Ahoy Janis!
So glad to have you join us here at planDisney! Wow, it’s a whole new world when it comes to cruising, isn’t it? Vaccines and testing have become the new norm, but I think it’s definitely great to have measures in place that make the health and safety of Guests and the crew as the top priority!
Beginning September 13, Disney Cruise Line’s protocol on
Embarkation Day is that all Guests, regardless of age and vaccination status, will be taking a COVID-19 PCR test at the terminal administered by Inspire Diagnostics. This test is before boarding and paid for by Disney Cruise Line. Guests will be notified by email when those test results are available. You would log in to the
Safe Passage website to see if your party is clear to embark. Cleared Guests could then make their way to the cruise terminal. But Guests receiving positive COVID-19 test results as well as Guests who have been identified as close contacts will not be permitted to board the ship.
Granted, that would be the worst case scenario to get to the port and test positive for COVID-19. Right now, that is just one of the risks of traveling, and you have to decide if it is worth it to you to take that leap of faith or not. As for me, I am willing at this point to go for it and do whatever to get on a Disney ship! One idea would be for you to take a COVID-19 PCR test locally before you leave for your travels. That might give you more assurance that your test at the port will also be negative.
Guests who are denied boarding will receive a Denied Boarding Voucher for the full amount of their sailing or a full refund without Disney-imposed cancellation fees. However, cancellation fees from third party providers like airlines or travel insurance are not refundable. It will be the Guests’ responsibility to make their arrangements to return home from the port.
Hope this helps answer your question, Janis! Let’s keep our fingers crossed now that we have talked about the worst case scenario that it never happens and everything goes without a hitch for you!
Happy Sailing!
Sherry