Spouse Not Currently Interested in Vegas Trip

My advice would hinge on how you get along with the missus in general. If there's a lot of control and you find that overbearing, then maybe you push for solo trips.

If that's not the case and her concern is about the travel and enclosed spaces, then I'd really recommend respecting those wishes. 1. because of course there is enhanced risk and it sounds like she's being perfectly reasonable, and 2. because she's your wife. And I wouldn't make "no one from a VMB trip report has said they got the virus" be a definitive sample size of course or a marker for the risk. I hear you on wanting to go. I typically go 4x a year (usually solo), but I've taken this whole thing very seriously and simply would not enjoy myself at all in current Vegas and I'd be a hypocrite to my missus if I did!

 

I agree with the above post as far as her concern for your / her health. drinking or not.
You have to choose very carefully to take a stand and plant your flag in a dispute.
But IF there is adequate insurance and her old boyfriend still lives in town......a man just has to make choices!!

 

Is there a way to ease her back into things? This is what I did. First, went to a local casino for a few hours. Did that a couple of times. About a month after that we did an overnight stay. We currently have a Laughlin trip planned for 11/3 for four nights. I’m a little leery but I’ve been able to do those other things safely so I feel better about it. And we ordered better masks for the plane trip. I always wear a disposable glove on my “button” hand that I change frequently. And I take several breaks and go sit outside to get some fresh air.

 

I think the whole point is respecting another person's decision of not going. Particularly one's spouse. This isn't some friend you're trying to convince to go to Vegas during normal times, this is a loved one that you live with.

Different people have different comfort levels with this virus, especially with flu season coming up - and all the points @Sonya mentioned above. Some people just don't want to risk it, at all. Vegas will be there later.

 

A casino environment is a casino environment, whether on the banks of the Colorado River or along South Las Vegas Boulevard.

There is no matrix for this, and past experience has no bearing on future happenings. People are looking for correlations that simply don't exist.

Hey, we travel, have for some time now, so let's not start in on the "fear" bullshit. Our travel does not include casinos or any enclosed indoor spaces with crowds. We play golf, we dine outdoors almost exclusively, we hike and ride our bikes, we have visited wineries. Some risk? Certainly. But we're still in our pod and socially distanced when not, doing things that pose far less risk of exposure.

 

Of course your wife is concerned about possible repercussions from traveling during these times. I can only speak from personal experience, but let's talk about mental health. So many people are suffering depression because we have lost control of our "NORMAL" lives. Alcohol abuse , spousal abuse drug abuse suicide are all on the increase. My wife and I love each other but staring at each other 24/7 trapped in the house is a recipe for disaster. I have taken a solo to Biloxi, and to Vegas back in June. I am going to Vegas in November with my brother. Again for me personally(NOT GIVING ADVICE) the restorative powers of a trip to Vegas outweighs the risk, I mean aren't we all just a bunch of degen gamblers when you get right down to it. (6 to 5) he takes the trip!!!

 

Everyone needs to make their own personal decisions. If I were single without worry about anyone else? If probably have been to Vegas a few times by now. I can currently work from anywhere so I absolutely would have taken advantage of the cheaper rooms, especially during the week.

But that's not the case, and going out there right now when I have a wife and kids at home seems crazy irresponsible considering the quarantine requirements upon returning. But that's our current mindset. If you feel differently and can stay safe not just on your trip but after returning? By all means.

We traveled by plane once this summer - a quick hour flight. We got tested before and after the trip, just for extra peace of mind. Perhaps that's an option for you to pass on to your wife if she's nervous but you're really set on going. We used an at home test that you overnighted to the lab.

 

Obviously, everyone's sense of risk depends on the person, but I think a "safe" trip is doable if you have a plan - that is, choosing hotels that pay more attention to detail, determining which restaurants to eat at and specific places to sit, doing activities when there aren't that many people around, and bringing KN95/N95 masks and/or protective eyewear. That amount of planning and the current state of Vegas can kill the air of spontaneity that people tend to enjoy when being in Vegas, so you'd have to weigh the scales on that.

