Will Disney change policy now that CDC lifted cruise rules?

[Elsa75]

The only policy I hope DCL changes is that they move from a PCR test to Antigen AFTER this Omicron wave. I am not the expert on testing etc.. but after this omicron wave hits and most are infected in some way and most dont realize they were infected, you run the risk of testing positive with a PCR test for a past infection you never knew you had.

Looking a new cruises to book and saw last night thatRoyal lets you test with antigen or PCR. To be honest if were to book a new cruise in the carribeean I would chose the them over DCL just for this. and to be honest I am eying the Odyssey anyways and was happy to see they accept Antigen for fully vaxed. seeing we are flying in from Germany this lowers our risk of not sailing.

I wish there was a way to get and see the stats on port testing. how many were positive and how many were from past infections in the end. Not even sure if you can diagnostically see that. ??? But it would be interesting to new a graph over time on port testing resutls. but we know that will never be made public.

I have been thinking the same thing... but then I started worrying about outbreaks and being stuck at sea for weeks, if people are able to get on - we all had COVID and it took a day or 2 before antigen was positive. Cant win!!

 

[mmouse37]

DCL updated their "Know Before you Go" section today and they now include the 90 day exemption.


Guests Recently Recovered from COVID-19
In some cases, people who have recently recovered from COVID-19 may still test positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus. If Guests have tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 within 11 to 90 days of their sail date, they may qualify to be considered as “90-Day-Recovered.” With the appropriate documentation and subsequent approval, Guests considered “90-Day-Recovered” are not required to participate in COVID-19 testing during the Pre-Sail, Embarkation or Disembarkation phases of their voyage.

If you have tested positive for COVID-19 within 11 to 90 days of your sail date and would like to be identified as 90-Day-Recovered, please upload to Safe Passage the following:

• A copy of your previous positive COVID-19 test result which is greater than 11 days and less than 90 days from your expected sail date. The test must have been antigen, NAAT, rapid PCR or lab-based PCR. The test result must include your date of birth.
• A signed letter (on official letterhead that shows the name, address and phone number of a licensed healthcare provider or public health official) stating that you have recovered from COVID-19 in the last 90 days and are clear for travel.
• Vaccinated Guests must also upload proof of vaccination in addition to their 90-Day-Recovered documentation.

Bring this documentation with you to the port as well.

https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/why-cruise-disney/experience-updates/before-you-leave-home-us/

just saw that at Scott’s site. Glad they now have it listed under KBUG section

 

[FigmentSpark]

DCL now offers arrival testing in US ports for those requiring onward proof of travel. Not sure what DCL's plan are for Canada... but I could see them setting up a tent on arrival, pre-border clearance for rapid PCR tests. My understanding is that DCL has stated that they currently do not have the space on board to setup a proper PCR testing "lab"... but then one crew mentioned they are being PCR-tested onboard... so go figure

Can you clarify what you mean by this? We are supposed to be flying from MCO back to Canada the day we return from the cruise. Can I book something with DCL to get my test (that I need to enter Canada), rather than frantically hunt for an appointment somewhere in Orlando for that day?

 

[FigmentSpark]

DCL updated their "Know Before you Go" section today and they now include the 90 day exemption.


Guests Recently Recovered from COVID-19
In some cases, people who have recently recovered from COVID-19 may still test positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus. If Guests have tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 within 11 to 90 days of their sail date, they may qualify to be considered as “90-Day-Recovered.” With the appropriate documentation and subsequent approval, Guests considered “90-Day-Recovered” are not required to participate in COVID-19 testing during the Pre-Sail, Embarkation or Disembarkation phases of their voyage.

If you have tested positive for COVID-19 within 11 to 90 days of your sail date and would like to be identified as 90-Day-Recovered, please upload to Safe Passage the following:

• A copy of your previous positive COVID-19 test result which is greater than 11 days and less than 90 days from your expected sail date. The test must have been antigen, NAAT, rapid PCR or lab-based PCR. The test result must include your date of birth.
• A signed letter (on official letterhead that shows the name, address and phone number of a licensed healthcare provider or public health official) stating that you have recovered from COVID-19 in the last 90 days and are clear for travel.
• Vaccinated Guests must also upload proof of vaccination in addition to their 90-Day-Recovered documentation.

Bring this documentation with you to the port as well.

https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/why-cruise-disney/experience-updates/before-you-leave-home-us/

Sounds like it's worth it to get a test done (PCR-type test, not Antigen) just in case.

 

[KatieKepic]

just saw that at Scott’s site. Glad they now have it listed under KBUG section ‼

me too! Especially since you can't see the info in safe passage until 15 days prior.

 

[KatieKepic]

Can you clarify what you mean by this? We are supposed to be flying from MCO back to Canada the day we return from the cruise. Can I book something with DCL to get my test (that I need to enter Canada), rather than frantically hunt for an appointment somewhere in Orlando for that day?

