Rick Steves Tour test requirements

The pre-tour testing requirement ended May 1st.
https://www.ricksteves.com/tours/coronavirus-faq

Will I need a negative COVID-19 test prior to joining a tour?
Beginning with our May 2022 tours, we're no longer requiring pre-tour testing, but for departures through April 30, 2022, you need to show proof of a negative COVID-19 viral test (PCR, antigen, or a self-test monitored by a third-party) taken within 48 hours of the first day of your tour. You must take a test regardless of whether or not the country you fly into requires testing. If you’re arriving more than two days before your tour starts, testing sites in Europe are widely available at airports, train stations, and local pharmacies, or the staff at your tour hotel can assist you with nearby testing locations. You may also contact the tour hotel before you depart for Europe to get information on testing locations. (Tour hotel contact information is available in your tour account.)
Will your pre-tour testing requirement be reinstated in the future?

We may reinstate testing requirements at any time and will notify tour members by email 30 days prior to the tour departure date if you need to provide a negative test. Please note, the countries you're visiting may require proof of a negative COVID-19 test for entry, so please make sure to check entry requirements.

RS just reinstated testing before the tour per email just received by another Travel Forum member. Statistics seem to be showing 2 to 5 people testing positive per tour (approximately as some tours probably had zero). I have noticed ALOT more tours have seats available in the last couple of days. I think people who have cancellation deadlines coming up are starting to cancel in view of the continuing problems with Covid circulating and the fact that the testing requirement to return home does not appear to be going away anytime soon. I think having that test hanging over your head is making people think twice about taking a tour in Europe.

We also just received an email stating that we should bring a rapid test and take it prior to our initial meeting with the tour manager. Our "Italy My Way" tour starts on 5/22. The email does not indicate what happens if either me or my wife test postive. I assume that we will be kicked off the tour and "stuck" in Venice until we have a negative test. Would we get a refund in this scenario? Would we be able to join the tour in progress upon testing negative?

dguimond, this scenario just happened to my husband and I. We were kicked off the tour and left to fend for ourselves. We did get a full refund and we were told we could not join the tour in progress even if my husband tested negative. It was a nightmare for an obsessive travel planner to suddenly have no place to stay right before a major holiday. Thankfully, my husband had no symptoms, temperature or anything. We made the best of it.

RS just reinstated testing before the tour per email just received by another Travel Forum member. Statistics seem to be showing 2 to 5 people testing positive per tour (approximately as some tours probably had zero).

Lori, where did you read those statistics? The tour news report seems to be reporting a much lower percentage

diveloonie, did you need to have trip insurance in order to get the refund, or did Rick Steves Tour automatically reimburse you? We normally would not get insurance, but are considering it for this scenario...

@Lori - yes curious about the stats, too. I've been reading the RS official trip reports and the % testing positive seems to be increasing slightly (from 1% to 1.9% last week). On an individual tour, 2 people out of 24 would be 8% and 5 would be 20%. Now, I don't know the actual numbers on the trips. Seems like the average is less than 24 though doing the math. So clearly some tours are spared and others are not.

Most recent communication from RS tour says
"Because we want to ensure the health and safety of your group — and provide a successful tour for you and each group member, we’ll be requiring all tour members to complete a COVID test prior to joining their tour. To make this requirement as easy as possible, we’re asking you to bring along a COVID rapid self-test and complete it on the first day of your tour prior to the start of your welcome meeting. Your guide will ask to see your test and CDC vaccine card prior to entering the meeting."

Guys,
Please help me understand what you are feeling.
I would certainly recommend that everyone understand what the process will be if you test positive. Before I make a significant purchase I always try to understand what I am buying.

Tour goers, d0 you not know that you have to test the day before your tour starts? Do you understand that if you test positive you won't be able to join the tour? Using the language "kicked off the tour", implies some wrong doing.

Do you think that a full refund of the tour price is fair? Do you think all tour companies are offering a full refund?

Obviously, testing positive and missing a tour is a big risk and would be very disappointing.
Do you think the rules should be different? Do you think that testing should only be done if a person has a fever or other symptoms?
If one tests positive, who is to blame?
Do others that have tours coming up think you can avoid contracting the virus if you are careful?
Do you think that going to an airport filled with people, getting on a plane for 7+ hours and landing in another crowded airport and then going on a tour bus is being careful?

