A Real-Life Would You Rather: Decided For Us!

[BAIC03]

It looks like my family has finally been hit in this never ending dodgeball game of COVID. A mere 25 days from sailing, 2 of us are obviously sick, and the other two getting tested as well, just in case.
So now the question of would you rather 1) get sick before your cruise and apply for 90-day recovery or 2) take a shot at port testing? Looks like we are going for option 1.

We are sailing on the 2/2/22 sailing out of New Orleans.

I intend to document our timelines and process so I can hopefully help another family who has this happen to them in the future.

***To be clear, all of us are vaccinated so I have no real concern we can’t beat this; I’m not worried about the hospital, thank goodness, and in no way to I want to diminish or disparage those that have been ill or worse, lost someone to this virus.

 

[JWelch62]

the folks I know that have caught omicron (all vaxxed) had short illnesses. On the order of 10 days. I hope you and yours are all clear in time for your cruise!

 

[Elsa75]

we are all recovering (today was first day out of quarantine) - we sail in 6 weeks and I am toying with the same idea - getting a PCR ASAP in case it is still +, so that we don't have to repeat it for another 3 mos. In Canada testing is getting pretty draconian - and I have heard that entire flights are being selected for random testing and the detention times/experience can be pretty miserable. I think it is time to acknowledge that we have lost control of this thing (did we ever have control? Was it a silly dream?).
The cost would be over 1000$ to have our entire family tested - wondering what the odds are of cancellations at this point.

 

[BAIC03]

we are all recovering (today was first day out of quarantine) - we sail in 6 weeks and I am toying with the same idea - getting a PCR ASAP in case it is still +, so that we don't have to repeat it for another 3 mos.
The cost would be over 1000$ to have our entire family tested - wondering what the odds are of cancellations at this point.

DCL would Not require you test again, but If I’m reading the above correctly you have to test to get in to the US? Would a Dr recovery letter suffice if you were positive again?

Wait- they charge you money? There’s no free testing option in Canada?

 

[CamColt]

I hate to say this but I'm so worried about 1 of us testing positive at the port I would almost prefer to get it now. Obviously I don't want it at all, but I'd love to be able to arrive at the port and not have that worry hanging over my head.

 

[BAIC03]

I hate to say this but I'm so worried about 1 of us testing positive at the port I would almost prefer to get it now. Obviously I don't want it at all, but if I'd love to be able to arrive at the port and not have that worry hanging over my head.

Exactly! It’s almost the “draconian” get your kids the chicken pox and get it over with in the ‘old days’.

 

[MomOTwins]

I would absolutely rather not have it so close to a cruise because there is no guarantee our doctors would write a note saying we are for sure recovered, and regardless, you may have long covid and fail the health questionnaire. First time I had covid, I had a fever every day for 2.5 months. Next time it was about three weeks of active symptoms.

 

[isabellea]

Wait- they charge you money? There’s no free testing option in Canada?

In Canada, we have free PCR testing but the test results are communicated in a way that cannot be used for travel (for example, all tests done by my provincial government are PCR based but results only say positive or negative, no mention of the type of test used). They don’t want to pay for people getting tested for a trip, only if you have symptoms, have been exposed or was asked by public health and some employers (e.g. health system). Right now, testing capacities do not suffice to the demand so in some provinces like mine, only a few categories of people can access PCR tests. For example, the testing center located at the hospital where I work is now closed to the public and only pre-admission patients and employees can access the facility. All that to say that if you need a PCR for a trip, you pay for a test done at a private lab and they are costly.

 

[knewton64]

I hate to say this but I'm so worried about 1 of us testing positive at the port I would almost prefer to get it now. Obviously I don't want it at all, but if I'd love to be able to arrive at the port and not have that worry hanging over my head.

….and I was told on January 6th that one of my co-workers tested positive for Covid ….. on December 30.
-WTW-!!
She is still out on leave until Friday of this week .
So here I am …. doing my best to be aware of my environment, thinking of others when making personal choices in my private life and I get this news …..
Imo not a good way to start the new year when I’m fully vaxed and boosted .

im waiting for Friday to play out -
My 5day Cruise then 5 day WDW (playing golf out at oak trail for the first time etc) isn’t for a few more months but ….
…..when one puts up that kind of money for a vacation and you basically belatedly get the news that a co worker of yours behaviors sometime between December 19-24 lead to her getting Covid (yes…. I came in contact with her just like I do everyday ….)…just imo has me shaking my head whiie second guessing my travel leisure choice of a Disney vacation. …
I mean what’s not to say there could be others after her and you get hit with this news ??
That combined with all this tail wagging the dog experiences to just get me to the port combined with knowing my dumb luck I will test positive at the port just has me not wanting but feel that I should take a huge gulp of air ….. fire off an email to my TA with the bad news …. Then go out to a Mexican restaurant and have a ton of margaritas… haha… and move forward.
- just stumped on finding a good alternative vacation locally in Dallas Texas .
What’s funny about all this was the intent of my 10day Disney vacation:
1) celebrate the end of Covid as far as I’m concerned.
( famous last words !) ha!
2) celebrate my birthday.
3) have fun.
4) play mini golf of get lessons on how to golf .
5) casino ?
6) have some margaritas
7) food
8) take in a movie .
9) amusement park ?
10$ see the local sights etc

sigh -
But it is what it is .

interesting times we live in -

 

[AquaDame]

Personally I do not want Covid, ever, even if it makes things easier. If I happen to get it despite all the precautions we take that far out from a trip, I'd breathe a little easier leading up to it though for sure.

