Travel Questions About COVID-19 Coronavirus

Travel questions about the COVID-19 coronavirus are top of mind for today’s baby boomer travelers.

It’s 4:00 in the morning (I’m an early riser), and I find myself staring at my computer screen.

I just created my COVID-19 coronavirus graphic.  And now, I feel it’s my job to provide our clients and readers an update on this situation.

More staring. What am I to say?

Our 24/7 media has been talking about this ad nauseam. And to make matters worse, we’re in the throes of a presidential election. Politicians from the left and right are throwing stones at one another in an attempt to get themselves a soundbite on the evening news.

Nonetheless, let’s dig in.

What to Do About the COVID-19 Coronavirus in Europe

• Remain calm. This virus is a serious issue and top of mind for today’s travelers. The stock market has just endured a very rough week, politicians are screaming at one another, and the media has an easy job selling commercials with a topic as concerning as COVID-19.  Instead of listening to the talking heads on the television, let’s go get our information from our nation’s respected medical institutions.  Here is an informative article from Harvard Medical School, and here is an article from the folks at Mayo Clinic. I’m quite certain that these two respected institutions can keep us up to date without all of the hype.
• Keep it in perspective. As I said earlier in the week, up to 42.9 million people got sick during the 2018-2019 flu season, 647,000 people were hospitalized, and 61,200 died.  So, at the moment, the flu is a far bigger issue.  Did you get a flu shot?
• Heightened travel alerts. It’s no secret that travel to China is to be avoided. However, just yesterday the CDC upgraded Italy to a Level 3: Reconsider Travel.  Italy is smack dab in the middle of the Mediterranean and is very popular with most ocean cruise itineraries. So now what?
• Keep your ears open. With Friday’s travel alert regarding Italy, we are certain to hear from cruise lines and on-the-ground travel brands with options for their travelers. If your travel plans are in a deposit-only phase, let’s talk about the options available.  If your travel plans are already in final-payment status, then we need to wait and see how your particular travel brand plans to respond to this situation.  Our phones and email inboxes have been flooded with questions and concerns.  Be patient.  We care about you and we will certainly respond to your concerns.  Your safety and our relationship with you are our highest objectives.
• Travel Insurance Questions. Unless you have one of the more expensive “cancel for any reason” travel insurance policies, epidemics are not covered by travel insurance.  Travel insurance covers you for something that has happened, and not for something we fear might happen.  Interestingly, some of the travel brands have offered “cancel for any reason” future cruise certificates.  This allows more time to see how this COVID-19 coronavirus might play out with an option to cancel and rebook next year.
• Be a little patient. It is difficult, I know.  However, this latest news just broke on Friday and travel brands now have an enormous task ahead of them.  They must try and read their crystal balls to anticipate where this virus might go from here.   And, they must perform the enormous and difficult task of rerouting cruises.  Or, in the worst-hit areas, perhaps even canceling cruises. Many of the cruise lines have already responded with delay decision options like moving the final payments back until a few months from sailing.  That was a generous response for those that are traveling later in the year.  But now, for those traveling in the next month or two, these issues have moved to the front burner.  Stay tuned. Be patient. And look to hear from your travel brand directly very soon. And of course, we are standing alongside you as your trusted advisor and confidant.

I suspect we won’t hear much from travel brands on this topic over the weekend.  And I am quite certain that they are all up early working on solutions to this situation.  So, let’s enjoy the weekend, and on Monday, we’ll roll our sleeves up and start tackling these issues one by one.

If you’re not traveling until the fall, and don’t have a pressing final payment due, stand back a bit and let us take care of the folks that are booked to travel in the Spring.  We promise to work hard to address your questions and concerns about the COVID-19 coronavirus and how it might affect your travel plans.

Again, be patient. And remember, this too will pass.

How to Stay Current About the Coronavirus

To help you keep current on the coronavirus, here are some helpful links:

• The U.S. Department of State
• The CDC

Thank you for taking the time to read this informative article.  If you are a client and have further questions, just give us a call. 🙂

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