As we get further into the year more and more tour operators are choosing to require COVID-19 vaccinations for all their guests. Their first concern is traveler safety and well-being because this variant is spreading so quickly. Another issue that came up is that many countries are requiring travelers to be vaccinated in order to enter, and to visit popular attractions, museum visits, sites & attractions, attend local events and even eat at indoor restaurants.
And its not just the tour companies but now the cruise lines also. Do I Need A COVID-19 Vaccine To Cruise? Many Cruise lines are also now requiring that you are vaccinated to cruise.
Here’s the list of the tour operators that are requiring the COVID-19 vaccine
- Trafalgar Tours: All guests traveling with Trafalgar through December 31, 2022 must be fully vaccinated against Covid-19, which may include a booster shot to keep it current and valid. Children under 16 must provide a verifiable and negative Covid-19 test result taken 72 hours prior to the start of the tour (taking time zones into consideration) until further notice. Your final vaccine dose must have been administered a minimum of 15 days prior to the start of the trip. Trafalgar tours continues to monitor the local requirements and, where necessary, will adjust their policies accordingly. Read all about Travel Corporation’s COVID-19 Insurance Program
- Globus Family of Brands: For travel Internationally the Globus Family of Brands will require all travelers to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to join any vacation in its vacation portfolio through 2022. Vaccination documentation must include information that identifies the person and vaccination date(s). Proof of full vaccination must show that official vaccination dose(s) were administered at least 14-days prior to the start of your trip. Globus family of brands accepts vaccines authorized or recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO), Centers for Disease Control (CDC), European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. Travelers may encounter additional requirements if their vaccine is not recognized by the travel destination. Trafalgar vs Globus – What are the Differences?
For children who do not qualify for vaccination, one of the two forms of documentation are required to travel: Verifiable negative COVID-19 test result in the form of written documentation (paper or electronic copy), in English. Testing must be performed by an entity recognized by your government of residence, using a viral test (NAAT/PCR or antigen). The test result documentation must include information that identifies the person, a specimen collection date and the type of test. A negative test result must show the test was done within 72 hours before the start of your first service purchased from the Globus family of brands. If you recovered from COVID-19 in the last three months, and have met the criteria to end isolation, you may travel instead with documentation of recovery, which includes a positive test result and a letter from your health care provider that states you have been cleared to end isolation (return to work, travel, etc.) The test result documentation and letter must include information that identifies the person, a specimen collection date and the type of test. A positive test result must show test was done within 3 months of the start of your first service purchased from the Globus family of brands. Globus Tours Coronavirus Update – Peace of Mind, COVID Testing & More
- Collette Tours: Proof of Vaccination is required to travel on all international Collette tours vaccination will be required to travel on all international tours starting on September 1, 2021 through April 30, 2022. Many countries are requiring vaccination in order to take part in many regular on tour activities such as indoor dining, museum visits, sites & attractions, and other venues. They will continue to review and update their policies as restrictions are lifted. Guests can choose to postpone their tour, or move their reservation to a tour in another destination. If airline tickets have already been issued when a guest notifies Collette of their decision, a penalty may apply.
- Insight Vacations: All guests traveling with Insight Vacations through at least December 31, 2022 are required to be fully vaccinated. You will need to provide proof of a current and valid COVID-19 vaccination, with the final dose given at least 15 days prior to the start of the tour, to your Travel Director or Well-Being Director upon arrival. Children aged 5-15, who are unable to be vaccinated, will need to provide proof of a verifiable negative test result for COVID-19 (electronic or paper showing date and time of test) taken within 72 hours of this Insight Vacations tour departure until further notice. Please note that guests will also need to comply with specific requirements imposed by airlines and/or authorities in the destination visited, which may be more restrictive than above. This policy is subject to change at any time, without notice.
- Luxury Gold: Guests traveling with Luxury Gold tours through at least December 31, 2022 are required to be fully vaccinated. You will need to provide proof of a current and valid COVID-19 vaccination, with the final dose given at least 15 days prior to the start of the tour, to your Traveling Concierge or Well-Being Director upon arrival. Children aged 5-15, who are unable to be vaccinated, will need to provide proof of a verifiable negative test result for COVID-19 (electronic or paper showing date and time of test) taken within 72 hours of this Luxury Gold tour departure until further notice. Please note that guests will also need to comply with specific requirements imposed by airlines and/or authorities in the destination visited, which may be more restrictive than above.This policy is subject to change at any time, without notice. Luxury Gold will include a Well-Being Director on tours with more than 20 traveling guests to all operating regions excluding Japan, Australia & New Zealand. There is a Well-Being Director and Traveling Concierge will facilitate any testing requirements while you are on tour. Currently, testing requirements differ from country to country so the situation is still unclear. Rest assured, your Traveling Concierge and Well-Being Director* will clearly communicate what is required and what you need to do while you are on tour.
