Frequently Asked Questions

Updated August 12, 2022

Planning Your Next Holiday

Q: What are A&K’s cancellation terms for new bookings?

A: New bookings made for travel through December 31, 2022, fall under our Book with Confidence policy, which allows you to change or cancel your reservation up to 30 days prior to departure in the event of a COVID-related reason (some exceptions apply). Details can be found at this link. Standard cancellation terms apply to travel for 2023 and beyond.

Q: What are A&K’s health and safety protocols?

A: Prior to travel, all guests are required to sign an online A&K Health & Safety Acknowledgement attesting to their physical wellbeing and willingness to comply with all health and safety protocols. Click the links to download the forms for Luxury Expedition Cruises and Group Journeys and Tailor Made and Signature Journeys.

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements for Travel

Q: Does A&K require COVID-19 vaccination for travel?

A: A&K requires proof of full COVID-19 vaccination on all Small Group Journeys, including Luxury Small Group, Marco Polo, Luxury Family, Wings Over the World, Connections and Limited Edition journeys, as well as Luxury Expedition Cruises and Private Jet journeys. Guests on all journeys must comply with country entry and service provider requirements.

Q: What vaccines are accepted by A&K?

A: A&K accepts all approved vaccines per the World Health Organization at covid19.trackvaccines.org/agency/who. However, guests must also comply with specific vaccination requirements for country entry and ship embarkation on Luxury Expedition Cruises that may be more restrictive. Some countries now require a booster shot if full vaccination for COVID-19 has been administered more than a designated number of days prior to arrival. Visit the U.S. Department of State or the Government of Canada for current entry requirements by country.

For embarkation on Luxury Expedition Cruises, the ship operator requires a booster shot for guests aged 12 and over if full vaccination is more than four months prior to departure (two months for Janssen/Johnson & Johnson). Booster shots must be an mRNA vaccine (Pfizer and Moderna) regardless of original vaccine type.

Q: Are children required to be vaccinated?

A: Yes, all guests, including children, must show proof of full COVID-19 vaccination on all Small Group Journeys and Luxury Expedition Cruises. For all Tailor Made and Signature journeys, children must comply with all country entry and service provider requirements.

Q: Are booster shots required?

A: At this time, booster shots are not required by A&K. However, guests must comply with country vaccination requirements for entry and service provider requirements which may be more restrictive. Some countries now require that full vaccination for COVID-19 and/or a booster shot must be administered at least 14 days and no more than a designated number of days prior to arrival. To meet changing requirements, a booster shot is recommended. Visit the U.S. Department of State or the Government of Canada for current entry requirements by country.

For embarkation on Luxury Expedition Cruises, the ship operator requires a booster shot for guests aged 12 and over if full vaccination is more than four months prior to departure (two months for Janssen/Johnson & Johnson). Booster shots must be an mRNA vaccine (Pfizer and Moderna) regardless of original vaccine type.

Details will be provided in your pre-travel information that are specific to your journey. All information is subject to change.

Q: Do I have to present my vaccination certificate to A&K prior to or during my journey?

A: Where required, all guests must show proof of full vaccination on arrival or at the Welcome Briefing. Guests are advised to carry both an original vaccination certificate and a picture on their phone. Digital vaccination passports are accepted for guests who were vaccinated outside of the U.S.

Q: Will A&K Resident Tour Directors be vaccinated?

A: Resident Tour Directors and the A&K Expedition Team are vaccinated on all Small Group Journeys and Luxury Expedition Cruises, respectively.

Q: What if I am not vaccinated? What are my options?

A: Our Travel Consultants can work with you to travel on a Tailor Made or Signature journey to a destination where vaccinations are not required.

COVID-19 Requirements and Testing

Q: Are there special COVID-19 related entry requirements for the country I want to travel to?

A: Some countries and service providers require proof of COVID-19 vaccination and/or proof of a negative COVID-19 test for entry. Visit the U.S. Department of State or the Government of Canada for current entry requirements by country.

Details will be provided in your pre-travel information that are specific to your journey. All information is subject to change.

Q: Do I have to wear a mask while travelling?

A: On all journeys, masks must be worn in accordance with local regulations and service provider requirements. We encourage you to bring your own masks; a supply will be on hand where needed. Note all protocols are subject to change in accordance with relevant guidelines, local regulations and conditions.

Q: Does A&K assist with COVID-19 testing if it is required during my journey and to return home?

A: A&K will facilitate any required in-country testing during your journey or for onward travel. Costs for testing are payable directly to the testing provider at time of service by either credit card or cash depending on the destination. All requirements and testing information specific to your journey will be included in Essential Information in your Final Documents.

Q: What happens if I test positive for COVID-19 while travelling?

A: If you receive a positive COVID-19 test result, you will be required to follow the local and service provider regulations, which may include quarantine and testing. Any associated costs will be the responsibility of the guest.

If you are travelling on a Small Group Journey, Luxury Expedition Cruise, or Private Jet journey, at a minimum, you may not participate in A&K scheduled activities for five days after a positive COVID-19 test result and may rejoin the group only if you agree to wear a well-fitting mask for an additional five days. Close contacts sharing a guestroom with you must wear a well-fitting mask for 10 days and monitor their health for symptoms.

Q: What does A&K’s travel insurance cover if I test positive for COVID-19 while travelling?

A: Whether you purchase A&K’s Guest Protection Program or find coverage on your own, we strongly recommend guests purchase travel insurance. Here’s what our Guest Protection Program covers if you test positive for COVID-19 while travelling:

• A required quarantine is covered under Trip Delay up to the coverage limit
• Hospitalization and medical treatment are covered under Sickness/Medical up to the coverage limit
• Emergency Evacuation is an option only if the local attending physician determines transportation is necessary to the nearest medical facility where treatment can be obtained.

Note, for insurance purposes, a self-administered at-home COVID-19 test kit is not considered valid medical documentation for an insurance claim.

All coverage limits vary by state and are based on the policy you purchase. Please consult the full explanation of benefits for coverage limits here: affinitytravelcert.com/abk.

Q: Is a COVID-19 test required to return home from my journey?

A: If you are a U.S. resident or fully vaccinated Canadian returning home, there are currently no COVID-19 testing requirements for entry. Unvaccinated Canadians returning home, as well as guests continuing to other countries, should check the specific COVID-19 entry requirements for those destinations.