Randy and me at the Colosseum in 2019. Our last trip prior to the pandemic.
Are you suffering from cabin fever? Are those daily walks around the block or your local park just not cutting it anymore? I don’t know about you, but I feel that there is tremendous pent-up demand out there for travel – lots of travel! One thing is certain, our economy is showing signs of recovery, and signs that people are looking for more than just a day trip in the car or going to visit grandma. I am one of those folks. Recently, I booked a cruise to Greece and Croatia for my husband’s 65th. birthday even though we don’t sail until 2022. More on that later. Read on for tips on managing your post-pandemic adventures.
First, it’s time to address the elephant in the room – vaccination. Simply put, yes, you will likely need to be fully vaccinated and have proof of vaccination to travel. Don’t lose that little card if you are lucky enough to have already been vaccinated. Currently, several countries are requiring proof of vaccination for those who are already on the go. Some, like Iceland, have prepared vaccine passports for their citizens and have stated that they will recognize vaccine passports from other nations. Seven countries in Europe are already allowing foreign visitors with proof of vaccination. Requirements are changing frequently and fast so be sure to confirm requirements well in advance of planning your trip. These restrictions and requirements may be with us for several years to come. You may still need to have a COVID test prior to departure and prior to returning to the United States. It varies, so be aware and be prepared for changes.
Definitely away from the crowds! Me working my way up Mt. Dana at the edge of Yosemite National Park.
For your first foray away from home, consider travel with your significant other or your pod. You may want to test the waters first by taking a vacation on your own or with those in your immediate pod. This is a good way to see what is open, what’s available, how things have changed and to get back into the practice of traveling. Don’t forget that charger for your phone!
If you don’t like the idea of a major hotel, or feel you are not ready for the crowds, consider a home share option through one of the major home share companies. This is good for many reasons. Mainly, the cost. You can book at your budget level or even reduce the cost by sharing with family or those close friends in your pod that have been vaccinated. It will also give you a change of scenery, and you will still have a high level of privacy. You can decide what activities you want to do and where you want to visit depending on local conditions and restrictions.
Book carefully, and read the fine print. Right now, many hotels, airlines, cruise lines, and rental agencies are being very lenient with travelers. Many offer some type of book with confidence guarantee, but read those details carefully. You need to know if your booking is fully refundable, non-refundable, or only transferrable for a future booking. Some classes of service on airlines and cruises for example, offer fully refundable and changeable tickets if you book at a slightly higher ticket price. It may be worth it to consider that higher priced option.
Click the pic for a video on more money saving travel tips!
Don’t forget your points programs. Even though I had zero flights in 2020, my main airline waived the requirement and carried my status over to 2021. Lots of travel service providers are doing something similar. Before booking, check your points balance and status level to see if any booking bonuses are being offered. Also, don’t assume you’ll be traveling at the same status level as you did in the past. Confirm the current situation.
Be prepared for changes. I’ve already traveled regionally and stayed in a couple of national hotel chains. Things have changed quite a bit. There are limits on the number of guests allowed to congregate in common areas; pools, gyms, and hot tubs are mostly closed or restricted. You’ll also notice other service changes. Most rooms are not cleaned and refreshed daily as they used to be. Hotels that offered breakfasts have changed that service as well. Some are doing ‘to-go’ only, others have eliminated the service for now, and still others offer a hybrid approach. Just be prepared for service changes.
I’ll give you a personal example. My husband turned 65 this past January and we were not really able to celebrate other than dinner at home and a hike. Royal Caribbean was having a tremendous sale on cruises for 2021 and 2022 sailings. I booked us on the last cruise I could find for Greece and Croatia for October 2022 as a delayed birthday gift. Yes, it’s a long time from now, but I just wanted something aspirational on the calendar. The rate for two was basically what you would pay for a single person in normal times. Royal did offer a guarantee for booking that I was comfortable accepting. Should the sailing be canceled or we need to change dates, we have up until 48 hours before the cruise to make changes, and up to one year to reschedule. Given the low cost of the cruise, the improving travel scene, and the rollout of the vaccines, I was comfortable with the fine print. We’ll figure out the airfare closer to travel. Our household will be vaccinated by that time, and we’ll have a better understanding of the travel requirements.
All this is to say that it may be time to start shopping for a vacation if you are so inclined. There are good deals out there, but once more restrictions are relaxed and we start moving about more freely, those special offers may vanish. If you do book now, just be aware of the requirements, restrictions, and READ the fine print on any offers. Also, be patient. The staff at many locations are finding their way in this new environment just as much as you are. The travel industry was hit particularly hard during the pandemic, so I reiterate, please exhibit patience and be flexible.
As an independent CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, I can help you make financial decisions and budget for your getaway. Contact me and let’s get started. Companies or products mentioned are for informational purposes only. No compensation has been received. #talktometuesday #getstarted #HowIcanHelpYou #GetHelp #Hireaplanner #summervacation #vacation #CFPPro #savemoney #pandemic #COVID #pandemictravel