- Costsaver: Updated vaccination policy to require all guests traveling with Costsaver through December 31, 2022 be fully vaccinated against Covid-19, which may include a booster shot to keep it current and valid. Children under 16 must provide a verifiable and negative Covid-19 test result taken 72 hours prior to the start of the tour (taking time zones into consideration) until further notice. Your final vaccine dose must have been administered a minimum of 15 days prior to the start of the trip. Costsaver tours will continue to monitor the local requirements and, where necessary, will adjust their policies accordingly.
- Brendan Vacations: Require all guests traveling with them starting September 1 through at least December 31, 2021 be fully vaccinated. Your final vaccine dose must have been administered a minimum of 15 days prior to the start of the trip. This policy will be in effect at least until December 31, 2021. Brendan Vacations will continue to monitor the local requirements and, where necessary, will adjust our policies accordingly. A dedicated Wellbeing Director, with the latest health authority and local government guidelines, will be available on all Guided Vacation trips of more than 20 guests. They will ensure daily adherence to all well-being protocols and will always be available to support guests.
- Contiki: All travelers booked with Contiki are required to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 to travel with us. This policy is effective immediately for travel through December 31, 2022. Proof of vaccine must show the traveler’s full name and must match the name on the passport or any other recognized travel document and must be either printed or in a digital format. Contiki feels that it is vital to make sure those communities where they visit also feel safe, and that they all minimise, as much as possible, anyone’s chances of travelling with, picking up or passing on COVID-19. This is part of operating responsibly – especially in countries with more vulnerable populations or low access to vaccines. Your final vaccine dose must have been administered a minimum of 15 days prior to the start of the trip. They will continue to monitor the local requirements and update the policy accordingly. In the event you are unvaccinated or are unable to receive vaccination, Contiki tours will work with you to postpone your trip to a later date.
- Tauck Tours: Tauck tours has an updated policy. Effective September 7th Tauck will require all guests ages 12 and older to be vaccinated and to carry proof with them, such as the CDC Vaccination Record Card, at all times while traveling with Tauck. Additionally, certain destination and travel partners have instituted their own requirements such as proof of vaccination and/or testing, health insurance coverage and wearing masks in public environments. Where applicable, specific tour guidelines for US travelers are listed below and are in addition to, and may go beyond, Tauck’s requirements. Destinations around the world have instituted new measures like testing requirements, health insurance coverage, or specific restrictions on travel. Tauck Tours COVID Peace of Mind Travel
Here are some specific places…
On any Tauck Hawaii tours you must register with the State of Hawaii program as well as show proof of vaccine or a negative covid test.
On the Life on the Mississippi river cruise which is aboard American Queen Steamboat there is a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination requirement and only fully vaccinated guests will be permitted to board. See all Tauck USA Tours
For Tauck Canada trips All travelers age 12 and over must bring proof, such as the CDC Vaccination Record Card, indicating full COVID-19 vaccination (14 days after receiving the final dose). The approved vaccines are Pfizer-Biontech, Moderna, AstraZeneca, and Johnson & Johnson (Janssen). Additionally, all travelers must provide proof of a negative molecular COVID-19 test result from a test taken within 72 hours of the scheduled departure time of the flight to Canada. Children under age 5 are exempt from this requirement. Antigen tests are NOT accepted. Accepted tests include PCR, RT-PCR, NAAT, and RT-LAMP. Vaccinated guests are not exempt from this requirement. All travelers age 5 and older must register to ArriveCAN and fill out a health declaration form, which takes 1-4 business days to process and costs $65 USD per person.
For Tauck Europe trips, all Tauck guests ages 12 and over need to be fully vaccinated and to carry proof with them, such as the CDC Vaccination Record Card, to show when needed. Children under 12 are exempt from this requirement. We also highly recommend all guests take a PCR test within 72 hours of travel. Proof of a negative COVID-19 test is required in order to transit through some countries, even if your layover is brief. We strongly encoublograge guests to check the requirements for any transit/layover destinations that will be part of your journey. However, taking a PCR test within 72 hours of travel will help ensure smooth travels.
