Our family planned our Rick Steve's Best of Eastern Europe (15 day) Tour for a year. It was a chance to celebrate our daughter doctorate accomplishments, our 30 year anniversary (2 years late) and a time to have quality time as a family, including our new son in law. Unfortunately - after just 5 days on the tour my husband tested positive for COVID and we were forced to leave the tour, leaving our adult children to complete it on their own.
I am writing provide an overview of our experience and lessons learned for others to consider. First - we unfortunately DID NOT secure travel insurance. While I attempted to sign up multiple times - the on-line process with the third part insurance for our multiple stop tour was time consuming and ultimately fell of the list at some point. Looking back - the extra hassle may have been worth it as we are out almost $3,000. This loss reflects Rick Steve's providing us a partial credit for days lost on tour (thank you very much Rick Steves). Luckily we had paid extra for flexible airfare which allowed us to rebook with no fees (Delta).
In the end - we lost more than money. We lost precious family time with our adult children who had agreed to take all their leave for this trip we have planned for the past year. We are happy to report they have continued on and so far have avoided Covid. I will say that this new variant seems to have a short incubation period and travels fast. Symptoms include sore throat to start, followed by head congestion and then cough. Medication helped control symptoms. I ended up testing positive the day we arrived home and felt 80% after just 3 days and texted negative day 4. I think that is the good news.
The forum is correct in stating you are OUT if you test positive. While everyone had proof of vaccination on day one, we suspect COVID arrived with one of the tour members unknowingly and after a long bus ride, an incubation period of what seemed like 3 days - people started sniffling, coughing and testing positive one after the other. In our 28-member tour group that stated 9/3/23, I understand they are down to 18. As previously stated, if your partner tests positive - they are out (no matter if you quarantine for 5 days, text negative and have remaining time on your tour). The remaining partner is given the opportunity to continue but must mask the entire time and test daily. Our tour guide helped provide alternative hotels to move to while we stayed behind and the tour continued.
Tests and masks are not provided by Rick Steves and we were unsuccessful finding N95 masks in Europe, as it isn't considered a big deal. Luckily - out kids brought them and a tour member donated one for me.
I wish after the first person tested positive that Rick Steve's would have provided N95 masks to tour members who opted to wear them moving forward in our bus. This might have helped limit the spread. My advice is to bring them with you. Ours unfortunately did not arrive before we left. I would also bring your own tests.
I hope this is helpful. Know Covid still is out there and for 2023 Tours - Rick Steve's policy will require you test and drop out if you are symptomatic. I recommend getting insurance if you have a long trip.