Beginning 9/13 All DCL Cruisers to Bahamas Must Take Covid Test at Port

[ariel-and-eric]

Are they doing this at the parks or their hotels?

 

[darcadia]

I have a logistical question. If I fly down there, test positive at the port, obviously can’t sail and will get fcc. No big deal. But does Disney take care of transportation, hotel? If I test positive, I can’t get on the plane. I was going to get tested a day or so before I left, even though I’m fully vaccinated. Just to ensure I’m ok before getting on the plane. My concern is testing negative at home, but testing positive at the port

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Are they doing this at the parks or their hotels?

Both of which are different business divisions not dependent on foreign nations/ports allowed to make their own rules allowing a seagoing vessel to port.

To have any hope of porting in the BVI or USVI this year, they need port testing.

 

[dvcdisney]

I do believe Disney would provide the transportation and a hotel to stay in like I said in the post.

I really hope they would let us know. This would definitely ease some of our anxiety.

 

[KevinFL]

For us, we live within driving distance of PC so it wouldn't be a huge hassle, just a big disappointment. However, there is no way I would fly to Vancouver, Barcelona, etc. for a Disney cruise and have this risk hanging over me. I just don't see what makes them take this requirement away down the road if they open up new ports again. The vaccine is readily available. Covid is never going to go away. Is there an endpoint? Hard to see the specifics in what that would be.

I guess my main point is this. Yes, the hardcore cruise lovers will still go through all this. But more casual cruisers who are already vaccinated and not particularly worried about Covid at this point, I think it's going to be a hard sell to convince them to take the logistical risks and hassles to go on these cruises. So what does that mean going forward? Is this an industry that's going to be able to thread that needle of restrictions to get the volume of passengers to survive?

All great points! Very tough business model for this industry and I really hope they can navigate through all of this.

 

[ThinkTink1]

And how convenient this announcement comes out the day after Fantasy cruisers could cancel with no penalty.

I actually think you have until tomorrow due to the Bahamas requiring all guest to be vaxxed +12…. We have been contemplating moving or canceling so I talked to someone today about the deadline

 

[dvcdisney]

I have a logistical question. If I fly down there, test positive at the port, obviously can’t sail and will get fcc. No big deal. But does Disney take care of transportation, hotel? If I test positive, I can’t get on the plane. I was going to get tested a day or so before I left, even though I’m fully vaccinated. Just to ensure I’m ok before getting on the plane. My concern is testing negative at home, but testing positive at the port

If we go as planned, we would have to get a test before entering US (we're Canadians) so we would get test results. But we're staying at DVC for a several days so it's possible to become positive during that time.

I do hope DCL will provide some specific guidance for those who are vaccinated, but test positive at the port.

 

[DisneyCowgirl]

We decided (I think) to keep our sailing on 9-17, but I'm renting a car instead of taking the disney bus. I am not confident that Disney takes care of you should you test positive, and I don't want to worry about getting stranded--I'm a worrier.

I am frustrated that there is one day to take action should you not want to cruise, and I have still received no information from Disney about this. I know the website warns that things could change, so check back, but I was not planning on checking every day. I was planning on checking a week before our cruise and then a few times during that week.

 

[lanejudy]

I have a logistical question. If I fly down there, test positive at the port, obviously can’t sail and will get fcc. No big deal. But does Disney take care of transportation, hotel?

No FCC, a refund or reschedule. Nothing extra.
While DCL may help arrange transportation and hotel, I would not expect them to cover the expense. Trip insurance is not required for vaccinated passengers, but they do make it clear that it’s highly recommended.

