Preparing for the worst, and devastated

[sadiwest]

Two days ago my allergies were horrendous. In the midst of that, we were having construction done on the house that created an insane amount of dust.

Today, my chest is all congested, but not sneezing as much. On a whim, I took a home Covid test and got a positive result. I made an appointment to get a clinical test where I can receive the antiviral if needed.

In September 2020, we postponed our first Disney cruise, and had postponed 3 times since. We're scheduled to sail a week from Saturday and I am just devastated that this might derail our plans. We were to have a vow renewal on board.

Yes we have insurance, I imagine we'd "have" to go to the port to get tested officially to make the insurance a claim and not just a cancellation. I'm not worried about serious illness, as we're all vaccinated and generally healthy.

Just.... devastated that this is happening now.

 

[TinkLoverSam]

I can’t do the math but if you are more than 11 days out as long as you get a proctored test to confirm the positive test you may be able to get a 90 day recovery letter

 

[sadiwest]

T

I can’t do the math but if you are more than 11 days out as long as you get a proctored test to confirm the positive test you may be able to get a 90 day recovery letter

The official test tomorrow will only be 8 days prior to the cruise

 

[yowcruiser]

Why insurance claim? If you call DCL now, they will fully reimburse you for the cruise portion... do you have non-cruise expenses that need to be reimbursed?

 

[sadiwest]

Why insurance claim? If you call DCL now, they will fully reimburse you for the cruise portion... do you have non-cruise expenses that need to be reimbursed?

The insurance is not through dcl. If its positive tomorrow I'll have to do research with all aspects I guess.

 

[Cheburashka]

Get your full refund via DCL. It's as easy as calling them and saying, "I tested positive for Covid." You will get a full refund within days. Then you can use your travel insurance for non-DCL expenses that you cannot be refunded.

 

[lanejudy]

The insurance is not through dcl.

DCL will refund the cruise in full, no insurance needed.

You may need the insurance for other expenses (vow renewal, pre or post cruise plans, travel). Read the policy to know what documentation they require, but DCL really doesn’t want you to show up at the port knowingly positive.

So sorry - I know this was a special cruise for you!

 

[Kwami]

You'll probably be OK by next Saturday. Why not wait and see how things are on, say, Thursday? No need to cancel early.

 

[sadiwest]

You'll probably be OK by next Saturday. Why not wait and see how things are on, say, Thursday? No need to cancel early.

Because if i test positive tomorrow how do we know I wouldn't be positive at the port? Seems silly both to try or not try.

 

[sadiwest]

DCL will refund the cruise in full, no insurance needed.

You may need the insurance for other expenses (vow renewal, pre or post cruise plans, travel). Read the policy to know what documentation they require, but DCL really doesn’t want you to show up at the port knowingly positive.

So sorry - I know this was a special cruise for you!

Everything was booked through dcl. Pre, post cruise stays....all except for airport/resort transfers that I'm sure we could cancel at this date.
The only thing other than those transfers would be the 2 say park tickets I bought. Yeah we can use them "whenever" but obviously that's a minor thing.

 

[Kwami]

Because if i test positive tomorrow how do we know I wouldn't be positive at the port? Seems silly both to try or not try.

Disney (and Inspire Diagnostics) are using anti-gen tests at the port. Those tests aren't sensitive to prior infections like the PCR tests. Also, they're fairly cheap. You can get a few (for free, usually) and test yourself at home before you leave.

 

[Aby]

You'll probably be OK by next Saturday. Why not wait and see how things are on, say, Thursday? No need to cancel early.

Don't forget there is a health questionnaire that you have to fill out to confirm that you have not had a positive test, symptoms or close contact with a positive person in the last 14 days before your cruise.

That's the purpose of the flexible cancellation policy for COVID in the 14 days preceding a cruise. It still sucks to have gotten sick at the worst possible time, but at least a full refund is available and easy to get.

 

[Cheburashka]

Everything was booked through dcl. Pre, post cruise stays....all except for airport/resort transfers that I'm sure we could cancel at this date.

Good. That means DCL will refund it all. Call them and get your refund.

 

[Kwami]

Don't forget there is a health questionnaire that you have to fill out to confirm that you have not had a positive test, symptoms or close contact with a positive person in the last 14 days before your cruise.

That's the purpose of the flexible cancellation policy for COVID in the 14 days preceding a cruise. It still sucks to have gotten sick at the worst possible time, but at least a full refund is available and easy to get.

Is it really still 14 days? The CDC reduced the quarantine times ages ago.

 

[Aby]

Is it really still 14 days? The CDC reduced the quarantine times ages ago.

This is still posted on DCL's website - I too think it's over kill considering most jurisdictions consider 5 days after a positive test to be sufficient - but DCL is obviously taking a more cautious approach.

By boarding a Disney Cruise Line ship, you are confirming that you and all persons in your party have not been in close contact with someone confirmed or suspected of COVID-19 within the last 14 days and are not experiencing any of the following symptoms of COVID-19 identified by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention including:

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

 

[juxtapose]

Disney (and Inspire Diagnostics) are using anti-gen tests at the port. Those tests aren't sensitive to prior infections like the PCR tests. Also, they're fairly cheap. You can get a few (for free, usually) and test yourself at home before you leave.

We tested positive on an at home antigen test well past 10 days after our first positive, even my daughter who had zero symptoms was still testing positive 7 days after her first positive (we didn't test past that so not sure how long it lasted).

 

[juxtapose]

I'm sorry, but yes call them and you'll get the entire cruise refunded. You definitely don't have to go to the port (they probably don't want you to do that either).

 

[Cheburashka]

Since you seem to have some doubt I'll let you know that I've had to cancel within 14 days due to Covid exposure (wasn't even sick myself), and they don't require any documentation. It's easy. Just tell them you have Covid (or were exposed, in other cases), and they'll cancel and refund your entire trip.

 

[sadiwest]

Since you seem to have some doubt I'll let you know that I've had to cancel within 14 days due to Covid exposure (wasn't even sick myself), and they don't require any documentation. It's easy. Just tell them you have Covid (or were exposed, in other cases), and they'll cancel and refund your entire trip.

I guess I am also concerned with the "extras" I arranged like on board credit, the wedding, etc. I will be getting a test in a few hours (all 3 of us are), so we'll see what happens.
Thank you.

 

[lanejudy]

Good. That means DCL will refund it all. Call them and get your refund.

I guess I am also concerned with the "extras" I arranged like on board credit, the wedding, etc.

DCL will definitely refund the cruise fare, DCL transfers and any onboard activities planned as a regular cruise guest that were paid in advance -- including any additional OBC you may have bought. Even though somewhat "last minute" it should still be well enough in advance to cancel and get refunded for any pre-paid hotel nights, though I don't believe DCL explicitly includes those refunds in their policy as it depends on the terms put out by those businesses. If you booked port adventures through a third-party, you will need to deal with cancelling those dependent on the agreement(s) with such vendors.

You'll need to check the contract for the vow renewal, which I assume is DFTW. Even if booked with DCL, that typically has it's own contract for the "extras" you plan related to a ceremony, reception/dinner, flowers, photographer, etc. Good luck!