Know Before You Go Updated - May 17 - Testing rule changes

[indylaw99]

$70/2 people for monitored testing (which I just quick searched and appears to be the going rate on Binax testing), which you can do 2 days before departure, is well worth the price when you consider the alternative of getting to the port, being in sight of the ship, and in the damned parking deck, and being told to take your butt home to wherever home is and take your luggage with you.

I think you are exactly right. This is why so many people were hoping Disney would shift to what the "other" cruise lines have been doing for so long. There are obviously cons to testing two days before rather than at the port (which we won't get into or we might get the thread shut down!). We took a Royal Caribbean cruise right as Disney was restarting their cruises and we were SOOOOO nervous waiting for CVS to call us with our results. But better to be nervous at home before we leave than sit there in the waiting area at the port feeling how disappointing it would be to have it come back positive!

Not that this helps me too much because I'm doing a B2B in august and will still have to do through the port testing in between the cruises! But I think this will help a LOT of people to feel less anxious about their tests.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

We are traveling with a 4 year old the end of June out of Miami. We have decided that since she has to be tested at the port (in addition to PCR 3 days before) we are going to all get tested at the port and not interrupt our 2 days at Ft Lauderdale Beach to get the 6 vaccinated people tested. It is a trade off between hassle and money.

We received the email from DCL and it appears that we have a choice - test monitored within 2 days or test at the port and pay @$75. Does this appear correct?

Edited to add: We will self test before leaving home, but that is 3 days before sailing.

For your daughter, I recommend doing the official Safe Passage PCR for the 3 day one. It's extremely convenient.

 

[JeffBDisney]

For your daughter, I recommend doing the official Safe Passage PCR for the 3 day one. It's extremely convenient.

How fast do you get the PCR test through Safe Passage? I'm spending a week in Disney before we go on the cruise so was worried if I order 15 days before would I recieve at my home in time? Also is it done via video phone conference?

 

[3DisneyFanz]

The alternative was taking an unproctored test for $0, which I could do 2 days before departure, and if I test negative I never take the flight in the first place.

You're acting like Disney FORBADE you from taking a pre-emptive test. We've all always had the option of testing ourselves before travel and mitigating that risk of a surprise positive at the port.

This isn't Disney being generous with flexibility, this is Disney cutting costs.

Right and amazing timing just before the Wish voyages start. Strange how that worked out…

 

[CaptainAmerica]

How fast do you get the PCR test through Safe Passage? I'm spending a week in Disney before we go on the cruise so was worried if I order 15 days before would I recieve at my home in time? Also is it done via video phone conference?

It's not video, it's UPS. No appointments or whatever, you just swab in the morning three days prior, then it overnights to UPS, then you have results in the tool usually 2 days prior. I like it because you don't have to upload anything or wait for verification. It happens automatically.

 

[HeatherLassell]

Their wording is confusing.

Precruise Checklist implies PCR:

• 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 no more than 3 days before their sail date. Guests ages 4 and under must complete the testing requirements. This will be the first of two tests required for Guests ages 4 and under; the second will be conducted at the terminal prior to embarkation.
• Upload your pre-trip COVID-19 PCR test results or proof of vaccination to the Safe Passage website by Inspire Diagnostics and ensure your account indicates those in your travel party are clear to arrive at the port. A parent or legal guardian must use their own account to submit test results or proof of vaccinations on behalf of minors.

Before Leaving Home implies antigen is OK, but does that apply to 4 and under?:
Guests Have Multiple Options for Completing Their Pre-Trip COVID-19 Testing

1. Guests residing in the United States can purchase a pre-trip, at-home PCR test or an observed antigen test directly from the Safe Passage website by Inspire Diagnostics. PCR tests must be completed and mailed back 3 days before sailing. Observed antigen tests must be completed and uploaded to the Safe Passage website within 2 days prior to your sail date.
2. Guests can use the Safe Passage website to purchase and schedule a pre-trip test to be performed at one of the Inspire Diagnostics testing locations set up for Disney Cruise Line Guests near the cruise terminal. PCR tests must be completed one to 3 days before your sail date. Antigen tests must be completed within 2 days prior to your sail date.
3. Guests may obtain their PCR test from any independent testing provider.

