ArthurUSCG

I'm kind of curious what the atmosphere of ships will be like. It's either going to be laid back or a 2 day tailgate.

I'm guessing for the first night it will be a massive tailgate party and the next day will be split between a/2 the passengers drinking Bloody Mary's or screwdrivers and the other 1/2 pounding ibuprofen.

On 12/6/2021 at 2:39 PM, tzbeach said:

Unless it changed in the last few weeks you did not have to be booked on a ship excursion to get off the ship.  

 

If your fully vaccinated. The unvaccinated have to have a DCL tour to get off the ship.

7 hours ago, pehlibaar said:

Thank you so much! We will be in separate vehicles, I would hate for them to miss out on their first ever cruise if someone in our family was positive

When we asked for our Thanksgiving cruise, we were told the CM will also ask if you have spent time with the other linked reservations. Example, sharing an Airbnb or hotel rooms.

If so, then the other reservations will be denied.

TBH, there is not enough difference in the ships to use that as a deciding factor. Pick the length and itinerary you want.

16 hours ago, LittleMissMagic said:

 

9. Does the Disney Cruise Line app have an internal messaging or chat system so we can contact other people in our party who have brought their phone? Yes, but when we sailed 9/24, it didn't play friendly with Android. The iPhones in our party were successful at using the internal messaging, but there was one Google Pixel that couldn't get it to work.

 

I've run into this issue before with an Samsung S3. The problem comes from having the network/wifi setting to disconnect from a wifi network when there is no internet signal.  The settings have change names a few times, and I think the current name is "Switch to mobile data automatically", it previously was called, "Check for Internet Service", "drop wifi if no internet connection", “Auto switch to mobile data”, and a bunch of other names from each of the different phone manufactures. 

DCL knows it's a problem and is refusing to address it. It comes down to them not investing sufficient time in the Android app development and focusing on ios. There  are lots of issues with the current Android app like using the old fingerprint coding instead of switching to the biometric API.

It's all about what you want. The upper decks are closer to the pool, but the lower ones are closer to the kids clubs, dinning rooms and other interior spaces.

There is not "ideal" room, just the one that best fits what you want.

That's odd that not all cabins are designed for the hearing impaired. It doesn't cost that much more for the furnishing changes. Its just small changes like using fire alarms with a strobe, different phone and door bell with a light. From maintaining inventory for shipboard repairs, I would think using the same furnishings would make more sense.

7 hours ago, nolatravelgirl said:

Luggage storage under bed is not unique to Disney cruise ships. Every cruise ship I have been on has space under the bed for luggage storage.

I guess it is common now, but when DCL first started, it wasn't. Not all RCCL ships had the bed high enough for a full sized suitcase to fit underneath, just the smaller carry on size.  I can remember being impressed when 3 large suitcases, full sized Graco carseat (folded flat) and Bob stroller (with rear wheels removed) fitted under the bed.

On 9/27/2021 at 6:22 PM, Babyruthc said:

We are cruising in Feb 22 and so we’ve been making payments, plus it’s a replacement for a cruise twice canceled…so we decided to splurge for a 7 night. Well now who knows if 7 nights will be going and what the rules will be. I know no one can help the uncertainty. Makes it very hard to swallow buying flights and booking hotels for school vacation week when it’s so in the air. Add in that our friends we are cruising with are not vaccinated so if that requirement remains idk what they will decide to do. So sad! Vacation planning is usually my escape from stress! 

Given the low vaccination rate in the islands, due to lack of supply., I don't foresee the vaccination requirement changing.

6 hours ago, mcatmcat said:

Hi 

First of all this is my frist time going with Disney and IM very excited 

 

I have a quick question, Im travelling with friends but one kid on the group will become 12 years old 10 day before boarding so there is no way for him to be fully vaccinated. According to a famous cruise booking online the agent tell that family what the kid will have no issue because his birthday was close to sailing, is the agent right or not. Maybe I'm wrong but I think they will deny his boarding

 

Thanks 

On a lot of the FB groups are reportingthat DCL is saying that you have until 12 years and 5 weeks to be vaccinated. I would email DCL and ask for the confirmation in writing just in case.

Nope, but DCL designed the bed so the suitcases can fit underneath. We use a suitcase as a laundry hamper.

19 hours ago, breenw said:

We sail on November 8th on the Dream and there is conflicting info on the testing required and the costs.  I'm on hold right now with Disney cruise line trying to get clarification.  While waiting for someone to answer the phone, the recording says you have to pay for the test ($65) at the terminal and it will be charged to your folio.  They are also requiring pre-testing 3 days to 24 hours prior to date of sailing.  That is not what their website says.  It states that Disney will be paying for the testing at the terminal required for embarkation.  That's a huge disparity in information!

