Yesterday, the European Union announced that it would welcome fully vaccinated travelers as well as unvaccinated travelers from Covid-safe countries (the list of those countries is expected to be released on Friday). While details are pending, the new measures could go into effect as early as next week.
The news comes as a big step forward for river cruisers like us. We not only will be allowed to travel to Europe again at long last but also will be able to enter E.U. countries without having to quarantine.
River cruise companies have been quick to respond. This morning, Scenic and Emerald wrote to us to say that they plan to restart on Portugal’s Douro river beginning in late July. In the afternoon, we heard from Uniworld, which will resume cruising on June 20 in Italy and in France on June 27.
Strasbourg-based CroisiEurope told us last week that its ships are expected to begin sailing again as early as next month. We expect AmaWaterways and Avalon to resume cruises in late June or early July. Viking cranks up again in July. Crystal River Cruises says it won’t start up operations again until the end of August.
There are mixed messages about traveling to Europe, though. As of this writing, the CDC recommends against travel to many E.U. countries, including all of the countries in Europe where there are river cruises. The CDC’s recommendation, however, seems to contradict its own updated advice that vaccinated Americans can safely resume travel.
What is certain is that travelers are being cautious, not only with health protocols but also with protecting their travel investments. Our contacts at Insure My Trip tell us that they have seen an increase in travelers opting for CFAR (Cancel For Any Reason) trip insurance, in case those travelers want to back out of their vacation plans. We highly recommend CFAR.
Also unclear is whether negative PCR tests will be required for vaccinated visitors entering Europe. Some E.U. countries will require a negative test less than 72 hours before departure. Others may require tests upon arrival. Again, details are still being worked out. Italy’s rules are complex. Visitors from the U.S., for example, will require a test and a 10-day quarantine, unless they take “Covid-tested flights” and meet other requirements. France will make PCR tests available free of charge to all visitors this summer, but details are murky. Rules vary by country and with 27 EU countries, the differing requirements are too varied for us to cover in this post.
In a conversation with CroisiEurope last week, a company spokesperson told us that bookings for the summer have surged since President Emmanuel Macron announced a June 9 easing of travel restrictions for foreigners. Moreover, case numbers and positivity rates in France have been dropping. Nearly 31 percent of the French population has received at least one jab of the vaccine. The number of vaccinated is expected to rise as universal eligibility for vaccinations opens for adults in France on June 15. Museums and cultural sites are reopening, as are restaurants and cafes.
There was more good news yesterday. Abbott Laboratories and United Airlines announced that they are partnering to make an “at-home” Covid test available that meets CDC guidelines for travelers returning from Europe. We expect river cruise companies and other airlines will be coming up with similar solutions to satisfy the CDC requirement for proof of a negative Covid-19 test result three days before boarding a flight returning to the United States.
As of now, there still are many questions. The CDC’s relaxing of masks among vaccinated people would seem to suggest that river cruisers in Europe (where the CDC has no authority) will not have to mask up. Don’t get us wrong: We have no problem with wearing masks but, of course, prefer to go bare-faced. Will we need a booster vaccination? We received the second of our two doses in late March. The vaccines are proving to be effective for at least six months, but beyond that, it’s too early to say.
What all of this says to us is that early summer cruises will be off to a slow start, and there will likely be some bumps along the way. Things are poised to pick up late summer and it should be smooth sailing by early fall.
This week’s news comes as welcome news, and it does seem that the world is returning to normal, and that many of us will be river cruising in Europe once again before the year is out.
If you’d like to join any of our hosted trips this year or next, see this link or email us. Here’s a list of what’s still available.
- September 23-October 3, 2021 Amsterdam roundtrip on Crystal Bach from $5,599 per person
- October 4-October 11, 2021 Budapest roundtrip on Emily Bronte from $3,569 per person
- October 21-27, 2021 Barging Besançon to Montbéliard with singer/songwriter David Wilcox from $4,095 per person
- April 8-14, 2022 Barging Alsace from LaGarde to Strasbourg from $3,495 per person, 1 cabin available
- April 16-22, 2022 Barging Burgundy from Dijon to Bescancon from $3,495 per person, 1 cabin available
Edward says
Ralph it looks like we are good to go in September on both of the cruises do you know why Crystal is not starting until the end or into August
Have you heard anything from Riviera as to when they are going to start to cruise in Europe
Ralph Grizzle says
Hi Ed, River cruise companies are updating daily. We just heard from AmaWaterways today, for example. They’ll begin in July. I expect we’ll hear from Riviera next week.