If you’ve traveled in 2021 or watched any travel news, you know the airlines have been suffering from a crippling lack of flight crew staff. Canceled flights now number in the thousands, with hundreds of thousands of passengers left standing in the airport with a big change in their travel plans looming before them.

General TravelJoy CrutchfieldNovember 19, 2021Air Travel

Travel Trends for 2022

I usually share my “Travel Trends” advice in January but with 2022 booking like it’s on fire, and 2023 smoldering, I thought I better give you a heads up.

We have been busily booking 2022 vacations/tours/river cruises for months now. In fact, most of our 2022 personally escorted tours sold out more than a year prior to their departure date. Our 2023 personally escorted tours are almost full as well.

The lack of travel in 2020 and 2021 has created a pent-up demand that is exceeding capacity for 2022.

General TravelJoy CrutchfieldOctober 19, 2021River Cruises, Jamaica, Mexico, Punta Cana, Tours

Are You Afraid?

I saw a terrific post a few days ago that I felt compelled to share on my Facebook page. It showed a person on one side of a precipice that said “where we are”, preparing to jump over a small distance that said “leap of faith” to the other side of the precipice that said “where we want to be”.

I deal with the exact scenario every day with people who have a burning desire to travel, but are intimidated by the current situations and afraid to take that leap of faith.

General TravelJoy CrutchfieldOctober 1, 2021COVID

A Renewed Sense of Appreciation

Covid-19 certainly taught us some lessons, didn’t it?

I don’t know about you, but I have such a renewed sense of appreciation for any trip I get to make, and I do mean any trip.

General TravelJoy CrutchfieldSeptember 3, 2021Europe, Italy, Holiday Travel

Another COVID Casualty

Hi everyone. I hope you are looking forward to a wonderful weekend.

Remember last week when I said COVID is directly to blame for lots of complications we are all currently facing? Well, that goes double for the backlog in the passport application process.

General TravelJoy CrutchfieldAugust 13, 2021passports, COVID

Stop blaming COVID

Last week I attended some upper level meetings with dignitaries and company CEO’s from all across the world. There was one constant refrain: It’s not our fault, it’s because of COVID. We are doing the best we can.

I’ve had several customers say to me over the past few weeks that they are sick and tired of hearing “it’s because of COVID”. But here’s the thing. . .

General TravelJoy CrutchfieldAugust 6, 2021COVID

What’s going to be the next big group event?

I bet you’ve been wondering what our next big group event is going to be. When it’s going to be announced, and where we’re going to be going.

Just to recap, our current privately escorted tours that have openings are:

General TravelJoy CrutchfieldJuly 30, 2021Groups, Tours

If you snooze, you lose.

Have you ever tried to plan something, thinking you had plenty of time, only to find it sold out? I’ve had it happen to me many times, for restaurants, movie tickets, and events. I am betting you have as well. But none of us has had it happen in travel the way it’s happening right now. It’s astounding.

General TravelJoy CrutchfieldJune 18, 2021Tours, River Cruises

It's Comeback Time - Ours, Yours and the World's

I don’t know about you, but I’ve been missing the world … a lot. Over the last few months, I have found myself daydreaming about my next great adventure, waiting for the day to put plans into action. Well the moment has finally come to leave normal behind and get back to amazing!

General TravelThe Joy of TravelMay 28, 2021River Cruises, North America, Europe

Quality is the best business plan

If I’ve heard it once, I’ve heard it a thousand times, “Quality is the best business plan”.

But what is a quality vacation?

A quality vacation has several components.

General TravelJoy CrutchfieldMay 21, 2021Resorts

European tipping guidelines 2021

Dear Globetrotting Friends,

As Europe begins to open up I thought you might be able to benefit from the attached European tipping guidelines. Feel free to download them and keep them for future reference.

Also, a word of advice. Just in case we need to have COVID booster shots later. . .

General Travel, EuropeJoy CrutchfieldMay 14, 2021COVID