Stay Up to Date

Take a look at our Travel Updates & Health Information page for the latest information about what to expect while traveling.

Make Sure you are Fit and Well Prepared for Your Program

We want every participant to have a safe, enjoyable and rewarding program experience. The travel and activities of Road Scholar programs require participants to be in good general health and capable of performing all program activities as described by the program description and its corresponding Activity Level. As a group travel experience, participants must be capable of caring for themselves during the program and agree not to impede the progress of the program or interfere with the enjoyment of other participants. Participants must disclose known medical and physical conditions that may interfere with their safety and well-being or the safety and well-being of others during this program. Road Scholar may limit or terminate the participation in the program at the participant’s expense and without refund any participants who fail to disclose all medical information or do not honestly assess their physical capabilities in advance. With this information in mind, carefully consider the travel and program demands as described on the Road Scholar website, and consult with your physician about your travel plans. If after enrolling you have second thoughts about the program you chose, please call us and we will be happy to assist you in finding a program better suited to your abilities. 

How to Reduce the Risk of Becoming Sick Prior to and During Your Program

Staying healthy is critical to enjoying your program experience, and taking common sense steps to reduce the risk of getting sick.

• Consult with your physician and visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website to make sure you are fully aware of any vaccination requirements, potential health risks, medication you may need to take and other precautions for the prevention of illness, disease and general health issues during your program. If you are traveling overseas, please also review the U.S. Department of State, CDC and World Health Organization (WHO) websites for current travel advisories, health recommendations and requirements for travel abroad, and other precautions for the prevention of illness when traveling.

• A week before you depart on your program, consider limiting your exposure to others. If you must be in public in the week prior to departure, wear a mask.

• Do not travel if you are sick, have any symptoms of respiratory illness, or if you have had close contact with a person who is. Do not risk traveling if you are not feeling well. Call us to discuss your options.

• Bring a few face masks to the program. Wearing a well-fitted mask is an effective means of protection against airborne viruses. Wear a mask whenever around others, including when flying and transiting airports. Once on your program, wear a mask whenever you are in public settings, especially if you have a weakened immune system or an underlying medical condition.

• Wash your hands often and practice good hygiene.

• Once on the program, if you do begin to feel ill or have symptoms consistent with a respiratory illness, immediately isolate and notify the Group Leader.

• Be aware of and comply with Road Scholar's, the Program Provider's, and your Group Leader's policies and directives. Follow all applicable health guidelines and safety policies.

Please Be Aware of the Risks 

Certain risks — from natural disasters to accidents, outbreaks of illness, crime, insect-borne and other infectious diseases, environmental risks to health, terrorism and other unforeseen events — are inherent in travel. While such occurrences are beyond our control, we make substantial efforts to be prepared for such possibilities. Participants are encouraged to review the safety and travel information provided by the U.S. Department of State and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to learn about current security issues, travel advisories and warnings, recent embassy notices, local laws and customs, country-specific health information, health risks you may encounter while traveling, precautions for the prevention of illness, disease and general health issues during your program, and other helpful destination-specific information. By enrolling in a program, you agree to assume responsibility for your own health, safety, and welfare, and acknowledge that Road Scholar cannot guarantee your safety or health at any time.

Participant Agreement

You are encouraged to be the most responsible participant you can possibly be, and we’re counting on you, as a valued member of the Road Scholar community, to be conscientious, considerate, and cautious. With that in mind, please carefully read the following information.

By enrolling in a program with Road Scholar, you acknowledge and agree you have read, understand and accept Road Scholar's deposit, transfer and cancellation policies, and our Program Terms & Conditions. Furthermore, by enrolling in a program, you agree to be bound by the policies, terms and conditions published on the Road Scholar website, and agree to carefully read all pre-program communications and Program preparatory materials, including the following rules and guidelines.

All participants are required to abide by Road Scholar’s policies and requirements, Program Provider and Group Leader policies, guidance and directives, and all federal, state, and local laws and applicable guidelines. By attending a Road Scholar program, you:

1. Agree to carefully read all pre-program communications and Program preparatory materials, and be aware of and abide by any destination or country-specific requirements.

