Is it a Good Idea to Book a Cruise Again? Pros and Cons

For those of you who love adventure and being on the water, the good times will roll again soon enough. Did you know that cruising is the fastest-growing segment of the vacation industry and that millennials are also choosing cruises for relaxation and a new, fun experience? Yes, the ships are docked and on pause for now due to the global pandemic, but that doesn't mean that we cannot get back to sea because we will, and our thirst for travel and excitement will never disappear. Here is our expert advice about booking a cruise or waiting for another time.

Keeping An Open Mind

Let's be honest, we're still in the unknown about a lot of things affecting our daily lives.

For those of you who enjoy traveling, the big question remains:

When will cruise lines resume?

Some seasoned travelers believe that by the end of the year, you will be able to hop on a cruise ship and embark on a wonderful journey, but none of that is etched in stone, and most travelers are keeping an open mind.

According to the latest information available, the Centers for Disease Control's "No Sail Order" could keep ships away from U.S. ports through the month of July.

Looking Ahead To A Future Cruise

There are some pretty cool incentives out there. Let's look at Princess Cruises, for example. The famous cruise line has canceled all Canada/New England and Europe cruises and cruise tours in 2020.

However, Princess Cruises is giving you two great options: You can choose a full refund to your original form of payment. Or you can forward the funds to a future cruise. This 125 percent FCC can be applied to any sailing through May 1, 2022.

Then, there is Carnival Cruise Line, another well-regarded company. The cruise line is offering two options if your cruise was canceled. The first option gives you back a 100 percent refund. The second option includes a 100 percent future cruise credit, including a $600 onboard credit per stateroom if your cruise departs by December 31, 2022, and is booked by the end of this year.

Some veteran cruisers have booked for August and hope they will be ready to sail again. Others have deposits down on 2021 and 2022 world cruises and are hoping that the development of a COVID-19 vaccine will allow them to continue their passion for adventure on the sea.

Cruising With Rules/Regulations?

Cruising at the moment remains a fluid situation, and things can change very rapidly.

If you choose to book a cruise ahead, you could be returning to a different environment because of COVID-19. In other words, cruise lines may have to alter how they go about letting people onboard. There are many operational and business aspects to consider as cruise lines work with health officials to iron out a strategy that is safe and works well for all parties involved.

There has been buzz about new rules or health regulations that could determine who gets to set sail and who doesn't. Some travelers may not feel comfortable with these kinds of restrictions such as having to show a doctor's note if you are over age 70.

Others could be banned from getting on board if they have certain health conditions. Cruise lines could conduct mandatory temperature scans and secondary medical screenings.

Other cruise lines may opt to reduce capacity at onboard entertainment venues by half to allow social distancing. Also, staff would be wearing masks and gloves to serve buffet dishes.

For some cruisers, that would be too much of a hassle.

Then again, there are some who don't feel safe enough at the moment to book a cruise until the United States gets a firmer grip on the coronavirus and cruise lines rethink sanitation and medical safety. These travelers hope to see COVID-19- trained doctors and nurses onboard to ensure smooth sailing.

Taking a cruise is a blast, and people of all ages enjoy setting sail, and that kind of adventure will never go out of style. Cruise lines are working hard to retain customer loyalty through brand trust. Value-added perks for future travel is a good thing, and passengers will return.