I really am not trying to be an a**hole. I am trying to understand how others are managing these decisions.

I am traveling with my son to 4 countries, leaving in one week. I think that the risk of exposure to COVID is exceedingly high. I think that the risk of testing positive and having a delayed flight home is as high as 50/50. I am planning for this event.

I really would like to know what others are thinking.

So, we got the “bring a self test” email too. Not explicitly laid out in the email is 1) what happens (officially) if it’s positive at the first meeting:; 2) Will there be other tests along the way? (Understanding the need for the pre boarding testing to fly home).

I did reach out to RS right after receiving the email and all they said was you would have to follow the protocols of that country, isolation or quarantine, at the tour hotel or a specifically designated quarantine center. If the persons tests positive while already on the tour, same rules would apply. The costs of this is the responsibility of individual but they would help find lodging and care needed. Once declared positive may not join or rejoin the group for the remainder of the tour.

In addition, we will offer a refund for anyone who tests positive and is no longer able to complete their tour, in accordance with our Covid Wellness Refund Policy.

I always purchase insurance and did so as well for this trip with the knowledge I may very well have to use it. Most times I don't have those worries it's just an "in case". More concerned since we're meeting up with friends, all double boosted, for this trip and what if one of us can't go. We drug our feet trying to make a decision whether to pull the trigger and travel overseas again or not and when we booked numbers were way down and restrictions had started loosening. Then again, numbers up and here we go again. Not Rick's fault of course and just like everyone in the world, so tired of this. Want things back to the way they used to be. :(

@juliep. If you find this upsetting and it changes your mind about touring, you should be talking to RS tours directly with your concerns. They may allow you to change…….

In fairness, their policy stated under tour FAQ was quite clear that while they were no longer going to require pretour testing for tours that started after May 1, they reserved the right to reinstate testing if conditions warranted.

Carol, yes, in my second email to them I did ask if we could cancel now but it was after hours and will see what they say. I'm totally understanding of the pre testing policy but with numbers rising I'm more worried than I was a few months ago about possibly testing positive. This all stinks.

Have NOT received any such email from RS, and our tour starts in late June. This is VERY disconcerting, to say the least...seriously considering scrapping our tour entirely, as I'm sure many who have read the latest on this thread are also...

For those who find this testing requirement to be distressing, I am sorry it causes you upset. Travel during Covid does have added stresses and if you feel you aren’t ready to deal with those stresses there is no judgement here. It is hard to face that a well planned and expensive trip may be scuttled at the last moment.

However, this policy is not new and was clearly stated on the RS website. They always have reserved the option to require testing.

OK…. I’m confused….this policy states we need to take test either in front of a a medical professional or the guide.

I thought the emails stated we need to self-test on start day of tour before 1st group meeting and bring the test to the guide??

What am I missing?

Chris, 2 different situations. More proof needed for refund of tour.

Thank you Liz inPa…..

I agree they are being very generous with the ability to sit out if positive and still get a refund. Since we are traveling with another couple I was also told that if any of the 4 of us tests positive we all have to option to sit out and get same refund. Don't think we'd do that but very generous of them to offer that. My biggest question remains in their Covid Wellness plan once quarantined and testing negative you have the option to rejoin group at your own expense of course if wanted. In newest email it states that if you test positive you are unable to join tour group again. Not sure how that will work but hopefully won't be an issue.

I wonder whether the no-rejoining rule is related to the administrative burden of dealing with the tour hotels. I'm guessing RS may be able to get at least a partial refund of its hotel costs if it cancels rooms X days in advance. That would help cover the cost of pro-rata refunds for days missed. If the traveler is able to test negative mid-way through the tour, it might not be possible to find a room for that traveler in the same hotel, or even a nearby hotel, on short notice. Just guessing here.

We returned last week after 33 days in Greece, England and France that included 25 days of Rick Steves tours. All 42 collective members of the two tours tested negative on day 1 of their respective tour. I am not aware of any positive cases of any tour members returning directly to US. I am aware of two persons testing positive after they travelled independently following conclusion of tour.
We took 66 KN94 masks for our 33 days in Europe and opened a fresh mask daily. Masks work. As long as US requires testing to re-enter RS has no choice but to require negative test on front end. Our two tours were wonderful and we highly recommend going.