This Too Will Pass
By Hank Schrader, USMA ’71, Europe Destination & Europe River Cruise Expert
We are in business for one reason only—to make your travel dreams come true.
There are many things in this life we can control, but other times we face uncertainty. This is especially true when we are faced with a coronavirus (the correct term is COVID-19) disease that seems to spread quickly.
Today, March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that the coronavirus was a pandemic. The WHO has defined a pandemic as a disease that has become wide spread around the world.
We will always face problems in life but there are usually solutions and those who deal decisively, using facts, almost always arrive at the best possible outcome for their predicament.
So, this week, I’d like to write about the value of our services to help guide you through this trying time.
Overview
Decisions about travel right now are difficult. Plans are upended, and there is an emotional toll of facing the right course of action—do you go, do you postpone or just outright cancel?
I want to make one point clear—we understand your frustration and potential loss and we have your back—you can count on us!
These are unprecedented times in the travel industry. Sadly, some businesses will not survive.
First, let me assure you, we will remain in business to serve you. We are resilient and can weather this storm.
Second, we are your source for accurate, honest information.
Third, if you have booked with us, we will help guide you to the best outcome for already booked travel and future travel. If you have booked your travel on your own, without using a travel advisor, we may be able to direct you to a phone number or other source that you can use to contact the vendor for assistance.
Your Safety is Our Primary Concern
In January and February, business was booming for us, especially with a good number of bookings for European River Cruises. Then, what looked like a regional disease suddenly began to rapidly spread to other countries and regions of the world. It now is a pandemic.
Again, let me be crystal clear here—there is nothing more important than your safety and health when traveling. I would not consider any vacation that puts you in a high risk situation is worth taking, regardless of high important it might be to you or any others. Remember, just because you don’t have any symptoms, or are sick, you could still be a carrier.
This disease seems to be a higher risk for us seniors, especially those with previous respiratory problems, diabetes, and heart problems, so this is a key factor.
How We Are Helping Our Clients
Many of our folks are facing hard decisions about travel in 2020.
One of our first actions, was to quickly find out what changes travel our travel suppliers and vendors had made to help booked and future clients adjust their travel plans if needed. It is a changing landscape, sometimes daily, that requires us to understand what these changes will mean for our clients.
For example, we were among the first to accurately explain to our many AmaWaterways river cruise clients their changed Travel Waiver Plus Policy.
Basically, this waiver allows booked guests to postpone their trip up to 24 months into the future by purchasing this protection that previously only could be purchased at deposit time of the booking. It is a great program (it is not surprising that AmaWaterways was among the first to come out with a great alternative to its booked clients—great companies look out for their clients just as we do), that could reduce many travel worries and help reduce a financial loss to our clients. We provided examples of how much a client could expect in a future cruise credit and how much would get refunded to their credit card. Several clients have taken our advice and purchased this waiver.
Our Advice—Stay the Course if Possible
Cancellation of a dream vacation is a tough call. There is a likelihood of a possible financial loss, a hassle to change plans and an emotional toll of navigating all of this.
We rely on the World Health Organization (WHO), the Center for Disease Control (CDC) for health information concerning travel health and risks. This is not a time to make any decisions without accurate information. We also monitoring our USA Embassy’s travel updates if a client has a tour in an overseas location.
Sometimes this decision will be made for us by a governmental ban on travel.
If you are our clients, we will help you navigate this difficult decision. We do advise that you make the decision as late as possible, as to avoid missing out on your trip, but early enough to avoid incurring any penalties.
Steps You Should Take Now
There are some sound steps you should consider for any travel in 2020. Here is what we recommend:
1. Consider the risks for your desired trip. There is a real possibility you could be stuck somewhere due to reduced travel services and government restrictions. Are you at a greater risk for this disease?
2. Buy Travel Insurance—especially consider cancel for any reason policy (sometimes just listed as CFAR). We use two great companies, Travel Guard and Allianz. Usually CFAR policies are only available on new policies purchased within 15 days of any payments made on a trip. We can guide you here.
3. Try to get refundable flights if booking air on your own.
4. Understand the cancellation policies and penalties of bookings with any travel vendor. Again, we can guide you here.
5. Use us—don’t go it alone.
We will be Here When This Passes
To say the least this is going to shake the travel industry to its core. What once was a fun, exciting vacation plan, has now become a challenge for most folks concerning travel.
Trust me, this too will pass. It is just a question of when. Medical folks at some point will come up with methods to deal with this problem, travel suppliers will strengthen their preventative measures and the travel industry will improve to provide you better, safer trips.
My Final Thoughts
We are here for your needs. We like to think of ourselves as your good friends, ready to help, because that is what real friends do for others.
We are travel experts, ocean and river cruise experts, and Europe destination experts. We have first-hand knowledge of almost anywhere you want to visit in Europe. We know our products and the vendors who sell them to you. We have designed special tours for dozens of clients, led several and will continue to find just the right vacation that will exceed your expectations. As you can see, our full service agency can get you to almost anywhere you desire to travel and provide you a great experience and vacation.
When you are spending your hard earned money for a vacation, you want an advisor who can match you with the right trip. You want someone who will understand your expectations and fuel your anticipation (or excitement) to get you the best possible trip experience.
Whatever your Dream Destinations are, we are here to help you get the best possible vacation based on what is important to you! We will provide you high quality, expertly planned travel. Please give me a call 713-397-0188 (Hank) or email me at hschrader@dreamdestinations.com. We want to help you: Savor life…make memories…Visit Dream Destinations! Your journey begins here!
HANK is a certified Western European Destination Specialist (DS) who has been traveling to Europe for 48+ years. He is also an Accredited Cruise Counselor (ACC), conferred by the Cruise Line International Association (CLIA). This recognized expert in cruise and leisure travel is a retired Army Officer, and taught World Geography for 8 years. He is a `71 graduate of West Point and has earned 2 master’s degrees. His other Certifications:
AmaWaterways River Cruise Specialist
Viking River Cruise Specialist
Scenic River Cruise Specialist
Emerald Waterways Specialist
Avalon Waterways Specialist
Brit Agent
