Coming Out of Hibernation

Bear Emerging from Hibernation With Cubs                                 Reuters/Denis Balibouse

(Updated 10/6/2021)

Have you ever wondered what it's like to be a bear?

Why am I asking that question in a cruise blog?  It struck me, when I started writing this post, that our lives are about to parallel that of a bear coming out of hibernation from a long winter's nap.  We've been cut off from others, we are cautiously coming out from our safe hiding place, and are longing for a new beginning as we emerge.

What have you missed the most during your COVID-19 hibernation?  For many, it's been the lack of interaction with others, or visiting your usual hangouts (churches, schools, restaurants, bars, stores, etc.).  For the avid cruiser, they missed the sea, and everything associated with cruising.

As the bear emerges, they are cautious, not knowing what dangers may be lurking outside safe haven.  Slowly, they adventure further and eventually return to some normal activities.

There are differences of course between bears hibernating and our forced isolation.  Bears do this every year, they expect it, and build up supplies to last them thru the winter.   We on the other hand, did not expect it, were caught short of essential supplies, and hopefully, this isn't a repeatable situation.

What are cruisers expecting as they emerge from hibernation?   Here's what a recent CLIA survey discovered:

What is Your Desired Cruise Experience 

• Cruisers want to experience the full cruise experience but are willing to compromise once they are ready to cruise 
• Most likely cruises to be selected is the “traditional” 7 to 10-day cruise with multiple destinations 
• Second most popular is a short cruise with limited destinations, a perfect cruise type to resume operations 
• As of June 2020, one out of 3 cruisers likely to cruise again, was willing to cruise within six months, thus the end of year, another 46% within a year

What is the Cruiser's Mindset 

• Cruisers are not waiting for a vaccine before committing to cruising 
• It will be safe to cruise once a vaccine becomes available scores at the lowest level of all protocols expected 
• Cruisers are disciplined and are willing to follow the protocols to ensure a safe cruising experience for them, other passengers and crew members 
• 93% are willing to wear a mask 
• 92% will follow a social distancing 
• 88% will take a COVID-19 test prior to embarking 
• 87% support daily temperature checks

Anticipate Change

If you've never cruised before, you have no basis for comparison, so everything will seem just right.  However, for those that have cruised before, we anticipate things will be different when you come out of hibernation.  Here are a few changes we anticipate:

• Sanitation has always been important, so you won't see much change there, except perhaps in frequency of cleaning.
• Closer monitoring of hand-washing stations at restaurant entrances.
• Screening for illness at embarkation and throughout the cruise
• It won't be as crowded, which most people will like.
• Dining will be spread out - table size or capacity will be reduced.
• Buffets won't be self-serve (if they aren't eliminated completely, at least initially).
• Some services, such as pools and spas may be closed or have limited capacity.
• Entertainment will be impacted by social distancing - reservations will probably be needed.
• You won't have to shave - since everyone will have a mask on - who's going to know.
• Shore excursions will have limited capacity and probably won't have food included.

This isn't an exhaustive list, but we think it's representative of the kinds of changes that will be noticeable.    There will be behind the scenes changes, such as improved filtering, which you won't notice but will be happy it's been implemented.

The cruise industry is best equipped to deal with these safety implementations, since they've historically had similar measures in place.   

Update - The Current Experience

Since cruising has resumed this past summer, cruisers are experiencing ships at 50% or lower capacity, crew very eager to serve,  and all that they loved cruising for to still be possible.  Masks are in use when safe distancing isn't possible, but other than that, things appear to be better than normal.  Cruise lines have reported higher satisfaction rates than pre-Covid.

"I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky, And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by"                              ~Sea Fever, John Masefield

 

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Apply Your Tax Refund To a Cruise

Have you had visions of Caribbean beaches and cruise ships in your dreams?  I'm sure that I'm not the only one that does...  

Are you are getting a tax refund?  Help the economy grow - spend some of your tax refund on yourself - on a cruise vacation.  If you've not been on a cruise before, now is the best time.

If you are like most Americans, when the economy took a turn for the worse a couple years ago, your vacation plans went out the window.   Consequently cruise prices have remained at pretty constant low prices, but are about to start increasing.   There are still several cruise line offers available for those that want to take advantage of the lower pricing.

How about Europe Instead?

Of course, you don't need to go to the Caribbean, and in fact, the best deals this summer are actually going to be on European cruise vacations.   Why is that you ask?    The cruise lines have record deployments in Europe this summer but the demand hasn't kept pace with the increased capacity.

That's not to imply that people aren't booking European cruises - they are.  However, there are larger ships and more of them, in Europe this summer than any other time before. Obviously, the cruise ships need to sail full for the companies to make a profit, so the consumer wins.

Comparing Cruise to Land-Based

I just did a quick search on my website for a short European cruise vacation the end of May.  I found a 5-Night Baltic, Copenhagen R/T on Royal Caribbean's Vision of the Seas with prices starting from $340pp for an inside cabin.   For those that aren't quick at math, that's $68pp per day (excluding taxes and fees).  

For comparison purposes, I did a hotel search for Copenhagen during the same 5-Night period and prices ranged from $319 Per Night.   The hotel didn't include meals or entertainment and was rated as a 4 star accommodation.    Contrasting the hotel stay and the cruise...  On the cruise it's like getting 3 nights free, all your meals, and entertainment onboard the ship.

Besides Copenhagen, you'll visit Bergen, Norway and Geiranger, Norway.  I've visited all of those locations and can assure you, you'd have a wonderful trip.  The Batlic was one of our favorite trips.


I've not discussed airfare, which is a large expense for a European vacation, especially in prime season.   Since the cost of air would be the same for the cruise and land-based vacation stay, I've excluded that from the equation.    Many of the current cruise deals for the Europe 2011 Summer Season feature reduced air, making the select cruises even more attractive.


There are many deals to Europe this Summer.   We'll feature some of the sales on our website and Facebook page.   If you are seriously considering a Europe get-away this Summer, my suggestion would be to book now while the supply is larger than the demand so that you can maximize your investment.  

The prices I've seen during my search in preparation for this article are on par with what you'd pay for a Caribbean vacation on the same or similar ships.   For the most part, the ships are the larger, newer vessels in the respective fleets.   Ships like Carnival Magic, Celebrity Equinox and Solstice, Norwegian Epic, and Royal Caribbean Liberty of the Seas are just a few of the choices you'll have.


Put Your Tax Dollars to Work for You on a Cruise Vacation to Remember for Years to Come.   Cruise Europe in 2011 !!