Children under age 12 required to take 2 Nasal Swab PCR tests to sail

[KevinFL]

Thoughts on this? Anyone here work at DCL that can get this changed? We are very excited to see DCL sailing again and booked for August on the Dream. But this really seems excessive and invasive to put young children through 2 nasal swabs which can be very uncomfortable and stressful for children; especially very young ones. One test is to be done 5 days to 24 hours before embarkation and then a second nasal swab at embarkation. I would really like to see this changed to only one test at embarkation. Not understanding the need to have them also do this 5 days prior. Disney is a family cruise line so this is going to impact a lot of young kids.

Vaccinated guests however are not required to take any Covid tests and there is plenty of data on "break through cases" where vaccinated people are still getting Covid and spreading it. So not seeing the need to put young children through 2 invasive tests rather than 1 test when a vaccinated guest can undermine all of that by being Covid positive and walk on the ship with no test and spread the virus.

 

[Henlady]

Don’t count on any changes due to the swab being uncomfortable for a few seconds.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Thoughts on this? Anyone here work at DCL that can get this changed? We are very excited to see DCL sailing again and booked for August on the Dream. But this really seems excessive and invasive to put young children through 2 nasal swabs which can be very uncomfortable and stressful for children; especially very young ones. One test is to be done 5 days to 24 hours before embarkation and then a second nasal swab at embarkation. I would really like to see this changed to only one test at embarkation. Not understanding the need to have them also do this 5 days prior. Disney is a family cruise line so this is going to impact a lot of young kids.

Vaccinated guests however are not required to take any Covid tests and there is plenty of data on "break through cases" where vaccinated people are still getting Covid and spreading it. So not seeing the need to put young children through 2 invasive tests rather than 1 test when a vaccinated guest can undermine all of that by being Covid positive and walk on the ship with no test and spread the virus.

The proof that I see says that vaccinated people are less likely to spread the disease. Unfortunately, unvaccinated people (like those under 12) spread the disease more. Yes, there are breakthrough cases. That's true about most vaccines. But the numbers of vaccinated people getting the disease is significantly lower than unvaccinated people.

I doubt that anyone here, or who works for DCL, will be looking to change this requirement anytime soon. Until there is a vaccine protocol for under 12, if someone traveling with a child who would require the two tests and doesn't want to put them through that, they would have to choose not to cruise at this time, or travel without the kids.

 

[cvjw]

Can you take your kids for the Walgreens IDNow test? Drive thru and a simple nasal swab that you do yourself. Results in about 30 minutes. It was accepted for travel to Hawaii, when the rules were very strict.

 

[ElenaRN]

While I am not a fan of the changes in kids club, nursery and shows, I don't think that this is a huge deal.

Being tested 5 days prior might save some people time and $ if a positive result is gotten. I rather know when I am still home than at the port and have to fly back home or worse have to spend my vacation days quarantining.

Maybe this will be one of the restrictions that lessen as time passes.

For right now though I think its a safe bet for DCL and the passengers.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

Thoughts on this? Anyone here work at DCL that can get this changed? We are very excited to see DCL sailing again and booked for August on the Dream. But this really seems excessive and invasive to put young children through 2 nasal swabs which can be very uncomfortable and stressful for children; especially very young ones. One test is to be done 5 days to 24 hours before embarkation and then a second nasal swab at embarkation. I would really like to see this changed to only one test at embarkation. Not understanding the need to have them also do this 5 days prior. Disney is a family cruise line so this is going to impact a lot of young kids.

Vaccinated guests however are not required to take any Covid tests and there is plenty of data on "break through cases" where vaccinated people are still getting Covid and spreading it. So not seeing the need to put young children through 2 invasive tests rather than 1 test when a vaccinated guest can undermine all of that by being Covid positive and walk on the ship with no test and spread the virus.

The chances of this getting changed anytime soon are somewhere between none and a snowballs chance in Hades.

 

[Dug720]

If the special ed kiddos that I teach can tolerate weekly (in some cases) tests, I'm pretty sure neurotypical kiddos will be fine.

 

[AquaDame]

This thread conflicts with the webmaster's request here https://www.disboards.com/threads/policy-on-covid-related-discussions.3840344/ so I am going to lock it. Sharing of information and policies is of course fine, but debating on covid protocols and efficacy rates is not.