Cruise Newsletter

Below is a copy of our current cruise newsletter. To subscribe to our weekly newsletter, absolutely free of charge, please click here. To email this newsletter to friends or family, click here. Please note that the FastDeals are subject to availability and sell out quickly.

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Dear Vacations To Go Customer,

I have two things to report this week that could have a significant impact on the restart of international travel.

First, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University, new cases of COVID-19 reached an all-time peak in the U.S. on January 11 and have plunged since then.

As seen on Worldometers.info, the 7-day moving average of new cases in the US was 254,858 on January 11 and has since fallen by 32% to 174,022 as of January 24. Click here to see current stats and follow in the future.

Similarly, the 7-day moving average of new cases in Canada peaked on January 9 at 8,885 and has fallen 38% to 5,537 as of January 24. Click here to see Canada's numbers.

It's important to recognize that the peak and decline happened before the rollout of vaccines had any significant impact. With multiple vaccines now approved and the delivery of vaccinations expected to accelerate, perhaps the battle against COVID-19 has reached the turning point.

New mutations in COVID-19 have raised the possibility that vaccines may someday have to be tweaked to be effective against new strains, as flu shots are, but according to Anthony Fauci, America's chief medical adviser for Covid-19, "We don't need to do that right now."

The chief science advisor of Operation Warp Speed, the U.S. government's expedited search for development and delivery of a vaccine, has said that every American who wants a vaccine will be able to get one by June. Health officials in Canada have said that all Canadians who want a vaccine will receive one by September. Even if those dates slip a bit due to vaccine delivery glitches, the end of the tunnel is in sight.

The reopening of the international travel industry will occur on a country-by-country basis and it is not yet clear whether vaccinations will be required to travel.

Qantas Airways of Australia has said that once a COVID-19 vaccine becomes widely available, it may require passengers to have proof of a vaccination before allowing them to fly internationally. Korean Air and Air New Zealand have echoed the comments and have stated that they expect some countries will require proof of vaccination from incoming international visitors. United has stated that it might require its own employees to be vaccinated.

Just last week, UK-based Saga Cruises announced they will require all guests to be vaccinated against COVID-19 at least 14 days before sailing. Saga sells exclusively in the UK and caters exclusively to a 50+ clientele. With sailings suspended until May 4^th, Saga said they believe all passengers booked on future cruises will have ample opportunity to get inoculated, but any passenger who wishes to change their cruise plans may select a different sail date or choose to get a full refund.

Saga Cruises' new policy will enable a safe, early and economical return to service. Passengers will not have to worry about catching COVID-19 onboard and the cruise line will avoid the costly measures needed to prevent COVID-19 cases onboard and quarantine and care for passengers infected with COVID-19.

Moreover, destination countries that have not yet distributed vaccines to their citizens can welcome Saga Cruises without the risk of admitting potentially infected passengers.

As of today, no other cruise line has announced a vaccine requirement for its guests but Norwegian and Regent Seven Seas have just announced they will require all crew members to be vaccinated before boarding their ships. I would not be surprised to see more cruise lines and countries adopt a vaccination requirement until the threat from COVID-19 has substantially subsided.

Either way, we will let you know in this newsletter when travel restrictions in the U.S. and other countries are removed and when cruise ships resume sailing.

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This week, we've arranged money-saving offers with eight different cruise lines, including deep discounts and free amenities or shipboard credits, which are as good as cash on the ship and can be used toward onboard purchases not covered in the cruise fare, like shore excursions and Internet packages. Please note that some rates on our site may not be eligible for free amenities or shipboard credits.

Holland America is offering our customers huge discounts of up to 69%, with special pricing plus onboard credits of up to $150 per cabin. Plus, on select sailings receive the following perks on cabins booked at eligible rates; 1) a 50% reduced deposit, 2) free drinks, 3) free gratuities, and 4) free specialty dining. Book by February 1. See dates and prices.

