Bermuda updating their requirements again (Effective Aug 22nd)

[Donna3271]

I think that was the June 3rd rules. The August 22nd change would override, right?

Fully vaccinated passengers must take either a COVID-19 NAAT test taken no more than 2 days before arrival, or a supervised antigen test no more than 2 days before arrival.

Thank you.

 

[Scott Craft]

does this negate the registration form and the surcharge of $40 each?

 

[lanejudy]

does this negate the registration form and the surcharge of $40 each?

I don't believe so. Basically, the change now allows unvaccinated guests with some stipulations. No huge change for vaccinated passengers except maybe the timing of the test.

 

[Kwami]

I don't believe so. Basically, the change now allows unvaccinated guests with some stipulations. No huge change for vaccinated passengers except maybe the timing of the test.

Which is, unfortunately, a very huge change. If the new rules stick, then that means testing onboard the ship for everyone.

 

[lucyem]

Reading through a couple of times, and as I am fully vaccinated, it looks like the only thing I need to be concerned with is:

-Fully vaccinated passengers must take either a COVID-19 NAAT test taken no more than 2 days before arrival, or a supervised antigen test no more than 2 days before arrival.

Every thing else on the list is for non vaccinated and not completely vaccinated.

So it looks like the only change is that we (fully vaccinated) are going to have to pay to get the rapid test at the port instead of a cheaper option ahead of time.

 

[dvcdisney]

So for our cruise, we will need to take a test at the port?
The only reason we decided to proceed with this cruise is that DCL has allowed testing to be up to 2 days prior to embarkation. We would test before we leave home.

As a Canadian, I'm not comfortable waiting until we've crossed the border before testing.

 

[Karin1984]

So for our cruise, we will need to take a test at the port?
The only reason we decided to proceed with this cruise is that DCL has allowed testing to be up to 2 days prior to embarkation. We would test before we leave home.

As a Canadian, I'm not comfortable waiting until we've crossed the border before testing.

Which cruise are you on? Length?

 

[MartinoHeat]

I think this is a copy paste error. The same guidance appears on the arrival by air (https://www.gov.bm/coronavirus-travellers-visitors). I assume it will be updated to say before embarkation.

 

[Kwami]

Which cruise are you on? Length?

There are only two kinds of Bermuda cruises this year. The first one comes from Europe and will almost definitely have to test onboard before arriving in Bermuda. The others leave from NYC and take two days to get to Bermuda. According to the current guidance, passengers on the NYC cruises will have to test at the port or onboard the ship. I really, really hope that this changes.

 

[dvcdisney]

Which cruise are you on? Length?

5nt Bermuda from NY on the Magic

 

[lanejudy]

So for our cruise, we will need to take a test at the port?
The only reason we decided to proceed with this cruise is that DCL has allowed testing to be up to 2 days prior to embarkation. We would test before we leave home.

As a Canadian, I'm not comfortable waiting until we've crossed the border before testing.

To board the ship and cruise, DCL only requires the antigen test 2 days prior to embarkation (for vaccinated guests). No test required at the port though one can if that is their preference.

If you wish to debark in Bermuda and go ashore, Bermuda appears to be requiring a test 2 days prior to arrival. As PP states, for the TA that would be while onboard, and for the cruises out of NYC that stop at Bermuda, it appears that is embarkation day or while onboard.

2 different rules, 2 different rule-makers. DCL cannot do anything to change the Bermuda rules other than (hopefully) make it easy on passengers by offering testing. However I don't know if they did so for any European ports that were requiring testing (or did any?) as DCL stated last spring that it was on the guest to make sure they met any entry requirements for port stops. So everyone is awaiting word from DCL.

 

[Kwami]

2 different rules, 2 different rule-makers. DCL cannot do anything to change the Bermuda rules other than (hopefully) make it easy on passengers by offering testing. However I don't know if they did so for any European ports that were requiring testing (or did any?) as DCL stated last spring that it was on the guest to make sure they met any entry requirements for port stops. So everyone is awaiting word from DCL.

Since the tests have to be supervised, Disney doesn't really have much of a choice but to offer onboard testing. They can't really expect us all to use one of those remotely proctored testing services onboard.

 

[lucyem]

Since the tests have to be supervised, Disney doesn't really have much of a choice but to offer onboard testing. They can't really expect us all to use one of those remotely proctored testing services onboard.

I'm kind of hoping we can test beforehand from home to get on the ship like we do now and then have on ship testing for Bermuda. It seems like testing during boarding in port would just add so much time and headaches to all. (I'm not sure how set up they are these days to test everyone) And on the ship they could spread out Bermuda testing over the first 2 days. Time will tell.

 

[lanejudy]

Since the tests have to be supervised, Disney doesn't really have much of a choice but to offer onboard testing. They can't really expect us all to use one of those remotely proctored testing services onboard.

