You know Q is a proud member of Virtuoso, the world’s largest network in luxury and experiential travel. That means that our clients have access to promotions and benefits not available to others on many cruises or hotel stays.

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Celebrity Edge will start sailing from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale on June 26, 2021.  She will alternate Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries, 7 nights long. The Eastern Caribbean itinerary includes long-time favorite ports like Nassau in the Bahamas; St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands and St. Maarten. The Western Caribbean itinerary will take cruise guests to Roatan, Honduras; Costa Maya and Cozumel in Mexico and Nassau in the Bahamas.

Captain Kate McCue, the first and still only female American ocean cruise captain, will have the honor of leading the fleet – and the industry – back into operation.

Vaccinations Required

Celebrity Edge was given the green light by the CDC to be the first ship back in the water, having met all new standards for providing a healthy cruise experience for its guests and crew.  Celebrity Edge will sail with a vaccinated crew.  US guests 16 years and older must be fully vaccinated, with all COVID-19 vaccine doses administered at least 14 days prior to sailing.  (As of August 1, 2021, all US guests age 12 and older must be fully vaccinated.)

Updated guidelines from the CDC also allows the cruise lines to make further adjustments to onboard protocol. In addition, physical changes to ships – in terms of fresh air and ventilation systems; more space in restaurants and other areas; and many more safeguards are implemented to make each cruise comfortable and healthy.

But wait, there’s more!

Over the past few weeks, more and more cruise lines have announced their new summer 2021 itineraries. And these “new” cruises typically requiring passengers and crew to be vaccinated.  As the CDC and other government bodies continue to update and publish guidelines for (cruise) travel, some restrictions are being lifted or relaxed.  We expect that this will continue over the next few months.

Here are a few other cruise options that have been announced.  Call us for details!

• Celebrity Millennium, Windstar from St. Maarten to the Caribbean
• Celebrity Summit, Royal Caribbean Ovation of the Seas and Serenade of the Seas from Seattle to Alaska
• Celebrity Apex; Seabourn Ovation; Silversea’s Silver Moon, Azamara Quest, Norwegian Jade, Holland America ms Eurodam and others from Athens to the Greek Isles, Israel, Cyprus
• Norwegian Joy from Jamaica to the Caribbean.
• Norwegian Gem from La Romana, Dominican Republic to the Caribbean.
• Crystal Serenity, Royal Caribbean’s Adventure of the Seas from Nassau through the Bahamas
• Seabourn Odyssey from Barbados to the Caribbean
• Silversea Silver Origin, Lindblad Expeditions and Celebrity Flora, Celebrity Xploration and Celebrity Xpedition in the Galapagos
• Crystal Endeavor in Iceland.
• Crystal Symphony from Antigua and St. Maarten to the Caribbean.
• Viking Venus and Viking Sea from Malta to Greece and the Adriatic coast.

We are excited at this latest news and hope you are too!  But we realize that some of the new travel requirements can be a bit intimidating or confusing at first, so give your Cruise Travel Specialists at Q a call if you’d like to know more about cruise travel on Celebrity Edge or others in the summer of 2021.

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The anticipation of travel is a powerful boost to one’s mood.  And after a year of mandatory home “confinement”, we all need that boost! In our last blog post I talked about how excited our (almost) fully vaccinated clients are to travel again. Our phones have been ringing off the hook. Clients are asking us “Where can I travel now?” Some want to get going as soon possible and here are the last-minute trips they ask us to plan, mostly in nearby destinations.  Others look further ahead, knowing that this “I’ve got a trip to look forward to” lift will help them cope as we whittle our way out of the pandemic.

What ten travel trends are the travel advisors at Q seeing for late 2021, 2022 and beyond?

Here are ten trends we are seeing for post-pandemic travel:

1)  Pity the procrastinator!