 

To gamble with money is one thing - but to gamble with the health of your family is a big gamble. The repercussions are forever.

 

I visited Vegas in September with my husband. So glad we went. Best. Decision. For us. No matter how much VMBers pontificate, myself included, it comes down to a decision between you and your wife. Our reasons for the trip itself were very personal. Our decision-making was well-reasoned, clearly understanding both the science and risks involved.

Here are a few things we did to mitigate the risk. We visited mid-week. We drove, instead of flying. We stayed at the Wynn and stayed on property. We dined outside for breakfast, had room service or restaurant take out for dinner. We declined housekeeping. We played the slots in the morning and afternoon hours, opting to spend the busier evening hours in the room. We wore our masks, washed our hands, and socially distanced as much as possible. Yes, it was a different Vegas, but we had an enjoyable trip nonetheless.

Health safety protocols were evident. Face masks and hand sanitizers were readily available. Changes were noticeable in the rooms, ie snacks and water wrapped in plastic, mini fridge with a sanitation seal, some bathroom amenities and the hotel information directory removed. Several times I was given a one-time use pen to sign something with. More than once I got up from a machine to see an employee come over and disinfect it.

marksind, my suggestion is to keep the dialogue open. When you and your wife agree that it's the right time for both of you, or just you, then head to Vegas.

 

Lots of great input. Thanks everyone!

We get along very well. Never have had a serious argument in our many years of marriage. I'll defer to her concerns. As many of you have pointed out, they're legitimate. Just wish things would get back to normal so we can get back to normal, which includes a few trips to Vegas every year.

 

Right there with ya man. This whole thing sucks and we all want it to be over ASAP.

 

I’ve made numerous solo trips since 2017, as the wife doesn’t care to go to Vegas anymore. Of course if you don’t have her blessing that could be a problem. I suppose you want a happy wife, happy life. Solo trips aren’t bad, you eat when you want, wake up when you want, play whenever you want. But if you’re wife doesn’t want you to go, it’s probably not worth the fight.

 

I've made at least 60 trips to vegas in past 20 years. My wife, a football nut, only joined me twice, with Vegas bowl games tied in both times.
In a strange dichotomy, she disdains the casino lifestyle as much as I appreciate it. Though she didn't understand my affinity to traveling to Vegas, she accepted my frequency of visits. Bear in mind, I was nearing 45 when the Vegas bug caught me. If it would have been earlier in the marriage or child-reaing years, it wouldn't fly.

 

As my annual September guys trip approached the wife and kids had a serious discussion about whether I should go - if any of the 3 had strongly objected I probably would not have gone.

In the end I went and felt safe and would go again.

Now , ironically, I am sitting here "waiting" on symptoms as the two ladies I share an upstairs office suite with have both tested positive

Boy it's gonna piss me off if I caught this at work!!!!!!!!

 

I have been fortunate to have a husband who doesn't care what/where I vacation if he is not coming along. I don't get his hunting trips, and he doesn't get my Vegas trips. But we both have tons of stories to share over the phone or dinner table when the vacation is over!

 

mid70s here, wife has mobility issues and Vegas has been our ONLY travel destination last 4-5 years, so you know how much we miss it.

wife's neurologist actually gave his blessing, saying in his opinion mental well being/happiness outweighs the risks, as long as you take the usual precautions..

we too will drive (as usual) eat in our room (or on patio) and have the luxury of booking monday through thurs. at ST (arriving Nov. 30) where we hope crowds will not be a factor.

I may still 'chicken' out but admit having something to look forward to has brightened our outlook.

 

I'm desperate to go, but my wife won't allow it. Not sure when I will be "allowed" to go back, but I will tell you one thing: when I am allowed, I will go crazy! I may go every month for awhile to make up for this awful year.