Ahoy there, Barbara, and welcome back to planDisney! I can't believe how close your sailing is now - I feel as if we've been helping you plan for quite some time - I'm so excited for you and your crew! And now I learn it's a pair of back-to-back cruises? Hopefully you'll get to apply all our help to both segments of your sailing to make it practically perfect in every way - Mary Poppins would be so proud!
When it comes to COVID-19 testing for your back-to-back sailings, I definitely suggest keeping an eye on the latest
Know Before You Go information! The Embarkation Day section was updated April 1st of this year - no joking - and outlines how testing will occur: "All Guests on consecutive, back-to-back sailings, regardless of age and vaccination status, will be required to undergo a COVID-19 test administered by Inspire Diagnostics at the terminal after debarking the ship following their first cruise and before re-boarding the ship for their second cruise.":
So it happens that testing takes place at the cruise terminal (not on the ship), so upon a negative COVID test result, back-to-back guests will be allowed to re-board the ship once it has been cleared for the next voyage.
Because that process may take a while between the morning disembarkation time and the all clear to board is issued, it would probably be a good idea to bring some snacks and/or something to help pass the time. I know the testing itself takes roughly an hour to produce results, plus the additional wait for the ship to be cleared, you could be waiting a while. That said, back-to-back cruisers will have the specifics outlined in instructions that your stateroom attendant will leave in your stateroom the night in the "to" part of your "back-to-back" on debarkation day. You can also check at the
Guest Services Desk on Deck 3, Midship for specific instructions. Oh, and be sure to keep a bag with you that contains your
travel documents and Key to the World cards!
Well Barbara, I certainly hope that helps clear up any questions you may have had about your back-to-back sailings! I can't wait to hear about how BOTH parts of your cruise go! I'll be living vicariously through all the exciting plans you've made, so please be sure to have an incredible time! Thank you as always for your question, and if you come up with any others over the next month, please drop me another line!
SEA ya real soon!
Andrew