RS Tour Kit

Janet, you will need to direct this question to the RS office. The readers of this forum will only be able to speculate on the answer (my guess is: nope.) But, good luck!

Definitely contact the tour department. If I recall correctly last year there was a way to decline the money belt when I ordered my tour kit (I just got the guidebook), but I couldn't buy other things instead. In past years they did offer a store credit for people to purchase what they wanted, but they have gone back to a set package again.

There are previous posts on this and the answer on the money belt was no. (It would be a fun gift with some euros to someone traveling to Europe) In terms of the book, they might give you another book. We did the Rome tour. We did not need two Rome books. I was offered the Italy one instead.

Last year I was able to get one of the hidden pockets that my husband uses instead of the money belt.

I know what you’re saying, how many money belts does one person need? A few years before Covid they did do a credit for the kit and we did put it toward new suitcases but that only lasted for a short period. I’m sure it was money losing for the company. Last year I sent them an email to let them know we did not need the money belts.

A tour kit including a guidebook (when available) and a moneybelt

You will have to ask the RS office what the 'tour kit' includes beyond the guidebook and moneybelt. I think at one time I got ear plugs and a mask.

What you can barter for .....? At best partial credit toward a suitcase .. maybe

Let us know what happens

I purchased a moneybelt for my first trip to Europe. For our RS tour, we had a choice and I much prefer the pouch worn under clothes and around the neck. The fabric is nicer against the skin as well.

Just so you know there are different options available.

Last year the RS tour kit order asked if I wanted a money belt sent along with the Adriatic guidebook.

Three months before our 2023 RS tour, when tour kits had become available to order, I sent an email to the tour dept. to advise that I was going to pass on the money belt and ear plugs, because we had plenty of those from prior trips, and I asked, since I already owned the guidebook, could I substitute a different one? The reply was that, unfortunately, they are no longer allowing guidebook substitutions. The email said we could choose to decline the guidebook and travel accessories if we didn't want them. Based on that reply, I don't think they are going to give you a credit to use for a travel bag.

Based on what a guide told us, the reason RS stopped giving store credit instead of the tour kit was because a lot of tour participants (especially newbies) would show up without a guidebook, without having done any homework. So they were completely unprepared on what to do during free time. RS went back to requiring the tour kit so that the participants would at least have the book during the tour and could refer to it during free time.

Yes to what Mary said. Part of the reason for the kit, as I was told by a leader, was that they dont want people to show up without the basic items and complain that they didnt know they might need them. The guidebook because they would like you to read up on the places you're going to be, to be better prepared, an to have plenty of options to figure out what to do in their free time. Same with the phrasebook - to refer people to it when they ask the inevitable "how do you say ----------" . Not many people we've encountered on the tours had watched the TV shows or knew of this forum, so some assumed it was a hand-holding tour and depended on the leader to tell them what to do at all times. Cant speak to why no substitutions.