Post updated: June 28, 2022 (originally posted March 19, 2020)
Dear Travelers,
Moving into the summer of 2022, international travelers are starting to see many of the COVID regulations and testing requirements being dropped. The biggest of these being the COVID test requirement for reentry to the U.S., which now is no longer required. With that change, there is no longer a concern about testing positive before flying home. Many of the destinations to which we travel, while still requiring proof of vaccination, no longer require COVID tests for entry. At Oceanic Society, we have instituted pre-trip Zoom calls to cover all COVID related questions and needs in addition to other pre-trip questions, and we will continue to do this going forward.
Over the last 6 months we have run our full expedition schedule, leading more than 27 expeditions to over 10 different countries. As we require all of our participants to be vaccinated, and we operate most of our trips in remote areas, with most activities conducted outdoors, we have thus far not had anyone test positive for COVID on any of our trips. While we all still need to remain vigilant about exposure risks prior to departing, and we continue to recommend wearing masks on all flights getting to your destination, it seems that in many ways travel is “returning to normal.” As such, we are seeing a high demand for our popular destinations.
By the end of July both the Federated States of Micronesia (Yap) and the Solomon Islands will reopen to travelers, Tonga is expected to follow suit reopening in November 2022 (no dates for Tonga will be available until end of 2022). We also have some new and recently reopened expeditions that still are available for you to join:
- Alor and Savu Sea – October 2022
- Raja Ampat October 2022
- Costa Rica October 2022
- Puerto Rico> May 2023
- Fiji – October 2023
- Cuba Gardens of the Queen (dates to be announced soon)
Join us on our newly launched trip to Alor, Indonesia for outstanding coral reef snorkeling or scuba diving while staying in boutique accommodations set beside a blue whale migration corridor. © Erik Lukas / Ocean Image Bank
Even with the relaxed COVID regulations these earlier words of advice still hold true:
- Travel insurance can be more important than ever. Read up on what is covered and the different types of coverages that you can purchase, like CFAR and specialized evacuation insurance to get you back home if you test positive abroad.
- All of our travelers must be vaccinated and boosted to participate in our trips (excluding California whale watching).
- Expect that there may be last minute modifications to our trip itinerary as hotels and service we used before COVID may no longer be operating. You would be wise in most cases to plan on arriving at least a day early, especially as there are many domestic (US) flight delays/cancellations.
- Bringing some self administered COVID tests with you may become the norm. To get up to date on what they are and how they work, here is a good article. And here is more information about tests you may want to bring with you.
- Travel resources from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) include recommendations by country, information on returning to the U.S. after travel, and more, as does the U.S. Department of State International Travel website.
- Another good resource is the International Air Transport Association (IATA), which offers an up-to-date interactive COVID-19 travel map with links to all country regulations.
Please do not hesitate to get in touch with questions or to plan your next adventure. Many of our 2022 trips are already close to full. We look forward to helping you select a trip that will get you safely back out in nature. We are requiring all of our trip members to present proof of vaccination in order to participate in any of our trips (excluding California whale watching trips). All of our staff members and guides are vaccinated. And, because the tourism sector has been prioritized for vaccination in many countries, in almost all cases the employees of the ships and hotels we use have been vaccinated too.
Reach out to Wayne or Pei (expeditions@oceanicsociety.org) with any travel related questions or private group travel planning needs as you contemplate planning your next adventure. Please see below our updated COVID policies as of June 2022 below.
UPDATED BOOKING POLICIES – WHAT IF YOU NEED TO CANCEL A BOOKING?
We encourage you to purchase travel insurance and to make sure that your insurance policy covers COVID-19. Fear of COVID-19 or testing positive for COVID-19 prior to departure will not allow for a refund of trip fees paid. In most cases our normal terms and conditions are now back in place.
- For destinations that are now fully reopened, Oceanic Society has reinstated pre-COVID cancellation policies.
- We are allowing travelers who are signed up for any trips from areas that have not yet reopened to switch to a later departure date at no cost. Once we confirm your trip, we will notify you and offer you the chance to stay booked or to transfer to a different date or trip. At that point if you cancel after our deposit refund period (4 months out) then Trip Insurance may be your only protection against loss of trip fees paid.
- We understand that each traveler may have specific risks with regard to COVID-19. All group members on Oceanic trips will need to present proof of vaccination (or doctors note indicating you are recovered from COVID) if for some reason you are not able to be vaccinated we will allow you to transfer to expeditions at a later date or we will refund your deposit. If you do not inform us until after the trip is confirmed you may lose your trip fees paid per our normal terms and conditions.
- Our COVID-19 Reservation Policy applies only to cancellations due to COVID-19 preventing clients from traveling to their destination because the U.S. (or the country we are visiting) restricts flights. For cancellations due to other reasons (CDC warnings, individual travel concerns, fear of COVID) our standard Terms and Conditions apply.
- While COVID is still prevalent, we strongly recommend that you purchase trip cancellation insurance.
WHAT HAPPENS IF YOUR CURRENTLY SCHEDULED EXPEDITION IS POSTPONED BY OCEANIC SOCIETY DUE TO COVID-19 TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS?
You will be able to choose between the following options:
- Transfer full deposit payment to a future departure of the same trip.
- 100% of your trip fees paid can be transferred to any of our future expeditions through 2023.
- A full refund of your trip fees minus any penalties from local service providers and credit card fees (typically 3-5% of payments) that we are no longer able to recover.
- If we do have any fees we are unable to recover per the above, we will make every effort to offer the equivalent amount as credit against any future booking until December 2022.
With best regards from all of us,
Rod, Wayne, Pei, Brian, Nicole, Linda Sue, Chris, Ashleigh, Lindsay, Rosie, Amanda, and Huntley
