New CDC guidance Re: testing

[sethschroeder]

One of the reasons why we are sitting out the first few months of cruising. Every cruise seems to be a test cruise.

Let the fall season bring out the tough, but hopefully steady-state, rules. And we will know what we are looking at for our January cruise.

I find it unlikely they won't be changing rules in January as well.

Unless you would cancel over an added test or something the big benefit is more likely reduced crowds which I take over knowing the final rules a couple weeks out.

Cant imagine DCL isn't like other lines looking to increase their capacity over time.

 

[seasalt81]

Every other cruise line is doing this already. It’s the CDC that is matching them, not the other way around. NCL tests you at the port, Royal makes you test 3 days prior to boarding. If your test doesn’t come back you’re SOL.

Either way, I'm wondering if the CDC updating their guidelines will encourage Disney to get on board with testing everybody.

 

[jktmom]

Has anyone on these boards tested positive and been turned away? Just curious on the refund process and it that all went smoothly?

 

[TheBigErn]

These constant changing of the game is frustating. Some in our sailing party got vaccinated specifically to avoid the need for testing. Because everyone in our party will be vaccinated we did not purchase insurance. Now I might have to add that expense? What a PITA!

 

[Sykes]

Not the kind of rapid test you can buy OTC and do yourself. The Binax is the type that has to be done infront of a doctor via telemedicine.

RCI accepts the BinaxNow at-home test as long as it's supervised by webcam through eMed. (It's available OTC and you do it yourself, although there is a version of the test that comes without the telehealth visit so you have to avoid that when buying OTC.) It's super quick and convenient. Hopefully Disney will consider doing the same.

These constant changing of the game is frustating.

Welcome to the world of cruising during a pandemic. It's not going to get easier any time soon.

 

[TheBigErn]

RCI accepts the BinaxNow at-home test as long as it's supervised by webcam through eMed. (It's available OTC and you do it yourself, although there is a version of the test that comes without the telehealth visit so you have to avoid that when buying OTC.) It's super quick and convenient. Hopefully Disney will consider doing the same.


Welcome to the world of cruising during a pandemic. It's not going to get easier any time soon.

They've had how long to develop a plan? If I knew tests were required I would have cancelled.

 

[Sykes]

They've had how long to develop a plan? If I knew tests were required I would have cancelled.

Testing isn't required for vaccinated travelers yet, so you may still be good. Nonetheless, the situation in the ground is constantly changing--between the impacts of new variants and new government restrictions nothing will be set in stone until it's already over. On my cruise in June the port restrictions for Costa Maya and Cozumel changed literally during the sailing. You shouldn't be trying to cruise right now unless you're ready to adapt.

Personally, the last thing I want them to do is stubbornly stick to decisions they made 2 months ago if the situation (or our understanding of the situation) has changed enough that those measures are no longer prudent or sufficient.

 

[Toulou]

Don't panic about the "pending" online checkin. They run late. Ours wasn't approved until 1pm the day before sailing for 8/23 and others have reported about the same.

Yes, this is what I just needed to hear-! And so I will sleep well until the day before

 

[cvjw]

RCI accepts the BinaxNow at-home test as long as it's supervised by webcam through eMed. (It's available OTC and you do it yourself, although there is a version of the test that comes without the telehealth visit so you have to avoid that when buying OTC.) It's super quick and convenient. Hopefully Disney will consider doing the same.


Welcome to the world of cruising during a pandemic. It's not going to get easier any time soon.

My son used these tests to be able to fly home from Greece. Super easy. Just get in a que to zoom with the medical professional. Almost instant results.

We were on the 8/20 and 8/23 cruises and vaccinated, so no required testing. We tested at Walgreens anyway, just so we didn’t spread covid around if we had it and had no symptoms. Hopefully DCL will accept the Walgreens IDNow test. So easy and fast results.

We sail on the fantasy in October and will do whatever is required to get on the ship. Our dream cruises were the best cruises ever. Can’t wait to sail again!

 

[soniam]

Correct, but you can still do a rapid test at any drug store (CVS, Walgreens, etc). It doesn't have to be a home test.

However, in some areas, even getting a rapid test at a drug store can take days to get an appointment. Hopefully, with a cruise, not B2B though, you would have enough notice to schedule appropriately.

 

[Intr3pid]

I find it unlikely they won't be changing rules in January as well.

Unless you would cancel over an added test or something the big benefit is more likely reduced crowds which I take over knowing the final rules a couple weeks out.

Cant imagine DCL isn't like other lines looking to increase their capacity over time.

If you follow the epidemiology of this virus, you can see when the cases spike. The rules will be the most restrictive come the fall - not just DCL's, but in all the ports of call too. They should start to ease up once the spring rolls along and vaccination rates climb on those islands.

