EU's decision to allow vaccinated travelers great timing for cruising

'Americans are anxious to begin traveling back to Europe again. In fact, even during the pandemic, Cruise Planners’ most trending destination for new bookings has been Europe, making up about 25% of Cruise Planners' purchase revenue,' Cruise Planners COO Vicky Garcia said Wednesday on the EU news.

Hope that 2021 dates will pan out

'With dates starting to be announced for Europe to open to vaccinated Americans,' she continued, 'there is hope many cruises and land vacations on the books for 2021 will pan out and our hard-working travel advisors will begin to earn those well-deserved commissions.'

The EU is opening its borders to travelers who have been fully inoculated with an approved vaccine and to those coming from a list of countries considered safe from a coronavirus perspective, according to The New York Times.

Garcia said that for 2022, Cruise Planners is pacing well ahead of pre-pandemic sales.

Spending big

Clients are 'spending big on their European vacations — from river cruising to mass market cruises in the Med and even land-based tours and FIT hotel stays throughout Europe,' she added. 'The most popular destinations throughout Europe include river cruising and ocean cruising in the Mediterranean and Baltics. We are also seeing strong demand in the luxury segment.'

The EU news is going to 'boost consumer confidence yet again and propel vaccinated travelers to call their travel advisors,' Garcia predicted, adding that their role will 'continue to be paramount as each country responds and enforces different COVID-era procedures and protocols.'