June 18th Fantasy COVID

[mousefan73]

Cruises get the bad rap because the Covid cases are KNOWN. And the reason why we know is because of FB cruise groups. Let’s hypothetically pretend that there would also be FB groups for WDW. Let’s say week of this or a week of that. I can guarantee there would be more Covid cases reported at the end of this week in that group than any cruise.

My best friend just went to her first work annual convention since Covid. They flew in people all over the US to Cancun. There were about 1000 people. After this event people were calling in sick. My friend estimates about 50 people she knows personally got Covid within a week. A normal non convention, week with individual travelers people would’ve gone home and probably assumed they were the only ones Because there’s no follow up with people afterwards who are also there

My other friend just got back from Nashville were there’s this country music fest thing. Organized by fan clubs I believe. He also was saying that within the fan club community people reporting they had Covid after the trip.

It’s kinda like testing. If you don’t test you have a low Covid figures. Once you start testing numbers go up. Same thing with talking about it on FB. If you don’t talk about it it doesn’t happen but once you do it’s a spreader event

 

[mousefan73]

Most people are not on the FB page. In my experience, the FB groups tend to range from 200-500 members. So 100 is more like 20-50% of the FB group. It stands to reason that statistically, similar percentages of people who are not in the FB group tested postive too.

Yeah but you can take a FB member and can either x 2 or x4 to get an estimate who is on board.. Ex. on my next cruise we are 5 traveling together but I am on th only one on FB and in that group.

 

[ladyofthetramp]

Honestly, testing at port in Europe was so terrible that I would stop sailing DCL again if they do that, including canceling our next March cruise. I would much prefer to take my chances on the ship of catching COVID, which exist every time you go into crowded ports, shops, and restaurants on land anyways when cruising, then testing at port again. It is too much of a commitment to travel so far, and too much disappointment, to be turned away last minute. I just don't see a strong benefit either, considering people can still have the virus incubating when they take the PCR test, or catch it on land and bring it on board at the very first port. Cruising really isn't an activity anyone should be doing now if avoiding being exposed to COVID is a significant concern or medical necessity.

It was that testing at the port that was one of the reasons (along with testing to get back to the US-revoked recently and just general disruption as we try and navigate our way back to life) that caused me to cancel that trip for the 3rd time. I have re-booked, but not feeling terribly enthusiastic about that trip anymore due to the above, but not covid exposure. Vacation is not relaxing or fun when you are on pins and needles about flying and your luggage. So we took a trip to Disney instead. We had fun. But guess what? My husband tested positive the day we got back. Thankfully it was a non-event with nothing more than a stuffy nose for two days. I guess my point is if you don't want to be exposed-you don't go. A cruise, Disney, crowded venues etc. We are thankfully in good health, vaccinated, boosted and ready to live life again with some reservations. I don't want to fly overseas to be denied boarding-too far, too expensive. But we will continue to evaluate risk both health wise and financially in the vacations we plan. There is risk in everything we do-just crossing the street. But everyone must evaluate that risk in terms of their own health and happiness.

 

[CamColt]

***Please Read***

Hey guys, some posts here are teetering on the edge of breaking the Covid posting rules. Please take a minute to review them here. https://www.disboards.com/threads/policy-on-covid-related-discussions.3840344/page-2#post-64074382

Lets get this thread back on track or it will be closed. Don't be the reason it gets closed.
Thank You!

 

[cvjw]

Another issue that I see is the 90 day recovery letter. So many people seem to be using this, so they won’t be testing before getting on their cruise. 90 days is a REALLY long time between having covid and a cruise. You could easily catch a different variant, not have to test and bring it right onto the ship.

We had covid a few weeks back - caught it at the key west airport. We could do the 90 day recovery letter, but will go to Walgreens instead and have a test. We know that we could catch covid again before our cruise sails next month.

 

[KC Fan]

Anyone have any experience with what happens if you get denied at embarkation at port? Just trying to plan as we have to fly out this Friday for a Sat. embarkation. Wife is a close contact right now, other family members are OK. Just wanted to plan for the worse.

 

[tvguy]

If we tested everyone that shopped at a Walmart or went to a movie theater we probably would have the same results. There is this weird obsession with testing after a cruise and blaming that for getting COVID. People are determined to blame cruising it seems.

Good point. People are assuming things are back to normal in life, and are only finding out they are not only when in a situation where testing is done.

 

[DMMarla07860]

Another issue that I see is the 90 day recovery letter. So many people seem to be using this, so they won’t be testing before getting on their cruise. 90 days is a REALLY long time between having covid and a cruise. You could easily catch a different variant, not have to test and bring it right onto the ship.

