Onboard Covid testing for international passengers?

[lorenni]

Apologies if this has been addressed already - I searched but didn’t see anything on point.

Any word on whether DCL (or the other lines) will be offering onboard Covid testing for passengers who cannot fly home without a negative test?

Example: we live in Canada and to board a plane to get home we have to show proof of a negative test administered no more than 72 hours before our flight. So as far as I can tell, we either try to find a testing Center offering nonresident tests in a port (if we go to one within that timeframe) or we plan to stay at the cruise terminal city for 2-3 days after the end of the cruise and rush to get tests as soon as we get off the ship, so we have results and can fly home. (Canada does not accept the rapid tests at this time).

How are other international passengers planning for this? Frankly, coming from a largely vaccinated country, I don’t relish the idea of spending any extra time in FL.

 

[sethschroeder]

Very dumb question? Can you enter the US at the current time?

I didn't see any information on testing while on board but possibly with the release of the Fantasy protocols we might since there might be some testing requirement while on board to visit ports.

 

[lorenni]

Very dumb question? Can you enter the US at the current time?

I didn't see any information on testing while on board but possibly with the release of the Fantasy protocols we might since there might be some testing requirement while on board to visit ports.

I am a US citizen, so the US cannot deny me entry. There are a lot of us living outside the US.

 

[Starwind]

Apologies if this has been addressed already - I searched but didn’t see anything on point.

Any word on whether DCL (or the other lines) will be offering onboard Covid testing for passengers who cannot fly home without a negative test?

Example: we live in Canada and to board a plane to get home we have to show proof of a negative test administered no more than 72 hours before our flight. So as far as I can tell, we either try to find a testing Center offering nonresident tests in a port (if we go to one within that timeframe) or we plan to stay at the cruise terminal city for 2-3 days after the end of the cruise and rush to get tests as soon as we get off the ship, so we have results and can fly home. (Canada does not accept the rapid tests at this time).

How are other international passengers planning for this? Frankly, coming from a largely vaccinated country, I don’t relish the idea of spending any extra time in FL.

I have not seen anything from DCL to indicate they are.

Some other cruise lines are offering onboard testing for international passengers requiring tests in order to return home.

However, a caveat: a Canadian vlogger recently sailed Celebrity. He got tested on board so he could have the results to use to fly home to Canada. The cruise line lost the test results. In the end, he missed his flight home, had to get a hotel and make arrangements to get tested again on land, and ran into issues with that test taking longer than it was supposed to, so ended up with a multi-night hotel stay post cruise until he could fly back to Canada.

SW

 

[bcwife76]

Very dumb question? Can you enter the US at the current time?

I didn't see any information on testing while on board but possibly with the release of the Fantasy protocols we might since there might be some testing requirement while on board to visit ports.

Canadians have never been banned from entering the US by air this entire Pandemic. Tons of Canadians at WDW right now. We just can't cross the land border into the US.

 

[bcwife76]

I have not seen anything from DCL to indicate they are.

Some other cruise lines are offering onboard testing for international passengers requiring tests in order to return home.

However, a caveat: a Canadian vlogger recently sailed Celebrity. He got tested on board so he could have the results to use to fly home to Canada. The cruise line lost the test results. In the end, he missed his flight home, had to get a hotel and make arrangements to get tested again on land, and ran into issues with that test taking longer than it was supposed to, so ended up with a multi-night hotel stay post cruise until he could fly back to Canada.

SW

Don! I follow him on YT as well. What a friggin nightmare to get home! And he's doing it all over again at the end of the month for the Mardi Gras. No thanks.

 

[grantclaire]

Apologies if this has been addressed already - I searched but didn’t see anything on point.

Any word on whether DCL (or the other lines) will be offering onboard Covid testing for passengers who cannot fly home without a negative test?