Tauck Italy: Italy is open to American travelers who bring one of the following: 1) Proof of full COVID-19 vaccination in the form of the CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card, indicating full COVID-19 vaccination (14 days since receiving the final dose); or 2) Proof of a negative result from a PCR/NAAT or antigen COVID-19 test taken within 48 hours of arrival in Italy (please note that Tauck requires a PCR test for unvaccinated guests). These requirements apply to all travelers ages 6 and over. All travelers must fill in a Passenger Locator Form and download the resultant digital form or app with a QR code to bring on the flight. For Return to the United States: A negative result from a COVID-19 PCR or antigen test taken within 3 days of your flight is required for entry into the US after your trip. Arrangements for this testing will be made by Tauck at an additional cost to guests.
Tauck Ireland: All travelers ages 18 and over must bring proof, such as the CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card, indicating full COVID-19 vaccination (14 days after receiving the final dose) to avoid mandatory quarantine upon entry to Ireland. All travelers must fill in a Passenger Locator Form 48 hours prior to arrival. For Return to the United States: A negative result from a COVID-19 PCR or antigen test taken within 3 days of your flight is required for entry into the US after your trip. Arrangements for this testing will be made by Tauck at an additional cost to guests.
Tauck Portugal: All travelers must bring proof of a negative NAAT (including RT-PCR) COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of the time of departure to Portugal, or a negative antigen COVID-19 test taken within 24 hours of the time of departure to Portugal (note that Tauck requires a PCR test for unvaccinated guests). Vaccinated travelers are not exempt from this requirement. This result must be shown at the time of boarding the flight to Portugal and also at the border control upon arrival in Portugal. All travelers must fill in a Passenger Locator Form 48 hours prior to arrival. There may be temperature checks upon arrival. A negative COVID-19 PCR or antigen test taken within 3 days of your flight is required for entry into the US after your trip. Arrangements for this testing will be made by Tauck at an additional cost to guests.
Tauck Spain: All travelers are required to submit a Health Control Form within 48 hours prior to arrival to Spain. After completing the form, an individualized QR code will be generated, which the traveler must present to the airline before boarding, as well as at the health controls upon entry to Spain. f you are arriving to Spain from a flight from the United States, the above is the only requirement for entry. This is also valid for flights with connections, as long as the original departure city is in the United States. If you are traveling in another country in Europe before arriving to Spain, all travelers over the age of 12 must bring one of the following forms of proof: 1) Proof, such as the CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card, indicating full COVID 19 vaccination (14 days since receiving the final dose), or 2) Proof of a negative PCR or antigen COVID-19 test result taken within 48 hours prior to travel. A negative COVID-19 PCR or antigen test taken within 3 days of your flight is required for entry into the US after your trip. Arrangements for this testing will be made by Tauck at an additional cost to guests.
Tauck Croatia, Montenegro, Bosnia & Herzegovina, and Slovenia: All guests must provide proof, such as the CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card, indicating that you are fully vaccinated and received the final required dose at least 14 days, but less than 270 days, prior to entry to the country. A negative COVID-19 PCR or antigen test taken within 3 days of your flight is required for entry into the US after your trip.
Tauck Switzerland: A US CDC Vaccine Record Card is now accepted in place of the Swiss COVID-19 Certificate as proof of vaccination to enter indoor dining venues and some leisure facilities in Switzerland. Switzerland is open to American travelers who bring one of the following forms of proof: 1) Proof of full COVID-19 vaccination, such as the CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card, indicating full COVID-19 vaccination with an EU-approved vaccine (14 days after receiving the final dose); or 2) Proof of a negative result from a PCR COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of arrival in Switzerland or from an antigen COVID-19 test taken within 48 hours of arrival in Switzerland. Guests under the age of 16 do not have to show proof of a negative COVID test or vaccination to enter Switzerland. All travelers must fill in the Entry Form online before their trip.
Tauck Austria, Germany, Netherlands, Poland and Slovakia Tours: Austria and Germany are currently open to Americans (including minors) who show proof of full COVID-19 vaccination or proof of a negative COVID-19 test result. Vaccination must be with an EU-approved vaccine (14 after receiving the final dose). Use the same proof as described above. Please note that for Austria, the validity of vaccination ends 270 days after the second dose. A negative COVID-19 PCR or antigen test taken within 3 days of your flight is required for entry into the US after your trip.
Tauck England: Even if vaccinated, all guests will have to take a COVID-19 test 3 days before departure to England. All guests will also have to take a COVID-19 test on/or before their 2nd day in the UK. Arrangements and cost for this test will be handled by Tauck.
