Are North America adventures happening this summer?

[Luv2trav]

I can't seem to figure this out. Sorry if it's a repeat question. We are considering one of the ABD MT, AK or WY for this summer. Have they been cancelling these?

 

[AquaDame]

I can't seem to figure this out. Sorry if it's a repeat question. We are considering one of the ABD MT, AK or WY for this summer. Have they been cancelling these?

Currently they have two Arizona/Utah trips that they have NOT cancelled in March, as well as one Costa Rica trip in March, whereas all others have been cancelled. If history holds they should have started cancelling more of the April trips within the last few days but there has been no announcement yet, so maybe they are going to change their MO soon... or they were just busy with releasing the Antarctica and river cruise trips last week.

 

[Luv2trav]

Currently they have two Arizona/Utah trips that they have NOT cancelled in March, as well as one Costa Rica trip in March, whereas all others have been cancelled. If history holds they should have started cancelling more of the April trips within the last few days but there has been no announcement yet, so maybe they are going to change their MO soon... or they were just busy with releasing the Antarctica and river cruise trips last week.

thank you. We have already done the AZ/UT trip and loved it. I guess we will plan another time.

 

[sayhello]

thank you. We have already done the AZ/** trip and loved it. I guess we will plan another time.

The cancellations ABD has announced currently only go through through March 31st of this year (plus a couple of Disneyland trips in April were cancelled). Other than that, the current 2021 schedule from April 2021 on is still, for the most part, intact. So you can still plan a trip for this summer. Whether they actually go or not is up for debate, but you are free to book trips for this summer if you want to.

Check out the schedules on the ABD website.

Sayhello

 

[Luv2trav]

The cancellations ABD has announced currently only go through through March 31st of this year (plus a couple of Disneyland trips in April were cancelled). Other than that, the current 2021 schedule from April 2021 on is still, for the most part, intact. So you can still plan a trip for this summer. Whether they actually go or not is up for debate, but you are free to book trips for this summer if you want to.

Check out the schedules on the ABD website.

Sayhello

Thank you.. I think we will try and plan for next year. Too much up in the air right now. I would really love to take another. We loved our one and only ABD and can't wait to try it again.

 

[sayhello]

Thank you.. I think we will try and plan for next year. Too much up in the air right now. I would really love to take another. We loved our one and only ABD and can't wait to try it again.

*IF* things go as normal, the schedule for the regular land ABDs for Summer 2022 should be announced some time in May. The River Cruises and Expedition Cruises for 2022 were just announced a couple of weeks ago.

ABDs *are* addictive.

Sayhello

 

[Luv2trav]

*IF* things go as normal, the schedule for the regular land ABDs for Summer 2022 should be announced some time in May. The River Cruises and Expedition Cruises for 2022 were just announced a couple of weeks ago.

ABDs *are* addictive.

Sayhello

Our original plans for this coming summer were to take a Disney Med Cruise but we gave up on that long ago. We have considered the river cruises as well. They look amazing. We are considering both for summer 2022. I am trying to determine what my children would enjoy more they are no longer "kids" at 17 and 19 and come next year both will be adult children. I will keep an eye on this summer North America adventures. I am hoping a lot changes for the virus in the next few months. I may be too optimistic..

 

[TXTransplant]

I'd be curious to hear about anyone's domestic trips (not necessarily just ABD). We are rebooked with Nat Geo to go to Alaska. I vacillate between "Surely they can't cancel travel for another summer!" and "We are never going to be able to travel again!"

Under normal circumstances, I would have booked airline tickets by now (and they are a GREAT price), but we were instructed by Nat Geo to wait for their green light.

The only thing I have done is booked a fully-refundable Airbnb for a few pre-days.

Alaska is open to tourists, if you provide proof of a negative PCR test taken 72 hours before arrival, or show proof that you have recovered from infection within the last 90 days, so the state appears to be taking a sensible approach.

