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

[SJSloan]

The rapid NAAT is fine. But if you're worried about timing, perhaps it's easier to get the test from Inspire through the mail? I'm not sure if it's too late, though.

The rapid NAAT will work since I will get the results back in 2 hours.

I may be wrong though, but isn’t the test from Inspire just an antigen test for those that are vaccinated?

 

[Donna3271]

If this is for a person over 5 years old, then you can use rapid antigen. PCR is only necessary for children. The CVS one sounds like a PCR. 3-5 days is too long for the over 5 testing. That must be done at most 2 days, NOT 48 hours, before the cruise leaves. You could do a rapid antigen at CVS though.

PERFECT! TUSM!!

 

[Kwami]

The rapid NAAT will work since I will get the results back in 2 hours.

I may be wrong though, but isn’t the test from Inspire just an antigen test for those that are vaccinated?

They also offer a by-mail lab PCR test that anyone can use. There is a deadline for ordering it and then you have to make sure to send it back on time, though. It might be cheaper than paying CVS/Walgreens if you can't get a free test there.

 

[lucas]

If this is for a person over 5 years old, then you can use rapid antigen. PCR is only necessary for children. The CVS one sounds like a PCR. 3-5 days is too long for the over 5 testing. That must be done at most 2 days, NOT 48 hours, before the cruise leaves. You could do a rapid antigen at CVS though.

Thank you. It is for myself and my husband.

 

[Metalfan]

Interested to see how this progresses over time. We didn't get Binax tests from the government but we have 10 tests that I assume were CDC approved in the closet that we did get. If they wanted just that test it would be cheaper for us to go to Walgreens, buy Binax tests (like $23 each) and then use Amazon's teledoc to do the rest of it. Of course, we don't leave until middle of November so who knows what it will be like by then.

 

[Doingitagain]

Interested to see how this progresses over time. We didn't get Binax tests from the government but we have 10 tests that I assume were CDC approved in the closet that we did get. If they wanted just that test it would be cheaper for us to go to Walgreens, buy Binax tests (like $23 each) and then use Amazon's teledoc to do the rest of it. Of course, we don't leave until middle of November so who knows what it will be like by then.

People have reported they used OnPoint for telehealth successfully with any FDA approved home test (which you provide and can be the free government ones) and the price has been dropping, $15 last I saw.

 

[nancipants]

Here’s a question: currently, kids under 5 must test 3 days before the cruise AND at the port because they’re ineligible for vaccines. If this changes soon, is it safe to assume a toddler who gets their final shot two weeks before their cruise will only need to test two days beforehand, like everyone else? (Note: I am NOT asking if DCL will change the rule for that age group. Don’t want start that debate.)

I know previously everyone had to test at the port so it’s not the same situation, but when older kids first became eligible for vaccines, were they then exempt from testing 3 days before if they became fully vaccinated?

 

[Geomom]

People have reported they used OnPoint for telehealth successfully with any FDA approved home test (which you provide and can be the free government ones) and the price has been dropping, $15 last I saw.

Down to $10 today!

 

[soniam]

Here’s a question: currently, kids under 5 must test 3 days before the cruise AND at the port because they’re ineligible for vaccines. If this changes soon, is it safe to assume a toddler who gets their final shot two weeks before their cruise will only need to test two days beforehand, like everyone else? (Note: I am NOT asking if DCL will change the rule for that age group. Don’t want start that debate.)

I know previously everyone had to test at the port so it’s not the same situation, but when older kids first became eligible for vaccines, were they then exempt from testing 3 days before if they became fully vaccinated?

Seems logical. If they are eligible for the vax and have gotten both 2 weeks before, they would be in the same boat as the older kids and adults. I do think there was some leeway (maybe only 1 shot required depending upon when shot approved) when the age limit went down before, as younger kids were approved for the vax, but I could be wrong.

 

[lanejudy]

I know previously everyone had to test at the port so it’s not the same situation, but when older kids first became eligible for vaccines, were they then exempt from testing 3 days before if they became fully vaccinated?

I do believe that before DCL lowered the age for vaccine-required, but after vaccines were available to kids, any child who was fully-vaccinated followed those "adult" testing rules. I would expect the same once Vax becomes available to the little ones. I hope the timing works for your little guy!

 

[nancipants]

I do believe that before DCL lowered the age for vaccine-required, but after vaccines were available to kids, any child who was fully-vaccinated followed those "adult" testing rules. I would expect the same once Vax becomes available to the little ones. I hope the timing works for your little guy!

Thank you! We are doing a lot of math and finger crossing.

