Ahoy!

Welcome to the latest edition of my Vacation Views from the Crow’s Nest. This week in my Horizon Scan I look at what the cruise industry is doing to mitigate the impacts of overtourism, share a Traveller Tip on the importance of insurance, and remind you that you can still take advantage of our Ultimate Getaway Sale in this week’s Sail Savings. So, let’s cast off and get started!

Overtourism - too much of a good thing

First, let’s unpack the term "overtourism" because it manifests itself differently by destination. For some, it means cultural erosion, like recent events in Barcelona. For others, it involves architectural degradation (as seen in Venice) or environmental impacts (e.g., Amsterdam). The influx of tens of thousands of cruise passengers at once understandably frustrates local residents.

The cruise industry acknowledges this risk and is working with governments and tourism bureaus to manage overtourism better. Cities like Dubrovnik have taken the lead by limiting cruise ship arrivals, and other ports are following suit. New visitor taxes are being introduced to fund infrastructure and preservation efforts. Part of this includes port upgrades to allow ships to use shore power instead of running their engines.

The industry is also adapting by developing new itineraries and ports of call to secure berths, as fewer ships will be permitted. To meet its goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, cruise lines are investing in engine technologies that allow for renewable energy use, such as biodiesel, LNG, and shore power.

Consumers should be aware that accessing some destinations may become more challenging. Cruise lines are releasing new itineraries well in advance; for example, Carnival has already partially released its 2027 Alaska sailings. Booking early may be necessary for popular destinations.

Additionally, expect some destination taxes to be passed on to travelers. Cozumel recently announced a $5.00 per passenger charge for infrastructure and tourism development, and Venice has begun charging tour buses. These fees will likely result in a marginal increase in overall cruise costs.

I will continue to monitor these changes and keep you informed about their impact on your travel plans. In the meantime, here are three suggestions to help mitigate overtourism:

1. Travel during shoulder seasons: This can reduce the impact on destinations and potentially save you money.

2. Check ship capacity and port congestion: Fewer ships and tourists in port can enhance your overall experience.

3. Consider the impact of your shore activities: Support local businesses, buy sustainable souvenirs, and use eco-friendly transportation options.

Expect the Unexpected

Think carefully before forgoing vacation insurance. This week, CTV News reported on travelers who missed their cruise and lost thousands of dollars due to mechanical issues with their Via Rail train. Unfortunately, they didn’t have travel insurance, which would have refunded their money.

For a relatively small additional cost—about 10% of the vacation's total value—travel insurance can cover unexpected events, which are becoming more frequent. Climate-related incidents, last-minute health problems, and geopolitical unrest are just a few examples of situations that can lead to refunds, even for non-refundable expenses.

Here’s a tip to save on insurance costs: consider insuring only the portion of the vacation you can’t afford to lose. For example, if your trip to Bora Bora costs $20,000, but you can comfortably absorb a $2,000 loss, insure the trip for $18,000. This approach could cut your trip cancellation insurance costs by a disproportionate amount and save you money. Just know that you have to buy this insurance within 72hrs of your initial booking.

Given the increasing likelihood of unexpected events, travel insurance is more valuable than ever. Don’t overlook it!

Finally a special shoutout to Laura G. for informing us that PBS has a new series starting September 11 called World Greatest Cruises with Lynn Elmhirst. From the description ‘World’s Greatest Cruises celebrates the romantic traditions, fascinating ships, and transformative destinations of modern-day cruising - a style of travel that continues to grow in popularity.’ Mark your calendars and thank you Laura!

Sail Savings and other Vacation Values

Here are two exceptional sail savings I want to inform you of with additional Expedia Extra offers that I can offer.

1. Ultimate Getaway Sale – Book select sailings by September 10 and enjoy one or more of our Expedia Extras like pre-paid gratuities, reduced deposit, on board credit and speciality dining to name a few.

2. Cunard Cruise Lines –Big Balcony Event continues through September 30 and can include reduced deposit (12%), flexible booking windows and even more on board credits. There may be no better time to book that affordable luxury cruise vacation!

That concludes this edition of my Vacation Views from Crow’s Nest. The next edition will be sent on September 21.  Please reach out to allow me to provide a quote for your next dream vacation and feel free to share this with colleagues and friends!