Ports of Call and COVID - are we already "okayed" by DCL to go ashore?

[Saintsfanatik]

My DW and I are taking the EBTA cruise onboard the DCL Magic at the top of May. We'll be doing a couple of shore excursions at some of our stops in Portugal and Spain, and *maybe* walking around near the port at the other stops.

I'm trying to get my head around how we are "okay" as by the local authorities to *be* in their country for (a) shore excursions, or (b) any more time than it takes to get to the airport (where there may be other protocols to return to your home/home nation).

Are we tested (free of charge by DCL) before landing at each port? What happens if we decide to stay at the final destination for a few days--is there something we should "do" after getting off the ship, or merely go to our hotel and enjoy life until it's time to get our COVID test before flying out? Any paperwork we need to have with us health-wise?

 

[mab2012]

For a start, everyone who gets off a cruise ship at any port has been "cleared" by local authorities to enter. It just usually happens in the background, based on documentation provided by the passenger to the cruise line, instead of having every individual passenger speak directly to a customs official. So if they let you off the ship, you're allowed to be there.

As for how they'll decide who is cleared at any given port, I'm not sure anyone knows the answer for sure, but here's my guess:

• If there are still countries that require all visitors to take a pre-arrival test prior to entry, regardless of vaccination status, DCL probably will not stop there.
• Those who don't meet a destination country's entry requirements based on vaccination status alone will not be allowed to debark at that country's ports. ie. If a country allows entrance based either on a certain level of vaccination OR a test, and the passenger does not meet the vaccination requirement, I would guess that passenger would not be cleared to debark. I doubt that there will be an option to test.
• Those who do meet the vaccination requirements for a given country will be pre-cleared for debarkation. DCL will have this list compiled for each port, based on proof of vaccination provided prior to boarding.

Again, I'm just guessing. But I don't think it would be practical to check documentation in-person for every passenger at every port, so they would need to know who is and is not cleared to leave the ship prior to arrival. And that almost rules out the test option. I suppose they could still give an option to test on-board for clearance at a particular port, probably at the passenger's expense. But that just introduces unnecessary complication, so I doubt they'll bother.

I should also note that presumably you won't actually be allowed to board unless you meet the vaccination requirements of your final destination, even if those requirements are more stringent than DCL's usual boarding requirements. They don't say that specifically, and in fact they kind of imply the opposite. But since DCL probably doesn't want to keep you on the ship indefinitely, I'd guess they'll make sure you meet the minimum requirements to get off the ship before they allow you to board.

As for paperwork, it's probably sensible to be able to produce vaccination proof if needed. Some countries may still require proof of vaccination to enter certain venues? But once you're in the country, I don't imagine anyone is going to be stopping you on the street to randomly check your vaccination status. It's much easier just to control it at entry.

 

[lanejudy]

https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/why-cruise-disney/experience-updates/europe-protocols/

This seems to indicate guests are responsible for making sure they meet any country-specific requirements.

 

[mousefan73]

Just a tip some EU countries have an expiration date on vaccines. Mainly if you only got two. That second shot MAY be valid only for 270 days, for example. If boosted I believe not an issue Please check each country’s requirements and read everything in detail it’s all there.