attendants may not be allowed to clean a room while the guest is inside. Crew may also be separated, whether by plastic screens between purser’s desk and passengers or personal protection equipment.
• Adjustments to air-conditioning and ventilation systems to allow more fresh, rather than recirculated, air
• Ocean cruise ships always offer medical facilities, doctors and nursing staff. Their services, training and facilities will be enhanced to deal with COVID-19.
• Reduce often touched areas or items. Alternatively, disinfect them frequently. Where feasible, implement automatic doors.  Distribute newspapers and magazines via passengers’ own phones or tablets rather than in print. Instead of reusable menus that would require disinfection, you may get a disposable menu. Casino chips and slot machine handles; elevator buttons, etc. will be disinfected too.
• Adjusted entertainment schedules and “pop-up” events to reduce crowds in theatres or waiting areas
• Cruise lines will require excursion operators and transfer companies to disinfect vehicles. They will also limit guests per bus and separate passengers.
• More tour operators will suggest small group or private tours.
• Be prepared to wear masks, gloves, just like in your local supermarket.

The world is changing, and so is cruising. And while everything is still fluid (yes, we hate that word too!), we look forward to the day when we can cruise again.