Help keep me sane (booked 7 days out) - Galveston

[sethschroeder]

So I just have a couple questions:

About Galveston

• Do I need to pre-book parking? Is parking at the terminal the "best"?
• Is there anywhere specific to stay the night before or does it not really matter? Example a place that doesn't charge for parking and will drop you off/pick you up from the cruise terminal?

About pre-cruise requirements

• Check in, fill out safe passage, and get the non-vaccinated (2+4 year old's) tested 1-3 days prior
• If we can't get the test at home delivered in time we will choose the test at the terminal option instead
• I got COVID travel insurance (not sure if its a requirement but allows for emergency transport and such)
• Kids have just birth certificate (we are only going to Cancun so not as nervous since worst case we could always drive back although not preferred *knock on wood*)

Am I missing something "new" that has occurred? I was up to speed back in August and nothing seems to have changed much.

 

[starry_solo]

So I just have a couple questions:

About Galveston

• Do I need to pre-book parking? Is parking at the terminal the "best"?
• Is there anywhere specific to stay the night before or does it not really matter? Example a place that doesn't charge for parking and will drop you off/pick you up from the cruise terminal?

About pre-cruise requirements

• Check in, fill out safe passage, and get the non-vaccinated (2+4 year old's) tested 1-3 days prior
• If we can't get the test at home delivered in time we will choose the test at the terminal option instead
• I got COVID travel insurance (not sure if its a requirement but allows for emergency transport and such)
• Kids have just birth certificate (we are only going to Cancun so not as nervous since worst case we could always drive back although not preferred *knock on wood*)

Am I missing something "new" that has occurred? I was up to speed back in August and nothing seems to have changed much.

For the pre-cruise requirements #2, I am pretty sure you have to do both. Test them 1-3 days prior AND test at the terminal. Everyone has to be tested at the terminal.

 

[sethschroeder]

For the pre-cruise requirements #2, I am pretty sure you have to do both. Test them 1-3 days prior AND test at the terminal. Everyone has to be tested at the terminal.

Sorry to clarify you can actually schedule tests through Disney at the terminal 1-3 days before your cruise. So instead of getting the test delivered you show up at their location by the cruise area to take the test.

So yes a test before your cruise day and a test the day of the cruise that everyone does.

Locations are listed here if others find this thread:
https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/why-cruise-disney/experience-updates/before-you-leave-home-us/

 

[_auroraborealis_]

^^^ this.

Guests who are not vaccine-eligible because of age must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test result (paid for by the Guest) taken between 3 days and 24 hours before their sail date. Guests ages 5 through 11 may complete this testing requirement in lieu of being fully vaccinated for sailings that depart before January 13, 2022. Guests 4 years of age and under must complete the testing requirements. The test should be a NAAT test, rapid PCR test or lab-based PCR test. Rapid antigen tests are not accepted.

 

[GlassAct]

Go ahead and schedule an IDNow appointment for within your testing window, for the kids at Walgreens. Easy, fast, and free. Super convenient, you do the test in the drive through.

The Disney Testing location is at San Luis in Galveston, but honestly the Walgreens test is so easy, especially if you won't be in Galveston several days before the cruise.

The window is tight, within 72 hours out to test and no later than 24 hours before cruise results need to be uploaded.

IDNow is accepted by Disney as it is an NAAT test and the are results back within 24 hours of test (our 4pm appointment had results back within 2 hours).

Testing was the most stressful part, have a wonderful trip!

 

[sethschroeder]

Go ahead and schedule an IDNow appointment for within your testing window, for the kids at Walgreens.

So I can't find a way to book it and it says Walgreens is 3+ for age when we have a 2 year old as well.

EDIT: Nevermind I see it but the age requirement hits us since we have the 2 year old.

Testing was the most stressful part, have a wonderful trip!

No doubt our adult only cruise in September was more relaxing since we were vaccinated and just had a test given by NCL. Unfortunately our primary testing option near us stopped doing PCR tests because of backups in their lab as well.

I will keep trying to find info on the Walgreens IDNow. Is there a time guarantee for turn around as well? Since doing the testing through Disney seems to be the "safest" in my mind.

 

[GlassAct]

Is there a time guarantee for turn around as well? Since doing the testing through Disney seems to be the "safest" in my mind.
[/QUOTE]

IDNow is results back within 24 hours, but I didn't know it was 3+. Sounds like you need another plan, and the testing in Galveston may actually be easier with guaranteed availability.

 

[anricat]

We did pre-book the parking. I just felt more comfortable knowing I had parking already booked. We booked with https://www.portparking.com and it was easy. We just missed a shuttle and they told us it would be 30 minutes for another one, but they are apparently under-promise-over-deliver because it was back in about 15 minutes. When arriving back in Galveston, there were two shuttles waiting when we got through customs. The first was full right as we walked up so we got on the second and waited another 10 minutes for it to fill and then it was about 5 min back to the garage.

I can't help you with a hotel as we just woke up early and drove there that morning. (We live in Austin.) I have a trip report (link in my signature) if you want more details about embarkation/debarkation for our sailing (a couple weeks ago).

 

[Akck]

• Kids have just birth certificate (we are only going to Cancun so not as nervous since worst case we could always drive back although not preferred *knock on wood*)

Am I missing something "new" that has occurred? I was up to speed back in August and nothing seems to have changed much.

Actual worse case is you’re quarantined on the ship for the last days of your cruise. At least that’s what we were told if we left the bubble of our tour group. The only way those vaccinated could go out and explore on their own was to check back in with with their group and then check back out, of course leaving those unvaccinated on the ship. If you’re not on a tour, you can go out via a virtual queue, again only vaccinated.

 

[sethschroeder]

Okay they couldn't give us testing mailed so we just scheduled it at the port instead. The "trick" was that you have to test 24 hours before your PAT but they let you schedule tests up til 7pm the night before. (This is in Galveston so its not like the night before somehow covers some other cruise).

I informed the Facebook group for the cruise as well but I feel like people could easily miss that since so few test now and the language is a little vague in areas on their site.