Cruise holidays: it seems people either love them or hate them.
While any positive press for cruises got sunk recently by those jumping ship for land-based alternatives after coronavirus, Jenny Coutts has no qualms drowning out those reservations.
Alongside her husband Trevor, Mrs Coutts has tickets to two cruise ship holidays in 2021 and trips booked for the two consecutive years following.
And while their meander through the Mekong and the Mediterranean was organised pre-Ruby Princess saga, the rest was arranged when the travel agencies reopened after lockdown.
Mrs Coutts said if the May cruise went ahead she might be a little wary, but COVID-19 hadn't weakened their wanderlust.
The cruise company have bought travellers back on deck with the offer of refunds up to 24 hours before the ship sails.
"If you don't book them they all sell out," Mrs Coutts said.
As the pair have gotten older they've steered away from the 2000-plus passenger boats in favour of ships designed for 900 people.
Mrs Coutts said despite public perception, their holidays weren't all smorgasbords, casinos and young kids.
"My husband says the best thing is you can just get on, put your luggage away and you don't have to unpack, but you still get to see different places," she said.
She wasn't concerned about the health risk, either.
"Before you even go into the restaurants there's someone at the door who will direct you to go and wash your hands," she said.
Weston-based travel agent Deb Long said the Couttses weren't alone in getting back on-board cruise ship travel for 2021.
Ms Long said people started with the big ship cruises and then moved towards the smaller boats she believed would now rule the seas.
She said smaller ships made health control measures easier to manage.
Since reopening the doors after lockdown, Ms Long said Canberrans who had been thinking about travelling in 2020 were now coming in to book cruises, luxury stays and exclusive island holidays for 2021.
"People who love to travel want hope that they'll head away again," she said.
"They're loyal to travel and they won't be put off."
