What is it you are most looking forward to when travelling again?

[ilikeanswers]

Is there a destination you are hoping to return to? Or a new destination you were supposed to visit that you hope you can finally get to? Is there particular ship you are looking forward to or a particular activity you miss doing? 

[pris993]

Just being at sea, booked on Ruby Princess SF to Mexico round trip, with a mini suite, will enjoy watching the sea, don't even plan to get off the ship. 

[TravelinGert]

Just getting out and about is a real treat right now. Just returned from sailing on one of the first cruises allowed in the US. I was on the third sailing of the American Queen Steamboat Company's American Countess. We were all so thrilled to be out of the house again and the crew was so happy to be back at work. It was one of those my isn't this a great time to be alive moments for sure. We had such a good time we'll be back aboard in October.

 

Now we're starting to think about what we might want to do next year. Really tough deciding what to do right now, though. We had a wonderful short stay in New Orleans at the end of our cruise, so we want to go back for a longer visit. We've wanted to do an Alaskan cruise for a while. We also have some international destinations like Croatia and Italy on our wish list right now. Decisions, decisions. But oh so happy to have travel decisions to make again all the same.

[ontheweb]

4 hours ago, TravelinGert said:

Just getting out and about is a real treat right now. Just returned from sailing on one of the first cruises allowed in the US. I was on the third sailing of the American Queen Steamboat Company's American Countess. We were all so thrilled to be out of the house again and the crew was so happy to be back at work. It was one of those my isn't this a great time to be alive moments for sure. We had such a good time we'll be back aboard in October.

 

Now we're starting to think about what we might want to do next year. Really tough deciding what to do right now, though. We had a wonderful short stay in New Orleans at the end of our cruise, so we want to go back for a longer visit. We've wanted to do an Alaskan cruise for a while. We also have some international destinations like Croatia and Italy on our wish list right now. Decisions, decisions. But oh so happy to have travel decisions to make again all the same.

Could you comment on what was allowed and what was not allowed on excursions from American Queen Steamboat Company.

 

TIA.

[Lois R]

6 hours ago, TravelinGert said:

Just getting out and about is a real treat right now. Just returned from sailing on one of the first cruises allowed in the US. I was on the third sailing of the American Queen Steamboat Company's American Countess. We were all so thrilled to be out of the house again and the crew was so happy to be back at work. It was one of those my isn't this a great time to be alive moments for sure. We had such a good time we'll be back aboard in October.

 

Now we're starting to think about what we might want to do next year. Really tough deciding what to do right now, though. We had a wonderful short stay in New Orleans at the end of our cruise, so we want to go back for a longer visit. We've wanted to do an Alaskan cruise for a while. We also have some international destinations like Croatia and Italy on our wish list right now. Decisions, decisions. But oh so happy to have travel decisions to make again all the same.

Welcome back😀I hope you will post something about your experience over on the RIVER CRUISE FORUM for us!!!

[Lois R]

The question about what are you most looking forward to? It would take pages to answer it all with a full, detailed explanation. But to shorten it up a bit---when all of this happened back at the start of 2020 I had just retired and had 2 cruises booked to celebrate that retirement.....A TA crossing backed up with a river cruise. And a couple of land days on each side. I was going to be away nearly 30 days. It was really one of my bucket list cruises.  Well, we all know what happened to those sailings☹️.

I ended up getting sick (Not COVID) but was in the hospital for nearly a week.......it was not a fun year for any of us, I know that but I was pretty ill.........fast forward. I am better but of course the country did not heal until this year. (Still healing for the matter).

 

I booked a cruise for July out of Greece----I am excited and whatever protocols are in place? Oh well.

I will just accept them and still have a good time👍....being on the water again...looking forward to just sitting on my balcony and watching the Mediterranean Sea...........oh and seeing new places is always a good thing too!!! And a brand new ship is a big plus too😀 

I think I will pinch myself when I walk up the gangway again...LOL

[Joebucks]

What am I looking forward to? All of it. The fun atmosphere. The food. The entertainment. Being at sea. Ports of call. The sun. 

[WatchHill]

Given all those Jet Blue points I've earned buying paper towels and sanitizers, I NEED to use them for a flight across the pond to visit family in England. Once we feel relatively safe for distant travel, we plan to return to England for a road trip and then head to the continent for a river cruise. 

 

But for now, we're heading to Maine for a long weekend get-away to be near the ocean.

 

Darcy

 

[bonsai3s]

We are addicted to cruising.  With the pandemic, and all our cruises cancelled...a trip to the hospital, Costco, and buying "food to go" have all become significant events.

