Is Disney the only cruise line requiring testing at port?

[Husker Mike]

Can you kindly explain this further - you can get a doctor’s note to bring with just in case somebody tests positive in your party within an 11-day window from day of sailing hence, running into a possibility of testing positive at the port? Thanks!

To clarify it further, people who have RECOVERED from COVID-19 can still test positive for weeks after recovery, due to traces of the virus still existing in your body. Not enough to infect others, but enough to register on the PCR test. Hence, the 90 day rule that allows your doctor to certify that you have recovered from COVID and are "safe to travel" even though you may still test positive. That's why the 11 day rule stipulation is in place to ensure that you have actually recovered from your case.

https://montreal.ctvnews.ca/you-cou...or-covid-19-months-after-recovering-1.5764420

 

[dreynolds1982]

im confused, is that enough time to get the results? I was going to get tested here at home at cvs before we leave home next week. Cvs says it takes 1-3 days for results.

As others have said, depends on the time of test you get. Last time I got tested, I got a rapid PCR from a local pharmacy. It's basically the same type of test Disney is using at the port. Takes about 45 mins to get results. Some of the cruises allowing the testing in advance are allowing rapid Antigen as well, which are even faster. Most even allow for at-home tests IF they are proctored virtually by a medical professional (to be sure the testing is being done properly).

IF you were to do a cruise that allowed the testing 2-days before, a rapid test (either antigen or PCR depending on what they allow) would definitely be what you'd want.

 

[dreynolds1982]

Its no accident that DCL and other cruise lines have increased the amount of scheduled activities, while reducing the amount of unscheduled ones (and virtually eliminating open bar times)

Whooooa, Disney bars are still open right? I know on the Dream the Skyline bar is only being used for tastings, but the other bars are fully open correct? (You can see what it takes to get my attention hahaha)

 

[DisneyDar]

It will be a deal breaker for us if they remove the port testing on longer cruises. There is no way we are getting on a ship for 10+ nights with others who just picked up the virus.

Testing at port is one of the key reasons why you don't hear about guests being quarantined on Disney ships.

Just l

It will be a deal breaker for us if they remove the port testing on longer cruises. There is no way we are getting on a ship for 10+ nights with others who just picked up the virus.

Testing at port is one of the key reasons why you don't hear about guests being quarantined on Disney ships.

Just love the people that think this response is funny.....talk about living in Neverland.

 

[jenushkask8s]

Whooooa, Disney bars are still open right? I know on the Dream the Skyline bar is only being used for tastings, but the other bars are fully open correct? (You can see what it takes to get my attention hahaha)

They were all open (except Skyline) on the Fantasy January 15-22.

 

[PirateFrank]

Whooooa, Disney bars are still open right? I know on the Dream the Skyline bar is only being used for tastings, but the other bars are fully open correct? (You can see what it takes to get my attention hahaha)

I believe the are now open - I’ll defer to someone who has recently cruised. Wasn’t always the case…..

 

[jujubiee4]

I was just tested Sunday at our local CVS. (PCR)
Ours also said 1-3 days. My appt was 2:20 pm Sunday and got the text for results around 11:30am Monday. They also offered rapid PCR in their search parameters. I don’t recall how much faster that was.
This was just my recent experience and I realize this can vary a lot with geography and demand for testing in each area.

Did you pay for this?

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Did you pay for this?

I don't believe I'll get a bill. They asked for my insurance card. They asked several questions which I answered honestly. None of the questions asked if I was getting it done for travel.

 

[dreynolds1982]

I don't believe I'll get a bill. They asked for my insurance card. They asked several questions which I answered honestly. None of the questions asked if I was getting it done for travel.

I've had different experiences depending on where you go. I got tested at a Walgreens for no charge. I think places like CVS and walgreens are doing them for free with or maybe even without insurance (I have insurance but they never asked me for my card). I also got a rapid PCR at a local compounding pharmacy bc availability was hard to come by at the standard places. They charged me $125 and did not take insurance!

So, I would say try to find a test at a CVS or something similar if possible. Your local health agency may have resources online to help find free testing sites too. I know ours does.

 

[slindamood]

Viking has installed a covid testing lab on each of its ocean ships to process PCR tests.

The only pre-boarding requirement is a PCR test done within 72 hours prior to boarding a plane from your home country, or an antigen test within 24 hours of boarding the plane from home country.

After boarding the ship (without another test) you go to your cabin where you take a PCR test that is processed onboard. Viking administers tests (taken in your cabin) up to daily during the cruise.

It also offers free in-cabin PCR tests timed to qualify for your flight home.

