Welcome back the all-new Folo by Travel Weekly podcast, where Travel Weekly's reporters and editors dive into the biggest travel story of the week. In this issue, we tackle an unprecedented milestone: an entire year without cruising from the U.S.

This episode features the insights of Vicki Freed, the senior vice president of sales and trade support and service for Royal Caribbean International, and Alex Sharpe, the president and CEO of the Signature Travel Network consortium, with hosts Johanna Jainchill, Travel Weekly's news editor and acting cruise editor, and managing editor Rebecca Tobin.

Some of the topics we unpack: The shock of the Covid-19-related shutdown in March 2020. The highs and lows of the year. And the light at the end of the tunnel: vaccines, a boom in travel agent business, enthusiasm for trial cruises and "upsizing" upcoming cruise vacations.

Related reading:

Cruising's lost year https://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Cruisings-lost-year

As Covid vaccines roll out, enthusiasm for travel grows: https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Travel-Agent-Issues/Sellers-celebrate-the-comeback-of-client-confidence

Vaccine push and cruisers with cash give rise to the 'upsizing' trend:  https://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Vaccine-push-and-cruisers-with-cash-give-rise-to-booking-upsizing-trend

As consumers return to travel, they turn to advisors for help: https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Travel-Agent-Issues/As-consumers-return-to-travel-they-turn-to-advisors-for-help

With Alaska season on the ropes, lines challenged on cabotage law: https://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/With-Alaska-season-on-the-ropes-lines-challenged-on-cabotage-law

Cruise test sailing timeline? CDC's guidance could come 'any day' https://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Cruise-test-sailings-CDC-guidance-could-come-any-day

Royal Caribbean's Vicki Freed on connecting with travel advisors: https://www.travelweekly.com/On-The-Record/Vicki-Freed-Royal-Caribbean-International

Commissions lag bookings -- by a lot. Some want to change that. https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Travel-Agent-Issues/Commissions-lag-booking-by-a-lot-Some-agreements-may-change-that

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