COVID testing for return to US

[ohmyminnie]

I am on the Northern European cruise in August. I booked our flights back to the US from Heathrow on the day of disembarkation. I followed the guidelines as to timing of flight. What I didn't think about, however, was the requirement for the US to have a negative COVID test upon return. I am hoping they may have an option on the ship. I know it will probably be available in the terminal, but I read that could take 45 min-2 hrs and we would not make it to the airport in time. As far as the monitored self-administered tests, we probably would not have an adequate connection on the ship. I am trying to call DCL, but have been on hold a long time and have a feeling the cast member would not be able to give me a definite answer.

 

[Karin1984]

Your cruise is about 4 months away. A lot can change in the meantime. The US stopped requiring masks on several flights to the US last week. Chances are high by the time you are flying back, tests are no longer required. Requirements can change, but also where you can get a test can change in the meantime.

Start checking again a few weeks before your flight.

 

[lanejudy]

I am trying to call DCL, but have been on hold a long time and have a feeling the cast member would not be able to give me a definite answer.

This is quite possible, especially since DCL has not yet started cruising in Europe yet this season. However, to extrapolate from other cruises (US-based and Canada-based), unless a test is required to enter the debarkation port I would not expect DCL to provide onboard testing. They might, but so far they haven't. For example in Port Canavaral, non-US passengers have needed tests to return home post-cruise and DCL is offering optional testing after debarkation. If you can push your flights out later in the day, I would try for that to give you a little extra cushion.

 

[ohmyminnie]

This is quite possible, especially since DCL has not yet started cruising in Europe yet this season. However, to extrapolate from other cruises (US-based and Canada-based), unless a test is required to enter the debarkation port I would not expect DCL to provide onboard testing. They might, but so far they haven't. For example in Port Canavaral, non-US passengers have needed tests to return home post-cruise and DCL is offering optional testing after debarkation. If you can push your flights out later in the day, I would try for that to give you a little extra cushion.

Thank you. Unfortunately, the best flight option left around 3PM and I don't think that will be enough time. I didn't even think about that when I booked. I may just spend a night or two in London and get tested there. Someone from DCL did answer and she is trying to get some information, but as you mentioned they probably haven't set any policies yet since they haven't even sailed. Best would be to offer an on-board testing option, but we will see...

 

[ohmyminnie]

Your cruise is about 4 months away. A lot can change in the meantime. The US stopped requiring masks on several flights to the US last week. Chances are high by the time you are flying back, tests are no longer required. Requirements can change, but also where you can get a test can change in the meantime.

Start checking again a few weeks before your flight.

Thanks! I realize they may not have the requirement (hoping!) but if they still do it might be hard to change my flights if I wait too long. Flights have been so full lately, and prices keep going up, that I don't want to wait to long. May end up having to stay an extra day or two.

 

[ohmyminnie]

Thanks! I realize they may not have the requirement (hoping!) but if they still do it might be hard to change my flights if I wait too long. Flights have been so full lately, and prices keep going up, that I don't want to wait to long. May end up having to stay an extra day or two.

This is quite possible, especially since DCL has not yet started cruising in Europe yet this season. However, to extrapolate from other cruises (US-based and Canada-based), unless a test is required to enter the debarkation port I would not expect DCL to provide onboard testing. They might, but so far they haven't. For example in Port Canavaral, non-US passengers have needed tests to return home post-cruise and DCL is offering optional testing after debarkation. If you can push your flights out later in the day, I would try for that to give you a little extra cushion.

I do have a question about the Disney debarkation testing. Do they make you wait around for the result or can you just have it emailed and then upload it to wherever it needs to go? Also, do they allow you to make an appointment? If I go this route, would need the earliest appointment possible. Thanks!

 

[ssgtravel]

If you depart as early as possibledirectly from the ship to the airport, you could take the test yourself in the airport, using their WIFI. The results from the self test only take 15 minutes.