I didn't follow the European requirements closely to know which, if any, countries required testing at the time DCL cruises hit those ports. But DCL did not provide for onboard testing for port stops - DCL very specifically said the guest was responsible for meeting any requirements or they may not be allowed to debark at ports of call.

However I believe DCL did provide for onboard testing to debark in Canada from the Hawaii cruises. So there are 2 different precedents within the past 3 months...unknown which way DCL will go with the Bermuda cruises. Being as Bermuda is the only port of call for some cruises, I would hope DCL makes it easy. I just don't trust DCL decision-making at this time to do what's "easy" for the guest.

 

[Kwami]

The text on the government website has changed again. It no longer mentions vaccinated passengers at all, so presumably the old rules still apply for vaccinated passengers. Here's the current text.

Effective August 22, 2022, the following changes to travel policy will take effect for cruise ship passengers:

- To travel to Bermuda, unvaccinated and not fully vaccinated cruise passengers will be required to submit in their travel authorization application BOTH a valid pre-arrival test AND proof of overseas travel health insurance:

Valid Proof of Travel Health Insurance includes a certificate of insurance, letter from insurer or medical declaration of insurance or travel insurance which states:

- Insurer name and address

- insured traveller’s name

- confirmation medical expenses are covered, including COVID-19 coverage (or "all medical expenses"), and,

- Period of coverage: that is, insurance coverage start date and end date

- Unvaccinated and not fully vaccinated visitors 12 years and older will no longer be required to provide proof of medical exemption from COVID-19 vaccination

- In order to disembark in Bermuda, unvaccinated and not fully vaccinated cruise passengers 12 years and older must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken no more than 2 days before arrival to Bermuda.

- Unvaccinated children 11 and under can enter Bermuda with a vaccinated or unvaccinated parent or guardian. Those children will be assessed on the vaccination status of the parent or guardian travelling with them.

-Unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated passengers must take either a COVID-19 NAAT test taken no more than 2 days before embarkation (strongly recommended), or a supervised antigen test no more than 2 days before embarkation.

-Unvaccinated travellers with TAs approved before August 22 who are travelling after August 22 will not have to submit proof of travel health insurance, but they will be held to the new testing and quarantine requirements on arrival (no quarantine, no day 10 test, and no arrival test if they have a valid pre-travel test)

-Unvaccinated travellers with a TA submitted before August 22 but TA not yet approved will be held to the new requirements.

 

[dvcdisney]

To board the ship and cruise, DCL only requires the antigen test 2 days prior to embarkation (for vaccinated guests). No test required at the port though one can if that is their preference.

If you wish to debark in Bermuda and go ashore, Bermuda appears to be requiring a test 2 days prior to arrival. As PP states, for the TA that would be while onboard, and for the cruises out of NYC that stop at Bermuda, it appears that is embarkation day or while onboard.

2 different rules, 2 different rule-makers. DCL cannot do anything to change the Bermuda rules other than (hopefully) make it easy on passengers by offering testing. However I don't know if they did so for any European ports that were requiring testing (or did any?) as DCL stated last spring that it was on the guest to make sure they met any entry requirements for port stops. So everyone is awaiting word from DCL.

Unfortunately, since our cruise arrives on Day 3, the earliest we can take the test is Day 1...which means embarkation day.

Regardless of whether DCL provides the test, we all need to take it that day if I'm understanding the new policy correctly. So even if we test before we leave Canada, we still need to test at the port....which is the reason we weren't sure we would go...as soon as DCL changed it to up to 2 days prior for vaccinated guests, we were fine to go...now it's back to embarkation day.

Edit: okay, I'm on an emotional rollercoaster....I just saw the post above from Kwami and if that's stays as is...then vaccinated guest only have to get the Travel Authorization as before? no restrictions on when vaccinated guests need to take the test? if so, I'm good with that...

I'll do what everyone here suggests and just wait for DCL to send the announcement.

 

[Kwami]

Unfortunately, since our cruise arrives on Day 3, the earliest we can take the test is Day 1...which means embarkation day.

Regardless of whether DCL provides the test, we all need to take it that day if I'm understanding the new policy correctly. So even if we test before we leave Canada, we still need to test at the port....which is the reason we weren't sure we would go...as soon as DCL changed it to up to 2 days prior for vaccinated guests, we were fine to go...now it's back to embarkation day.

But, see above. Bermuda has already changed the rules again.

 

[dvcdisney]

But, see above. Bermuda has already changed the rules again.

Thanks so much for posting!

 

[Gzub1003]

Man everything has to be so complicated. I was ready to book a kinda last minute cruise in October to Bermuda. Then read this last night and got turned off and now is changes again. I keep waiting for pre Covid cruising to return but I don’t think it ever will.

 

[Bibbidi_Boo]

Man everything has to be so complicated. I was ready to book a kinda last minute cruise in October to Bermuda. Then read this last night and got turned off and now is changes again. I keep waiting for pre Covid cruising to return but I don’t think it ever will.

It will return, its already moving in that direction