This is what it says:

Post-Cruise Testing Service for Guests Returning Home: Some Guests may be required by their home country or state public health authorities to show proof of a negative COVID-19 antigen or PCR test result before returning home by air. Inspire Diagnostics, Disney Cruise Line’s third-party testing provider, offers this optional service for $98.33 per person for PCR testing, and $41.40 per person for antigen testing. Guests are responsible for knowing what type of test their home country/state requires (PCR or antigen), and the window of time in which it must be conducted. Testing is conducted at the terminal after disembarking the ship. Results take approximately 45 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the type of test. This service is available for cruises beginning on or after January 31, 2022. For more information and to book an appointment, visit the Safe Passage website.

Found here: https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/why-cruise-disney/experience-updates/us/

 

[FigmentSpark]

This is what it says:

Post-Cruise Testing Service for Guests Returning Home: Some Guests may be required by their home country or state public health authorities to show proof of a negative COVID-19 antigen or PCR test result before returning home by air. Inspire Diagnostics, Disney Cruise Line’s third-party testing provider, offers this optional service for $98.33 per person for PCR testing, and $41.40 per person for antigen testing. Guests are responsible for knowing what type of test their home country/state requires (PCR or antigen), and the window of time in which it must be conducted. Testing is conducted at the terminal after disembarking the ship. Results take approximately 45 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the type of test. This service is available for cruises beginning on or after January 31, 2022. For more information and to book an appointment, visit the Safe Passage website.

Found here: https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/why-cruise-disney/experience-updates/us/

That makes life so much easier! Thanks.

 

[dreynolds1982]

Sounds like it's worth it to get a test done (PCR-type test, not Antigen) just in case.

Yup I plan on getting a test about 15-20 days out. That way if I were to test positive I have enough time to pass the 5-10 day recovery period, get a doc note, and submit all that for consideration.

 

[Freeman867]

Yup I plan on getting a test about 15-20 days out. That way if I were to test positive I have enough time to pass the 5-10 day recovery period, get a doc note, and submit all that for consideration.

I can't stress how important this is. People are so weirdly against testing that they'd rather let a positive test at the port completely derail their cruise than just test 2-3 weeks prior and get some assurance. We tested 3 weeks before and were negative. Tested 2 weeks out and half our family tested positive. Completely asymptomatic and would've never found out if we didn't test beforehand. We got that half the exemption letter and are fine for our cruise unless someone in the other half tests positive (hasn't happened yet!). No doubt one of our family members would've continued to test positive at the port and we wouldn't have gone because we just didn't want to take an easy test in preparation.

 

[RedHead0186]

I can't stress how important this is. People are so weirdly against testing that they'd rather let a positive test at the port completely derail their cruise than just test 2-3 weeks prior and get some assurance. We tested 3 weeks before and were negative. Tested 2 weeks out and half our family tested positive. Completely asymptomatic and would've never found out if we didn't test beforehand. We got that half the exemption letter and are fine for our cruise unless someone in the other half tests positive (hasn't happened yet!). No doubt one of our family members would've continued to test positive at the port and we wouldn't have gone because we just didn't want to take an easy test in preparation.

Totally agree with this! I know in some places getting a PCR is still a hassle, but with how much is invested for some in a cruise (not just the cruise itself, but the flights, hotels, etc.), testing before you go seems like a small price to pay for some reassurance. No, it's not a guarantee if you test negative at home you won't test positive at port, but it reduces the uncertainty for sure. When I cruised Princess in November, I tested before I flew to CA to be as sure as I could I didn't have it. They allowed 2-day prior testing (either PCR or at-home proctored antigen) so I didn't have to wait until port, but I didn't want to fly out there just to find out my official pre-cruise test was positive and I couldn't go. Having that peace of mind helped a lot (though I still breathed a sigh of relief when the official test came back negative!

 

[dreynolds1982]

I can't stress how important this is. People are so weirdly against testing that they'd rather let a positive test at the port completely derail their cruise than just test 2-3 weeks prior and get some assurance. We tested 3 weeks before and were negative. Tested 2 weeks out and half our family tested positive. Completely asymptomatic and would've never found out if we didn't test beforehand. We got that half the exemption letter and are fine for our cruise unless someone in the other half tests positive (hasn't happened yet!). No doubt one of our family members would've continued to test positive at the port and we wouldn't have gone because we just didn't want to take an easy test in preparation.

