We had fully expected that by now the 2022 edition of The Ultimate River Cruising Handbook would be off the press. Many of you have asked, in fact, about the status of the 2nd edition. The status is this: We’re waiting for stabilization and clarity. There’s too much uncertainty at the moment to put things in the indelible ink that fills the pages of a book.
For example, we have a chapter on Crystal River Cruises. Is Crystal now dead in the water, or will it possibly resume operations at the end of May, as the company has stated? Does Crystal remain in the book or not? Some have said there may be other companies that fail. We don’t believe that, but again, we’re waiting for clarity. So we ask for your patience as we produce a book that has an extended shelf life.
I’ve mentioned before that River Cruise Advisor has been operating on zero revenues, and we even reached out to readers who would like to support our efforts. Many of you stepped up to the plate, and we thank you. Your contributions help pay for web hosting, technology subscriptions (such as the one we use to mail our newsletters) and more. If you’d like to participate, please see Help Wanted: Become A Sustaining Member.
As for the future of river cruising, we see a bright future. I fully expect to be back in France in April for two barge trips that were postponed in April of 2020. I’m also encouraged by a number of friends who are river cruising right now.
Patty Moss and her husband Bill are having a wonderful time on their AmaWaterways’ Nile cruise. Yesterday, she posted photos from the Cataract Hotel, the old British colonial hotel portrayed in Agatha Christie’s Death on the Nile. A few days ago I asked Bill how the trip was going, “Great trip!” Bill says. “Cairo has 30 million people, all driving at the same time. Noisy, polluted, and totally wonderful.”
Yep, the world is waiting for us. You can go now, as Patty and Bill have done, and stay safe. If that’s too risky for you, be patient for a little longer. We’re nearly there. That light at the end of a tunnel is not an oncoming train. It’s the sunrise marking a new day.
We will be cruising on the AMA Siena late May. We leave the US and are in London for two days then fly to Amsterdam for two days before cruise. Do you know if Amsterdam still has a 10 day quarantine period and also does the cruise ship help with the testing required by many European countries for entry. Thanks
I believe you’ll be fine by then. The Netherlands currency requires the 10-day quarantine for arrivals from very high risk countries (the US), but The Netherlands also also had the same policy back in September before my Crystal river cruise, then relaxed it just days before we were to go, meaning we did not have to quarantine. By spring, I don’t think they’ll have the quarantine at all.
Thank you and do you know if the cruise ships test for covid so we dont have to spend time trying to get tested in each country
Thank you for your explanation of why the 2nd edition of your river cruise has been delayed so long. That makes sense.