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

[Donna3271]

Yes a large number of flight cancellations lately. Idk if you can drive but it may be a backup plan to have in case any issues with your flight. Good luck and happy cruising!

We are contemplating that. We have refundable tickets.

 

[jujubiee4]

We are going for our testing first thing Thursday morning. Flying out Friday for Sat. Fantasy. Fingers crossed. So many flight cancellations lately!

Let us know how it goes! These flight cancellations and even delays are annoying.
Went on Fantasy in April and even flying in day before it was terrible and stressful wondering
if we would even make it.

 

[Clarkson U]

Yes it is crazy. A family member was to fly from Detroit to Jacksonville, FL on Delta later today and they cancelled the flight and offered multiple options for tomorrow with 2 STOPS versus the non-stop flight this family member had for today. Seems crazy that a non-stop was paid and now they offer one with 2 stops on another day and they didn't offer any compensation or nothing. I agree that the general rule of thumb of flying in one day before makes sense and that may be true if on a weekday but if flying in on a Fri, Sat or Sun from what I have seen on FlightAware, the # of US cancellations seems to increase significantly.

 

[Clarkson U]

Posting an update. Family member who was supposed to fly today from Detroit to Jacksonville, FL - could get a flight tomorrow with 2 stops and like 9+ hours of travel time. Most of those flights were nearly full already according to the airline. Instead, family member got flight for Tuesday morning (2 days after original flight) to get to Florida. Just sharing info on current status this weekend in case anyone needs it to adjust or alter their travel plans.

 

[mmackeymouse]

Yes it is crazy. A family member was to fly from Detroit to Jacksonville, FL on Delta later today and they cancelled the flight and offered multiple options for tomorrow with 2 STOPS versus the non-stop flight this family member had for today. Seems crazy that a non-stop was paid and now they offer one with 2 stops on another day and they didn't offer any compensation or nothing. I agree that the general rule of thumb of flying in one day before makes sense and that may be true if on a weekday but if flying in on a Fri, Sat or Sun from what I have seen on FlightAware, the # of US cancellations seems to increase significantly.

Holy cow. Which airline was this?

 

[Clarkson U]

Holy cow. Which airline was this?

This was Delta. Surprised since Detroit is one of their hubs.

 

[nancipants]

A friend of mine had a ton of problems flying this weekend on Delta.

 

[Kwami]

Delta has been exceptionally bad since last fall. Every flight that I've had with them has been rescheduled, significantly delayed, or cancelled. The worst was when I flew around Christmas. That was three schedule changes, three rebooks, a cancelled flight that left us stranded in Atlanta on the day after Christmas, and then a 2.5-hour journey to rebook another flight to a different airport that night.

At least they sent us vouchers to cover the flight costs after all that.

 

[DCL Repeaters]

A friend of mine had a ton of problems flying this weekend on Delta.

Flight on Saturday after getting off the Greek Isles cruise cancelled less than 24 hours before flying. This was Delta flying Rome-JFK-Orlando. Delta was kind, put us up in a hotel for the night and provided meal vouchers. We were booked to fly yesterday which we did. Since we were assigned crappy seats, ended up using points and cash to fix that. So, travel delayed by a day and a more expensive trip in the long run.

 

[Donna3271]

OK. We decided to drive. We are going to stop at a few colleges on the way. I feel less stressed already.

 

[mousefan73]

The rule used to be fly in the day before and you are good. Today I would say fly in 2 full days before- especially if you want your luggage to also join you on vacation.

 

[Chrislovesdisney]

I came here to report exactly this. My son was tested for COVID on Tuesday and I still hadn't received results yet. Granted it was a lab based PCR test that takes longer, but I just got off the phone with them and his results came back but the lady said there was an issue with the emails going to customers.

Thankfully this wasn't for our cruise, but they are our only option I have to get his pre-sail test as I can do the rapid NAAT test. I am glad they were able to go to Walgreens to get the results to cruise, I was just thinking if I continues and that isn't an option I don't know what I could do. Good to know in case the issue continues, although hopefully it will be fixed by next month.

Honestly, Walgreens online systems for prescriptions is constantly down for us - I wouldn’t trust them for anything that is time-sensitive like the preboarding testing.

