It’s been almost six months since the world basically shut down back in early March.  To say nothing has been easy would be an understatement.  The world sadly seems like a different place now, and most noticeably, it doesn’t include cruising.  At least not for the foreseeable future.  If you have followed me, you’ve probably noticed I usually only write new blog posts just after sailing.  I don’t blog for a living, so I’ve never felt the need to write a post just to write a post.  Yet, here I am, writing a post, simply because I haven’t written one in six months.  I desperately miss all the interaction with my fellow cruisers, and I hope you are doing well, given the current circumstances.  I felt now was the time to return, as there is the slightest of lights at the end of the tunnel.

Summer and the warm weather have helped bring me some coping mechanisms, but there is definitely no replacement for cruising.  I’ve been doing lots of camping in our RV and spending time on our jet ski.  What kind of activities have you been able to do to bring some happiness during this trying time?  I know fall weather will be coming in soon here in CT.  And of course, following that, will be winter.  I pray that cruising resumes by then because I don’t think I can take another round of being stuck at home.  It was a pretty dark time for me back in March and I have no desire to go through it again.

In recent weeks, some cruise lines have returned to service in a limited capacity across the pond in Europe.  That sparked my interest of course.  I immediately looked into what it would take to go on one of the first sailings back, but unfortunately Americans were not invited (allowed).  Seeing social media content of these sailings gave me chills.  I found myself imagining what I would be feeling once I step aboard a ship for the first time since the pandemic began.  I can only imagine it will be very emotional.

I’ve also started to look at sailings again.  I honestly had just given up for a while.  After having eight sailings cancelled, it just wasn’t worth the disappointment anymore.  Speaking of cancellations, here’s a big shoutout to all the travel agents out there.  I can only imagine what a difficult time this has been for them.  I personally use a travel agent, and I know once things ramp back up, I’ll try to be a part of their resurgence. Truth be told, I’m actually considering booking a November sailing.  I’ve heard some rumblings that the cruise lines are a little bit hopeful on starting back up in a reduced capacity in November, but I’m clearly not getting my hopes up.

I’ll start shifting my focus to 2021 soon.  I don’t have another year to waste away, so this situation needs to correct itself!  If I’ve learned one thing from this whole mess, it’s that I will never wait to do things again.

Here is my line up for 2021 so far.

February – Cruise Life Group Cruise on Norwegian Encore to Western Caribbean. (Come join us!, details here)
April – Family Cruise on the Anthem of the Seas to FL and Bahamas.
July – Transferred 10 year anniversary cruise with my wife on the Norwegian Escape to the Baltics.
November – Cruise with my dad on Celebrity Constellation to Western Caribbean.  First time on Celebrity!  The deal was too good to pass up!

I’m sure I’ll add in a couple shorter sailings at some point, but I’m excited for what I have ahead already.  Do you have any sailings booked for later this year or in 2021?  Tell me all about them, what are you most excited about?