Legendary Scottish Isles, Edinburgh & Glasgow

The below provides an overview of Tauck's requirements and those of the countries we visit, along with our supplier partners who have implemented their own Covid policies that may go beyond Tauck's requirements. The trip-specific guidelines are for U.S. travelers.

Up-to-date destination entry requirements will be posted 60 days prior to the first seasonal departure for each tour or cruise series. For journeys not yet posted below, please visit our Travel Requirements page. As entry requirement change frequently, please check often.

Tauck 2024 Covid Policy

For 2024 tours and cruises, Tauck has no remaining Covid requirements. There is no vaccination requirement or travel pledge to be signed. This 2024 policy could change if there is a surge in infection rates or other factors that could impact the safety of our guests and employees.

Tauck 2023 Covid Policy

• Vaccination Requirement: All Tauck guests age 12 and older must be fully vaccinated. Additionally, you must have had at least one booster dose and/or have proof of recovery from Covid.
• Requirements for Minors: Though highly recommended, vaccination for minors age 11 and under is not required by Tauck. However, if unvaccinated they must present a negative result from either a PCR or antigen test taken within 3 days of departing for their Tauck trip. If a child age 11 or under is vaccinated but not boosted, they must also present a negative test prior to their Tauck trip.
• Tauck Travel Agreement: Tauck requires all guests to sign our Travel Well Pledge. Your Tauck Director will provide this document for your signature on the first day of your trip, and will check your proof of vaccination and booster/or proof of recovery. Additional information can be found at here.

To ensure the safety of your fellow travelers and the communities we visit, all guests must follow health and safety protocols when necessitated by local health guidance or our supplier partners. Your Tauck Director will keep you informed of these local requirements.

Although not required by Tauck, some countries may require a pre-travel Covid test. It is important that you carefully check the most recent entry requirements (listed below) for your tour or cruise. 

Additional Destination Requirements

Your health and safety remain our number one priority while you are traveling with us on Legendary Scottish Isles, Edinburgh & Glasgow. The below travel requirements are mandated by the United Kingdom and our ship partner Ponant and are applicable to all Tauck guests without exception. These requirements pertain only to U.S. travelers:

• All Tauck guests age 12 and older must be fully vaccinated and have had at least one booster dose and/or have proof of recovery from Covid. Although highly recommended, vaccination for minors age 11 and under is not required by Tauck. However, if unvaccinated they must present a negative result from either a PCR or antigen test taken within 3 days of departing for their Tauck trip. If a child age 11 or under is vaccinated but not boosted, they must also present a negative test prior to their Tauck trip.
• We strongly encourage guests to check the requirements for any transit/layover destinations that will be part of your journey.

For entry into the United Kingdom:

• There are no specific Covid requirements to enter the United Kingdom.

To embark your Ponant ship:

• All travelers age 17 and over must be fully vaccinated with all required doses of EU-approved vaccines. If more than 9 months have passed since the final dose of a 2-dose vaccine, a booster shot is required. If your vaccination consists of a single dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, a booster is required after four months of this dose and it must be a mRNA booster. Getting a second booster is advised but not necessary at this time.
• Travelers ages 12 through 16 must be vaccinated with at least one dose with no time limit to its validity at present.  Travelers under the age of 12 do not need to be vaccinated. 
• Note that although Ponant requires only one dose of vaccine for guests 12 through 16, Tauck requires guests age 12 and over to be fully vaccinated.
• All travelers age 6 and over must bring proof of a negative result from a PCR test taken within 3 days or a laboratory-issued antigen test taken within 1 day of embarkation. This test will be organized by Tauck on tour at no additional cost to the guest.
• In lieu of a negative test result and/or a booster shot, guests who have recently recovered from Covid-19 may present a Certificate of Recovery and proof of a laboratory-issued positive PCR or antigen test result (self-tests not accepted) taken between 11 and 4 months prior to the sail date in order to board. 

For return to the United States:

• The U.S. no longer has any specific Covid entry requirements.

The final entry requirements will be clearly outlined in your Personal Travel Documents

If you cancel within 10 days of initial deposit

Within the first 10 days after you place your initial deposit, you may cancel your reservation for any reason with no cancellation fees.

If you cancel more than 10 days after initial deposit

Regardless of reason, cancellations result in costly charges from our travel and hotel providers covering penalties and fees incurred by canceling confirmed bookings. These fees vary from tour to tour. Therefore, the following fees apply for this tour.

Cancellation Fees with Tauck's Cruise Protection Plan:

120 days or more before departure: Loss of cost of Tauck's Cruise and Event Protection fee per person

119 – 60 days before departure: Loss of 25% of the cost of the cruise, not including air (if applicable), plus loss of Cruise and Event Protection fee, per person

59 – 1 days before departure: Loss of 50% of the cost of the cruise, not including air (if applicable), plus loss of Cruise and Event Protection fee, per person

Cancellation Fees without Tauck's Cruise Protection Plan:

120 days or more before departure: $1500 per person

119 – 60 days before departure: Loss of 50% of the cost of cruise, not including air (if applicable), per person

59 - 1 days before departure: Loss of 100% of the cost of cruise, not including air (if applicable), per person

Time of cancellation will be when notice is received in our Wilton Woods, CT office. 

Tour Interruption Fees

If you have to interrupt your tour en route, you may be entitled to a refund for the unused land portion if it exceeds 24 hours; certain restrictions apply. Such refunds are based upon the number of overnights missed less a fee of $40 per person per day for unused transportation and other fixed expenses.