Carnival is offering our customers discounts of up to 85%, plus a reduced deposit from $50 per person, free upgrades and shipboard credits of up to $50 per cabin on select sailings. Book by January 30. See dates and prices.

Silversea has reduced rates by up to 83%, plus on select sailings receive shipboard credits of up to $600 per cabin. Your Silversea fare includes onboard gratuities, complimentary beverages including wine and spirits and butler service. See dates and prices.

Royal Caribbean is offering our customers huge new discounts -- save up to 82%. Also receive exclusive shipboard credits of up to $125 per cabin on a variety voyages in 2021. Book by January 31. See dates and prices.

Regent has provided exclusive discounts to Vacations To Go customers on a variety of sailings -- save up to 78%. In addition, get shipboard credits of up to $800 per cabin and free upgrades on select sailings. The upfront price of a luxury Regent cruise includes unlimited shore excursions, gratuities, unlimited beverages including fine wines and premium spirits and unlimited Wi-Fi. Book by February 28. See dates and prices.

Celebrity has slashed rates by up to 86%. Plus, get shipboard credits of up to $1,000 per cabin and all of the following additional perks on select sailings: 1) prepaid gratuities for two, 2) a free Classic beverage package, and 3) unlimited Internet access for two. See dates and prices.

Azamara is providing huge discounts to our customers -- save up to 76%. In addition, receive exclusive pricing, free wifi and shipboard credits of up to $500 per cabin. Azamara schedules longer stays and more overnights in port so that guests can experience more of the destination. Rates include gratuities, drinks and, on most cruises, a nighttime shore excursion called "AzAmazing Evening." Book by February 8. See dates and prices.

MSC has reduced rates by up to 79% for our customers, with new discounts on a variety of sailings, including new Caribbean voyages departing from Port Canaveral, Florida. Plus, on select sailings kids age 17 and under cruise free. Lastly, get free onboard credits of up to $400 per cabin on select sailings. See dates and prices.

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Here are today's Top 10 Cruises, brand-new specials from the world's best cruise lines departing early 2021. Click the FastDeal # for details.

1) Caribbean, 7 nights on Royal Caribbean, departs Galveston Sep 19, starting at $443, save 59%, FastDeal # 33003

2) Alaska, 7 nights on Holland America, departs Anchorage (Whittier) Sep 5, starting at $599, save 40%, FastDeal # 24679

3) Caribbean, 7 nights on Norwegian, departs Miami Sep 26, starting at $475, save 46%, FastDeal # 24674

4) Baltic, 11 nights on MSC Cruises, departs Kiel Sep 12, starting at $639, save 50%, FastDeal # 37190

5) Caribbean, 7 nights on Princess, departs Fort Lauderdale Jul 17, starting at $649, save 45%, FastDeal # 29435

6) Mediterranean, 9 nights on Norwegian, departs Barcelona Aug 18, starting at $734, save 71%, FastDeal # 15018

7) Caribbean, 6 nights on Celebrity, departs Fort Lauderdale Jul 18, starting at $729, save 74%, FastDeal # 33633

8) Greek Islands, 8 nights on Royal Caribbean, departs Venice (Ravenna) Jul 16, starting at $794, save 61%, FastDeal # 31094

9) Asia, 7 nights on Star Clippers, departs Benoa Jun 19, starting at $1,520, save 65%, FastDeal # 35965

10) Panama Canal, 7 nights on Windstar, departs Colon Aug 28, suite starting at $2,499, FastDeal # 19398 (Windstar does not provide brochure rates for this cruise, so we are unable to show a savings percentage.)

To search for discounts of up to 82% on cruises, use our Find a Bargain tool.

Once you've found a FASTDEAL, call us at 800-338-4962 (US and Canada) and a cruise counselor will attend to your needs. International customers, please email or call us at +1-713-974-2121.

Please email me your comments, suggestions and questions at alanfox@vacationstogo.com and I will respond the same day.

Sincerely,

Alan Fox
Executive Chairman
Vacations To Go