In last week’s newsletter, we asked you when is the earliest you’d be ready to river cruise again in Europe. Nearly 85 percent of you are ready to river cruise in 2022, with spring 2022 getting the largest slice of the pie.
We asked, What gives you confidence about your answer as to when you would cruise? Or what’s holding you back? One reader commented: Time to move on; two years is enough and life is short. Indeed.
Another wrote: Because we went on a river cruise in 2021 and a small boat cruise two weeks ago. Steve and Lorraine are actually friends of ours here in Asheville. We had dinner with them last Sunday and learned that despite traveling in Europe from last August until late November, including a river cruise on AmaWaterways in September, they remained Covid free. In fact, they said they generally felt safer abroad because of compliance to protocols and full vaccination rates (fully vaccinated includes a booster). They just returned from Hawaii on UnCruise and will head to Europe again this spring for a second river cruise on AmaWaterways.
One reader wrote the “pandemic is fading,” and another added, “I’m hoping by then the world is more experienced in dealing and living with Covid, and Covid itself has petered out significantly.” Other readers said: “Covid cases are going down,” and “Hoping things finally calm down.”
Those who are waiting it out for the all clear said: “Waiting to see if restrictions are eliminated to a point where I can travel worry free and not worry about all the necessary paperwork.” And another couple said that what makes them hesitant is “the concern of becoming sick abroad.” One other expressed concern about about restrictions and options to cruise in 2022 : “Restrictions and fear of quarantine for 2022; also lack of options for summer 2022. Hoping for 2023!”
Others noted the Europe is relaxing restrictions: “Scheduled Viking River Cruise April 2022. Looks like Europe is getting tired of Covid restrictions.” Another took comfort in Viking’s testing protocols. “Viking has testing every day, which helps greatly if anyone gets sick.”
Like everyone who comes to River Cruise Advisor, we’re eager to cruise again too, and will do so in April (before that, however, I will cruise the Galapagos on Silver Origin). There is a lot of hope out there, a lot of optimism, excitement and enthusiasm, something we could sense in one reader’s remark: “I am booked with AMA Paris to Normandy, can’t wait!” Nor can we!
This article was originally published at River Cruise Advisor.
An avid traveler and an award-winning journalist, Ralph Grizzle produces articles, video and photos that are inspiring and informative, personal and passionate. A journalism graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Ralph has specialized in travel writing for more than two decades. To read more cruise and port reviews by Ralph Grizzle, visit his website at www.avidcruiser.com.