Partial Room Cancellation

A person who cancels or leaves a tour while a roommate remains constitutes a cancellation of one type of accommodation and rebooking of another type of accommodation. The price charged to the remaining person is the new, higher price for the new accommodation.

In the event of an unforeseen circumstance beyond our control, Tauck reserves the right to amend the cancellation and transfer terms outlined herein.

Note: All Guests, regardless of residency, who book a Tauck journey have the option of purchasing the Cancellation Waiver provided by Tauck in the event they need to cancel their trip after making their reservations. Tauck's Cruise & Event Protection, which includes both the Cancellation Fee Waiver and the Travel Insurance Benefits and Assistance Services described above, is not available to residents of Puerto Rico.

Click here to find Tauck's Travel Terms & Conditions.

Checked Luggage

Due to space restrictions, we ask that you please limit your checked luggage to one suitcase per person weighing no more than 50 pounds (23 kg) and with overall dimensions (length + width + height) not exceeding 62 inches (158 cm).

Besides complying with the Tauck restriction noted above, you should also be sure to research and comply with all airline baggage restrictions relating to your flights to and from your Tauck journey. Airlines have become much more strict in enforcing size and weight limits in recent years, and luggage exceeding airline standards for size or weight may result in expensive overage fees or other consequences.

Airlines are free to revise luggage policies without notice, and certain airlines have different baggage allowances for different classes of service. Researching and complying with airline luggage restrictions is the responsibility of the guest, and Tauck cannot be held responsible for any costs or disruptions to travel caused by the failure to research and comply with airline policies.

Tauck luggage tags will be provided by your Tauck Director on Day 1 of your itinerary. Please do not attach a Tauck luggage tag to any carry-on items, as the Tauck tags designate luggage that is to be handled and transferred by ground operators and hotel staff during your journey.

Carry-on Luggage

Although oversize bags and wheeled, carry-on luggage are popular for airline travel, they are often not convenient or appropriate for motor coach travel or for many on-tour flights. Most modern sightseeing motor coaches offer limited space for numerous or larger items. Space under seats or in the overhead rack is typically small, and designed to accommodate items like coats, hats, purses, and small camera bags, etc.

For your day-to-day travel while on tour, we recommend that you limit your hand luggage to a small, soft-sided carry-on piece, and only those items you need handy during the day such as purses, make-up, medications, cameras, film, etc. Items too large to fit under the motor coach seat or in the overhead rack must be stored in the luggage bays beneath the motor coach, and may not be accessible during daytime travel.

Bringing the right clothing for your trip is important – we've partnered with Necessary Gear who provide an "easy-to-use, one-stop shop" for your Tauck travel needs, specifically selected for this trip. Click here to visit their site.

Your journey is designed with leisure in mind. Dress for comfort and convenience with a wardrobe that is adaptable and allows for layering. Generally, during the day, casual, comfortable, cotton clothing is recommended. Cool weather at higher elevations or at night will require warmer, layered clothing. Formal wear is never required.

In the ship's main dining room, slacks and a collared shirt are acceptable for gentlemen, and for women, slacks/skirt and a blouse are appropriate.  We have found, however, that the international mix of travelers on board tend to dress somewhat more formally than one might expect.  Thus, you may prefer to wear a jacket and tie or a cocktail dress for special evenings like the Captain's welcome and farewell dinners aboard the shipand for the special welcome and farewell dinners at the beginning and end of your journey.  For dinner and throughout the evening, guests should refrain from wearing swimming shorts, bathing suits, t-shirts, tennis shoes or flip-flops.          

Valet laundry and dry-cleaning services are available for a fee at the hotels. Onboard, valet laundry and pressing services are available for a fee.

We recommend that you pack an adequate supply of your prescription medication in its original container to last through your entire journey, together with a copy of your doctor's prescription or a letter from your health-care provider on office stationery explaining that the medication has been prescribed for you, a list of the generic names of your medication, your travel documents and a change of clothing in your carry-on bag to avoid any inconvenience in the event that your flight or luggage is delayed. No medications are sold on board the cruise ship other than those prescribed and stocked by the ship's physician.

Hairdryers are available at the hotels and aboard the ship. For safety reasons, curling and clothes irons are not permitted aboard the ship.

Following is a list of recommended items to pack for a cruise:

• Comfortable walking shoes (VERY IMPORTANT)
• Hiking boots for those who choose to hike
• Trekking poles or a walking stick
• Water shoes or sneakers for those who choose to go on the rib boat (recommended)
• Rainwear, such as a raincoat and rain hat, plus a collapsible umbrella, waterproof shoes/boots
• Long pants, fleece jacket or warm sweater; light sweater for warmer days
• Warm hat, gloves and socks (It can be cool and windy on the Scottish Isles)
• Sport coat for men (with tie suggested for Captain's dinners) and slacks/dress for women for evening wear
• Binoculars
• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen and hat
• Small flashlight
• Daypack for your photographic equipment or other belongings
• Washcloth - not all European hotels provide washcloths, so you may want to bring one along.  A package of pre-moistened towelettes is an excellent alternative.
• Prescription medicines (an adequate supply to last your entire journey), and written copies of your prescriptions from your doctor.  While it may be possible to refill prescriptions during your journey, the availability of refills cannot be guaranteed.  What's more, refilling prescriptions in foreign countries can be difficult and time-consuming.    
• Copies of your travel documents that should be secured in the safe in your ship cabin while traveling

We have compiled a reading list of recommended books to give you more information about the destinations you will be traveling to on your upcoming journey!

You can view the reading list here.