I have a friend from Switzerland joining me (hopefully) in January 2022 on the Fantasy. At the moment it looks like her vaccinations from Switzerland don't mean anything. I am also concerned about the time frame for getting the Covid tests done. As it stands she would leave Switzerland on a Thursday (and arrive the same day) for a Saturday departure. So she'd have to get a test on a Tuesday and get results Wednesday and fly Thursday? But, will Disney even accept test results in another language from outside the US?
PIF isn't until October 1st so things should perhaps be clearer by then? But I wanted to start a thread for others in the same boat. Um, I mean, same ship. Or maybe NOT on the ship? Hard to know. Please feel free to update if you have any info or are in a similar circumstance. We booked this in Feb of 2021, never dreaming it wouldn't happen.
Folks from Canada seem to have their own thread and issue with the two different vaccination shots? I don't mean to exclude them but they seem to have a separate hurdle?
Thanks!
FYI, Canadians are in the same boat as
DCL doesn't recognize the vaccination status of anyone arriving into the US for the cruise -- whether vaccinated or not, one has to get tested (two tests, a PCR within 5 days before the cruise, and a second test at the port the day of the cruise). The mixed vaccine issue for Canadians is a possible future problem.
A traveller coming from outside the US to sailing on a DCL cruise actually has THREE covid tests they need to meet, however they may be able to combine the first two into one test IF the timing works out.
Specifically:
(1) Test before entering the US by Air
The US Government currently requires that all air passengers arriving in the United States present a negative covid test result. For the specifics of what test, the timeframe it has to have been taken in, etc, see:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/testing-international-air-travelers.html
On that page they do have the following FAQ:
Does a negative test result or documentation of recovery need to be in English?
Airlines and other aircraft operators must be able to confirm the test result and review other required information, and should determine when translation is necessary for these purposes. Passengers whose documents are in a language other than English should check with their airline or aircraft operator before travel.
As for testing in Switzerland. I don't know if this would work or not, but the Zurich airport has information about covid testing options on this webpage:
https://www.flughafen-zuerich.ch/en/passengers/news/corona/general-information According to that page, within the Zurich airport, currently, PCR testing can be done with with results in as short as one hour (for a higher fee, of course).
One would likely want to contact any prospective testing facility well in advance to ensure that the test will meet the requiring entity's requirements (including, language of the document).
(2) Test within 5 days Before DCL Cruise
According to the info DCL released about the Disney Dream returning to sailing requirements, DCL requires passengers arriving from outside the US, whether vaccinated or not, to present the results of a negative PCR test done within the 5 days before sailing date.
Depending on how that timeframe lines up with one's entry into the US, it may be possible to use the same PCR test that was used for entering the US. However, if one is going to spend a number of days in the US before the cruise, then the dates won't align and presumably one will have to get another PCR test done, this time while inside the US.
(3) Test at the port on embarkation day
The second test DCL requires is a test at the port on embarkation day. They have a contracted service which does this test and the test cost (for those aged 12 and up) is billed to one's stateroom account.
I am hoping DCL comes out with a FAQ that provides some more clarity around the vaccination / testing issue. And addresses things like the language the test result certificate needs to be in [and what if it isn't in English].
Hope this helps.
SW