I have not been one of those getting tested left and right since the pandemic began and really have only gotten tested when I had to due to direct exposure or because of work. That being said, for our upcoming cruise, I'm going to test every chance I get in the weeks leading up. Even though the practical side of me knows my odds of randomly, asymptomatically testing positive at the port are probably pretty-to-very slim, the anxiety side of me is already freaking out of that possibility and the cruise is still 2 months away! So I plan on testing and testing and testing again, even leading up to an at-home rapid test the morning of cruise embarkation itself. 1) If I get it in time for the exemption, I want to know that. 2) If I were to be positive in the days leading to it, I can plan accordingly and figure it all out. But mainly it's to ease my own anxiety as much as I can. Could I still, after all that, test positive at the port? Sure, but at least I've done absolutely everything in my power to lower those chances as much as possible.

 

[Freeman867]

I have not been one of those getting tested left and right since the pandemic began and really have only gotten tested when I had to due to direct exposure or because of work. That being said, for our upcoming cruise, I'm going to test every chance I get in the weeks leading up. Even though the practical side of me knows my odds of randomly, asymptomatically testing positive at the port are probably pretty-to-very slim, the anxiety side of me is already freaking out of that possibility and the cruise is still 2 months away! So I plan on testing and testing and testing again, even leading up to an at-home rapid test the morning of cruise embarkation itself. 1) If I get it in time for the exemption, I want to know that. 2) If I were to be positive in the days leading to it, I can plan accordingly and figure it all out. But mainly it's to ease my own anxiety as much as I can. Could I still, after all that, test positive at the port? Sure, but at least I've done absolutely everything in my power to lower those chances as much as possible.

I think the other portion of this is Omicron is/was so prevalent in our community and across the US that the combination of that less severe, but much more contagious variant was increasing the chances of vaccinated and boosted individuals from catching it but showing no symptoms. I'd tested 3 times, all with symptoms of some sort during the almost 2 years prior to this cruise, then for the reason of peace of mind for this cruise committed to testing weekly starting 3 weeks prior. Certainly glad we did. Just makes sense to lower your risk exposure as much as possible in my opinion.

 

[dreynolds1982]

I think the other portion of this is Omicron is/was so prevalent in our community and across the US that the combination of that less severe, but much more contagious variant was increasing the chances of vaccinated and boosted individuals from catching it but showing no symptoms. I'd tested 3 times, all with symptoms of some sort during the almost 2 years prior to this cruise, then for the reason of peace of mind for this cruise committed to testing weekly starting 3 weeks prior. Certainly glad we did. Just makes sense to lower your risk exposure as much as possible in my opinion.

Yeah testing is all over the place right now for sure. Seems like everyone is getting it. Meanwhile I was quarantined with my Covid positive wife for a whole week just a few weeks ago and never got it. I was kinda hoping I would get it (a mild version of course) so I could get the exemption haha.

All that being said, regardless, I'd much rather find out in advance, even if it was too close to get the exemption and it meant I had to reschedule/cancel my cruise. And if I test negative all those teams leading right up to the cruise, I can go into that port test feeling *fairly* confident that I'll get the greenlight. IRL I'll prob continue stressing about it right up until the minute I get the results back at the port tho...

 

[Freeman867]

Yeah testing is all over the place right now for sure. Seems like everyone is getting it. Meanwhile I was quarantined with my Covid positive wife for a whole week just a few weeks ago and never got it. I was kinda hoping I would get it (a mild version of course) so I could get the exemption haha.

All that being said, regardless, I'd much rather find out in advance, even if it was too close to get the exemption and it meant I had to reschedule/cancel my cruise. And if I test negative all those teams leading right up to the cruise, I can go into that port test feeling *fairly* confident that I'll get the greenlight. IRL I'll prob continue stressing about it right up until the minute I get the results back at the port tho...

Our family was the same way. No point in trying to quarantine from your family, especially after not getting a positive test result back for 2 days after you tested, so you were already with them for those 2 days anyways. Despite all that, Wife was positive and I never have tested positive.

 

[yowcruiser]

Can you clarify what you mean by this? We are supposed to be flying from MCO back to Canada the day we return from the cruise. Can I book something with DCL to get my test (that I need to enter Canada), rather than frantically hunt for an appointment somewhere in Orlando for that day?

Yes, through your safe passage account, you can now book a paid by you debarkation test. Results will be e-mailed to you within 2 hours of administering the test. The test will be administered once off the ship - in a nearby tent

 

[Calantha]

Post-Cruise Testing Service for Guests Returning Home

Oh, I hope they do that in Vancouver. I'm trying to figure out how to get tested to fly back to the US. I have one solution - the tele-med rapid testing, but this would make life much easier.

 

[Starwind]

Oh, I hope they do that in Vancouver. I'm trying to figure out how to get tested to fly back to the US. I have one solution - the tele-med rapid testing, but this would make life much easier.

The Vancouver airport (YVR) website has a page with information about various covid testing options at and near YVR: https://www.yvr.ca/en/passengers/travel-planning/takecare/covid-19-testing