 

On top of that the recording mentions having to have trip insurance but the website has removed that as they are now requiring 12 and older to be vaccinated.  There is a letter listed in post #7 above that states the pre-testing can be 5 days in advance of the cruise.  As we are flying to Orlando on Saturday November 6th, doing a Disney park on the 7th and driving over to Port Canaveral on the 8th to board the ship, that conflicting information on the pre-cruise testing is huge.  If we have 5 days prior, that will be much easier to accommodate than a 3 day limit.  After all, everyone has to do the pre-cruise PCR test, wait 2-3 days for the results to be received, then upload them to the safe passage website (Inspire Diagnostics) within their 24 hour deadline.   Inspire Diagnostics has changed their requirements for uploaded documents to be no earlier than 15 days prior to sailing instead of the previously advertised 30 day window.

 

I realize the cruise lines are all scrambling to meet the requirements that the CDC is demanding not to mention the Bahamian Government, but it needs to be consistent and concise information.  We are just like most everyone else.  We are taking our 2 adult kids and 5 grandkids for a party of 9 traveling from 2 different states; we've paid for Disney hotel for 2 nights pre-cruise, airline tickets, and we have already purchased the 1 day Disney park passes since you have to do that now to make park reservations.  On top of the pricing going through the roof Disney has made it next to impossible for the average Joe (and retirees like us) to do a Disney trip with their family.  My dilemma is if I cancel the cruise I know I can get my money back but I will have to eat the airfare and park tickets.  Just frustrated right now......

Unfortunately,  this is a self inflicted wound by DCL. They kept trying to be less restrictive instead of jumping to what they currently have and they couldn't keep up with the changes.

Testing needs to be done 3 days before the sailing. The shorter time frame is causing issues with some in my Thanksgiving cruise as well, since they will be in WDW as well. It would be ideal if WDW worked with Centra Care Urgent Care by Disney Springs to have drive thru or quick testing, along with bus transportation.

56 minutes ago, jrbeccles said:

It rarely occurs!

I just wish DCL would settle down and solidify requirements. Now, even if vaccinated, we have to do a rapid test at the terminal before boarding. Of course it starts 9/13 which is my sail date. I'm guessing it delays getting on board at least an hour

I'm betting even though PAT was moved up by 2 hours, the boarding time will be about the same time.

DCL is now doing 100% rapid testing at the port. But they now have a 3 day pcr requirement for the under 12 unvaxed and the 12+ are  fully vaxed.

The site has been updated again. They eliminated the Nov1st expiration of the vaccine requirement.

https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/why-cruise-disney/experience-updates/us/?fbclid=IwAR0BnVmB4Gsdi9sQUNPdsMwDovR2cxvaE8fi-p4TiFB2KfZl57wh0KGP1H0%2F

In order to sail, Guests 12 years of age and older must be vaccinated and upload their proof of vaccination to the Safe Passage website by Inspire Diagnostics. Guests 11 years of age and under must upload proof of a negative pre-trip COVID-19 test to Safe Passage. The test must be a rapid PCR test or lab-based PCR test. Rapid antigen tests are not accepted. A parent or legal guardian will need to use their own account to provide this information on their behalf. All Guests, regardless of age and vaccination status, are required to take a COVID-19 test administered by Inspire Diagnostics at the terminal before boarding. Learn more below.

4 minutes ago, Oceansaway17 said:

 

 

hi I am from Eastern PA and I called CVS and they said the minute Clinic cancels with the nurse or whomever does the testing can not make it in that day.  It is not for lack of supplies.

As a backup, I can go to Urgent care and pay out of pocket.   I think CVS which only 20% of their stores do the minute clinic should insist on more than one nurse manning the clinic.  

And Walgreens appts open at midnight so a mad dash to the site.  These drugstore chains needs to do a better job.  But hey those who want to cruise are the least of their concern.  Can you imagine if the airlines suddenly required tests?   

 

And still hoping that the 2 day rules does not get activated by the cruise lines.  Otherwise a whole lot of folks will be calling.  I know I have until 11:59 on Tues to cancel for a Friday cruise.

One thing is RCCL should have a button on each reservation for us to click  to requesting an FCC CWC so that we do not have to call.  I hate just getting someone who obviously has an accent and hard to dialogue with.   SIGH

BWI has testing prior to going thru security near Concurs C. But BWI is unique since it has had a urgent care clinic for a few years now.

duplicate post

1 hour ago, RedIguana said:

Please stop repeating this. There is no mandate to choose an assay that also does flu, it is just recommended. And even if an assay that is capable of doing multiple is used does not mean that the lab has to actually process that part of the assay.

It was my understanding that the single test EUA is expiring December 31 and only the multiplex (covid, flu A and flu B) tests were authorized for 2022. Obviously, the lab will only process the flu part if it's part of the order.