 

After both getting fully vaccinated, we decided  "heck it's time to travel, we are going somewhere". We booked 2 weeks in Los Cabos and stayed at 2 different all-inclusive resorts.  Wow! how traveling has changed.

 

Flights and airports: The airport in San Diego was mostly empty...people had plenty of space to social distance...everyone wearing a mask.  There was only one flight out of San Diego to Los Cabos so our flight was nearly full.  Passengers all wearing masks and all happy to be traveling.  One young gal was going to have a destination wedding.

 

Resorts: Even before entering each resort, our temperatures were checked and our luggages sanitized.  There were hand sanitizers everywhere.  All resort employees were wearing mask and eye shields...from guest services, bartenders, cleaners, restaurant staff, and pool waiters. In our room, we were provided with a sealed safety kit containing more hand gels and masks.  Each morning at breakfast, the restaurant host would take our temperature before being seated.  And yes, all guests were asked to use the hand sanitizers before entering all the restaurants.

 

Once seated for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, all guests removed their mask.  I would guess that 90% of the guest wore their mask when walking around the resort but mask wasn't required around the pool area and never saw anyone wearing a mask while walking on the beach.

 

We were extremely curious if they would still have a buffet...nope, it's gone...not the way we used to do it.  There are shields covering all the food and others covered with saran wrap...anything you want, they'll hand it to you.  But no one touched the food.  We are sure the cruiselines will follow the same or similar policy.

 

There were no more menus handed to you.  Instead, you have to use your phone and scan the QR code on the table and you'll have access to the menu.  A complete set of silverware and napkin, sealed in a bag, are given to guests. (Menus are provided if you don't have or forget your phone.)

 

Both resorts provided the Covid test required to all returning to the U.S....swab test in the morning, results arrived via email that evening...pretty easy.  Note: Each resort only had approximately 50% capacity.

,

We had a wonderful time.  It was a nice alternative until cruising resumes.  The choices and quality of food was outstanding.  The service went above and beyond expectations.  And lastly, we are not heavy drinkers....BUT, admittedly we got a little carried away.  Mimosas and Bailey's with our coffee in the morning...then Mojitos, Margaritas, Daquiris, Pina Coladas, beer, wine...even drinks we've never heard of...Miami Vice, Dirty Monkey, Havana Lights...we discovered you can have more than just a regular Mojito...they have mango mojito, pineapple mojito, watermelon mojito, strawberry mojito, and even lychee mojitos.

 

[K32682]

First on my list is the U.S.A. because it's close. I'm a 60 minute drive from the border and go over often for sporting events, shopping and such. Next is the UK. I've visited it at least once if not twice a year for the last 20 years and miss it. Next up is Bulgaria. I've done work there and have friends in Sofia who I'd like to see again. 

 

I'm going to hold off on cruising for a while and do land trips until the cruise process is clearer. Cruise-line excursions only is a deal breaker. 

[iancal]

Driving trip through the mountains to Vancouver, BC. in August.

 

International....Greece and somewhere else in Sept & Oct.   With a pre trip stop in Toronto to visit relatives.

 

Or west coast of Mexico in November/December. 

 

Cancun AI  during Xmas break with daughter and family

 

Or, snowbird  Jan-March in Thailand/Vietnam/Malaysia.

 

Until then....follow the restrictions, stay safe and in good health, and do the occasional day trip to the mountains.

 

Edited May 10, 2021 by iancal

[George C]

This pandemic has screwed with my wish to have the number of cruises to exceed my age , would have done it , now I am off by a couple. I love having everything there , we do nice restaurants with live music a couple of days a week on a cruise it’s daily. Total relaxation, being pampered, also love the casino , suite lounge and restaurants. Cruise # 70 is this July. On many cruises we meet crew and passengers we have seen in the past.

[getting older slowly]

What is it you are most looking forward to when travelling again?

 

Cruising..... why ?  It is the only holiday one truly relaxes.

 

No Driving, No Cooking, No Planing, also the BH has no laundry or cleaning

 

Somebody does every thing for you.... and everything is only a short walk away

plus ocean view, being on a ship,  only unpack once....

 

One day ... but not soon

 

Don

[bigrednole]

No facial diapers!!!

[DirtyDawg]

In Ontario we are still in a lockdown which looks like it will be extended for another month or so. 

So what I'm looking forward to is just to see and hold my two granddaughters in person. One is turning two and we I haven't seen her in person since last October, and the other arrives later this month.

Hopefully I'll get that chance before they turn 18. 