Our clients are eager to make up for a “wasted” 2020 and 2021. Availability, especially for unique experiences – think one-off or seasonal itineraries, luxury suites on ships or in hotels, private villas – is limited and fares are going up. To get what you want, it pays to plan ahead.  We’ve been working on many trips in late 2021, 2022 and even into 2023.

2)  Bigger/Longer/Better

Annual vacation travel is a given for most of our clients.  After having been forced to stay put for over a year, our clients now allow themselves to make up for it. Many choose to apply their 2020 vacation days and budget to a longer trip in late 2021 or 2022.

We also see a trend for bigger and better: travelers treat themselves to a balcony room or suite on a cruise. Others upgrade to a for their vacation. Why? Some appreciate the fresh air and built-in social distancing more spacious accommodation offers. And others feel they and their families deserve some pampering after a year at home.

3)  World Cruises and Grand Voyages

Tying in with bigger/longer/better, we’ve seen a surge for world cruises and grand voyages. Oceania Cruises famously announced that its 2023 180-days world cruise sold out within one day of opening for sale to the general public. Regent Seven Seas sold all penthouse suites and above on its 2023 world cruise (143-nights from Miami to Barcelona) within hours after opening it for reservations.

We also see more unique itineraries.  For example, Silversea’s 2023 World Cruise (themed “South Side Story: all the world’s a stage”) visits 66 destinations, of which 40 are new to a Silversea world cruise: unusual destinations like Antarctica, the Amazon, Papua New Guinea, in addition to more traditional marquee ports like Sydney, Auckland, Hong Kong and Cape Town.

100 years since the first world cruise

Talking about tradition: did you know that the first world voyage ever took place in 1923, on Cunard Line’s Laconia? In 2023, Cunard takes the opportunity to celebrate 100 years of world cruises.  Queen Mary 2 will sail 117-nights roundtrip from New York City, to places like Colombo, Hong Kong and Singapore, while Queen Victoria sails a 92-night itinerary from New York to Southampton with stops in Hong Kong, New York City, Singapore, Honolulu and the Panama Canal.

But bigger/better and especially longer does not work for everyone, so clients also contact us for shorter segments of these epic voyages in 2022 or 2023.

4)  Private Homes, Villas and Apartments

Another trend: clients “vant to be alone” with their own. Whether we’re talking family or a group of friends, more and more are asking about , apartments or home rentals.

With social distancing in a more controlled environment, a private home on vacation guarantees plenty of space to get together with your friends and family. Pool party?

Like us, our clients care about cleanliness and safety standards, so we don’t rely on the average apartment rental website. We only recommend accommodations vetted through our trusted partners.  (And if grocery shopping or cooking is not your idea of vacation, we can have our onsite partners take care of that for you.)

5)  Private Motorboats and Sailing Yachts

Ever considered ? Not every private yacht has to be a “Below Deck” superyacht. (Although we can organize those too!)  Clients ask us about private yachts from 2 to 12 guests all the time. Savvy sailors operate their own motorboat or catamaran, while we can arrange a crew (with gourmet chef, if you like) for novice boaters.

6)  Private Planes and Globe-spanning Private Jet Journeys

If you’ve ever flown on a private jet, you know why people love it. Time savings, control, privacy. You pick your departure and arrival airports (goodbye mega-hub hours away from your origin or destination), you decide when you take off (hello check-in only 15 minutes before departure); nonstop flights (goodbye Auntie Anne’s pretzel smell at hub airport). Your plane is ready for you when you are, not the other way around.  The extra level of luxury helps too. Glass of champagne, anyone?

Clients also appreciate that private jets keep them from having to share a commercial flight with 200 or more of their best friends. And as airlines offer fewer scheduled flights from smaller destinations, the potential to save time on a private jet is even larger. Once you’re used to luxury travel, it is hard to step back. So we anticipate that private jets are going to stick around, especially when traveling with a group (which helps keep costs in check).

A world “cruise” by private jet

Another trend: combining the variety and far-away-destinations of a world cruise with the efficiency, speed and comfort of a private jet.

