With the current global environment situation, we are working with some of the travel industries major brands have released relaxing cancellation policies to help put your mind at ease when planning travel. 

This is being continuously updated but if you do have an idea on a destination or trip let us know we will help you make the lowest risk choice.  Also we can offer a cancellation for any reason policy which will provide you with a refund with specific conditions on travel booked in the case of cancellation for ANY reason.

 

We are getting updates all the time from suppliers around the world including from the airlines and insurance companies - we are here to help and answer any questions you have.

For Those With Travel Booked:

Many suppliers have a timeline where cancellation fees begin to apply from a certain date before travel.

If you still have time up your sleeve - before any financial penalties apply - your best bet is to wait and see.

Don't be rushed into making a decision about future travel before you need to. Just before cancellation fees come into effect is the time to make decisions.

 

Extra Flexibility In Travel Options:

We are working closely with our suppliers to ensure people have the option to change their plans. Some of the additional options are:

- Defer/postpone travel to a later date
- Switch to another tour/cruise in another part of the world
- Hold the value of the trip in credit for future use
- A refund (where other options aren't possible)
- If you have questions about the cancellation/flexibility polices for a particular supplier, please ask. Every supplier is different, with different policies, and some are more flexible than others.

Most people with upcoming travel are choosing to defer their travel to later in the year.

 

What About Travel Insurance?

There has been a lot about this on the news, for good reason, as there's been quite a bit of confusion in this area.

Two of our insurance providers (Allianz & Kiwi Holiday Insurance) are still providing medical cover and emergency medical transportation costs for Coronavirus anywhere in the world while travelling regardless of when the policy was purchased.

Another insurance provider, Cover-More is also providing medical cover for Coronavirus (except in China and Iran).

And of course, all the other cover provided by your policy still applies as normal.

Just like other suppliers, travel insurance companies are offering different levels of flexibility. So it's vital to be aware of what you're covered for before you start on your travels.

Generally speaking, changing your mind and choosing not to travel will not be accepted by any travel insurance company, unless you have a very specific "Cancel for any reason" policy from Cover-More.

 

Are People Still Travelling?

Yes, people are still travelling to low-risk destinations. Australia, in particular, is seeing an increase in enquiry.

Air New Zealand has some great information on for travellers on their website.

They've created a factsheet that outlines what they're doing to protect travellers and Air New Zealand staff during this time.

 

Should I/My Family Still Travel?

This depends on your circumstances, and we are happy to talk through the specifics with you, but here are some points to consider:

- Any area which is open to travel, but where the virus is spreading rapidly, is best avoided; including South Korea and Italy.
- You'll need to be diligent with your hand/cough/sneeze hygiene measures.
- Thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, and thoroughly dry them afterwards.
- Where handwashing isn't practical, hand sanitising gels and/or wipes are a good idea.
- Cough/sneeze into a tissue or your elbow.
- Avoid touching your face (especially when on public transport)
- Deferring travel plans is a good idea for anyone who is currently unwell (for any reason).
- Anyone with current (or a history of) respiratory problems should also consider deferring their travel, or switching destinations to a low-risk area.

 

 

 Insurance:

Covermore:

Latest update:    Covermore update

Airlines:

Many airlines have released credit options for cancelled flights. For specific airlines please contact us directly.

Cruise:

Holland America 

Book your 2020 cruise with confidence - cancel for any reason and receive a Future Cruise Credit (FCC valid for 90 days from cancellation) in the amount of your deposit and any cancellation fees (must cancel at least 30 days before cruise’s departure).

Book with Confidence is applicable on sailings departing between 1 April and 15 October 2020, booked in March or April and cruise must be cancelled up to 30 days prior to sailing.

Windstar Cruises

Book a Windstar cruise vacation departing on or after June 1 2020, rest easy knowing you can cancel up to 15 days before the cruise departs without incurring a cancellation fee. This new Travel Assurance Booking Policy acknowledges the challenge of booking vacations in advance and aims to allay travellers’ concerns about losing money due to unexpected illness or other world events.

Aqua Expeditions 

We would like to inform you that all our cruises are going as planned. We understand if you are concerned and we would like to offer you to change to travel with us on a future cruise within the next 12 months with a waiver of the USD200 administration fee per person.

Please note: This only applies for departures for up to 2 months from now. There is no refund should they decide to cancel the trip. The normal cancellation policy will apply for any cancellations. 

Crystal Cruises

Guests ineligible to sail as a result of country-specific restrictions must notify Crystal within 7 days of this alert to avoid cancellation penalties. For these guests, Crystal will provide a choice of either a 100% refund of the cruise fare paid OR a Future Cruise Credit of 125% of the base cruise fare paid and a refund of their port charges for both options. The FCC can be used on any of Crystal’s experiences including Ocean, River, Yacht and Expedition for voyages commencing on or before December 31, 2021.

Norwegian Cruise Line

 To provide some reassurance, we have temporarily modified a few of our existing policies. Please note:

• Final payment for all June and July voyages will not be due until 90 days prior to sailing.
• Up until 60 days prior to sailing, we will allow a transfer of the reservation to any other cruise that departs on or before June 30, 2020. The transfer voyage must be of equal or greater value, prevailing rates will apply, and penalties will be waived.

 

 

 

 In this article, we will update you on the movement and what we know so far about the Corona Virus. It is here to provide you with information to help give you reassurance and advice when planning or travelling at these times.

 

What is coronavirus?
Coronavirus is a large family of viruses that can make humans and animals sick. They cause illnesses that can range from the common cold to more severe diseases.

