COVID-19 restrictions ease, but Ukraine war is ramping up. Whats that mean for travelers? | Sandy Fenton – PennLive

Here it is, the end of February and Im writing my first travel column of 2022. I was excited to give you lots of new and positive travel updates, especially concerning COVID-19. But now the world of travel is sadly shaken up again, this time due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

So before I get into all of my COVID-19-related news, here is whats happening today in the world of cruise travel.

As a whole, the travel industry is on a watch-and-wait directive while actively monitoring the situation. Ocean and river cruise lines are prepared to alter any Baltic, Russian and Eastern Europe itineraries (the same holds true for land-tour operators). With that said, NCL, Oceania Cruises, Regent Seven Seas, Viking and Windstar Cruises have removed St. Petersburg, Russia, from all 2022 sailings due to the ongoing war. New ports-of-calls will be announced soon.

A new start-up cruise line (adventure luxury), Atlas Ocean Voyages, announced they are adjusting two late summer Baltic itineraries and will replace them with trips to Kotka and Marrehamn, in Finland. Guests already booked for this spring and summer should expect changes and keep in contact with their travel agent. Thus far, consumer cancellations appear to be few.

Viking River Cruises have cancelled all 2022 departures from Kyiv, Ukraine, the Black Sea and Bucharest, Romania. Guests are being contacted directly with alternative river cruise options and rescheduling venues available.

Meanwhile, with new COVID-19 cases going down daily, combined with restrictions easing or being eliminated, people are ready to travel again -- and in a big way. Premium and luxury travel appear to be the most popular -- and consumers are spending big money on luxurious hotel rooms, cruise suites, fine wining and dining experiences, and longer stays.

Is it spring fever or pandemic fatigue?

High-end hotels and resorts, plus both river and cruise lines are not just selling out, some are already at pre-pandemic capacity.

Will the demand and the money continue? No one knows for sure, but for now, thats the reality.

For example, Florida tourism demand is at an all-time high and the Walt Disney Company theme parks are filled with their guests spending more money per person than they were in 2019.

Viking River Cruises will be launching their brand new Viking Mississippi river ship this August and according to Vikings Senior Vice President Michele Saegesser, sailings for 2022 and 2023 are mostly sold out. She recommends booking for 2024, or if you are flexible, tell your travel agent to keep you on a cancellation/wait list for this year and next. (Another option would be to look into American Cruise Lines Mississippi sailings, but know this will be a completely different style.)

Regent Seven Seas Cruises Director of Business Development for North America Eric Schmit said their luxury travelers are not just booking back-to-back and longer cruises, they are booking their next cruises while onboard, with the most luxurious suites selling out first. Space is tight going into this summer and fall -- and 2023 is filling quickly.

On Feb. 18, most of the cruise industry opted into the updated (and voluntary) CDC & Preventions COVID-19 program, which asks cruise lines to report vaccinated status of crew and passengers on each ship so results can be tracked. The CDC also downgraded their cruise line health warning from Level 4 to Level 3. Beginning March 1 most cruise ships will install a masks onboard recommended, but not required policy that in itself is a dealmaker for many potential travelers.

Cruise lines moving forward are committed to adjust health & safety protocols to ensure all onboard guests, crew and port destinations are protected. All officers and crew will still be masked, and all adult guests plus some children ages 10 and up will need to be fully vaccinated, and some will require boosters -- be sure to get expert advice from a travel agent before committing.

So what else is new for this spring?

Without a doubt, drive-to vacation getaways and road trips continue to soar in popularity. Were lucky to have so many wonderful destinations here in Pennsylvania. As Michael Chapaloney, Pa. Tourism Executive Director, always says, Pennsylvania has an embarrassment of riches. Go to VisitPA.com for all information on what to see, do, where to eat and where to sleep. You can easily discover your own backyard on a budget that works.

Direct, nonstop flights from Harrisburg International Airport offer many desirable vacations to Florida, Myrtle Beach and Nashville. Travelers want to keep their vacations uncomplicated with less time in airports and more time to experience new places, explore and unplug.

The three Is -- Iceland, Italy and Ireland -- are open and ready to welcome Americans back. Beginning this summer Icelandair will fly from Baltimore to Reykjavik, Iceland, and new stops in Europe and Greenland have just been added.

Many domestic and international airlines are offering spring savings for popular and off-the-beaten-path destinations now and throughout the summer.

Every day more countries are lifting certain COVID-19 restrictions. Just this week, Israel, the Bahamas, the Dominican Republic, the Cayman Islands, Jamaica and Australia have all altered their coronavirus restrictions. The list will continue to grow, so do some research before you travel.

In closing, many of us are starting to see COVID-19 not as a travel deterrent, but rather a do it now motivator, because who knows what may be lurking just around the bend. A professional and experienced travel agent should be your new best friend when planning your long-awaited vacation.

If you are planning to travel out of the country, be sure you renew your passport six months prior to the expiration date and verify that your passport is valid for at least six months after your return to the United States. Keep updated with international travel news, particularly in regards to Baltic and Eastern European ocean, river and land tour information.

Be informed, be prepared and travel well.

Lets Talk Travel hosted by Sandy Fenton is broadcast Saturdays 11am to noon on iHeartRadios WHP580. For more information, go to whp580.com and click on the link to Lets Talk Travel.

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COVID-19 restrictions ease, but Ukraine war is ramping up. Whats that mean for travelers? | Sandy Fenton - PennLive