Instead of cruising around the world by ship in 80 days or more, . Or enjoy the from the US to see a veritable Noah’s Ark: snow monkeys in Japan; orangutans in Malaysia; whale sharks in the Philippines; Bengal tigers in India; Gorillas in Rwanda and the Big Five in Kenya.

And those who fear seasickness on the Drake Passage to Antarctica (or want to maximize time) ask us about “Flying the Drake”.  We can even arrange a private jet to a “safari camp” in Antarctica, with a side trip to the geographic South Pole!

7)  Festive Fun

Whatever you celebrate, Independence Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, it is all less fun on your own. Staying home in 2020 has been hard on families. So many of our clients are looking forward to celebrating the holidays together in 2021. We’ve had questions about and the Caribbean (the best sell out far in advance, especially if you need connecting rooms or villas to accommodate your (grand)children!); an ; a ; a relaxing and a trip to celebrate Hogmanay in Scotland.  Once again, the early bird catches the worm!

8)  Looking and Booking Far Ahead…

With 3 years of demand being pushed into barely 1.5 year of supply, 2022 will be a very busy travel year. Some of the best suites on ships and hotels are already sold out, and fares are generally 25% higher than in previous years due to the additional demand.

Small capacity accommodations like safari lodges, villas but also small group escorted vacations and expeditions are also getting more limited in availability.

Trend: planning ahead now for vacations in 2022 and even 2023 will maximize your vacation dollar and  anticipation enjoyment.

9)  And Far Away…

After a year close to home, our clients appear to now want to go as far away as possible: and Europe are always popular, but Asia, Africa, Australia and Antarctica are top of the list for many of our new enquiries.

10)  Ask the Advisor

When the borders closed at the beginning of the pandemic, the advisors at Q helped our clients to get home from places as far away as Australia and South America. Our excellent relationships with many of our partners and countless hours working resulted in the best available refunds, credits or other benefits for our clients.  Our goal is to help our clients in making the right travel decisions.

“Do It Yourself” no more

A development we’re seeing?  Former “DIY” travelers decided in 2020 that planning travel is no fun for them anymore, with everchanging COVID regulations, refund rules, cancelled flights/cruises/hotels, hours of telephone hold time with airlines or online travel agencies.

They realize now that, without a travel advisor, you are on your own.  Q clients never are.

It is exciting that more places are slowly opening up to welcome visitors. We realize that not everyone is ready for travel yet, and of course it is a personal decision. We just want you to know that, when you feel that the time is right for you, the team at Q will be here to help.

The post People Ask: I’ve been vaccinated. Where can I go? (Long term, long haul edition) appeared first on ĐÓ°É´«Ă˝.

My parents often joke that I get on planes like most people hop on buses. While it’s not unusual for me to log over 100,000 flight miles a year, a distinct lack of flying is yet another way in which 2020 is different.

Current travel regulations restrict most Americans from traveling to Europe.  But as a permanent resident of the US with a European passport, I fall in one of the exception categories.  That allowed me to fly across the Atlantic twice during this odd Coronavirus-time, to check in on my family in the Netherlands.

So how is international long-haul flying different right now?

In the Air: British Airways

While domestic flights are getting busier and busier, the aforementioned travel restrictions mean that most intercontinental flights are still very quiet.  A flight attendant told us that our recent British Airways flight between London and Miami only had 37 passengers – on an aircraft that normally seats over 210.  We were the only two in the large business class section of our 787. Lots of room, and of course very quiet.  No lines to use the toilets. And space galore for our carry-on luggage.

We received a warm welcome aboard (I think – it’s hard to see smiles when everyone wears a mask!) and a plastic baggie with a sachet of hand sanitizer and a disinfecting wipe.

Normally, few passengers would mean plenty of personal attention from the flight attendants.  But most airlines simplified their service routines to limit contact between passengers and crew.  So, while friendly, the stewards and stewardesses weren’t in the cabin nearly as much as they normally are.