 

[darcadia]

I just found this on the website. Basically if you test positive within 14 days, they do a reschedule like you said

• Within 14 days prior to embarkation, Guests who experience one or more of the qualifying scenarios may change their sail date, under the following terms:
  • Guests who wish to change their sail date must move the sail date to a future sailing that commences prior to September 30, 2022.
  • Onboard Offer Blockout Dates apply
  • Future cruise credits cannot be applied to the Disney Wish maiden voyage, setting sail on June 9, 2022.
  • Guests cannot change their reservation back to the original sail date after taking advantage of this policy.
• Qualifying scenarios include Guests who:
  • Have symptoms of COVID-19
  • Have a temperature of 100.4°F or greater
  • Have had known exposure to a person with COVID-19 within the previous 14 days
  • Have tested positive for COVID-19

 

[DCLMP]

It’s a stressful hour or so waiting for results . They should set up a bar in the parking lot. They would make a fortune. At least you don’t have to pay like we did. A PCR test with a guaranteed 24 hour turn around will most likely cost 150.00 or more.
Great cruise though. I have no regrets. I loved the low capacity, but it’s certainly not sustainable for them long term. I hope things turn around quickly.

We went to Universal before the cruise and it was like 2019.

 

[TheBigErn]

I confirmed with my travel agent who confirmed with DCL they will transport you to the airport. From there, I don’t know.

 

[dclDream2018]

They need to update their recording when calling DCL...it still says 5 days and 24 hours....

Yikes. We were going to use the DCL Inspire Dx option for our kiddos but it says you have to mail samples at the latest 4 days before embarking. That's not going to work!!!

 

[Marrila]

I confirmed with my travel agent who confirmed with DCL they will transport you to the airport. From there, I don’t know.

I hope DCL explains more. It seems odd they would transport folks with positive tests straight to the airport.
They probably expect folks to utilize their travel insurance for delays.

 

[starry_solo]

Considering the rise of fake vaccine cards the testing is fine with me. Every day I am reading more
and more stories of people trying to get by. Yesterday in NY 15 charged with fake vaccine cards
conspiracy. There were selling the cards for 200 and get this...another 250 to register your name in the
database. They sold around 250 before they were caught. This just one city.

DCL just needs to be very clear on policies and give people time to get tests back.

I really enjoyed the one that spelled the vaccine Maderna...

 

[dclDream2018]

Wow you are correct!! How will this even be possible to get results back that fast? My last Walgreens test a week ago took 72 hours. I imagine you would need to use the Inspire option going forward to prevent the highly likely risk that other vendor’s test results would not be back in time.

Also, myself and most people who have already sailed under the recent protocols can easily miss this change from 5 to 3 days. Yikes!!!
[/QUOTE]
Inspire says you need to send on the kit 4 days at the latest before your cruise. Not sure how that's going to work.

 

[starry_solo]

Can anyone send a PM to @WheresWalt ? He came by last week, but only posted 8 messages so I cannot PM (maybe a mod can?).... he was concerned about losing the $7000 concierge deposit but maybe he can use this option to cancel the cruise and get his whole refund back!

 

[starry_solo]

I just found this on the website. Basically if you test positive within 14 days, they do a reschedule like you said

• Within 14 days prior to embarkation, Guests who experience one or more of the qualifying scenarios may change their sail date, under the following terms:
  • Guests who wish to change their sail date must move the sail date to a future sailing that commences prior to September 30, 2022.
  • Onboard Offer Blockout Dates apply
  • Future cruise credits cannot be applied to the Disney Wish maiden voyage, setting sail on June 9, 2022.
  • Guests cannot change their reservation back to the original sail date after taking advantage of this policy.
• Qualifying scenarios include Guests who:
  • Have symptoms of COVID-19
  • Have a temperature of 100.4°F or greater
  • Have had known exposure to a person with COVID-19 within the previous 14 days
  • Have tested positive for COVID-19

I feel like there was an option to also get a full refund...

 

[RDW400]

Wow..this new test requirement brings up a few new questions and I can't get through to the DCL phone line or online chat. Sorry if this is redundant but a question: We are a party of 3, all vaccinated and booked for Sept 27 Dream. Didn't purchase travel insurance at booking. Should one of us (traveling together) test positive at the port do you think Disney will allow a future booking credit or refund?

 

[jmclester]

Has anyone confirmed that the port test for 12+ is at no charge?