COVID-19 Info | Sun Tours

What you need to know about upcoming SUN TOURS travel - UPDATED September 30, 2022

We at Sun Tours recognize and share the concerns of all our travelers. We consider the safety and security of our passengers and staff members as paramount and would not knowingly place anyone in danger on any of our tours or cruises.

We continue to stay up-to-date and are following the advice of our ground operators and government travel and health organizations.

VACCINATION POLICY UPDATE

As of October 1, 2022, SUN TOURS will no longer require that passengers must be vaccinated in order to travel with us. We encourage vaccination and boosters shots, given that many venues such as museums and restaurants around the world are requiring proof of full vaccination.

For Image Tours international trips, your final vaccine dose must have been administered a minimum of 15 days prior to the start of the trip. We recommend that you also access a booster shot when possible as many destinations are requiring that your vaccination not be more than 270 days old.

The new Omicron booster is proving exceptionally effective. We are still having travelers who test positive for COVID upon their return home.

We do not require mask wearing, but encourage our travelers to do what they feel best for themselves.

If you haven't already done so, you can now register to receive the COVID-19 vaccination. Register with NM Dept. of Health at https://cvvaccine.nmhealth.org/ and complete the online form.

Beginning June 16, 2022, we will accept unvaccinated minors, 18 and under, if they present a negative result from a PCR test within 3 days of departing on their Sun trip. Antigen tests are also accepted as long a they are taken within 2 days of their Sun trip.

SUN TOURS has put into place the following health and safety protocols to keep you safe while you travel with us. We ask for your help in maintaining a healthy environment for your fellow travelers, SUN TOURS staff and the staff of our attractions, restaurants, and hotels. We are stronger TOGETHER!

For your protection, SUN TOURS has established these protocols:

We have hand sanitizer available for use upon entry to the motorcoach. Face masks are optional unless required by the destination, venur or attraction which the group is visiting.
Rigorous motorcoach cleaning protocols are in place including deep cleaning each night and high-touch surface cleaning throughout the day.
We make sure that each attraction and hotel visited on the tour has satisfactory health and safety protocols in place.
We use our state-of-the-art SUN TOURS SOUND system for social distancing while listening to tour directors and guides (on selected tours).
We have established procedures for isolating travelers who become ill while in tour.

For your protection, SUN TOURS has these requirements for travelers:

Do not travel if you are ill or have been exposed to COVID.
SUN TOURS no longer requires face masks on its tours or cruises. However, some of our destinations, venues and attractions may require you to wear a face mask. For this reason, all travelers are required to have face masks with them and are kindly asked to abide by those local requirements.
Follow guidelines and instructions of your Tour Director, Escort or Driver.
Maintain social distance as practical.
Use the SUN TOURS SOUND system to enjoy the Tour Director or guides while maintaining social distances. (You can use your own earpiece, or we will provide one.)
Let your Tour Director know immediately if you feel unwell.
Have a Great Trip!

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I need a face mask?

At this time, yes. Please see #2 above. SUN TOURS travelers are expected to comply with face mask mandates at venues, destinations and attractions.

What if I get sick and cannot travel on my tour or cruise?

If you are unable to travel due to illness, including COVID-19, you are subject to the cancellation penalties as published for your tour or cruise. For this reason, we highly recommend that you purchase a travel protection plan.

If you get sick during your tour or cruise, you will be required to separate from the group and quarantine at your own expense until you test negative for COVID or are asymptomatic for at least 5 days. The first thing to do is to let your Tour Director or Escort know that you are unwell. The second thing to do is to contact your travel insurance, if you have it, as they can assist you with planning.

Can my children or grandchildren travel with me, if they are not vaccinated?

What happens if someone else on the tour gets sick?

If someone on your tour or cruise becomes ill, they will be removed from the group and required to quarantine (see above) until they test negative for COVID or are asymptomatic for at least 5 days. If someone becomes ill up to 14 days after the trip and tests positive for COVID, you will be notified with either an email or a phone call so that you can monitor your own health as you feel appropriate.

Why, in some cases, are future cruise or tour credits issued rather than refunds?

For tours that are created and operated by SUN TOURS and subsequently canceled, refunds are always offered. When the departure is operated by a third party such as a cruise line or an international tour operator (like Princess or Globus), we are limited by their cancellation policies.

Why should I keep my booking on a postponed or rescheduled tour?

If you keep your booking on most postponed or rescheduled tours, you are guaranteed a place on the tour once it is rescheduled and often prices will be held to the same levels. Once the new tour plan is finalized you will have the option of going or canceling with a 100% refund.

What if I want to cancel my tour?

Many upcoming tours have been postponed or canceled. For other upcoming tours, cancellation policies are being revised to give you more time to make an informed decision about your travel plans. If you do decide to postpone a scheduled tour, any current tour cancellation fees apply.

All our cruise lines are offering the option to postpone upcoming cruises, converting your reservation to a future cruise credit. Policies and restrictions vary by cruise line and departure date. Please contact our cruise department for additional information.

I was going on a cruise that SUN TOURS has rescheduled but cannot travel on the new dates. I see an option for a future cruise credit. How does that work?

Terms for future cruise credits vary by cruise line and specific canceled or postponed sailings. Please contact our cruise department for additional information.

What does my Travel Protection Plan cover?

Your Travel Protection Plan covers you should you become ill after purchasing the plan. Cancelling travel due to “fear” of contracting COVID-19 (or the flu or any illness) isn’t covered by travel protection plans. Should your tour be delayed, canceled, or interrupted, there would be coverage as specified in the policy documents. If you need a copy of your policy, please call or email us and we will mail one to you.

What if I have Cancel for Any Reason coverage?

Some travelers may prefer to cancel their trip out of concern for COVID-19. For insured travelers who purchased Cancel for Any Reason coverage, we remind you that cancellations must be made 48 or more hours prior to scheduled departure and payment is limited to 75% of the non-refundable trip cost up to the stated plan amount.

What happens to my insurance payment if my tour has been canceled?

For Travel Insured International (TII) Group Deluxe Plan policies purchased through SUN TOURS, we can

Move your coverage to a new or rescheduled trip in 2020 or 2021, or
Arrange for a full refund from TII of your premium (provided no claim has been filed under the plan). A TII refund can only be requested once the tour refund is completed and can take some time. Your patience in these matters is greatly appreciated.

I’ve requested a refund. When will I get it?

Refunds for most tours are generally issued in 1-2 weeks. International tours operated by partner companies (Mayflower, Image and Globus), cruises, and refunds of Insurance on canceled tours may take considerably longer. Your patience is appreciated.