 

[Kwami]

Here’s a question: currently, kids under 5 must test 3 days before the cruise AND at the port because they’re ineligible for vaccines. If this changes soon, is it safe to assume a toddler who gets their final shot two weeks before their cruise will only need to test two days beforehand, like everyone else? (Note: I am NOT asking if DCL will change the rule for that age group. Don’t want start that debate.)

I know previously everyone had to test at the port so it’s not the same situation, but when older kids first became eligible for vaccines, were they then exempt from testing 3 days before if they became fully vaccinated?

Disney was very quick to change the rules when vaccines became available to kids 5-12 years old. About a month after availability, everyone 5+ was treated the same with regards to vaccine status and testing.

I don't know if Disney will act quickly again (and we shouldn't speculate), but if they do, then I'm sure that they'll treat the newly vaccinated children the same as other vaccinated passengers.

 

[nancipants]

Disney was very quick to change the rules when vaccines became available to kids 5-12 years old. About a month after availability, everyone 5+ was treated the same with regards to vaccine status and testing.

I don't know if Disney will act quickly again (and we shouldn't speculate), but if they do, then I'm sure that they'll treat the newly vaccinated children the same as other vaccinated passengers.

Thanks. It will be interesting to see what happens because the doses for this age group are different. Moderna is a month in between, while Pfizer requires three shots over several months.

 

[lanejudy]

Disney was very quick to change the rules when vaccines became available to kids 5-12 years old. About a month after availability, everyone 5+ was treated the same with regards to vaccine status and testing.

Actually, it was about 10 weeks. I believe the CDC approved vaccine for ages 5-11 on Nov. 2nd and it wasn't until Jan. 13th that DCL required it. There is likely to be a bit of lag time, possibly a free cancellation period, and if there is a minimum age I would also expect a grace period for those with a birthday within X days of cruising.

 

[nancipants]

Actually, it was about 10 weeks. I believe the CDC approved vaccine for ages 5-11 on Nov. 2nd and it wasn't until Jan. 13th that DCL required it. There is likely to be a bit of lag time, possibly a free cancellation period, and if there is a minimum age I would also expect a grace period for those with a birthday within X days of cruising.

I believe both vaccines are for ages 6 months and up, which is the minimum age for cruising. But there would have to be a long grace period due to how Pfizer shots are staggered.

But again, not asking if DCL will change the rule, just how the vaccinated kids under 5 will be treated testing-wise. Thank you all!

 

[lanejudy]

But there would have to be a long grace period due to how Pfizer shots are staggered.

There currently is a 5-week "grace period" for children who have a 5th birthday within 5 weeks prior to embarkation. That would need to adjust if the recommended dosing series is different for the younger age group. But such a grace period would only be for the younger age limit.

But I think you are using "grace period" as the time from when vaccines are approved for that age group until DCL adopts a lower age limit for vaccine requirement. In that case, I would expect it to be several weeks between announcement and DCL requirement. I guess the wild card is whether the 3rd Pfizer dose would be required or if cruising with only 2 would be acceptable by DCL with the 3rd considered like a booster. I wouldn't begin to speculate on DCL's position on that - only time will tell...

 

[Kwami]

Actually, it was about 10 weeks. I believe the CDC approved vaccine for ages 5-11 on Nov. 2nd and it wasn't until Jan. 13th that DCL required it. There is likely to be a bit of lag time, possibly a free cancellation period, and if there is a minimum age I would also expect a grace period for those with a birthday within X days of cruising.

Sure, but once you factor in waiting between doses and the two weeks after, there was very little time for most people to book vaccine appointments for their kids. About a month.

 

[lanejudy]

Sure, but once you factor in waiting between doses and the two weeks after, there was very little time for most people to book vaccine appointments for their kids. About a month.

No doubt it was a relatively short window for those with mid-January cruises booked who needed to get kids vaccinated. I was only commenting on the actual timeline from approval to DCL rule change, which was more than twice as long as you originally stated.

 

[kj2mom]

Please let us know how it goes as a first-timer with eMed system.

We are back and it worked perfectly! Could not have been easier!

 

[SJSloan]

Just wanted to report that a supervisor with Inspire Diagnostics said that a rapid NAAT test that is offered at Walgreens (my local stores have a 2 hour turn-around) is an acceptable test for an unvaccinated child (the one that is required no more than 3 days before).

We also discussed the 90 day recovery because my son currently has symptoms, and he said if that applies that it is important the the Dr’s note state 2 things: “recovered” and “clear for travel.”