@Marilyn we want to go to multiple islands not just one place. I have absolutely no issue with wearing masks, distancing and not eating at buffets.
Honestly, I don’t mind doing just their assigned excursions.
And May 2022 is fine with me too!
I just want to share our experience. It is NOT as safe as you may think. Or I just happened to draw the short straw.
If you’ve read my past posts on this thread, you’ll know we need to travel occasionally due to work/home. We’ve been more than cautious, but needed to fly in mid January. No indoor dining, no family gatherings, no in-store shopping, no contacts with others except short term take-out. Masks, distancing, Sanitizer. I still wiped down groceries!
Yepp – I caught Covid on the trip! Tested positive 4 days after the flight. Timing is such that I’m confident it was caught sometime on the day of travel.
Believe me, we took every precaution we could think of for travel as well. We rented (and wiped down) a car to avoid mass transit. We contacted the airlines to confirm the flight was less than 2/3 full. We wiped down our seat area on the plane, directed airflow away, definitely social distanced (as much as possible) at the airports, used sanitizer often, wore KN95 masks the entire time, and more.
Still caught it!
All travel involves risk. But I do not believe airlines & airports are as cautious as they claim. By far the majority of passengers wore masks, but there were a few who still refuse. They wear on and off the plane, then take them off during the flight. Or they very defiantly (but quietly) pose without them at the airport. Most of the time, no one said a word, probably for fear of causing a bigger scene. We’ll see if the federal law makes any difference.
I’ve been fortunate. My symptoms were typical and tolerable. Took about 2 weeks & hoping for no long-term issues.
Be careful out there!
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I agree that travel is not without risk. I definitely would not have traveled if I didn’t feel it was necessary, and I actually had two Covid tests while out of town due to possible exposure. I isolated when I returned home. I consider myself fortunate not to have contracted Covid. It’s definitely nerve wracking to travel. I am glad that you have seemingly escaped with a mild case, @kjofkw.
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@kjofkw thank you for that perspective. We do need to hear the good, bad and ugly to keep perspective . Glad you’re feeling better!
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Kjofkw, Sorry about that, and thanks for the eye-opener. this seems so simplistic, but i wish the virus would show up like those old plaque test that we used to get as kids from the dentist. I wish we knew the rules and could see it. for us, we’ve traveled by car on three out of state trips (one taking kid to college) and have lived with our D who had it in our house; yet we’ve not caught it. Nor were we quite as fastidious traveling like you were. Anyway - stay strong. 
We have avoided flying and pretty much anything indoors (or outdoors with contact) because I see that’s how it’s most commonly spread - through the air from others. I don’t feel safe around others, esp for any length of time - even 5 minutes.
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Traveling only to places within driving distance except when DH took D back to school for spring semester. Luckily, we have some great places within driving distance and can be in the mountains in a couple of hours. Just booked a cabin for a ski trip in a few weeks. We’ll take our own groceries to the cabin and a sack lunch to the mountain. It should be a fun, safe pandemic “break.”
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H took a picture of his “office” this morning. We had 13 white pelicans, uncountable numbers of brown pelicans, blue, white, and snowy egrets, blue and white herons, about a dozen osprey, willets, gulls of various types, diving ducks, cormorants, ibises, and oodles of small shorebirds. It was impossible to catch them all in a photo, but it’s superb in person. We’re still waiting on the dolphins.
For us, it’s a great reminder of why we relocate his office south/tropical in Feb. The view is much better than looking out the window in PA. So far, at this campground, it seems like everyone is eager to avoid catching Covid too, so it’s a perfect spot for us.
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A travel website I follow reported that two American (small) cruise companies would require vaccinations to book a cruise. The major cruise companies are looking into the legality of doing this also.
I think this will be the coming trend for travel. No vax, no go.
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I was looking (dreaming, really) at a NE cruise for the fall but now that’s been decided for us.
I just read that a lot of pilots are “rusty” now and making mistakes. I wondered about this. I was already scared of flying and this doesn’t help. Two kids on the opposite coast…
Yup. Courtesy of the Jones Act. The downtown merchants are bracing for another year of tourism drought. 
Alaska may be a great destination this year without the cruise ship crowds.
Wow. Great point!
Possible! If anyone wants to visit WA, it could be a good summer destination, too, for the same reasons.
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I wonder if Canada will keep the Alcan closed to travelers this summer.
Princess cruises owns several nice lodges in Alaska for their tours for cruise passengers. Will they be open without the tour groups keeping them busy?
I am considering a return to Alaska.
Anyone who wants to travel to Alaska needs to keep an eye on this page:
https://covid19.alaska.gov/travelers/
There are Covid travel restrictions (like in HI), and rules can change.
Alaska Airlines has a regularly updated webpage with a good summary of travel restrictions at its destinations.
Here is the current info:
Travel from outside the state
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Non-residents of Alaska must arrive with proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of their flight departure, or proof of pending results.
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Non-residents who arrive without a pre-test must be tested on arrival for $250 (USD) per test and quarantine at their own expense while waiting for results.
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Non-residents do not have the option to quarantine for 14 days in lieu of testing.
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Alaska residents may be tested upon arrival at the airport for no cost. Plan to self-quarantine at your own expense while waiting for results.
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Alaska residents may also choose to self-quarantine for 14 days in lieu of testing.
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Critical infrastructure workers may travel under the guidelines of their company’s workforce protective plan on file with the state of Alaska.
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Thanks for the info. Nothing there about travelers who are vaccinated. I will keep checking or travel in the 48.
Keep an eye on it! HI implemented their testing requirements in a period of a couple of months. Maybe there will be a “vaccine passport” of sorts by summer for Alaska and/or Hawaii.
Just saying… Mt. Rainier and Hoh Rain Forest are majestic… ditto Deception Pass, San Juans, etc. The locals are sick of staycations, so I do not believe these gems will be as packed in 2021 as they were in 2020. Come to WA! No Covid test needed. 
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I’m really curious how various entities (international flights, Alaska, Hawaii, etc.) will treat those who have HAD Covid. Seems like it should at least be a “ticket to ride”? I’ve been advised it is a waste of time to re-test for Covid for the next 3-4 months, since the test will be positive. Evidently, the virus remains in your system for that long, although it is no longer infectious after 14 days (the reason for the quarantine period). AND, to add insult to injury, some have suggested that it is best to wait on the vaccine if you’ve had Covid. (varied recommendations on this depending on time since exposure, level of symptoms, and extent of treatment).
So there would be no way to travel for the next 3-4 months if a negative test, OR proof of vaccine is required?