No that isn't confusing because that first part is talking about kids age 4 and younger. They have to take PCR.

 

[slindamood]

For your daughter, I recommend doing the official Safe Passage PCR for the 3 day one. It's extremely convenient.

Yes, a good recommendation. We used them for our March cruise, as well as a test at local site. We were worried that the mailed test would not arrive, in time, but sending it off first thing in the morning at a UPS center got it there in good time with results coming the next day. This time we will do only safe passage PCR test.

 

[ArielRae]

Those who are opting to pay the $74.00 at port for the test please note it also says that Disney can also charge you an additional $125.00 plus tax for a Confirmatory PCR test if needed. So you may end up paying about $200 per person in the end.

 

[jjb1974]

The alternative was taking an unproctored test for $0, which I could do 2 days before departure, and if I test negative I never take the flight in the first place.

You're acting like Disney FORBADE you from taking a pre-emptive test. We've all always had the option of testing ourselves before travel and mitigating that risk of a surprise positive at the port.

This isn't Disney being generous with flexibility, this is Disney cutting costs.

I'm not "acting like" anything. The example you're providing, where a test is taken 2 days beforehand simply for peace of mind's sake, isn't equivalent to what this offers. Your 2 day test would be informative if you tested positive... but if you tested negative on it and positive at port, your first test was worthless and in fact set you up for disappointment. It's not an apples to apples comparison.

Or, in much simpler terms: "Am I willing to pay $35/pp to not get heartbroken at the port? Yes." I'm not here to discuss cost shifting or read nefarious motives into things... and you're willing to do that for me, anyway, so why double up the work?

 

[Madame]

As of right now, the Walgreens site shows no testing for Rapid Antigen. Availability for NAATs (which we have used for cross-border travel) are showing availability, but these tests, like PCRs will pick up previous (up-to-6 months) infections, so I'm out of pocket several hundred to get tested then.

 

[Doingitagain]

BinaxNOW comes in 2 versions -- 1 is at-home unproctored and the other is at-home proctored. To use for DCL you must get the proctored version (the kind where you make an appointment for an online video call while testing).

This is on the emed FAQ:

AN I USE THE BINAXNOW™ COVID-19 ANTIGEN SELF TEST (“ABBOTT SELF TEST”) ON EMED.COM?​

No. eMed is not authorized by the manufacturer to provide services for the Abbott BinaxNOW™ Self Test. Only the BinaxNOW™ COVID-19 Ag Card Home Test (“Home Test”) is eligible for a virtually guided test session with an eMed Certified Guide using the eMed digital point-of-care platform. Visit eMed’s Order section to purchase your Home Tests today.

 

[Doingitagain]

No that isn't confusing because that first part is talking about kids age 4 and younger. They have to take PCR.

Where I am getting confused is in the PreCruise checklist section, they removed the language related to "and 24 hours" and the types of tests required, and the language that rapid antigen are not accepted. In the main US section, they left that language in. The two sections are now different, and are both related to Under 5's. To be safe we will plan on PCR until we get more information.

 

[HeatherLassell]

Where I am getting confused is in the PreCruise checklist section, they removed the language related to "and 24 hours" and the types of tests required, and the language that rapid antigen are not accepted. In the main US section, they left that language in. The two sections are now different, and are both related to Under 5's. To be safe we will plan on PCR until we get more information.

It very clearly says Rapid Antigen for vaccinated cruisers over 4 years old. Only 4 and under need PCR.

 

[oopsi.daisies]

Ug. DH is not going to be happy about this. We're flying out 2 days before the cruise...need to try to get it done before heading to the airport and the local sites want to charge if it's for travel.