Example: we live in Canada and to board a plane to get home we have to show proof of a negative test administered no more than 72 hours before our flight. So as far as I can tell, we either try to find a testing Center offering nonresident tests in a port (if we go to one within that timeframe) or we plan to stay at the cruise terminal city for 2-3 days after the end of the cruise and rush to get tests as soon as we get off the ship, so we have results and can fly home. (Canada does not accept the rapid tests at this time).

How are other international passengers planning for this? Frankly, coming from a largely vaccinated country, I don’t relish the idea of spending any extra time in FL.

We are in the same situation, 7 day cruise on the Fantasy in March 22. Can we get tested soon after getting off the ship and fly back the next day. Might have to rebook.

 

[SirDuff]

Canadians have never been banned from entering the US by air this entire Pandemic. Tons of Canadians at WDW right now. We just can't cross the land border into the US.

I'd clarify that to Canadian RESIDENTS haven't been banned from entering the US by air. I'm Canadian and I'm banned from the US (by any means) because I live in Europe. I can't even fly to the US from Canada until I've been in Canada (or, more correctly, out of Europe) for at least 14 days.

 

[yowcruiser]

Apologies if this has been addressed already - I searched but didn’t see anything on point.

Any word on whether DCL (or the other lines) will be offering onboard Covid testing for passengers who cannot fly home without a negative test?

Example: we live in Canada and to board a plane to get home we have to show proof of a negative test administered no more than 72 hours before our flight. So as far as I can tell, we either try to find a testing Center offering nonresident tests in a port (if we go to one within that timeframe) or we plan to stay at the cruise terminal city for 2-3 days after the end of the cruise and rush to get tests as soon as we get off the ship, so we have results and can fly home. (Canada does not accept the rapid tests at this time).

How are other international passengers planning for this? Frankly, coming from a largely vaccinated country, I don’t relish the idea of spending any extra time in FL.

Canada does accept rapid tests, for as long as they are molecular (PCR is a type of molecular test). What they do not accept are rapid antigens. For example, the test offered at Walgreens, which is processed on site is a Rapid PCR and results are available usually within 24 hours. To your point though, for as long as the current requirements are in place, it may be smart for Canadian travelers to at least spend one extra day upon disembarking. Rapid testing used to be available at the airport, but there has been quite a few reports that those that booked and confirmed a rapid PCR test (results in less than 30 minutes) often showed up to be told that they only had the antigen one available

 

[Girl of the South]

Helpful thread - hope it gets updated. Have an international friend joining me in January and she will probably need a test. I might book a hotel room POST cruise for a few days just in case? Hmm, maybe by a CVS???? There's a Walgreens near the Doubletree by Hilton at the Airport. That may be an eventual option?

 

[Weedy]

I’m going to say this again
Be sure to make an appointment.
Right now CVS is booked up 3-4 days in advance.
You can make an appointment at CVS 2 weeks in advance
The zip code for the Orlando Airport is
32827
https://www.cvs.com/minuteclinic/covid-19-testing

 

[yowcruiser]

For speed, I'd personally recommend Walgreen's over CVS, as CVS does not have the IDNow (24 hours) test option available. However, as suggested upthread, you do need to book ahead. Not sure if Walgreen's changed their booking process or not recently, but they used to open up only 3 days worth of test at a time - meaning you may have to book while onboard, using ship wifi or roaming while in port...

 

[Intr3pid]

Several cruise lines are offering the tests on board for returning home, but not DCL. (And that's a shame since DCL try and sell the experience as premium' over these other operators.) We were thinking of a doing a B2B with DCL in the mix, but a lack of testing options on board Dream has us re-thinking the plan.

In your case, what I would do is, fly to Canada through another state (say, NY) and get tested en route - that is, at an airport outside Florida. The current caseload in Florida is stretching its testing resources, and you will likely have to wait for either a rapid-test appointment or the results.