2. Agree and understand that participation in the travel and activities of the Road Scholar program you are enrolled in requires good physical condition. You attest that you are in good general health and capable of performing all program activities as described by the program description and its corresponding Activity Level. You understand that failing to honestly assess your physical capabilities may result in your participation in the program being limited or terminated at your expense and without refund.

3. Agree not to travel to and attend your Road Scholar program if prior to the start of your program you are sick, have any symptoms of illness, or if you have had close contact with a person who is sick.

4. Agree to bring to your program and wear a face mask if required by applicable regulations or when instructed by your Group Leader.

5. Agree to immediately notify the Group Leader should you be injured or become ill during a program, who will assist in obtaining medical attention if necessary.

6. If at any time during the program you develop symptoms of respiratory illness such as a new and persistent cough, sore throat, persistent runny nose and/or prolonged nasal congestion, fever or chills, or shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, or you are diagnosed or test positive for influenza (flu), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), COVID-19, or other respiratory illness, you agree to immediately put on a mask, self-isolate, and notify the Road Scholar Group Leader. While you are sick and/or exhibiting symptoms of illness, you agree to remain isolated for no less than 24 hours. During this time you agree not to attend any program activities (group meals, activities, group transportation, etc.). Further, you understand and agree that you will not be permitted to rejoin the program until you have completed the minimum mandatory 24-hour isolation period, your symptoms have improved, and you feel much better and are well enough to participate fully in the program.Upon return, you also agree to wear a face mask at all times when in public for no fewer than 5 days during all indoor group activities, including on all group transportation and at meals, unless seated at a table and actively eating and drinking and outside when proper social distancing (less than 6 feet) can’t be maintained. Participants will not be permitted to rejoin the program if they continue to exhibit symptoms of illness.

7. Road Scholar does not require participants to test for COVID-19, influenza (flu), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), or other respiratory illness. Any testing is optional and at the participant’s discretion and expense. If you do decide to get tested, because you have symptoms of respiratory illness, regardless of the test result you will be required to follow the isolation protocols mentioned above, as well as those outlining how you can rejoin the program. If you are sick or exhibiting symptoms of respiratory illness, a negative COVID-19/flu/RSV test does not exempt you from the minimum mandatory 24-hour isolation period, permit you to rejoin the program if you are still feeling unwell, or eliminates the need to wear a mask if you do decide to return to the program.

8. Agree to leave the program if you are exhibiting symptoms of illness and/or test positive for COVID-19, influenza (flu), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), or other respiratory illness but do not wish to remain isolated from the group, or refuse to comply with any of Road Scholar’s requirements to rejoin the program.

9. Understand that if you become injured or become ill and incur medical or other emergency expenses during the program, all related expenses are your responsibility and you must be prepared to pay at the time and submit an claim for reimbursement with your insurance company when you return home. If you are attending a programs outside of the United Sates, the included Road Scholar Assurance Plan provides limited medical coverage for an accidental injury or sickness.

10. Understand that if you are required to isolate, all related expenses are your responsibility and you must be prepared to pay for any additional expenses at the time. Road Scholar therefore strongly recommends participants consider purchasing optional travel insurance. Road Scholar’s optional Trip Protection Plan may help reimburse you for program days you miss due to injury or illness. If you interrupt your program or return home early due to a covered injury or sickness, the optional plan includes trip interruption coverage, which reimburses you for the unused portion of the program, plus the cost of any additional airfare you may need to return home. Please note that your injury or illness must qualify as a covered event under the plan, and to be payable your claim will require examination and treatment at the time of interruption by a medical professional, and well as documentation to support the medical evaluation and diagnosis. Please visit our optional Trip Protection Plan's "Frequently Asked Questions" webpage for answers to questions about the plan's benefits, coverages, limitations.

11. Agree to comply with Road Scholar's, the Program Provider's, and your Group Leader's policies and directives. You also agree to abide by the Group Leader’s decisions, accept the leader’s judgment, and follow the Leader's instructions concerning your participation in the program.

Please be aware that this information and these measures, protocols, policies and requirements are subject to change. Road Scholar reserves the right to update, change, modify, or revise any measure, protocol, policy or requirement at any time. Any changes will become effective upon posting the changes, modifications or revisions to any measure, protocol, policy or requirement. Please also be aware that protocols, policies and requirements may be different in certain areas due to local guidance, requirements or restrictions.