 

[insureman]

Viking has installed a covid testing lab on each of its ocean ships to process PCR tests.

The only pre-boarding requirement is a PCR test done within 72 hours prior to boarding a plane from your home country, or an antigen test within 24 hours of boarding the plane from home country.

After boarding the ship (without another test) you go to your cabin where you take a PCR test that is processed onboard. Viking administers tests (taken in your cabin) up to daily during the cruise.

It also offers free in-cabin PCR tests timed to qualify for your flight home.

That's sounds worse than than getting the test done at the port. At least if you test positive at the port your not going to be stuck on the entire cruise in quarantine. Also isn't Viking worried that you could be positive and you're roaming the corridors before you take your PCR test. Am I missing something here?

 

[slindamood]

That's sounds worse than than getting the test done at the port. At least if you test positive at the port your not going to be stuck on the entire cruise in quarantine. Also isn't NCL worried that you could be positive and you're roaming the corridors before you take your PCR test. Am I missing something here?

Well, technically Viking is doing the test at the port when they do the in-room tests. It is before setting sail.

I have no idea about what happens if you test positive - I assume you stay in your own cabin, which at least is better than deck 2 isolation.

At least with DCL, you don't get on the ship and get your money back. I would hate to pay big bucks just to spend a cruise in a cabin.

 

[ChicosWife]

It's confusing to me that folks are saying they would not sail if there were no testing requirements. In theory, I get it, BUT, that begs other questions to be asked... did everyone get tested before you went grocery shopping? Did everyone get tested before your kids went to school each day? Did everyone get tested before you got on that flight? Did everyone get tested before you checked into the hotel the night(s) before you disembarked? The point is, we are all around potential exposures day-in and day-out, this would be no different, as someone could have been exposed on the plane or at the port itself that day and they wouldn't test positive right away.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

That's sounds worse than than getting the test done at the port. At least if you test positive at the port your not going to be stuck on the entire cruise in quarantine. Also isn't NCL worried that you could be positive and you're roaming the corridors before you take your PCR test. Am I missing something here?

I agree. The difference is that with DCL you get a refund. With Viking you get onboard so they have your money and worry about covid later. No thanks.

 

[LeiaOfAlderaan]

In theory, I get it, BUT, that begs other questions to be asked... did everyone get tested before you went grocery shopping? Did everyone get tested before your kids went to school each day? Did everyone get tested before you got on that flight? Did everyone get tested before you checked into the hotel the night(s) before you disembarked? The point is, we are all around potential exposures day-in and day-out, this would be no different, as someone could have been exposed on the plane or at the port itself that day and they wouldn't test positive right away.

The difference for me is that in almost every situation you mention, myself and everyone around me are masked, which is a huge reduction in risk. (Where I live everyone is masked in schools and in grocery stores. And even though the state mandate for public places is going away soon I guarantee you most people around here will be wearing masks.)

On the cruise everyone gathers indoors in restaurants, bars, and lounges unmasked, which is one of the highest-risk behaviors. So it makes me feel better to know everyone has been recently tested and there are probably only a few possible undetected positives in the room. JMO

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

On the cruise everyone gathers indoors in restaurants, bars, and lounges unmasked, which is one of the highest-risk behaviors.

Was this recently? This was not my experience on the Dream in August or on the Magic on Nov/Dec.

 

[LeiaOfAlderaan]

Was this recently? This was not my experience on the Dream in August or on the Magic on Nov/Dec.

This was my experience on the Wonder in October. Are you saying everyone remained masked while eating dinner and drinking in bars? I don’t see how that’s possible lol.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

This was my experience on the Wonder in October. Are you saying everyone remained masked while eating dinner and drinking in bars? I don’t see how that’s possible lol.

We weren't in any bars and no one “gathered” while in restaurants.

 

[LeiaOfAlderaan]

We weren't in any bars and no one “gathered” while in restaurants.

Well, I consider a few hundred people together in a room to be “gathering”. I just mean a group of people in an enclosed indoor space. Regardless of distancing you are all sharing the same air.

 

[dreynolds1982]

The difference for me is that in almost every situation you mention, myself and everyone around me are masked, which is a huge reduction in risk. (Where I live everyone is masked in schools and in grocery stores. And even though the state mandate for public places is going away soon I guarantee you most people around here will be wearing masks.)

Meanwhile here in SC I don't think there's been any state or county mask mandates in months, and not at private businesses either. And very few people wear them around anymore. That's the south for ya though.

As a result of that though, just with the handwashing requirements, spacing, and other things in place on cruise ships, I personally will feel much less exposed there than basically anywhere I go here haha.