 

[yowcruiser]

Several cruise lines are offering the tests on board for returning home, but not DCL. (And that's a shame since DCL try and sell the experience as premium' over these other operators.) We were thinking of a doing a B2B with DCL in the mix, but a lack of testing options on board Dream has us re-thinking the plan.

In your case, what I would do is, fly to Canada through another state (say, NY) and get tested en route - that is, at an airport outside Florida. The current caseload in Florida is stretching its testing resources, and you will likely have to wait for either a rapid-test appointment or the results.

Hoping DCL may have different protocols/offering on longer cruises that will have the option of testing. Aside from the B2B scenario for the Dream, not sure that many non-US guests would fly to Orlando just for a 3 or 4 night cruise... meaning that people are likely spending time somewhere else before or after the cruise...

 

[bcwife76]

I'd clarify that to Canadian RESIDENTS haven't been banned from entering the US by air. I'm Canadian and I'm banned from the US (by any means) because I live in Europe. I can't even fly to the US from Canada until I've been in Canada (or, more correctly, out of Europe) for at least 14 days.

Yes, good point.

 

[Intr3pid]

Hoping DCL may have different protocols/offering on longer cruises that will have the option of testing. Aside from the B2B scenario for the Dream, not sure that many non-US guests would fly to Orlando just for a 3 or 4 night cruise... meaning that people are likely spending time somewhere else before or after the cruise...

I think they already have the capability to do so since the CSO requires ships to be able to do testing on board - be it for suspect cases or crew. And if you are returning to a state like Hawaii, you still need a test.

Admittedly, international guests aren't a priority in round 1, but they can't tout their health and safety protocols for long with such basic features missing.

 

[lorenni]

Canada does accept rapid tests, for as long as they are molecular (PCR is a type of molecular test). What they do not accept are rapid antigens. For example, the test offered at Walgreens, which is processed on site is a Rapid PCR and results are available usually within 24 hours. To your point though, for as long as the current requirements are in place, it may be smart for Canadian travelers to at least spend one extra day upon disembarking. Rapid testing used to be available at the airport, but there has been quite a few reports that those that booked and confirmed a rapid PCR test (results in less than 30 minutes) often showed up to be told that they only had the antigen one available

Right - there are a couple of options but I think I’ll just book our flights for 2-3 days after we disembark. Our cruise is out of Miami, which normally would be terrific but right now is not a place I want to spend extra time given their case loads.

As others have pointed out, this means I’ll have some quality roaming/onboard wifi charges in order to book the tests for the day we arrive back in Miami unless they are available to book before the cruise starts.

I do wish DCL would keep up with the competition and offer this service. I would happily pay for it!

 

[yowcruiser]

Right - there are a couple of options but I think I’ll just book our flights for 2-3 days after we disembark. Our cruise is out of Miami, which normally would be terrific but right now is not a place I want to spend extra time given their case loads.

As others have pointed out, this means I’ll have some quality roaming/onboard wifi charges in order to book the tests for the day we arrive back in Miami unless they are available to book before the cruise starts.

I do wish DCL would keep up with the competition and offer this service. I would happily pay for it!

Looks like Miami Airport is offering rapid PCR with a 40 minutes turnaround time... at up to $179 per test. Cannot be scheduled online though, only via phone: https://news.miami-airport.com/covid-19-testing-available-daily-at-mia-starting-may-21/ That way, you don't spend more time in Miami that you may want to...

 

[KashasMom]

If Disney doesn't offer onboard (and they SHOULD), I'd have it done at that airport. Who wants any hassle/anxiety having it done at a CVS/Walgreens and waiting for results?

 

[yowcruiser]

If Disney doesn't offer onboard (and they SHOULD), I'd have it done at that airport. Who wants any hassle/anxiety having it done at a CVS/Walgreens and waiting for results?

Hopefully, the testing company at Miami airport is more reliable than the one in Orlando - where there are several reports of people booking test types that end up being unavailable. Given the booking is by phone for Miami, it does give me greater confidence that this is a viable option...