My hope is that my son and I can get vaccinated before the trip and hopefully all of this will be a non-issue for vaccinated travelers.

 

[Mathmagicland]

H

I'd be curious to hear about anyone's domestic trips (not necessarily just ABD). We are rebooked with Nat Geo to go to Alaska.

Hopefully your NatGeo does not include cruising in Canadian waters. Canada today announced their large cruise ship bans in Canadian waters is extended through 2/28/2022. That seems to pretty much eliminate most Alaska cruises for the summer season.

 

[sayhello]

Hopefully your NatGeo does not include cruising in Canadian waters. Canada today announced their large cruise ship bans in Canadian waters is extended through 2/28/2022. That seems to pretty much eliminate most Alaska cruises for the summer season.

I mean, it's *possible* to get to Alaska without going through Canadian waters, but it would have to be a closed loop cruise from/back to Seattle without the foreign port stop in Vancouver or Vancouver Island. They'd have to sail way out from the west side of Vancouver island and really far off the coast in International waters until they hit US waters again somewhere between Prince Rupert Island and Ketchikan. And the water can be pretty rough out there. No idea how much transit time that might add on to the itinerary, too.

ETA: Well, actually, after looking at some of NatGeo's Alaska cruises, at least some of their Expedition ships are registered in the USA, so they aren't required to have the foreign port stop according to the Jones Act. For instance, they have one that starts in Juneau and ends in Sitka. So hopefully @TXTransplant's ship is one of those, because they don't go near Canadian waters.

Sayhello

 

[TXTransplant]

H

Hopefully your NatGeo does not include cruising in Canadian waters. Canada today announced their large cruise ship bans in Canadian waters is extended through 2/28/2022. That seems to pretty much eliminate most Alaska cruises for the summer season.

It does not include a cruise at all. We are booked on a land-only trip. Somewhat similar itinerary to the ABD land-based trip.

 

[aggiedog]

Some may be impacted by staffing, etc, at national parks. I was supposed to go to Glacier last summer on a DIY trip, and canceled and moved everything to this summer so I've been keeping a close eye on the projected status of the park. Many of the same problems from last year may still plague this year - limited lodging, limited access, limited staffing, and plain uncertainty.

 

[sayhello]

It does not include a cruise at all. We are booked on a land-only trip. Somewhat similar itinerary to the ABD land-based trip.

Oh, that's good!

Sayhello

 

[TXTransplant]

My son was just offered the vaccine! We have an appt on Tuesday. I'm optimistic this is a good sign!

 

[TXTransplant]

So, my 90 day final payment is due very soon. I just messaged Nat Geo, and they have cancelled all trips through the end of April. Beyond that, they were no help whatsoever. Their standard policy (even pre-Covid) is to tell guests to not to buy plane tickets until they give you the "ok" - which obviously they haven't done.

Alaska has pretty reasonable travel requirements - just a negative PCR test within 72 hours of entry. Since my son will have been vaccinated, and I've already had Covid (and should have antibodies), I am not concerned about getting a negative test.

So, I think I'm going to start calling around today to see if I can book anything during the dates of our Nat Geo trip. From what I can tell, all the hotels have very lenient cancellation policies. Fingers crossed they will still have availability. I really want to stay at Denali Backcountry Lodge (which is part of our Nat Geo trip), but who knows if there is any availability, especially since these big tour companies are taking up reservation space.

Unfortunately, since my trip isn't until June, I can't cancel with Nat Geo and get my deposit back.

 

[TXTransplant]

Just FYI...I just rebooked our trip to Alaska (I think I may transfer our Nat Geo deposit to a Yellowstone trip over Christmas).

Anyway, the travel agent at Pursuit Alaska who booked our new trip said they JUST lifted the negative test requirement. It's suggested, but not mandatory.

She did say some excursions (particularly ones that involve aircraft) may still require a negative test.

Edit: I guess this was announced a couple of weeks ago. But it didn't get a lot of attention, and there are websites that have not been updated to show the policy change.