Is a Home Port Cruise the Ideal Vacation for 2022? – All Things Cruise

Air travel makes the news every day.  The news often leads off with stories about flight delays and spending time in crowded airports.  Is this the ideal time to book a cruise and take advantage of sailing soon fares?  It’s easy to make the case the answer is yes.  Here’s why:

1. Home port cruising means no airline flights. If you are a US resident and live on the East, West or Gulf coasts, there is likely a homeport city within driving distance.  If you live in the Midwest, an American river cruise is a possibility. Your travel agent can help with the research.  Cruising from a nearby city means you avoid airports.
2. Leave and return to the same city. Many cruise lines offer 7 night and 14 night sailings that return to the same dock as where they started.  There are no flights involved.
3. Drive your own car.   Drive home.  If you are sailing from a nearby city you can drive to the pier, park your car and board the ship.  When you dock on your return home, it is reassuring to see your car from your balcony.  You are paying for parking, but the transportation to and from the ship is under your control.
4. Cruise lines take Covid resting seriously. Although rules can change, when we sailed this year, all passengers were required to both be vaccinated and test negative before boarding.  Testing took place during the voyage and before arrival.  The ship provides the services, you do not need to find a third party provider.  If the ship were to charge, the cost will likely be reasonable.
5. Protocols abound aboard. The ship is not a time machine, transporting you back to 2019.  The authorities put a series of procedures in place regarding masking and social distancing.  People on board want to be there.  Everyone agreed that they would abide by the rules.
6. You are outdoors as much as you like. You are sailing in the summer (or fall).  You want to be outside.  A moving ship provides a constant breeze.  Generally speaking, you are not confined indoors with crowds of people.
7. Most cabins have a balcony. The ships are proud of their air filtration systems.  If you are ultra careful, you have a balcony and a door.  You can get as much fresh air as you like.
8. Ships are setup for isolation. Most ships are likely not sailing at full capacity.  Isolation and quarantine cabins are designated for new crew joining the ship or passengers who tested positive during the voyage.  If anyone tests positive, they can be in isolated area.
9. Port protocols take precedence. If an island has tougher Covid rules, the ship aligns its protocols accordingly during the visit.  Rules are respected.
10. Private islands. Some cruise lines have their own islands in the Bahamas.  It’s almost an extension of the ship.  You go ashore and mingle with your fellow passengers and cruise line personnel who are likely tested regularly.
11. Cruise fares are attractive. Airplanes aren’t that big.  Schedules have been cut during the pandemic.  The airlines have staffing problems.  Airfares can be on the expensive side.  Cruise ships are huge.  They have lots of capacity.  An unsold airline seat might mean the airlines isn’t making money on that seat for four hours.  An unsold cabin means the cruise linen isn’t making money on that cabin for seven days or longer.  Search for deals.

There is no way to completely eliminate risk; however, if you are comfortable with traveling yet want to avoid airports and planes, sailing to and from a home port is a good idea to consider.

Ed. Note: Browse Cruise Ships and Cruise Lines (cruisecompete.com)

Cover photo: Port of Miami © Dennis Cox/WorldViews