[ontheweb]

3 hours ago, DirtyDawg said:

In Ontario we are still in a lockdown which looks like it will be extended for another month or so. 

So what I'm looking forward to is just to see and hold my two granddaughters in person. One is turning two and we I haven't seen her in person since last October, and the other arrives later this month.

Hopefully I'll get that chance before they turn 18. 

Hopefully, way, way before that.

[DirtyDawg]

27 minutes ago, ontheweb said:

Hopefully, way, way before that.

I hope so. 

[CanobieFan]

I just love being out and about. Going anywhere, doing anything. I wanna go everywhere and see everything haha. Sitting at home doing nothing has been so boring! 

[TravelinGert]

On 5/8/2021 at 6:09 AM, ontheweb said:

Could you comment on what was allowed and what was not allowed on excursions from American Queen Steamboat Company.

 

TIA.

They normally have a Hop On Hop Off bus at each docking which allows people to visit whatever they like around town which they aren't doing in the circumstances. They also normally have for fee premium excursions.

 

They arranged with some of the premium providers to be tested regularly and only have those who had tested negative interact with the passengers. Those were the only available shore excursions and they included them no charge since there was no Hop On Hop Off.

 

I'd say half the usual shore excursions were available but they made sure there were plenty of opportunities for everyone to enjoy all of them. 

 

As far as what actually went on during shore excursions, all the cities we visited masks were still required so of course the cruise like had to ask us to comply. The cruise line's agreement with the CDC to sail meant they had to keep the buses used to get to all the shore excursions to 50% capacity. 

 

We didn't do all the shore excursions, but we did a lot and had a grand time. So good we're doing another cruise on the American Countess in the fall.

 

[TravelinGert]

On 5/8/2021 at 8:01 AM, Lois R said:

Welcome back😀I hope you will post something about your experience over on the RIVER CRUISE FORUM for us!!!

Just posted up a bit there, and there is more over in the American Queen Steamboat forum as well.

[ontheweb]

6 hours ago, TravelinGert said:

They normally have a Hop On Hop Off bus at each docking which allows people to visit whatever they like around town which they aren't doing in the circumstances. They also normally have for fee premium excursions.

 

They arranged with some of the premium providers to be tested regularly and only have those who had tested negative interact with the passengers. Those were the only available shore excursions and they included them no charge since there was no Hop On Hop Off.

 

I'd say half the usual shore excursions were available but they made sure there were plenty of opportunities for everyone to enjoy all of them. 

 

As far as what actually went on during shore excursions, all the cities we visited masks were still required so of course the cruise like had to ask us to comply. The cruise line's agreement with the CDC to sail meant they had to keep the buses used to get to all the shore excursions to 50% capacity. 

 

We didn't do all the shore excursions, but we did a lot and had a grand time. So good we're doing another cruise on the American Countess in the fall.

 

Thanks for answering my question. Glad you had a real good time.

 

Could you give some examples of the premium excursions that are now what are being provided instead of the hop on hop off buses?

[TravelinGert]

4 hours ago, ontheweb said:

Thanks for answering my question. Glad you had a real good time.

 

Could you give some examples of the premium excursions that are now what are being provided instead of the hop on hop off buses?

 

Here's the excursion list from the boat:

 

 

 

All the no extra charge excursions are normally around $80 each person.

 

Edited May 15, 2021 by TravelinGert

[rkacruiser]

On 5/10/2021 at 2:10 PM, bonsai3s said:

Miami Vice,

 

I haven't had a Miami Vice in a long time!  Delicious and lovely to view!

 

Very simply, I am looking forward to returning to sea just to be at sea!  To feel the motion of the ocean again, to hear the sounds of the sea as my ship sails, to watch the sea birds and being on the lookout for the inhabitants of the ocean,  to view the night sky at sea on a clear night, and, hearing the welcoming words from a staff member as I embark:  Welcome Aboard!  

[slidergirl]

I'm looking forward to not fumbling around for my mask in my tent when I have to make the walk to the toilets in the middle of the night at a National Park or National Forest/Recreation area campsite!!  I never thought the bears, moose and cougars would mind...  My next camping road trip is in 15 days.

 

I'm patiently waiting for my friends above the Northern Border to drop the travel restrictions to throaose of us trying to cross the border.  I want to do a LONG campng road trip and I want to include the Canadian Rockies.  And, I'm missing the BBQ from Big Daddy's in Calgary!!

 

[Buck Turgidson]

Mostly I love to look out to sea as i walk the Promenade and upper decks. I also enjoy sunshine by the pools, food, cigars and a few beers, piano bar at night.