Unless you have to absolutely be on a ship right now, It makes a lot of sense to skip the uncertainty, the hurricane season, and a lack of options.

I don't expect the crowds to go up much either over the next few months with all the restrictions in place - holiday cruises excluded. DCL is bringing all its ships online soon.

 

[sethschroeder]

I don't expect the crowds to go up much either over the next few months with all the restrictions in place - holiday cruises excluded. DCL is bringing all its ships online soon.

I don't really agree at all for a variety of reasons:

• Disney could drop vaccination requirement - flood of unvaccinated coming back (DCL was the most steadfast not requiring vaccination in the US)
• DCL has already started discounts and will only ramp them up likely if they have space to fill
• DCL could drop capacity restrictions or raise the cap to where they are aggressively trying to fill cruises
• DCL could remove capacity restriction in kids clubs
• DCL could reinstate nursery (including promos to include nursery care in price of cruise)
• DCL could offer discount regarding FCC 25% discount (like that of the Fantasy that if you cruise in January your OBB is a 25% discount not a 10% like normal)
• Echo Variant could be in full swing leading towards additional lock downs or additional spikes around Delta Variant
• DCL may need to adjust and keep Magic in Europe / Wonder in Cali / Consolidate all TX/FL cruises to Dream/Fantasy doing only Castaway

So who really know at least now I know crowds are down on the ship. We could have all the same restrictions plus increased crowds come later this year and early next year.

 

[Intr3pid]

I don't really agree at all for a variety of reasons:

• Disney could drop vaccination requirement - flood of unvaccinated coming back (DCL was the most steadfast not requiring vaccination in the US)
• DCL has already started discounts and will only ramp them up likely if they have space to fill
• DCL could drop capacity restrictions or raise the cap to where they are aggressively trying to fill cruises
• DCL could remove capacity restriction in kids clubs
• DCL could reinstate nursery (including promos to include nursery care in price of cruise)
• DCL could offer discount regarding FCC 25% discount (like that of the Fantasy that if you cruise in January your OBB is a 25% discount not a 10% like normal)
• Echo Variant could be in full swing leading towards additional lock downs or additional spikes around Delta Variant
• DCL may need to adjust and keep Magic in Europe / Wonder in Cali / Consolidate all TX/FL cruises to Dream/Fantasy doing only Castaway

So who really know at least now I know crowds are down on the ship. We could have all the same restrictions plus increased crowds come later this year and early next year.

Disney has been offering *GT discounts all month, and the ships are still empty. All these 'coulds' can be taken in the opposite direction, so they are speculative. I don't speculate. My simple math tells me that 4x the supply will soon be online versus demand that is going to stay soft at best until the holidays.

In any case, if your main objective is low crowds, now is as good a time as any. Go for it. We have never found Disney ships to be overcrowded. Whether it's 40% or 60% or 80%, the capacity is simply a nice to have feature. What's more important is the season, itinerary, certainty, and the worry-free nature of the vacation.

 

[sethschroeder]

Disney has been offering *GT discounts all month, and the ships are still empty

Actual discounts though like FL, Military and such are not starting until October.

I am talking about actual discount and possible expansion with even more and bigger last min discounts.

4x the supply will soon be online

Except there might not be no guarantees on all 4 shops in the Caribbean. They are already shutting down the Fantasy 3 days each week.

 

[Intr3pid]

Actual discounts though like FL, Military and such are not starting until October.

I am talking about actual discount and possible expansion with even more and bigger last min discounts.

Those FL, military, etc. are niche market - they don't fill ships beyond a few sailings. Public discounts like *GT do. And they are already posted for the next two months. Unlike other cruise lines, Disney can't do throwaway fares because of the high operating costs of their ships.

Except there might not be no guarantees on all 4 shops in the Caribbean.

Ships aren't being filled just from Florida. The pool of cruisers is nationwide. Like I said, the math couldn't be simpler. Just one ship right now, vs 3-4 shortly.

Nevertheless, this thread isn't about crowds or occupancy levels. I can see you are trying to justify your decision to sail with this argument - and I hope you will have a great cruise - but, let's get the discussion back on topic.

 

[sethschroeder]

Those FL, military, etc. are niche market - they don't fill ships beyond a few sailings. Public discounts like *GT do.

I am saying they are just starting those discounts in October (so really there is no relevant information on how they will fill up ships). IF they are not filling the ships to the levels they want they will get more aggressive with discounting to fill the ships to X%.

Unlike other cruise lines, Disney can't do throwaway fares because of the high operating costs of their ships.