British Airways simplified business class meal

On our 8-hour BA flight, no hot meals were provided.  Where previously business class meals were served in multiple courses, this time we were given a box with a prepackaged salad, a wrap, water, some cubed cheese, crackers and a sticky toffee pudding, all with plastic cutlery.  Champagne and wine were presented in single serve bottles with a plastic cup.  At least there were plenty of refills, and bottles of water galore, to stay hydrated!

All in all, the meal was tasty enough.  But if you’re expecting a Michelin-star meal, you’ll be disappointed!

And while simplified service may be a surprise in business class, of course, in economy your meal service is also more limited than usual.  Hopefully, the extra space to stretch out on an empty seat – or row – offsets some of the inconvenience.

Naturally, every airline has its own approach to flying during COVID-19.  So while some don’t offer hot meals, others manage to heat up a dish before serving it.

Also, no special meals (vegetarian, low sodium, etc.) were available – so if you normally request one, you might want to bring your own culinary delights on your next flight.

While you’re at it, bring sufficient face masks: you’ll be asked to wear one for the entire flight – except while eating or drinking.  (If you’re likely to forget to slip off your mask before taking a sip of wine, bring more masks.  And maybe a change of clothes…)

Finally: entertainment: we enjoyed the good size screen, the many movies (although it seemed they hadn’t been changed recently) and the noise-reducing headsets.  But you should know that there are no inflight magazines or newspapers onboard.  BA offers the option of downloading your reading material on PressReader instead.

On the ground

Don’t expect that your favorite pre-departure lounge is opened: many are closed completely.  As traffic is picking up again, airlines are slowly opening lounges, especially at gateway airports.  Walk in and you’ll find fewer seats, separated by Perspex screens, to allow for physical distancing.  Showers and spa services are closed.

At London Heathrow’s British Airways First Class lounge, self-service buffets and coffee stations are closed too. Instead, every table or group of seats has a QR-sticker. Scan the code on your own phone or tablet, pull up a menu and order online.  Within minutes, a lounge attendant will come right to your table with that full English breakfast or glass of Champagne you missed on your flight!

And when you get up to walk to your flight, don’t take it personally if a trusty employee sprays and disinfects your seat, ready for the next guest.

It was a very nice surprise to see how well BA managed operating its prime lounge at this time.

On the way home: KLM Royal Dutch Airways

KLM Crown Lounge Amsterdam Airport

We flew KLM Royal Dutch Airlines from Amsterdam back to Chicago. Amsterdam Schiphol Airport was much quieter than usual, but there was still excellent duty free shopping, a quick visit to the Rijksmuseum location at the airport, and of course KLM’s Crown Lounge in the non-Schengen portion of the airport – almost empty.

While KLM provided an adjusted service too, it was more extensive than British Airways’ – hot meals, regular sized Champagne bottles. We enjoyed a variety of snacks en route, more contact with the cabin attendants.  And we are pleased to see that KLM still hands out those very collectible Delft Blue houses at the end of a business class flight! Very enjoyable, overall.

Summarizing

It was great to be back in the air!  We felt safe throughout the experience.  Yes, the flying experience is different and requires some adjustments.  But the silver lining includes fewer lines, more space, and of course, we were happy to be back in Europe once more.

The post The New Long-Haul Flying: Transatlantic during COVID appeared first on ĐÓ°É´«Ă˝.

The coronavirus pandemic has brought travel to a near standstill – and changed the way we’ll think about exploring in the near future. And while we’re sad about the trips we’ve had to postpone – Italy, Switzerland, and Santa Fe, to name a few – we know they’ll be back on the calendar soon.

Until then, we’re channeling Lake Como’s classic charm while sipping Aperol spritzes in our yards, , and finding new ways to support our global community from home.