 

[dcassetta]

Heathrow offers in-airport testing including 30-minute rapid antigen which is acceptable for travel back to the US. https://www.heathrow.com/covid-19#testing

 

[tidefan]

This is quite possible, especially since DCL has not yet started cruising in Europe yet this season. However, to extrapolate from other cruises (US-based and Canada-based), unless a test is required to enter the debarkation port I would not expect DCL to provide onboard testing. They might, but so far they haven't. For example in Port Canavaral, non-US passengers have needed tests to return home post-cruise and DCL is offering optional testing after debarkation. If you can push your flights out later in the day, I would try for that to give you a little extra cushion.

I wonder though if the European cruises aren't a different animal. We are in the same metaphorical boat as the OP (booked a 1:15pm flight out of Rome on day of debarkation based on DCL's guidelines). While you can test at the Rome airport, it would be SO much more convenient to test the day prior on the ship. Why I think this may be different is that on the US based cruises, I would guess that over 90% of the passengers would not require testing for a return flight. However, on the European cruises, I would guess that somewhere in the 50-75% range (at least) would be US passengers and requiring the test.

We could bring our own antigen kits and use something like eMed, assuming that DCL's wifi is supportive, but again, onboard testing would be preferred...

Quite honestly, not really sure why the US still requires the testing. It's not like you are keeping any virus out of the country anymore...

 

[ohmyminnie]

I wonder though if the European cruises aren't a different animal. We are in the same metaphorical boat as the OP (booked a 1:15pm flight out of Rome on day of debarkation based on DCL's guidelines). While you can test at the Rome airport, it would be SO much more convenient to test the day prior on the ship. Why I think this may be different is that on the US based cruises, I would guess that over 90% of the passengers would not require testing for a return flight. However, on the European cruises, I would guess that somewhere in the 50-75% range (at least) would be US passengers and requiring the test.

We could bring our own antigen kits and use something like eMed, assuming that DCL's wifi is supportive, but again, onboard testing would be preferred...

Quite honestly, not really sure why the US still requires the testing. It's not like you are keeping any virus out of the country anymore...

I agree! I hope they get rid of the test. I would be fine with doing a proctored online test, but I worry that the WiFi would not work well enough.

 

[tvguy]

Way too soon to even predict. At this point, you have to be ready for ANYTHING. @Karin1984 could be correct. However, with a 50% increase in cases in the past two weeks, she could be wrong.

 

[Karin1984]

Way too soon to even predict. At this point, you have to be ready for ANYTHING. @Karin1984 could be correct. However, with a 50% increase in cases in the past two weeks, she could be wrong.

It happens on occasion

But I wouldn't worry about where to get a test on time. For many countries it's now only necessary to have a negative test to travel abroad. Therefore having a testing facility at the airport is where your customers are. If you still need a test by then, I am going to put my money on that airports will be the best location to get a test.

I flew from London Heathrow this weekend, I saw at least two walk-in facilities while walking through the terminal. Looking at Googlemaps, there are at least a dozen test facilities in and around the airport.

 

[Snowwhyt]

I was on the Fantasy in January. And I was asking guest services several questions. While I was was trying to think of the term for future cruise bookings, she tried to help my fumbles and asked if I needed to arrange testing for an early flight home? Indicating one could be arranged by/on ship. So maybe early PCR at Disney port operation or on ship I don’t know.

 

[cvjw]

Use Binax now tests by abbot with the navica app. Take the tests with you and test before getting on your flight. My son has used these several times for travel back to the US.

 

[ohmyminnie]

Use Binax now tests by abbot with the navica app. Take the tests with you and test before getting on your flight. My son has used these several times for travel back to the US.

Thanks, I am aware of that option but was concerned the wifi on the ship might not allow a good connection. I will take some with me anyway and hope for the best. I am really hoping they will let us get tested on the ship.

 

[ohmyminnie]

I was on the Fantasy in January. And I was asking guest services several questions. While I was was trying to think of the term for future cruise bookings, she tried to help my fumbles and asked if I needed to arrange testing for an early flight home? Indicating one could be arranged by/on ship. So maybe early PCR at Disney port operation or on ship I don’t know.

That would be wonderful! I guess we have to wait and see as the time to sail gets closer.