Tauck Netherlands: As of September 22, the Netherlands has relaxed its entry requirements for American travelers who will now be required to show a negative COVID-19 test result for entry, without a quarantine requirement. As of September 25, the Netherlands is requiring proof of vaccination or a negative test to enter restaurants, bars, theaters, and some other indoor public spaces. Some establishments may not accept the US CDC Vaccination Record Card as valid proof of vaccination and will only accept a digital certificate. At this point this will not affect any advertised tour components on our riverboat cruises.
Tauck France: France is open to American travelers (including minors) who bring proof of full COVID-19 vaccination. Use the same proof as described above. Vaccination must be with an EU-approved vaccine (2 weeks after receiving the final dose of Pfizer, Moderna or AstraZeneca, or 4 weeks after the single dose of Johnson & Johnson) for entry into France. All travelers must fill out and bring a online health declaration. A negative result from a COVID-19 PCR or antigen test taken within 3 days of your flight is required for entry into the US after your trip. Arrangements for this testing will be made by Tauck at an additional cost to guests.
Tauck Iceland: All travelers are required to Pre-register Online before departing for Iceland. Travelers ages 16 and over must present proof, such as the CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card, indicating full COVID-19 vaccination (14 days since receiving the final dose) for entry into Iceland. Iceland accepts currently approved US and EU vaccines. All travelers ages 15 or over, regardless of vaccination status, will need to show proof of a negative result from a COVID-19 PCR or antigen test taken within 72 hours of your flight’s arrival to Iceland (please note that Tauck requires a PCR test for unvaccinated guests).
Tauck Scylla is requiring proof of full COVID-19 vaccination from Tauck guests. Guests must bring a government-issued certificate, such as the CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card, indicating that you are fully vaccinated and received the final required dose at least 14 days prior to the start of this tour.
Tauck Botswana, Tanzania, South Africa & Zambia: All travelers must show a negative PCR COVID-19 test result obtained within 72 hours of their arrival. This test is required regardless of vaccination status – Vaccination does not exempt travelers from this requirement. All travelers will undergo a temperature check upon arrival. All travelers will need to fill out a contract tracing document on arrival, listing their passport information and travel details. In Zambia Tauck recommends that US citizens purchase their visa upon arrival. The cost is $50 USD per person for a single-entry visa. All guests will need to take a COVID-19 test to return to the United States.
Tauck Tanzania: Tanzania requires all travelers to bring proof of a negative result from a PCR COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of arrival. This test is required regardless of vaccination status. A rapid COVID-19 test will be administered to all guests upon arrival in Tanzania. The cost is $25 per person. This can be prepaid (recommended to avoid standing in line to pay) on the site of the Traveler’s Health Surveillance Form noted below. All guests are required to fill in a Traveler’s Health Surveillance Form within 24 hours of arrival to Tanzania. All travelers will undergo a temperature check upon arrival. US citizens can purchase a Tanzania tourist visa can be purchased upon arrival, or online.
Tauck Kenya: Please note that a Yellow Fever vaccination or a doctor’s note is still required to enter Kenya. A negative PCR COVID-19 test result will be needed within 96 hours of arrival to Kenya. US Citizens must purchase their Kenya tourist visa online. All travelers will undergo a temperature check upon arrival in Kenya.
Tauck Jordan: Jordan requires all travelers to bring proof of COVID-19 vaccination, such as the CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card, indicating full COVID-19 vaccination (14 days after receiving the final dose). Additionally, all travelers must bring proof of a negative result from a PCR COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of boarding the aircraft from the first point of departure to Jordan. Both forms of proof must be shown at time of boarding. All guests must bring proof of valid health insurance. This must be shown at the time of boarding. All travelers must fill out the Travel to Jordan Declaration Form to receive a QR code for entry. Unvaccinated travelers ONLY must take a PCR COVID-19 test upon arrival at Jordan Queen Alia International Airport.
- Caravan: No mention of what Caravan Tours 2022 tours will look like. All 2021 dates were cancelled.
- Brendan Vacations: Effective immediately, all guest booked to travel with Brendan Vacations are required to be fully vaccinated to travel. The wellbeing of our guests is our top priority. That’s why we’ve updated our vaccination policy to require all guests traveling with us through December 31, 2022 be fully vaccinated against Covid-19, which may include a booster shot to keep it current and valid. Children under 16 must provide a verifiable and negative Covid-19 test result taken 72 hours prior to the start of the tour (taking time zones into consideration) until further notice.
Please note that individual airlines may have testing or vaccination requirements. Please check with the airline before flying. The final entry requirements will be clearly outlined in your Personal Travel Documents
