Tours & Cruises Status

Updated: January 11, 2022

As NTS resumes travel around the world, we want you to know that the health and safety of our guests, staff, and partners remain of the utmost importance to us.  Since November 2020, we have enjoyed hosting groups in Turkey, the UAE, Italy, Greece, and the Holy Land. Groups are also scheduled to tour Iceland, Greece, and Israel throughout the fall of 2021. 

Our staff members and travel partners will be trained to ensure that proper health measures are upheld in accordance with the guidelines of local governments and health authorities, airlines, and cruise lines. In turn, we trust that you, our guest, will adhere to the guidelines during your travel experience.  

We look forward to our journey together in this new normal and encourage you to remember what Paul wrote – don’t be anxious, but in every situation make your requests known through prayer and petition (Philippians 4:6-7). Thank you for choosing to travel with us - safely, happily, and healthily!  

What should I expect as a guest?  

Due to the unpredictability and ever-changing health protocols for many destinations, some or all of the following practices will be required by governments, airlines, cruise lines, and other entities. NTS will communicate those protocols on a group-by-group basis. For the Holy Land, please see those standards here.

  • Each guest may be required by foreign countries and/or travel providers to show a negative Covid-19 test 48-72 hours prior to departure. Vaccination for Covid-19 may also be required by foreign countries and travel providers. All costs will be the responsibility of the guest. Guests will need to carry official proof of a negative test and/or vaccination with them and may need to leave a copy with various authorities.  

  • Each guest should anticipate additional testing for Covid-19 while traveling internationally.  

  • Health and contact screening questionnaires may be required by NTS and various travel providers.  

  • Temperature checks may be taken at numerous locations.  

  • Each guest may be required to present proof of travel medical insurance by each foreign country visited.

  • It is strongly recommended to purchase travel protection in case one cannot travel due to illness (including Covid-19) or doctor-ordered, 24/7 quarantine. Guests who forgo travel protection may not be allowed to travel due to requirements set by governments and other entities. 

  • Each guest must comply with all precautions, protocols, and restrictions of each airport, airline, cruise line, bus, hotel, shop, and restaurant.  

  • Face coverings may be required in many situations – indoors and outdoors.  

  • Social distancing guidelines may be enforced. Listening devices will be used as much as possible to help with social distancing guidelines.  

  • Frequent cleaning and disinfecting of hands are strongly recommended. Stations will be provided in many locations to make this possible. 

  • Safe dining practices will be implemented by restaurants and will include social distancing.  

  • Excursions/tours may be restricted to specific locations that are approved/certified by the local governments, cruise lines, and/or NTS. Groups will need to abide by the time and space limitations of each location.  

NTS will continue to monitor announcements from governments and travel partners for their latest health and safety protocols. Each traveler will be notified of the protocols for their specific tour prior to departure.