 

[cvjw]

Thanks, I am aware of that option but was concerned the wifi on the ship might not allow a good connection. I will take some with me anyway and hope for the best. I am really hoping they will let us get tested on the ship.

Use the 5G on your cell phone when the ship docks into port. Problem solved. AT&T charges $10 a day to use your phone in a different country. Cheap and easy solution.

 

[cedricandsophie]

We are on the transatlantic leaving May 8 from Miami and ending up in Barcelona. Disney uses the safe passage site to get ready for the cruise, posting your vaccine card. And there is generic language about the passenger needing to know the testing requirements etc for the country you are going to and then it is on you to get a test if needed for getting home. I called the co that runs safe passage (and provides pre and post cruise testing in the US and Canada) about whether they were going to provide an opportunity for passengers to be tested at the Barcelona port. The representative was very kind and said, I don’t know, but I’ll get back to you. And she did the next day. And the answer was No. My TA when talking to Disney cruise line only got the same generic language with no commitment to do anything.

we are staying an extra day in Barcelona just because I was concerned about testing to get back to the states. (I believe testing to get back into the states won’t go away for quite a while…i hope I’m wrong).
Our flight is noon the day after we arrive. If testing is not provided at the port, my TA has verified that our hotel can provide it. The test to get back into the states has to be completEd the day before your flight back, with no hour requirement. So we land on a sat may 21 and leave Barcelona on a sunday, may 22, which means we can do the test anytime after midnight on May 21. I have used the Binax tests for a prior celebrity cruise and they are very convenient but I’ve also had two of them be dried out when opened, so you always need extras. I may take some along just in case assuming i can get them in time

we have stops in Portugal before we get to Spain. as of now, Portugal does require a questionnaire and vaccine, with booster, to be completed and submitted before arriving. The same with Spain. But the form can’t be filled out for until 3 days ahead of actual arrival.
I can only assume that Disney will handle all of this since we are at sea for 5 nights before we hit Portugal.

its all very confusing. And other cruise lines, like Celebrity, viking, etc. have much more country specific Information than disney does.

 

[ohmyminnie]

We are on the transatlantic leaving May 8 from Miami and ending up in Barcelona. Disney uses the safe passage site to get ready for the cruise, posting your vaccine card. And there is generic language about the passenger needing to know the testing requirements etc for the country you are going to and then it is on you to get a test if needed for getting home. I called the co that runs safe passage (and provides pre and post cruise testing in the US and Canada) about whether they were going to provide an opportunity for passengers to be tested at the Barcelona port. The representative was very kind and said, I don’t know, but I’ll get back to you. And she did the next day. And the answer was No. My TA when talking to Disney cruise line only got the same generic language with no commitment to do anything.

we are staying an extra day in Barcelona just because I was concerned about testing to get back to the states. (I believe testing to get back into the states won’t go away for quite a while…i hope I’m wrong).
Our flight is noon the day after we arrive. If testing is not provided at the port, my TA has verified that our hotel can provide it. The test to get back into the states has to be completEd the day before your flight back, with no hour requirement. So we land on a sat may 21 and leave Barcelona on a sunday, may 22, which means we can do the test anytime after midnight on May 21. I have used the Binax tests for a prior celebrity cruise and they are very convenient but I’ve also had two of them be dried out when opened, so you always need extras. I may take some along just in case assuming i can get them in time

we have stops in Portugal before we get to Spain. as of now, Portugal does require a questionnaire and vaccine, with booster, to be completed and submitted before arriving. The same with Spain. But the form can’t be filled out for until 3 days ahead of actual arrival.
I can only assume that Disney will handle all of this since we are at sea for 5 nights before we hit Portugal.

its all very confusing. And other cruise lines, like Celebrity, viking, etc. have much more country specific Information than disney does.

I agree! Extremely confusing. I have a son who lives in Spain, and I wasn't even aware that they changed the requirements and will now require a booster.

 

[Doingitagain]

Disney’s Know Before You Go has Inspire Diagnostics testing locations for a lot of ports, including Vancouver, but nothing for Europe.

https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/why-cruise-disney/experience-updates/before-you-leave-home-us/