 

[ladyofthetramp]

Well... I had covid, pre omnicron days. Not fun. But ok. Seriously, the anxiety of having it was worse than the disease itself. But I consider myself lucky, to have mild symptoms and to recover with out anything other than rest. I would rather not have it again-that is for sure. But, if you do get it, and your doctor is willing to write that note and you are in your 90 day period, not having to test and just cruise with the smallest of chance of re-infection at that time point, would be much easier.

 

[soniam]

Exactly! It’s almost the “draconian” get your kids the chicken pox and get it over with in the ‘old days’.

I keep thinking of this. However, our parents didn't know that chicken pox could lead to shingles and chronic fatigue diseases later in life. I suspect we won't find out until much later what the long term effects are of covid, other than what we already know as long covid. I suspect we will might end up getting this variant though, just due to its insane contagiousness and son being in school. Good luck to everyone.

 

[BAIC03]

Ok- update: went to the dr and got real test done by professionals. Me and DD positive. Got official documentation. Only… the Doc says once he gets a rapid positive he won’t test again.
Technicality #1: Does it matter to Safe Passage what type of testing is done as long as it’s performed by a doctor?
I have emailed and I’m awaiting a response. Strange that I may want to get tested again!

 

[BAIC03]

Update 2: Safe Passage does not care what type of test your doctor does, only that your positive test cannot be from an at-home test.
Yay! Feeling better today, hopefully recovered by the end of the week according to my doc.

 

[magicfan1985]

My daughter tested positive at the port on December 26th. We have pushed that cruise back to Spring break week. I plan on using that positive result with a doctors note for my daughter so she can bypass testing

 

[Joel0917]

You never know and can be careful a and still be exposed. We had a Dec 27 cruise. We limited who we saw on Christmas and wore masks around everyone and did not eat with anyone. We tested negative on our own Dec 23 just for minor peace of mind. Then on Dec 25 my assistant called and told me she tested positive. I saw her for a bit on Dec 22. Then Dec 26 my brother called and he and his wife tested positive. We saw them but only distances and with masks. Luckily on Dec 27 tested negative and still tested negative five days after the cruise. So you never know why some do and some don’t or when it might get ya! Be safe as best you can. But having gone thoeugh the port waiting game, those 38 minutes were agonizing waiting.
ive Come up with a fun analogy of what it’s like. Let say you are on trial for a serious crime. But you honestly don’t know if you did it. You have no memory of it and really no idea If you did it or not. But the jury is currently deliberating and will come back with a guilty or not guilty verdict and that’s what the 40 minutes of waiting is like.
We shouldn’t have that anxiety.

 

[zuzu310]

So both of my sons tested positive Tuesday and now I am worried about getting the 90 day recovered dr. note from their pediatrician. Hoping I won't get pushback. They were both proctored tests but I still worry about it. Now my husband and I are waiting to see if we get it. We have PCR tests scheduled about 6 days after my older son first showed symptoms. So far we seem to be asymptomatic even though we live in a very small house so who knows?

 

[BAIC03]

So both of my sons tested positive Tuesday and now I am worried about getting the 90 day recovered dr. note from their pediatrician. Hoping I won't get pushback. They were both proctored tests but I still worry about it. Now my husband and I are waiting to see if we get it. We have PCR tests scheduled about 6 days after my older son first showed symptoms. So far we seem to be asymptomatic even though we live in a very small house so who knows?

Why do you think the doctor would push back?

 

[lanejudy]

Why do you think the doctor would push back?

Apparently many are finding doctors unwilling to write "fit to travel" letters. Just some random thoughts that I could hear my doctor saying...

• I don't recommend anyone travel at this time so no I won't write a letter saying I'm ok with it.
• This virus tends to linger in some people. I can't say yet whether you are fully recovered. Let's check again in a month. Call me before then if anything new develops.
• Your cruise isn't until March? I can't write a letter now saying you are cleared to travel in March. You could be sick again then.

 

[BAIC03]

Update 3: Fascinatingly, I got pushback from my daughters pediatrician on writing the letter. She said it was a “public health” issue… I sent her the CDC orders that originated the policy and the Safe Passage message and she asked if she would get back to me after the holiday (Monday is MLK day in the US) so she could educate herself.
She was completely unaware. Haha! Glad to help!