DD22 currently has Covid at college...maybe I should try to get her a 90 day recovery letter...but are any ports currently preventing people from coming ashore with the recovery letter? I know Jamaica was at one point...are they still?

You can still get tested at the port like they're currently doing. Except for the cost of the test. I wonder what the cost will be? You may be able to get reimbursed for the cost thru your insurance?

 

[undfan]

So......how is testing supposed to happen if folks are sailing back-to-backs (3 and then 4 day) on the Wish?

 

[Doingitagain]

So......how is testing supposed to happen if folks are sailing back-to-backs (3 and then 4 day) on the Wish?

Per the website: Back-to-Back Sailings: All Guests on consecutive, back-to-back sailings, regardless of age and vaccination status, will be required to undergo a COVID-19 test paid for by Disney Cruise Line and administered by Inspire Diagnostics at the terminal after debarking the ship following their first cruise and before reboarding the ship for their second cruise.

 

[lanejudy]

This is on the emed FAQ:

AN I USE THE BINAXNOW™ COVID-19 ANTIGEN SELF TEST (“ABBOTT SELF TEST”) ON EMED.COM?​

No. eMed is not authorized by the manufacturer to provide services for the Abbott BinaxNOW™ Self Test. Only the BinaxNOW™ COVID-19 Ag Card Home Test (“Home Test”) is eligible for a virtually guided test session with an eMed Certified Guide using the eMed digital point-of-care platform. Visit eMed’s Order section to purchase your Home Tests today.

Is eMed.com the ONLY monitored self-test they'll accept? I didn't see that specified but maybe I missed it.

My response was to the person I quoted, who was specifically asking about BinaxNOW tests; the question wasn't about eMed.com. BinaxNOW has their own service for the monitored tests, as does iHealth, and possibly others. eMed.com is not the only service to proctor self-administered tests.

 

[Madame]

I'm not "acting like" anything. The example you're providing, where a test is taken 2 days beforehand simply for peace of mind's sake, isn't equivalent to what this offers. Your 2 day test would be informative if you tested positive... but if you tested negative on it and positive at port, your first test was worthless and in fact set you up for disappointment. It's not an apples to apples comparison.

Or, in much simpler terms: "Am I willing to pay $35/pp to not get heartbroken at the port? Yes." I'm not here to discuss cost shifting or read nefarious motives into things... and you're willing to do that for me, anyway, so why double up the work?

For many of us, it's not just the money (although seriously how cheap can they get while charging what they charge).

Many are already in Florida prior to the cruise and the stress of finding a test - did all the tests go through? oops Bobby's test was corrupted, the Walgreen's where I have my test scheduled is closed, just a note on the door saying "closed early due to staffing" (yep I actually saw this scenario play out in real time on FB)....

The STRESS of it, not to mention if you don't have a vehicle. And only TWO days.... I had to do 72 hrs before crossing the border before re-entry to Canada and as a family of 5 that was *stressful.* So many things (x5) that could have gone wrong with the test itself and the results not coming back - they filtered in not arriving in my email in a batch... The entire day blown on testing and stressing....

And whether we test positive 2 days prior or get turned away, we're still in Florida.... We can't just turn around and drive 30 mins back home. I have personal experience of the hunt for Orlando testing (and don't get me started on the telehealth options when you're international and dealing with crap service and upcharges), and that experience was months ago when there was testing *everywhere.*

As someone who has experienced the hassle, this decision makes me so frustrated.

 

[Sykes]

For many of us, it's not just the money (although seriously how cheap can they get while charging what they charge).

If it's not really about the money, then why not just continue to test at the port? It's still an option, albeit a more expensive one for most people.

 

[Madame]

If it's not really about the money, then why not just continue to test at the port? It's still an option, albeit a more expensive one for most people.

I dunno. Maybe because I don't have an extra $500 Canadian cash to whip out and plunk down on testing that might end up with me not cruising anyway? Seriously....

Why don’t they bulk purchase a bunch of cheap rapid antigens and charge us $10 pp at the port? Cause that wouldn’t make them any money.