I looked at SW airlines within the last couple of days to potentially book airfare to Grand Cayman or Turks and Caicos in January, and they aren’t even letting people book, at any point between now and then. I found that interesting. I didn’t check other airlines.
We love cruises. We’ve gone on six or seven in the past decade. It helps that they are chartered cruises and we see a lot of the same people every year. We’ve made friends from all over the world. Highlights included Puerto Rico, the Panama Canal, and St. Bart’s. We love sleeping in the same room and waking up in beautiful ports all over the Caribbean.
Has SW ever allowed folks to book more than 6 months in advance?
Honest question. I really don’t know. We mainly try for 3+ weeks in advance for their better fares, but I seem to recall when we wanted them once for a further away time-wise trip we had to wait to within 6 months.
I booked a hotel in the metro DC area (alexandria) for the 13th. . The rates seem about “normal”. Have to drive up to get D’s stuff (still in dorm room!) and move her into her new apartment . The drive is 10 hours. The big thing is I have friends along the way and if we can SD and see each other.
@1214mom Southwest is now accepting reservations until Jan 2. They typically open their reservations up six months in advance. By the end of June, you should see flights for mid-January.
Or are you saying NO flights to Turks at any point between now and Jan? Could it be that Turks is restricting flights to their island to prevent CV19 from coming in?
@thumper1, I looked and there were no flights to either GC or Turks between now and then. I’m guessing it’s because they’re not letting us in yet.
It looks like Grand Cayman announced on 19 March that it was to be closed to visitors and that any residents arriving will be quarantined for 14 days. It was to expire on 12 April but it looks like that has been extended.
So…this isn’t a SW Airlines thing…it’s a country destination thing,
What country would want to open up to Americans when the virus is still spreading here?
DD has been separated from her Dominican husband since January. When she was scheduled to return to the DR is when they closed the island. She just got word it will be closed thru July 31st. It’s been stressful.
This is why HI is not interested in having people who may be infected come to our state. One of the visitors who are being self-quarantined just tested positive for COVID-19. 
That was our state’s ONLY positive test yesterday and one of the few we’ve had in over a month.
^^^ No state wants people who may be infected to enter their state. It’s not unique to Hawaii!
But except for Alaska, all the other states have no way to prevent out of staters from getting in. Hawaii and Alaska can control it all at their airports.
@snowball Hahaha! Yes! 45 min we always get the “I shouldn’t have had that second cup of coffee and protein shake before we left!” Although I confess, my bladder isn’t much better. In all our years of driving, we have never once stopped because our kids needed to use the bathroom. It’s always us!
I have overactive bladder, that I try my best to control. However one time we were just on a 3 hour trip and about 45 minutes in I had to go. There was a traffic jam and it took another 30 inured or so until we made it to a gas station. I was actually perspiring and almost in tears as I didn’t think I would make it. I now keep depends in the car and decided if that happens again, I’ll just have to crawl in the back and put them on. I’ll never be in that position again.
I was surprised airlines aren’t selling future flights, trying to predict when the islands might open.
Clearly I don’t know how airlines plan.
If there are flights to states, they will come. Sounds like there are flights to Hawaii and Alaska.
States can’t block interstate commerce and free movement of folks between states, but they can set up quarantine and testing requirements as long as all of that equally applies to all citizens of ALL US states. As one little piece of paper says, “ The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States.”
https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/privileges_and_immunities_clause
But let’s get back to talking about camping, peeing in bushes, and when we all can see some palm trees. 
Seems that is what Hawaii and Alaska are doing. They don’t have different rules depending on what state you reside in. Any one can fly in and be tested/quarantined.
But states with a zillion different ways to enter (like back roads all over the place) logistically aren’t going to be able to do what Alaska and Hawaii can do. One cannot even drive to Alaska, even if they wanted to make that trek - because our borders with Canada are closed.
Other countries, OTOH, can say, “sorry, we are closed to you.”
Well I’m in Portland (OR) - coating my adult D - flew in Monday morning from So Cal - observations…
Airport was almost empty - I’m TSA pre-check so zero time through security (don’t tell but the guys were so busy chatting with one another my bag just floated through the X-ray) - masks and social distancing all around fine, few people sitting in waiting areas.
Flight was uneventful and the plane seating was two by two, so I had a “row” by myself. Everyone wore masks the entire time, some wore gloves). One ‘bad apple’ - young guy, too cocky for his own good (I wanted to take him on the tarmac and slap him!) - had both feet (shoes and all) on the seat next to him, knees bent, bottoms of shoes on the seat. Ugh! Really dude? A small (8oz) water and a teeny Chex mix type snack about 30 minutes in air.
No special safety (health) measures in place. I think I expected them to wand my forehead for my temperature - but no.
Car rental was all contactless and a note in it about their cleanliness practices.
Walked to groceries - EVERY ONE in masks and literally standing within the social distance marks at the check out (in my area people sort of float those, some, like me, take them seriously, others not so much). Stopped at a mom-pop salad spot on the way back “home” for one to go (they were all to go) - they just reopened for non-delivery/pick up orders and were sweet and delighted to have us.
Because I arrived in the early AM, and sunset’s not until 9, we drove to the coast (about 90 minutes), to go find some coastal hikes…thwarted! Although we drove south quite a distance (hours!) and we must’ve crossed a county line or two because we accidentally stumbled on an open area. A gorgeous 5 mile r/t hike through a beachside forest that lead to sand dunes and finally the shore - we thoroughly enjoyed that.
Yesterday we headed to Mount Hood, we rented a cabin (Airbnb) for the night and again hunted and pecked for open day use hiking trails. Found a couple & a couple open lakes. AirBnB was spotless - this host is leaving their place empty for 2 days after cleaning & then a quick spot clean before guests.
Almost all shops require masks - one stationer asks that you wait at the door. They greet you & spritz with essential oil sanitizer then you may enter.
I’m thrilled to be in a different environment and of course hanging with my kid!