In cooler months some Stawell retirees travel out of Victoria and chase the warmer weather.
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In 2020, the coronavirus pandemic could not have changed things more for regular holiday makers.
Borders, both interstate and international, are closed and the risk to health has made people think twice about future travel.
Stawell couple Trevor and Sandra Skurrie were meant to be on a cruise this week - sailing along the Great Barrier Reef.
It's a trip that has been on the "bucket list for a while" but it all came to a grinding halt during the first wave of COVID-19 restrictions on travel.
"We were travelling out of Sydney and spending 10 days travelling the Great Barrier Reef," Mr Skurrie said.
"We drove to Cairns two years ago but didn't see all we wanted to see. This trip was going to allow us to see what we wanted to.
"We were looking forward to the break and go where it is warmer.
Mrs Skurrie said the couple decided to cancel the holiday from their end because of the growing health concerns over the coronavirus.
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"We have since found out if we had of waited for the cruise company to cancel we would have got our money back," she said.
"We were informed we can use our airfares again but I don't just want to fly to Sydney and who knows when or if it will be safe to do so.
"I'm not too worried about it, but obviously I am annoyed. Our health is more important."
The 2020 cruise would have been the couple's six cruise.
"We'll never go on another cruise again," Mrs Skurrie said. "I'm just frightened after what happened with the cruise ship and passengers in Sydney. I wonder what all the cruise ships are doing now.
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"We're hoping they are getting a really good clean out before they start again but it wont be for us."
Mrs Skurrie said despite the borders being shut she felt it wouldn't be a safe time to travel until the positive cases of coronavirus were under control.
"We bought some nights at a caravan park just outside of Mildura," she said.
"We've got till March to use them but it's a worry if we will be able to holiday before then. It's a worry."
Do you have a story to share? Get in touch - cassandra.langley@stawelltimes.com.au
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