The owner/manager of David’s House of Travel in Manitowoc says the last two and a weeks “have been incredibly busy.”
Kathy Schmill tells SeehaferNews.com that she and her agents advise clients that if they’ve already booked a trip, they can either move it to another date or cancel, but it’s entirely up to them.
Schmill says COVID-19 shutdown is “so unprecedented…no one planned for it or could’ve predicted it.” She added booking a trip with a local agent, rather than online, is so important, ”because her staff will work with you to make things right.”
Policies of travel vendors really do run the gamut and she cited two examples.
Viking Ocean and River Cruises have suspended operations until June 30th, while the Regent Seven Seas postponed sailings until May 10th.
As for the airline industry, most companies have a link on their home-page to update what they’re doing.
Schmill said her industry is encouraging the airlines to ease restrictions on the travel-by date on travel vouchers.
Schmill advises patience” as she and her agents have, on occasion, been on the phone with vendors for up to 7-hours, trying to learn their cancellation policy.
The veteran of more than 40-years experience in the travel business “believes we’re going to come back (from this) and they’ll again be able to offer amazing trips in 2021 and 2022.