Except Disney charges more and getting a guest for 70% of the cruise fair is possibly better than getting no guest at all since there likely is very little cost difference. Here is the beauty Disney can offer a 20%-30%-40% discount and people will go for it, it doesn't need to be cheaper than alternatives just a discount to get people to book a new cruise in January or February.

Ships aren't being filled just from Florida. The pool of cruisers is nationwide. Like I said, the math couldn't be simpler. Just one ship right now, vs 3-4 shortly.

Magic could end up staying in Europe, Wonder could stay on the West Coast, and you could even see more limited sailings where ships are not running 2x per week instead run a single 3 or 4 night cruise (see the Fantasy).

So like I said I firmly reject this idea that right now is somehow more uncertain than January.

To add someone just posted right now on our cruise group that their December cruise just dropped $1500 and they were seeing if they could rebook somehow and asking for suggestions. So Disney seems to already be taking steps to fill these cruises up later.

 

[Intr3pid]

I am saying they are just starting those discounts in October (so really there is no relevant information on how they will fill up ships). IF they are not filling the ships to the levels they want they will get more aggressive with discounting to fill the ships to X%.

The *GT discounts being offered on September/October cruises are no different from the *GT discounts on August cruises - adjusted for school holidays in early August. There is absolutely no evidence of any more aggressive pricing.

Except Disney charges more and getting a guest for 70% of the cruise fair is possibly better than getting no guest at all since there likely is very little cost difference. Here is the beauty Disney can offer a 20%-30%-40% discount and people will go for it, it doesn't need to be cheaper than alternatives just a discount to get people to book a new cruise in January or February.

Disney doesn't offer a 40% discount. The max you will see is 25% for *GT and maybe 30% for FL. And we already saw these discounts in August, starting from the August 9 sailing. I know because I had booked it. There are no more discounts coming. Anything else is speculation.

Magic could end up staying in Europe, Wonder could stay on the West Coast, and you could even see more limited sailings where ships are not running 2x per week instead run a single 3 or 4 night cruise (see the Fantasy).

Mostly speculation. Magic cannot stay in the UK in the winter because of the weather. And why does it matter if Wonder is on the west coast? Like I noted above, the pool of cruisers in nationwide. Those on the west coast are still booking cruises out of Florida. For any new cruiser you pick up on the west coast, you drop one on the east coast.

So like I said I firmly reject this idea that right now is somehow more uncertain than January.

Just read the thread a bit more closely:

"We are really going to be in a pickle and now I’m panicking. We sail 9/20-9/24 on the Dream and then 9/25-9/29 on the Fantasy. How the heck do I get that to work?"

"I was wondering if /when DCL would / will follow suit. They already have a set-up at PC. Just an additional level of comfort - as there are break-through cases."

"my disney online check in still says it is pending. My safe passage states all cleared. So... do I need some sort of scanning thingamagig , what do they scan at the port,etc? "

"However I can see how some people might run into issues getting results back on time. It'd be great if they could offer it at the port even if it is just a rapid test."

"These constant changing of the game is frustating. Some in our sailing party got vaccinated specifically to avoid the need for testing. Because everyone in our party will be vaccinated we did not purchase insurance. Now I might have to add that expense? What a PITA! "

All of these questions have uncertain answers right now. And all of them will have answers, vlogs, articles, and emails by January. Why? Post #31 above:

If you follow the epidemiology of this virus, you can see when the cases spike. The rules will be the most restrictive come the fall - not just DCL's, but in all the ports of call too. They should start to ease up once the spring rolls along and vaccination rates climb on those islands.

It's day and night.

 

[onesam319]

Back on topic. A Covid test 1-3 days before my cruise would not be possible. Results take 2-3 days or even longer. I drive from Ohio to Port Canaveral, usually the day before my cruise. So my results could not possibly get back to me before I leave town! Come to think of it. It would be hard for anyone travelling any distance to meet that timeline. I've always read that flying in on departure day is risky, so the only option seems to be a rapid test.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Back on topic. A Covid test 1-3 days before my cruise would not be possible. Results take 2-3 days or even longer. I drive from Ohio to Port Canaveral, usually the day before my cruise. So my results could not possibly get back to me before I leave town!

Can you have the results emailed to you? If you have access to internet once in Florida, you'd get the results.

 

[sethschroeder]

To skip over everything else because DCL from the last 20 years has zero relation to DCL in 2022 if they are only filling up at 25% when they want to be at 75%.

All of these questions have uncertain answers right now.

Except back to your point of sitting out until January there will be questions then as well and changes. Sorry I just reject this idea that waiting until January means there will be zero changes, adjustments, or questions leading up to your cruise. In the end for the foreseeable future anyone cruising should expect changes up until boarding to occur (heck even while on board).