We had covid a few weeks back - caught it at the key west airport. We could do the 90 day recovery letter, but will go to Walgreens instead and have a test. We know that we could catch covid again before our cruise sails next month.

Great point I would to, so far thankfully with a autoimmune disease have not gotten Covid. Hopefully won’t in August

 

[kathi]

I was on that cruse and am in the Facebook group. This was our 5th sailing since September and it was a very different experience (last was over New Year). We masked indoors but very few did and you can't mask at dinner and the tables are back to being very close together. I think stopping testing at the port the day of the cruise is missing positive cases. I get it that covid is here to stay and we will need to learn to deal with it, but with no covid measures on board, it didn't feel good. Now the post-cruise testing is bearing witness to the lack of controls. With capacity up, no mask requirements and no day of cruise testing, I think everyone needs to go into sailing with an honest assessment of the chance of contracting covid and make personal decisions based on that knowledge. I did not book a placeholder (after 26 DCL cruises). I'm sure we will cruise again, but we are not rushing to book any more for the foreseeable future.

 

[holula]

I was on that cruse and am in the Facebook group. This was our 5th sailing since September and it was a very different experience (last was over New Year). We masked indoors but very few did and you can't mask at dinner and the tables are back to being very close together. I think stopping testing at the port the day of the cruise is missing positive cases. I get it that covid is here to stay and we will need to learn to deal with it, but with no covid measures on board, it didn't feel good. Now the post-cruise testing is bearing witness to the lack of controls. With capacity up, no mask requirements and no day of cruise testing, I think everyone needs to go into sailing with an honest assessment of the chance of contracting covid and make personal decisions based on that knowledge. I did not book a placeholder (after 26 DCL cruises). I'm sure we will cruise again, but we are not rushing to book any more for the foreseeable future.

I agree with all of this. I did two Magic cruises from the UK last year and the Dream in December and it felt like a totally different cruise. (I was on June 11 Fantasy sailing.)

At these capacities I wish DCL would bring at least some restrictions back - like not having self serve buffets and masks in theatres. When I was watching Lightyear so many people were coughing. I’m pretty sure that’s where I picked it up since I only had symptoms after I got home.

 

[AquaDame]

I was on that cruse and am in the Facebook group. This was our 5th sailing since September and it was a very different experience (last was over New Year). We masked indoors but very few did and you can't mask at dinner and the tables are back to being very close together. I think stopping testing at the port the day of the cruise is missing positive cases. I get it that covid is here to stay and we will need to learn to deal with it, but with no covid measures on board, it didn't feel good. Now the post-cruise testing is bearing witness to the lack of controls. With capacity up, no mask requirements and no day of cruise testing, I think everyone needs to go into sailing with an honest assessment of the chance of contracting covid and make personal decisions based on that knowledge. I did not book a placeholder (after 26 DCL cruises). I'm sure we will cruise again, but we are not rushing to book any more for the foreseeable future.

I also plan on masking next month as much as is reasonable; were you some of those who came home without having caught it? My husband was able to get another booster this last weekend, but I do not qualify so all I can do is try to be careful...

 

[lanejudy]

Any idea on how many are being denied PRIOR to boarding? We are set to sail this Saturday on Fantasy...very curious and nervous at the same time. We have to fly into MCO so if we get denied, didn't know whether they force you to quarantine, or you are on your own getting home.

Anyone have any experience with what happens if you get denied at embarkation at port? Just trying to plan as we have to fly out this Friday for a Sat. embarkation. Wife is a close contact right now, other family members are OK. Just wanted to plan for the worse.

I haven't really heard much about people being denied boarding since the new testing options went into place. You are aware that you can test up to 2 days prior? This can be done at home using a proctored antigen test or a rapid test at a pharmacy/clinic/doctor's office, etc. If that test is positive, you can cancel without traveling.

But to answer about quarantine -- if you are denied boarding at Port Canaveral, you will be on your own to deal with quarantine and getting back home. DCL does not mandate what you do (other than not boarding the ship).

 

[princesscinderella]

I tested positive 2 days after getting off the 6/11-6/18 fantasy sailing. I’d still cruise again as it can be caught anywhere. I’m the only one in my family that got it. I quarantined in my room for 5 days. I was very happy to get of my room, the house was a disaster

 

[KC Fan]

I haven't really heard much about people being denied boarding since the new testing options went into place. You are aware that you can test up to 2 days prior? This can be done at home using a proctored antigen test or a rapid test at a pharmacy/clinic/doctor's office, etc. If that test is positive, you can cancel without traveling.

But to answer about quarantine -- if you are denied boarding at Port Canaveral, you will be on your own to deal with quarantine and getting back home. DCL does not mandate what you do (other than not boarding the ship).

