This week, the Globus family of brands – consisting of Globus, Cosmos, Avalon Waterways and Monograms – introduced important updates to pre-trip Health & Safety Protocols, including requiring proof of full COVID-19 vaccination to join the company’s upcoming international tours, river cruises and independent vacation packages.
“The health and safety of our travelers is our number one priority,” said Scott Nisbet, CEO of the Globus family of brands. “And, as part of our commitment to provide sustainable, responsible travel across the globe – while keeping in line with anticipated destination policies – we are instituting a new requirement for travelers embarking on international vacations. They will now need to provide proof of full COVID-19 vaccination for international vacations through October 31, 2021. This policy update follows the latest requirements of many countries, provides our travelers the safest return to travel and ensures more seamless movement between countries and within destinations.”
With this new policy in place, travelers ages 12 and older will need to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination, completed at least 14-days prior to embarkation. The Globus family of brands will accept vaccines authorized or approved by the World Health Organization (WHO), Centers for Disease Control (CDC), European Centre for Disease Prevention (ECDC) or an official government body.
Those who do not comply will not be able to join a planned international vacation with Globus, Cosmos, Avalon Waterways or Monograms. This new protocol will take effect for international vacations departing July 15 through October 31, 2021. The company plans to revert back to its policy of proof of vaccination, negative COVID-19 test or immunity for travel after October 31, 2021.
“If our guests are unable to go on their vacation due to COVID-19 restrictions, our complimentary Peace of Mind Travel Plan gives them the flexibility to move their plans to any other 2021 or 2022 date, destination, itinerary or even, another brand in our vast travel portfolio, without penalty,” said Nisbet. “We’re offering travelers risk-free bookings.”
Diane Barone says
Thank you so much for requiring proof of vaccine and protecting my health I have COP D and I have also had the virus and been in the hospital for 5 days it was not fun I’m lucky I got out
William Rowell says
This policy places travelers that have had and recovered from covid at great risk forcing on them an experimental and problematic vaccine. There is no data to support the medical necessity for a vaccine in this circumstance and in fact may increase the risk of an adverse outcome.
This policy is also inconsistent with entry requirements (Swiss for example) requiring only negative test results prior to entry (PCr or rapid antigen) and airline travel which only requires a simple screening.
The cutoff date of October 31st is arbitrary and as an Infection Control professional I would urge Avalon to re-consider this dangerous policy.