Dear Fellow Traveler,

As rays of light pierce the cloudy sky, it’s looking like life will begin to normalize in 2021. And I begin sharing a regular message to keep you informed about changes affecting your future travels.

As you have been grounded, the travel industry has been through a Category 4 hurricane, so expect gradual and uneven recovery. First, as innovations enable safe travel with Covid-19. And later, the post -Covid world.

Hotels operate with touch-less check in and limited services. Airlines will continue to experiment with virus-fighting tactics like empty middle seats. Cruise ships will return with lower capacity and no self-serve buffets. Distancing, masks, upgraded air filtration, and increased sanitization will all be part of a mix that will evolve with the trajectory of the virus.

A negative Covid-19 test will likely be required to board ships, cross borders, and take flights. The idea of requiring vaccination also is being discussed but appears less likely for a variety of reasons.

As this evolves, our Expedia Cruises team will continue to monitor how the ever-changing landscape affects your desires and plans. After spending months in the eye of the storm, we are thrilled to navigate the recovery. The pandemic has been brutal for family-owned small businesses like ours while it has been extremely frustrating for travelers who saw trips canceled and policies disorienting as travel suppliers improvised.

Our intense focus on the ever-changing travel landscape will provide information to help you get back out there. You must understand the changing details in a way that can only be provided by a personal travel advisor. We will keep you up to date on changing protocols as well as the best deals. Our small business can recover only with the support of avid travelers like you. For all of us, we plan to put the joy back in travel

Each of my monthly emails will contain a variety of ideas for future travel, whether you are ready to go soon or want to wait a while.

Staying in the Bubble

There has been a lot of talk about bubbles. MSC created one on cruises they managed for much of 2020. Only people with negative tests were allowed on board. Those who left the ship at ports of call were required to stay with a vetted, MSC-managed shore excursion. It worked – dozens of cruise without a case of Covid-19. In the short-term, we expect many cruise lines to adopt similar strategies, which will likely be relaxed as the virus subsides.

But you also have ways to create a much smaller bubble.

Vacation rentals: The brightest spot for our parent company, Expedia, in 2020 was Vrbo, our vacation rentals business. Many travelers saw private rentals as a comfortable way to socially distance. Please know that Vrbo offers a high degree of vetting for properties listed. In addition to Vrbo, we also work with a vacation rentals operator that deals in higher-end professionally managed properties. So be sure to talk to us when you are interested in a vacation rental.

Yacht rentals: Did you know that you can rent a yacht, captained and crewed or not, at a price similar to a luxury cruise? Get a group of friends together to privately explore such iconic destinations as the British Virgin Islands, French Polynesia and the Greek Isles. Experienced boaters can qualify to pilot their vessel. But the real magic happens when you add a captain who is a local expert in finding those hidden coves and a chef who provides gourmet meals and washes the dishes.

Private tours: The major tour companies always have offered private tours if your group is big enough, like the 33 people who traveled with Susan and me to Israel. But now, they are offering affordable private tours for much smaller groups. So you you have just a few friends who want to travel together, we can put together a private tour just about anywhere, from the national parks to the hill towns of Tuscany.

Custom Hosted Discoveries

Our hosted trips always provide immersive travel, excellent guidance and the joy of exploring with like-minded travelers. “Amazing locations, incredible experiences, new friendships – all of the ingredients of a truly memorable trip!” is how John summed up our 2019 Israel/Jordan tour. Here are some things our team has cooking going forward:

France River Cruise For Wine Lovers

Cruise along two scenic French rivers on a palate-pleasing adventure with distinctive wine tastings, impressive architecture and traces of Van Gogh. Uncover the Roman History of Chalon-sur-Saone and delight in charming Tournus with its towering Romanesque abbey. Visit French Chateaux, taste your way through the culinary capital of Lyon and discover the essence of these idyllic destinations. Special wine cruise features include special tours and tastings at local wineries, onboard wine pairings with award-winning cuisine, and expert commentary by Jason McClain of McClain Vineyards. Daily shore excursions, gourmet meals and wine and beer with lunch and dinner are included in thsi Ama Waterways cruise.

Amacello Aug. 15-22, 2021. From $3,599 per person

Experience Breathtaking New Zealand

Join Chris and Susan Meyer and the Joyful Travelers on the beautiful Celebrity Eclipse as we float through the breathtaking fjords and charming cities of New Zealand before landing for a four-day exploration of Sydney, Australia, and its environs. Today native Maori culture and British customs offer a fascinating blend in the shadow of the majestic Southern Alps. In Sydney, there will be exploration of Harbour Bridge, the iconic Opera House, The Rocks, and Bondi Beach as well as visits with Australia’s native marsupials: kangaroos and koalas. The Eclipse is a beautiful floating destination itself with its variety of gourmet restaurants, ice-topped martini bar, fully-equipped ocean-view gym, and Lawn Club up top featuring real grass for bocce, croquet or lounging in the sun. Price includes open bar, free prepaid gratuities, internet and $100 onboard credit. And what can we say about the Joyful Travelers? We dare you to find someone who has more fun than this crowd.

March 15-26, 2022. From $1,899 per person plus $210 tax.

Paris, Monet, Normandy and Wine

Join Kelsey See Canyon Vineyards on France’s Seine River. Visit the City of Light, Monet’s Garden, and the D Day landing beaches while indulging in great Kelsey wine and cider as well as vintages created on the way. Special tours and tastings at local wineries. Onboard wine pairings with award-winning cuisine led by experts from Kelsey See Canyon of Avila Beach, California.

AmaDante April 4-11, 2022. From $2,849 per person.

Transatlantic Cruise with an Irish twist

Talk about the best of both worlds! This cruise from New York to London has just the right blend of relaxing sea days and intensive land explorations. And it’s on Norwegian Getaway, a beautiful floating destination itself with 26 restaurants, nonstop entertainment plus a full gym and spa. Yes, we’re planning ahead for this April 28-May 8, 2022 itinerary. But, hey, we’re vacation starved and the Expedia deal is stellar: $2,400 per person for a balcony cabin including open bar, specialty dining, internet, taxes and $300 onboard credit. For 14 days! You can reserve your spot for a $250 refundable deposit. Call (949) 201-4246. If you’re a carnivore, be sure to book a night at Cagney’s for one of the best steaks anywhere.

April 24 – May 8, 2022. Balconies from $1,755 per person.

Captivating Christmas Markets on the Rhine

Experience the deep-rooted Christmas traditions of Europe at its most festive time of the year. Join Pam and Dave Warfe for this wonderful cruise through the Christmas markets of Switzerland, Germany, France, and the Netherlands. From Switzerland’s glitzy cities, Lucerne and Zurich,, to the iconic canals of Amsterdam, get caught up in the magic of the holidays with visits to timeless Christmas markets. Warm up with a steamy gluhwein in front of Colonge’s cathedral. Let the Capital of Noel, France’s oldest Christmas market in Strassbourg captivate you. Meander the historic squares of Old Town Heidelberg.

December 13-20, 2022. XXX

Spain, Portugal., Bermuda and Atlantic crossing

This unique itinerary visits multiple Spanish ports before stopping in Lisbon and Portugal’s remote Azores. Then it is on to Bermuda and New York. The vessel is the striking Norwegian Bliss, a floating destination in its own right with 27 restaurants and bars – including a replica of Liverpool’s Cavern Club occupied by excellent Beatles tribute bands.