Special COVID-19 Travel Information
OUR COMMITMENT
TO YOU
Starr has been hard at work ensuring our tours are designed to be safe, comfortable and enjoyable. In this “new world” we’re all living in, you may see and experience some changes, but rest assured once you are onboard, you’ll have the same wonderful experiences that you’ve had on any of your past trips. Let’s take a look into the steps we’re taking for you.
BEFORE YOUR TOUR
Motorcoach Cleanliness
The motorcoach will be thoroughly disinfected prior to your trip’s departure. We encourage you to bring additional cleaning wipes if you would like to supplement the cleaning of your personal area.ON YOUR TOUR
Your Tour Director
Starr Tour Directors are experts and highly trained to handle a variety of unexpected situations — including illnesses and emergencies. They are also available 24/7 for guests throughout the tour should any situation arise.Use of Face Masks
Face masks are highly recommended while riding on a Starr bus. While mask usage is optional, we encourage our travelers to wear a mask in order to protect themselves and those around them, and help keep travel safer for everyone.Motorcoach
All surfaces will be sanitized often, including regular cleaning of high-touch areas with disinfecting wipes. Hand sanitizer will be available at all times. The lavatory will be available for emergency use only; we will make a comfort stop every 2-3 hours.Self-Screening
Please stay at home and don’t travel if you have recently been diagnosed with or are currently experiencing symptoms of COVID-19. The CDC recommends not traveling if, in the last 5 days, you have had symptoms of or have been diagnosed with COVID-19, or if you been exposed to COVID -19 and are not current on vaccinations/boosters per the CDC’s guidance. In the event you contract COVID-19 on tour with Starr, you must leave the tour and you are responsible for coordinating and paying for your own transportation home and accommodations.Hotels
Specific protocols will vary from destination to destination, hotel to hotel. Overall, rooms and areas like restaurants, fitness centers, etc. will be deep cleaned regularly, with rooms disinfected thoroughly between guests. High-traffic areas like lobbies and elevators will be cleaned often. Daily room housekeeping will likely not be available.AFTER YOUR TOUR
Post Tour Survey
After every trip, you’ll be able to share your feedback about your tour experience, allowing us to constantly improve for the benefit of future guests.Stay Up to Date with Your COVID-19 Vaccine
Make sure you are up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines before you travel again. Per the CDC, getting vaccinated is still the best way to protect yourself from severe disease and slow the spread of COVID-19.FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Are passengers required to wear masks aboard your buses?
Face masks are now optional while riding on a Starr bus in the U.S.A. While mask usage is optional, we encourage our travelers to wear a mask in order to protect themselves and those around them, and help keep travel safer for everyone.
Wearing masks on transportation or at any point throughout your trip may still be required by law in some areas so please bring a mask with you at all times.
Will Starr Drivers and/or Tour Directors be required to wear masks?
The Driver and Tour Director are not required to wear a mask onboard the motorcoach .
Will Starr be providing masks and sanitizer to all guests?
We recommend that tour guests bring their own personal protective equipment that they are most comfortable using. Hand sanitizer will be available in the front and rear of the motorcoach at all times. We encourage you to bring additional hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol for use throughout the trip.
Pre-Trip Requirements
Before traveling with Starr, will guests have to submit to a health screening or get a health practitioner's approval?
As regulations and requirements continue to change by state and by country, it is difficult for us to say with certainty what guidelines or requirements local public health authorities will put in place. You can rest assured that we will adhere to local laws and best practices in order to protect our guests’ well-being and ensure an enjoyable experience. We will do our best to notify you of necessary requirements for your destination and keep our website updated with the latest information. We appreciate you keeping abreast with the health and safety requirements at the destinations you have selected to visit as well.
Does Starr require guests to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test or Vaccine prior to touring?
The answer to this question depends on the destination you are traveling to.
At this time, Starr does not require guests to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test or Vaccine prior to traveling. Starr is following the recommendations of medical experts such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, World Health Organization and other appropriate government agencies and associations. Face coverings, voluntary vaccinations, and frequent hand washing are the critical components to mitigating the risk of spreading COVID-19.
Should the destination you are traveling to require proof of vaccination or negative COVID test, travelers will be required to present this paperwork prior to boarding the bus for the start of the trip. As requirements are constantly in flux, we recommend that every traveler is fully vaccinated and brings proof of such (paper or electronic) while traveling.
While On Tour
If my tour operates, can I expect that parts of my itinerary may be changed, closed, or unavailable? What will Starr do if this happens?
Starr is confident that we can provide an experience that best meets the planned itinerary and safeguards our guests’ well-being as best as possible. This new (and temporary) way of living and operating has affected every partner we work with. We are all learning how to best operate in a new way. Travel is an adventure – even during the best of times your itinerary may change depending on local events and conditions – and the adventure is part of the fun.
How will group meals be handled with relation to seating and masks?
Policies and procedures at each restaurant will vary based on different/changing guidelines by local and state authorities. Starr tour guests will be seated together – in small groups or large groups.
Will Starr be reducing the number of tour guests on each trip? How will seat assignments work?
We do not limit the number of travelers on each tour. Once you take your seat, this will be your seat throughout the trip. Read about our air filtration system on our Clean Care page.
How will seating at theaters be handled with relation to seating and masks?
Policies and procedures at each theater will vary based on different/changing guidelines by local and state authorities. Starr tour guests may be seated in small groups or large groups.
What is your policy regarding eating/drinking on the bus?
Snack and drinks (please bring your own) are allowed onboard the bus.
Will the bathroom be available for use on the bus?
The onboard lavatory will be available for emergency use only; we will make a comfort stop every 2-3 hours.
What should I do if I become sick or develop any symptoms related to COVID-19 during my trip?
Please alert your Tour Director or Driver immediately. In the event you contract COVID-19 while on tour with Starr, you will not be permitted to continue traveling with the group. You must depart from the trip and are responsible for arranging and paying for transportation and accommodations to get home. We highly recommend purchasing Tour Protection so that you’ll be reimbursed for any unused costs associated with the trip if it’s interrupted due to illness.
Motorcoach Cleanliness
What is your cleaning protocol for your motorcoaches?
The motorcoach will be thoroughly disinfected prior to your trip’s departure and the driver will carry additional cleaning supplies to wipe down high touch surfaces throughout your trip. We encourage you to bring additional cleaning wipes if you would like to supplement the cleaning of your personal area. We encourage you to learn more about our commitment to Clean Care.
What You Can Do
When it comes to maintaining a healthy environment, there are many small steps you can take to ensure the well-being of your fellow travelers. Here are a few things you can do to help:
Pack A Mask
Bring a mask from home and wear it as often as you can, especially when physical distancing is difficult.
Wash Your Hands
We encourage everyone to exercise good hygiene habits, especially proper hand washing with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds. Dry hands with a clean towel or air dry your hands.
Stay Home If You're Sick
If you feel ill, or are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, please stay home. If you become ill while traveling, immediately reach out to your Tour Manager.
Don't Touch Your Face
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, mouth with unwashed hands or after touching surfaces.
Respect Social Distance
Be considerate of physical distancing parameters and do your best to maintain at least 6 feet of distance between you and others.
Practice Healthy Habits
Get adequate sleep and eat well-balanced meals.