It’s been a little over a year since cruising resumed from its lengthy pause in cruising from the United States. Anticipating the demand, the staff at Cruise Specialists knew that if there was ever a “call to cruise”—this was it. In the past year, our Cruise Consultants, management team and other staff members—from marketing to operations—have collectively been on more than 20 cruises featuring about two dozen different itineraries around the globe, to inspect destinations, ships, and be able to respond to the myriad of questions we know our discerning clients have.
On an even more favorable note, our clients are traveling again in robust fashion! Whether they have sent an email during a relaxing day at sea or written a letter during a reflective period after returning home, we cherish reading about the many positive moments back on board, as well as the unique perspectives so many of you bring as seasoned travelers.
Extended families were thrilled to reunite on cruises to celebrate last year’s holiday season, and that is the message our Cruise Consultant Teresa Skeim received from her clients Julie and Tim: “We had a great time celebrating Christmas on Enchanted Princess. Great memories were made. We were so thankful that all three cabins for our family were next to each other. Thanks for making that happen!”
The holidays also proved to be a festive backdrop for longtime cruisers Leith and Richard, who sent Cruise Consultant Gillian Clark several fun-filled messages as they voyaged throughout the Caribbean on board Holland America Line’s Nieuw Statendam (in December) and Koningsdam (to Hawaii and Mexico in February). They reconnected with their friend and popular captain, Noel O’Driscoll, master of the Nieuw Statendam, gazed at Christmas trees in the Dominican Republic and soaked in sunrises on the ocean’s horizon.
Leith commented about what a joy it is to be back on a Holland America Line cruise. “It is very much like coming home for us and, from the talk we’ve heard around the ship, it seems that most of the passengers, as well as all of the crew, have the same feeling.”
World Cruisers: Ready for the Adventure
Cruise Specialists has some of the most dedicated clients around when it comes to longer voyages and World Cruises. Oceania Cruises is one cruise line that embarked World Cruise passengers in January 2022, on an albeit different World Cruise itinerary than planned. We had a contingent of clients on board who were up for the adventure. Gary and Deb, clients of Cruise Consultant Diane Ritchey, provided us with periodic emails about their voyage, and recognized in a rather humorous way, the possibility of some alterations to port calls if deemed necessary:
“We love being aboard Insignia, and a magical mystery tour to anywhere will be terrific. Next stop is back-to-the-future in Los Angeles, and points east!”
Due to our relationship with Oceania Cruises, Cruise Specialists was also able to provide several on board receptions for our clients on this cruise.
As travelers continue to move forward with plans, the remainder of 2022 is predicted to be as busy a year for cruising as 2019. Our client Leith summed it up when she wrote, “If I could write one sentence to people ‘on the fence’ about returning to cruising now, I’d say, ‘What are you waiting for?
Life is short… get yourself on a SHIP!’”
