We have watched the news intently as travel slowly opens up around the world. Despite a few false starts there are some organizations and countries that seem to have found a way to make this happen. It is our hope that this will lead the way for others so that those of us waiting patiently, or not so patiently, to explore the world again can see this is a promising start.
The first to catch our attention was an online article with a link to the tourism site for Portugal, which can be found at www.visitportugal.com . The site includes tons of information about the requirements for flights into the country, who can fly and what precautions need to be 
taken, such as providing the positive results of a Covid-19 test completed within 72 hours before departure. There are lists of open sites and activities that also include the requirements for visiting. Simply put social distancing, hand sanitizing and wearing a mask are essential and required behaviours. Cleaning protocols are clearly laid out for tourist sites, hotels and beaches. Not only is this information helpful when planning a trip, it is also reassuring. Portugal has had less than half the coronavirus cases that Canada has so it remains a relatively safer country.
Next we watched closely as the MSC Grandiosa set sail from the port of Genoa Italy on August 16 for the first Mediterranean cruise since the coronavirus lockdown. The cruise line has implemented many of the protocols that were discussed by others since March and it was exciting to see how that has played out.
Passengers arrived at the terminal at staggered times to avoid overcrowding and were required to undergo temperature checks, health questionnaires and a Covid-19 swab test before boarding. The ship sailed at only 60% capacity to allow social distancing onboard. The crew were quarantined before sailing and required to take numerous Covid-19 testing throughout the voyage. On board the cleaning processes have been stepped up, including “hospital grade disinfectant and the use of UV-C light technology” according to a CNN online article.
Some problems did arise but were dealt with decisively. For example, a passenger tested positive upon arrival at the port and was denied boarding along with everyone else who had travelled in the van with them. In another example, a family left their shore excursion group to explore the port on their own and were subsequently denied re-boarding as they had left the safety of the “bubble” on the ship. Earlier cruises aboard two ships out of Norway did have Covid-19 outbreaks with both passengers and crew so it was reassuring to see that this cruise returned coronavirus free. The follow-up cruise left August 23 and so far has been event free.
Still Canadians are limited in what we can do now. The US CDC has extended its no sail order until at least September and if we do travel abroad self isolation is required upon our return. The US/Canadian border remains closed indefinitely and travel between provinces is not recommended for non-essential travel.
What is promising is the number of folks who are booking future cruises. The cruise lines are offering incentives to encourage future bookings such as cancellation and refund options right up until hours before cruising, perks, sales and other offers, even if not great prices to start. We have booked a couple of future cruises and when the price went down we called the cruise line and they, without hesitation, gave us the lower price, so I want to thank Norwegian Cruise Line for that.
We, like so many travel writers in these uncertain times, have guessed, predicted and conjectured about future travel after Covid-19. It is great to finally have some concrete information and experiences to draw upon. All I know is that what I am reading and hearing is for the most part positive. And that is all I need…for now!