 

Symptoms
Symptoms can range from mild illness to pneumonia. People with coronavirus may experience:

- fever
- flu-like symptoms such as coughing, sore throat and fatigue
- shortness of breath

Who is at risk
Most cases of coronavirus are in Wuhan City in Hubei Province, China.

The people most at risk of getting the virus are those who have:

- Recently been in mainland China and Iran
- Been in close contact with someone who is a confirmed case of coronavirus

 

How it spreads
There is evidence that the virus spreads from person-to-person.

The virus is most likely spread through:

- Close contact with an infectious person
- Contact with droplets from an infected person’s cough or sneeze
- Touching objects or surfaces (like doorknobs or tables) that have cough or sneeze droplets from an infected person, and then touching your mouth or face

Prevention
Surgical masks in the community are only helpful in preventing people who have coronavirus disease from spreading it to others. If you are well, you do not need to wear a surgical mask as there is little evidence supporting the widespread use of surgical masks in healthy people to prevent transmission in public.

 

Everyone should practise good hygiene to protect against infections. Good hygiene includes:

- Washing your hands often with soap and water

- Using a tissue and cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze

- Avoiding close contact with others, such as touching

 

Diagnosis
If you become unwell and think you may have symptoms of coronavirus, seek medical attention.

Call ahead of time to book an appointment. Tell your doctor about your symptoms, travel history and any recent close contact with someone who has coronavirus.

If you must leave home to see your doctor, wear a surgical mask (if you have one) to protect others.

 

Above all our clients wellbeing and comfort is our highest priority, we are here to help should you have any queries.

 

Lee

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tips for staying healthy and relaxed while in transit 

No matter how many good books, films, or binge-worthy TV shows they’ve stocked up on, travellers boarding a long-haul flight still face the prospect of sitting in a stuffy airline cabin for eight-plus hours. But with a positive mindset – and a little bit of creativity – it’s possible to elevate the marathon journey into a spa-like experience.

Beauty and Health Secrets

Dry, recirculated airplane air, unfortunately, leads to parched skin, so be sure to drink plenty of water and keep a carry-on-friendly moisturizer at the ready. A convenient, fuss-free sheet mask such as Farmacy’s coconut water-infused gel one provides a nourishing mid-flight boost. (And don’t worry, at least one Virtuoso Life editor believes there’s no shame in applying a mask mid-flight.) Reach for Drunk Elephant’s Lippe Balm – made with avocado, mongongo, cranberry, and marula oils – to replenish dry plane lips, and pop in Sencha Naturals Moroccan Mints for fresh breath pick-me-ups. Warding off colds is a priority to Wendy Rothkopf, a Bedford Hills, New York-based Virtuoso advisor who specializes in wellness travel. She wipes down seat trays (a bastion of germs, she points out) with natural peppermint oil wipes. Rothkopf adds: “I always take essential oils with me on the plane – lavender and grapefruit seed are natural antibacterials. I put a few drops on the seat and under my nose.”

 

Nap Essentials

Sleep can be elusive on airplanes, but one way to accelerate a somnolent state is by shutting out ambient light with an eye mask. Bucky’s 40 Blinks Sleep Mask is a comfortable option, thanks to Velcro straps instead of tight and itchy elastic ones. Skip the airline-provided blanket and toss a jersey-stitched, Italian cashmere throw like this one from Cloud Knits into your carry-on. Pack a quality pair of noise-cancelling headphones such as the Beats Studio3 Wireless, which have real-time audio calibration and actively block outside distractions. Final step: Sign up for a subscription to Calm, the catchy and easy-to-use app that’s filled with guided meditations, soothing nature sounds, and stretching tutorials that can be downloaded for offline listening.

 

 

 

In-Flight Fitness Tips

Staying active on the plane, albeit in tight quarters, is essential to wellbeing. Rothkopf, who teaches yoga, emphasizes the importance of “moving the spine and getting the blood flowing in the legs.” She suggests heading to the aisle to twist from side to side and complete a series of heel lifts – at least 20 to 50 of them – every couple of hours. From your seat, she recommends making ankle and wrist circles. “They won’t disturb anyone, and they’ll keep extremities from the consequences of inertia,” she explains. “And wear compression socks. No one sees them under your pants, and they can truly prevent the swelling and edema that can occur from a 12-plus hour flight.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Small, Portable Cabin Fan - We love bringing along a fan to keep us company in the cabin. Not only does it help to have some air circulating in the room, but we also have to have white noise to drown out any sounds while we sleep.

Outlet Adapter - Have an iPhone? What about a tablet or a laptop? A small fan? A nightlight, curling iron or straightener? You can see that outlet space can be at a premium in a small cruise cabin. That’s why we recommend packing an adapter or two that will expand the number of plugs.

Wheel Spinner Suitcase - You likely already have a suitcase or a duffel bag to pack your clothes in, but it’s a good idea to switch over to a 4-wheel spinner suitcase. The walkway from the cruise terminal to your cabin can be pretty long.

Wine and Corkscrew - Nothing beats sitting out on the balcony of the ship, watching the stars and sipping a glass of your favorite vino. Be sure to pack a corkscrew with your wine, We’ve all done the dance when we want to open a bottle of wine and search frantically for a corkscrew.

Cabin Nightlight - The cabins on a ship can get dark — especially if you’ve booked an interior room that doesn’t have windows. So what happens if you get up to go to the bathroom while trying to navigate a small, unfamiliar cabin with furniture? Your shins pay the price.