On that note, we believe in the positive and transformative power of travel as a force for good. As global citizens, we have a responsibility to stand up for equality and denounce racism, both at home and abroad. Travel embraces all colors and cultures, and celebrates what humankind shares in common as well as the differences. In a world that can feel deeply divided, travel unites.

These most-read stories of the year (so far) on and blog are some of our favorite ways to keep dreaming.

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Do you find yourself with some extra time to dream? Do you want to keep your little ones entertained? Or maybe you just want to relax and learn more about our magnificent world?  The Q team suggests a few places to explore, from the comfort of your armchair:

• , including the Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, MusĂ©e d’Orsay in Paris and the Guggenheim in New York via this Travel +Leisure article.
• with &Beyond WildWatch Live. Adults and kids can interact with guides on Youtube and Twitter.
• ’s family issue
• What is it like to with Quark Expeditions?
• Read up on your next adventure, with the
• Our – with book picks, podcasts, travel memories and more.

Like many of you, we can’t wait to travel again, but for now, please stay home, stay safe, and stay in touch.

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As part of Virtuoso’s Culinary Travel Community, Agnes looks forward to sharing the latest developments and hot properties in food and wine travel with her clients. She is the perfect contact for culinary focused travel, romantic getaways to California wine country or vacations to Poland and Eastern Europe and more.

View Agnes D’Astice’s profile for contact details and more information about this culinary explorer.

The post Q welcomes Agnes D’Astice appeared first on ĐÓ°É´«Ă˝.

Want to learn more about barge cruises?  Wondering what the difference is between a “regular” river cruise and a barge cruise? Intrigued whether this is the right type of vacation for you? Want to find the perfect way to charter a river barge for a small friends and family group? Find out during our barge river cruise event!

Join the Q Team to learn more about barge cruises on Wednesday, April 18, 2018 during our Barge Cruise & Croissant event presentation in Chicago at the ĐÓ°É´«Ă˝ office at 980 N. Michigan Avenue, suite 1235 from 10:30-11:30am.  You’ll have the opportunity to find out how a river barge cruise is a great way to explore the French or Dutch country side, as well as some other locations in Europe. Ask our guest presenter as well as the cruise experts at ĐÓ°É´«Ă˝ all about barge cruises.

Simply call Ben at Q now to RSVP, then join us on April 18 to enjoy a coffee and croissant, learn more about this perfect way to explore off-the-beaten-path places in Europe and benefit from special barge cruise offers that are only available to attendees, and meet the cruise and travel experts of ĐÓ°É´«Ă˝.

What you should know:

• Barge Cruise Presentation
• Coffee and Croissant refreshments
• Wednesday, April 18, 2018 from 10:30-11:30am
• Location: ĐÓ°É´«Ă˝, 980 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 1235, Chicago, IL (corner of Michigan Avenue and Oak Street, across from the Drake Hotel)
• Attendance is complimentary
• RSVP required by Friday, April 13, 2018.  Please call Ben Leuciuc at Q at (312) 266 7447, ext. 802 or via email to let us know you’d like to attend.  Space is limited.

We look forward to welcoming you!

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Interested in river cruises?  Intrigued whether this is the right type of vacation for you?   Now is your chance to find out!

Join the Q Team to learn more about river cruise travel on Tuesday, February 6, 2018 during our Avalon Waterways River Cruise presentation in Chicago at the ĐÓ°É´«Ă˝ office at 980 N. Michigan Avenue.  You’ll have the opportunity to find out why river cruising is a great way to explore the world, and to ask our guest presenter, Sharon Pendergast from Avalon Waterways, as well as the river cruise experts at ĐÓ°É´«Ă˝ all about river cruises.

During a casual evening presentation, experience what awaits you on Avalon Waterways. Whether you wish to sail through Europe down the legendary Danube or wind through Southeast Asia down the Irrawady River or the mighty Mekong, you’ll see that Avalon Waterways changes the way you see the world.

