A Concerning Thought on Cruise Covid Testing

[randumb0]

I just read how the MSC cruises that have restarted in Europe require covid testing. I think that's great and will eventually be industry wide. The part that's concerning is the person travelled to the port on a van. Not only was the positive test not allowed to board, but so was everyone else that was in the van. I'm not against this move as I think it protects everyone on the ship. It just made me think of the number of people that fly into Orlando and travel to the port via van or Disney bus. Would the entire Disney bus not be allowed to board if someone tests positive? Interesting though.

 

[T & R]

Well I guess that's good news for the limo industry. Won't be a lot of DCL bus riders with that policy.

 

[DCLPrincess]

Good thing I always drive.

 

[lanejudy]

Would the entire Disney bus not be allowed to board if someone tests positive?

If a similar protocol was put in place by DCL, I suspect the test would be conducted prior to boarding the bus. That way a negative test would not impact the full bus load.

 

[lisaburnsmiles]

While I'm not opposed to the testing in theory, I do have this thought: what about the person who arrives to the port not using Disney transportation? They have circulated in the area with others pre-boarding and they test positive when tested before boarding. While they would be denied boarding, what about all the other passengers they could have come in contact with during the time at the port? Where do "you" draw the line?

 

[randumb0]

If a similar protocol was put in place by DCL, I suspect the test would be conducted prior to boarding the bus. That way a negative test would not impact the full bus load.

That's a good idea

 

[lanejudy]

While I'm not opposed to the testing in theory, I do have this thought: what about the person who arrives to the port not using Disney transportation? They have circulated in the area with others pre-boarding and they test positive when tested before boarding. While they would be denied boarding, what about all the other passengers they could have come in contact with during the time at the port? Where do "you" draw the line?

With the "bubble" concept, presumably everyone would be tested prior to entering the terminal building. They create a bubble that is within their control, and the test is done prior to entering the bubble (boarding bus, entering terminal, etc.). If you arrive with another party who tests positive, you would be denied boarding. If you arrived separate from them and maintain social distancing while waiting to be tested/enter the building, it presumably should not impact your ability to board.

It's all hypothetical at this point since DCL hasn't declare intent to test.

 

[bbel]

While I'm not opposed to the testing in theory, I do have this thought: what about the person who arrives to the port not using Disney transportation? They have circulated in the area with others pre-boarding and they test positive when tested before boarding. While they would be denied boarding, what about all the other passengers they could have come in contact with during the time at the port? Where do "you" draw the line?

I get what you're saying, and I guess this is where they draw the line, where they can prove that you have been in close contact with someone they themselves have tested and the results come back positive.

Everything else is what if? Which can also be argued with Noro, or flu, or any other contagious illness....

 

[sethschroeder]

Everything else is what if? Which can also be argued with Noro, or flu, or any other contagious illness....

Those are not viewed as bad as COVID19 and that is the difference. Also while Noro is possibly much less deadly the flu has a vaccine given annually for additional protection.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Of course you can probably test negative if the Virus isn't yet active and then have it pop up while on the ship--but that's another matter. Not to mention--would they test you each and every time you got back from a Shore excursion??? And if you (or someone actually tested positive on the ship--2 weeks at sea because the Port won't allow the entire ship back???

 

[BartmanLA]

Of course you can probably test negative if the Virus isn't yet active and then have it pop up while on the ship--but that's another matter. Not to mention--would they test you each and every time you got back from a Shore excursion??? And if you (or someone actually tested positive on the ship--2 weeks at sea because the Port won't allow the entire ship back???

Rapid Re-testing post shore excursion is a real possibility and has been mentioned by more than one cruise line as consideration for resumption of operations, the key is finding enough supplies and equipment to outfit all the cruise ships that want to use the rapid retest not to mention the reagents and testing material that goes with the equipment, that could be a serious cost to each ship to implement.

 

[T & R]

or someone actually tested positive on the ship--2 weeks at sea because the Port won't allow the entire ship back

Those days are over. That was at the beginning when we were trying to keep the virus out of the country. Well the cat's out of the bag, a little late for that now. With 70,000 positive U.S. cases per day, a few positive cases showing up from a cruise is hardly overwhelming and would actually be on par with those percentages catching it on land as well. When the recent Alaska UnCruise had positive cases (that later turned out to be false positives) they were allowed to dock and disembark.

 

[Uncleromulus]

My guess is that if someone even coughs on board the cry "Virus, " Virus" will echo on all decks and any fun will be over...

 

[randumb0]

Good thing I always drive.

I'm able to leave my car with family in Merritt Island and they drive us to the port

 

[PrincessShmoo]

My guess is that if someone even coughs on board the cry "Virus, " Virus" will echo on all decks and any fun will be over...

Which would be sad, since there are those of us who have had chronic coughs for years that are certainly not COVID related.

 

[tvguy]

I'm missing something in this thread, I think. Test results take 3 to 5 days to come back. Would they require guests to "check-in" 3 to 5 days in advance of their cruise and stay in a "bubble" until their trip?

 

[randumb0]

I'm missing something in this thread, I think. Test results take 3 to 5 days to come back. Would they require guests to "check-in" 3 to 5 days in advance of their cruise and stay in a "bubble" until their trip?

There are faster ones. The test you are referring to is considered the gold standard.

 

[T & R]

@tvguy ,They supposedly have a saliva swab one that just has a "-" or "+" like a pregnancy test, so no lab required and it's cheap like a few bucks a pop. So perfect for a cruise line who can test at least once a day and isolate any positives even when under way. So if you're cruising and getting tested often, you'd be safer and more informed about your status than checking out at Walmart.

 

[tvguy]

@tvguy ,They supposedly have a saliva swab one that just has a "-" or "+" like a pregnancy test, so no lab required and it's cheap like a few bucks a pop. So perfect for a cruise line who can test at least once a day and isolate any positives even when under way. So if you're cruising and getting tested often, you'd be safer and more informed about your status than checking out at Walmart.

Well, I did do some Googling and it appears they HOPE to have such a test, but so far the accuracy is unreliable. That could change, but at this point I think it is premature to consider this an option

 

[Jack_Sparrow_NJ]

Well, I did do some Googling and it appears they HOPE to have such a test, but so far the accuracy is unreliable. That could change, but at this point I think it is premature to consider this an option

Actually all the tests are pretty unreliable with both false positives and false negatives. I know people who were sick with Covid and it took multiple tests to return a positive result. Testing and temperature checks are primarily medical theater to make you feel something is being done to protect you. Yes, they are working on a saliva test in conjunction with the NFL but it’s not ready yet.