 

[SJSloan]

Honestly, Walgreens online systems for prescriptions is constantly down for us - I wouldn’t trust them for anything that is time-sensitive like the preboarding testing.

Unfortunately, I don't have much of a choice. They are the only place in my area that will have results from a Friday test back to us by Sunday. I wish I had other options and I would do multiple just to make sure we got results back in time.

 

[Kwami]

Unfortunately, I don't have much of a choice. They are the only place in my area that will have results from a Friday test back to us by Sunday. I wish I had other options and I would do multiple just to make sure we got results back in time.

Is the test from Inspire not an option?

 

[SJSloan]

Is the test from Inspire not an option?

Not for my unvaccinated child. It has to be a NAAT, rapid PCR or lab-based PCR. I cannot find a rapid PCR anywhere in my area. Walgreens and CVS are my only options for a lab-based PCR and I am not sure I trust I will get them back in 2 days, from either provider. I am stressed about this, but the new option of a NAAT test being an option makes it easier since Walgreens does this in-house.

 

[lanejudy]

Not for my unvaccinated child. It has to be a NAAT, rapid PCR or lab-based PCR.

I believe Inspire also has a mail-in PCR test option for the unvaccinated kids:

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.

Guests with questions about the testing process should contact Inspire Diagnostics at (877) 250-5132, available 7 days a week, 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM, EST. You can also contact Inspire by email at DCLSupport@inspirediagnostics.com. In the subject line, please indicate that you are a Disney Cruise Line Guest. In the body of the email, please include your full name, reservation number and contact number, followed by your question.


If arriving in Florida a few days early there are also locations near the port where you can get your child tested by Inspire, these are set-up by DCL. Info is also at the above link.

 

[SJSloan]

I believe Inspire also has a mail-in PCR test option for the unvaccinated kids:

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.

Guests with questions about the testing process should contact Inspire Diagnostics at (877) 250-5132, available 7 days a week, 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM, EST. You can also contact Inspire by email at DCLSupport@inspirediagnostics.com. In the subject line, please indicate that you are a Disney Cruise Line Guest. In the body of the email, please include your full name, reservation number and contact number, followed by your question.


If arriving in Florida a few days early there are also locations near the port where you can get your child tested by Inspire, these are set-up by DCL. Info is also at the above link.

Thank you. I may look into that. I honestly wrote it off because I am not sure I trust any mailing service or lab to get a test that was taken on Friday, mailed to the lab and turned around in time for a Monday cruise. I could be wrong and will call Inspire to see what they say about that timing.

We are arriving in Miami Sunday at 6:30pm. I will see if there is a testing site close by or in the airport like there is at MCO, but I don't really want to be pushing it to 6:30 the day before, especially with all the recent flight problems. I think if I didn't have to worry about things happening/not happening over the weekend I wouldn't have so much anxiety over it.

 

[Kwami]

Thank you. I may look into that. I honestly wrote it off because I am not sure I trust any mailing service or lab to get a test that was taken on Friday, mailed to the lab and turned around in time for a Monday cruise. I could be wrong and will call Inspire to see what they say about that timing.

We are arriving in Miami Sunday at 6:30pm. I will see if there is a testing site close by or in the airport like there is at MCO, but I don't really want to be pushing it to 6:30 the day before, especially with all the recent flight problems. I think if I didn't have to worry about things happening/not happening over the weekend I wouldn't have so much anxiety over it.

Inspire uses UPS overnight services rather than USPS, so your test will get there in time.

 

[SJSloan]

Inspire uses UPS overnight services rather than USPS, so your test will get there in time.

Thank you. I will likely head to Walgreens first thing and do the rapid NAAT. If results don't come back within 2 hours like they say I will do the Inspire test and get it mailed. (or course I will order it ahead of time).

 

[Doingitagain]

Thank you. I will likely head to Walgreens first thing and do the rapid NAAT. If results don't come back within 2 hours like they say I will do the Inspire test and get it mailed. (or course I will order it ahead of time).

Have you checked the airport? most have rapid PCR for all ages available because of the flight requirements.