You’ll hear about the unique Active Discovery Cruises offered only by Avalon Waterways, why river cruising is wonderful for solo travelers, the “Avalon Fresh” healthy dining options developed together by Avalon with two of Europe’s rising culinary stars and much more.

Simply call Ben at Q now to RSVP, then join us on February 6 to enjoy some light refreshments, benefit from special river cruise offers that are only available to attendees and meet the cruise and travel experts of ĐÓ°É´«Ă˝.

What you should know:

• Avalon Waterways River Cruise Presentation
• Guest presentation by Sharon Pendergast from Avalon Waterways
• Tuesday, February 6, 2018 from 6:00 – 7:30pm
• Presentation starts at 6:30pm
• Location: ĐÓ°É´«Ă˝, 980 N. Michigan Avenue, 6h floor Conference Room, Chicago, IL (corner of Michigan Avenue and Oak Street, across from the Drake Hotel)
• Attendance is complimentary
• RSVP required by January 31, 2018.  Please call Ben Leuciuc at Q at (312) 266 7447, ext. 802 or via email to let us know you’d like to attend.  Space is limited.

We look forward to welcoming you!

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Some of our clients confuse a river cruise with a European barge cruise, so we’d like to take a moment to explain the difference:

European River Cruise

A river cruise is a very popular way to vacation on rivers around the world, with purpose-built ships that accommodate (in Europe) from 100 to 190 guests. They are a wonderful way to explore the heart of a country or even continent, including Europe, Asia, Africa and even the Amazon. Daily excursions, fresh, local food and more is included. Itineraries can take you through multiple countries and along reasonable distances: think Amsterdam to Basel, via Holland, Germany and Switzerland; or from Budapest to Nuremberg.  To learn more about river cruises, visit our river cruise page.

Relax on deck of your private river barge

European Barge Cruise

A European barge cruise is very different: in Europe, historic waterways, canals and rivers meander through the European countryside. Many of these waterways and canals were used to transport cargo by small boats, also known as barges.  A number of these barges were extensively renovated and redesigned, and now serve as floating boutique hotels that welcome small groups of guests to some of the most scenic areas of France, the Netherlands during tulip time, and even England, Scotland, Ireland and Italy. During a European barge cruise, you would only sail about 50 miles a week, at a speed of only about 4 miles an hour or so. That allows you to really slow down and take it easy as you truly get to know the area you’re exploring.

While the word “barge” may not conjure up images of luxury, the barges we work with range from “3 to 6 stars”. Think of your (almost) private boat with a dedicated, English-speaking crew led by an expert Captain, comfortable cabins with private facilities, bikes to explore the countryside, a tour guide to coordinate visits to local sights, wineries, museums and more.  A private Chef creates fresh, local meals. A fully stocked bar is included. And yes, you will enjoy creature comforts like air-conditioning, heating, daily maid service, toiletries, hair dryers, Wi-Fi (that will be slower than you’re used to at home).

Since many luxury barges only accommodate as few as 6 or 8 guests (although some can host as many as 22), they are perfect for a getaway with friends or extended family. The team at Q can easily charter one for the exclusive use of your party, although on some you can also simply join other travelers.

Who will enjoy a European Barge Cruise?

Here are some key interests of many European barge cruise enthusiasts: regional, seasonal food; the opportunity to connect with your fellow travelers; relaxing, reading or chatting on deck as you take in the scenery while the barge slowly cruises to a new destination; learning more about the region you’re visiting with your own tour guide; enjoying a glass of wine or two with some regional cheeses; exploring local markets, chateaux, museums.

Once you’re on your barge, pretty much everything (other than gratuities) is included, so you don’t need to worry about being nickled and dimed. Since the service onboard is highly personalized, fares per person start at about $3,500 to $5,000 per person for a week-long European barge cruise.

Sound like you? Give us a call, and we’ll help you find out whether a European barge cruise is something for you.

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