Forget cruises, yachts are the future of vacationing

Everyone likes going on vacation. Whether you prefer to go camping or hop on a plane to a big amusement park, vacations let us step away from life. Right now, though, all such travel is on hold because of the global coronavirus pandemic, and while all travel is under the microscope, cruises are facing an even higher degree of skepticism. That means if you’re one of the 30 million people who went on a cruise last year, you may want to reconsider your travel habits.

Cruising’s popularity

One reason that cruises have become more popular in recent years is that savvy sailors have figured out how to enjoy a cruise on a budget. It may not always be the most luxurious version of the trip – budget travel often involves staying in a windowless interior room and passing on most of the alcohol – but people still find them greatly enjoyable. Given that cruises allow people to see multiple destinations and avoid the hassle of packing and unpacking or navigating new countries independently, budget cruisers have found ways to travel on under £100 a day.

The big problem with cruising, especially right now, is that there’s a lot of concern about the spread of disease. Even prior to this year’s Covid-19 outbreak, which left many stuck at sea and unable to find ports that would accept them, cruise ships were infamous for their outbreaks of viral GI illnesses. With a more serious disease spreading, travellers can no longer afford to overlook the risks.

Seeking an alternative

With many travellers nervous about cruises and further uncertainty about when cruise companies will begin operating again, many are looking for alternatives that will allow them to keep travelling. One possibility: simply buying your own boat. Though obviously not as budget friendly as planning a conventional cruise, there is a wide range of used yachts and other high-end boats on the market. Smaller boats are obviously cheaper, but typically are only good for day trips compared to yachts, which can travel further.

Of course, you don’t actually have to be able to afford a yacht to be able to enjoy a post-Covid cruise. No, you just have to think creatively. For example, many expect that yacht charters will be more popular in the coming months and years because they will enable groups to remain within their own social pods, remaining compliant with major social distancing rules. Rather than travelling with strangers, you would only travel with friends and family.

Is it really safe?

Obviously there’s a lot we still don’t know about the spread of Covid-19, but charter yacht services are taking bookings and they’re ready to be flexible based on current conditions, including offering fee-free rescheduling. And given current economic anxieties, we’ll likely see more deals on travel to hook first-time charter travellers.

Whatever the debates about when it will be safe to travel again, there are a lot of people feeling cooped up and planning a trip can relieve at least a little bit of that cabin fever. So look ahead and get ready to climb aboard – just on a smaller scale with a private yacht.

The editorial unit