3 hours ago, rebeccac said:

On another thread, someone said the tests are good for one year from the date they are manufactured.  

I think the 1 year thing is related to the CDC emergency approval. They have recently changed what tested they have authorized to ones that test for both COVID and the flu. The previous test was only COVID. So labs had to spend the additional time to also process a flu test.

3 hours ago, rebeccac said:

On another thread, someone said the tests are good for one year from the date they are manufactured.  

I think the 1 year thing is related to the CDC emergency approval. They have recently changed what tested they have authorized to ones that test for both COVID and the flu. The previous test was only COVID. So labs had to spend the additional time to also process a flu test.

8 hours ago, ReneeFLL said:

 

This doesn’t make sense to me not unless they were about to go bad. Why would a company destroy a perfectly good product? Because the cases were going down? The logical thing to do would be to keep them and stop or slow down production. I don’t believe they destroyed them not unless there was something wrong with them.

 

https://wgme.com/news/local/abbott-labs-disputes-report-that-says-they-forced-workers-to-destroy-covid-19-test-kits

 

 

There is often a cost associated with storing a product that is related to leasing the physical space along with personal to maintain the inventory/watch over the building. Also destroying the product allows for "losses" and tax write offs.

16 hours ago, estrawn said:

Apparently the deal they struck with the Bahamas is that EVERYONE onboard will be vaccinated.  They are giving refunds to anyone who isn't or doesn't want to be

Just to clarify, the vaccine requirement for 12+ with some medical exceptions, is a Bahamas  requirement for all cruise lines. 

Site updated as well.

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

IMPORTANT: Sailings beginning September 3, 2021 until November 1, 2021

For sailings to The Bahamas beginning September 3, 2021 until November 1, 2021, The Bahamas will require that all passengers ages 12 and older be fully vaccinated in order for a ship to be allowed entry into any of its cruise ports, including private islands like Disney Castaway Cay. Learn more here and check back soon for updates to our Know Before You Go information.

Dear Guest,

All of us at Disney Cruise Line hope you and your family are staying well. We are reaching out with important information regarding your upcoming sailing.

Beginning September 3 until November 1, 2021, The Bahamas will require that all cruise ship passengers ages 12 and older be fully vaccinated in order for a ship to be allowed entry into any of its cruise ports, including private islands like Disney Castaway Cay.

To comply with this new requirement, all Guests ages 12 and older on your upcoming sailing must be fully vaccinated to board the ship. Approved vaccines include those produced by Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson. Please note, in accordance with CDC guidelines:

• Guests who have received both doses of Moderna, Pfizer or AstraZeneca are considered fully vaccinated 14 days after the second dose has been administered.
• Guests who have received Johnson & Johnson are considered fully vaccinated 14 days after receiving one dose.
• Guests with both one dose of Moderna and one dose of Pfizer are considered fully vaccinated 14 days after the second dose.
• Guests who have received one single dose of a vector vaccine (e.g. AstraZeneca) and one single dose of a mRNA vaccine (e.g. Pfizer, Moderna) are not considered fully vaccinated.
• Guests must provide proof of vaccination by uploading their vaccination card to the Safe Passage by Inspire website no later than 24 hours before their sailing. Guests who choose not to provide proof of vaccination to meet the requirements of The Bahamas will not be permitted to board the ship.

Guests under the age of 12 must still provide proof of a negative lab-based COVID-19 PCR test taken between 5 days and 24 hours prior to the sail date by uploading their test results to the Safe Passage by Inspire website. They will also be required to undergo a second COVID-19 PCR test administered by Inspire Diagnostics at the terminal prior to boarding.

Guests on a sailing to The Bahamas (including Disney Castaway Cay) departing from September 3, 2021, to prior to November 1, 2021, may modify their sail date or cancel their sailing without any Disney-imposed cancellation fees by contacting your travel agent by September 3, 2021. Please note that cancellation fees imposed by third-party suppliers, including airlines, as well as travel insurance, are not refundable. Refunds will be processed back to the original form of payment. Standard cancellation policies and terms and conditions apply for any cancellation or modification requests received on or after September 4, 2021.

We appreciate your understanding of the need to change our policies to comply with the Bahamas’ new requirements. The health and safety of our Guests, Cast Members and Crew Members is a top priority.

We look forward to welcoming you aboard.

Sincerely,

The Cast and Crew
Disney Cruise Line

8 hours ago, kirtihk said:

And I don’t understand why is it so hard to live with stress and breath through a muzzle?  We must sacrifice ourselves for a sake of a potentially saving someone else.

I've had to breath thru some tough masks, filters and OBAs in my time in the USCG, 2 pieces of cloth are nothing. The only thing I hate is the dent the masks leave in my beard.