Yeah we are aware of the testing. We are scheduled for this Thursday before we have to fly. Hoping for the best but prepping for the worst. Hard since our little ones are so excited to go. appreciate the insight!

 

[dcassetta]

Anyone have any experience with what happens if you get denied at embarkation at port? Just trying to plan as we have to fly out this Friday for a Sat. embarkation. Wife is a close contact right now, other family members are OK. Just wanted to plan for the worse.

I think it depends on the port. I’m not sure Disney does anything for you if you are cruising out of Port Canaveral or Miami. However, if you test positive on an Alaska cruise, Disney will manage the quarantine process once you have returned to Canada. And you will be required to quarantine for 10 days. I have seen the descriptions of this from people who cruised in May and early June.

 

[randumb0]

I also plan on masking next month as much as is reasonable; were you some of those who came home without having caught it? My husband was able to get another booster this last weekend, but I do not qualify so all I can do is try to be careful...

Just know that if you eat indoors that greatly increases your risk even if you wear mask everywhere else

 

[braysmommy]

Just know that if you eat indoors that greatly increases your risk even if you wear mask everywhere else

Agree we were on the Transatlantic in May and the only place indoors we went unmasked was dinner and all 3 of us in travel party ended up with Covid.

 

[MODisFan]

I was on that cruse and am in the Facebook group. This was our 5th sailing since September and it was a very different experience (last was over New Year). We masked indoors but very few did and you can't mask at dinner and the tables are back to being very close together. I think stopping testing at the port the day of the cruise is missing positive cases. I get it that covid is here to stay and we will need to learn to deal with it, but with no covid measures on board, it didn't feel good. Now the post-cruise testing is bearing witness to the lack of controls. With capacity up, no mask requirements and no day of cruise testing, I think everyone needs to go into sailing with an honest assessment of the chance of contracting covid and make personal decisions based on that knowledge. I did not book a placeholder (after 26 DCL cruises). I'm sure we will cruise again, but we are not rushing to book any more for the foreseeable future.

I too was on the cruise and in the FB group. This was our 3rd DCL sailing - first since the COVID era. As of today 2 of 4 in our party have tested positive. While I knew the risks I will admit I was lulled into a false confidence concerning the safety measures on the Fantasy. It’s Disney! Everything will be clean and there will be no spread. We had a nice time but will wait to book until Covid spread is not so (seemingly) prolific. High capacity, no social distancing and self-serve at the buffets - just like pre Covid cruises. The only real difference I saw was the the cast members wore masks all the time.

 

[MODisFan]

Disney will never know how much COVID is on the ship except for staff and Under 5's. Maybe that is a good enough sampling for them to know.

DCL has been asking people to report if they’re positive after the cruise. They are collecting data and sharing with the CDC - or so it’s been reported on our cruise’s FB page.

 

[kj2mom]

I was on that cruse and am in the Facebook group. This was our 5th sailing since September and it was a very different experience (last was over New Year). We masked indoors but very few did and you can't mask at dinner and the tables are back to being very close together. I think stopping testing at the port the day of the cruise is missing positive cases. I get it that covid is here to stay and we will need to learn to deal with it, but with no covid measures on board, it didn't feel good. Now the post-cruise testing is bearing witness to the lack of controls. With capacity up, no mask requirements and no day of cruise testing, I think everyone needs to go into sailing with an honest assessment of the chance of contracting covid and make personal decisions based on that knowledge. I did not book a placeholder (after 26 DCL cruises). I'm sure we will cruise again, but we are not rushing to book any more for the foreseeable future.

We were on The Dream at the beginning of June, we masked on the plane/in the airport, masked in the cruise terminal, masked at the shows, masked in the lounges etc etc etc because my daughter was leaving for international travel two days after our return and we really wanted to protect her as much as possible. Well, I was the one who tested positive a couple days after our return. Everyone else has been fine. I was prepared and had actually brought my work computer with us in case we weren't able to return as scheduled but my symptoms/test wasn't until after our return home. I work from home so besides my pretty bad cold symptoms I had to deal with while working it was just as well that it was me versus any of the others. We also did not book a placeholder.

I tested positive 2 days after getting off the 6/11-6/18 fantasy sailing. I’d still cruise again as it can be caught anywhere. I’m the only one in my family that got it. I quarantined in my room for 5 days. I was very happy to get of my room, the house was a disaster

I too was the only one in our house to get it, I isolated for 10 days because my negative test didn't come until the end of day 10. Gosh when I surfaced from that room the house was scary LOL!! I am soo thankful for all they did while I was invisible (seriously, they took very good care of me but wellllllll not soooo great care of the house). I am just now getting things back into a rhythm (today would be day 14).