Disney Cruise Line Announces New Pre-Cruise PCR COVID-19 Testing Option

Getting ready to set sail with Disney Cruise Line? Then you’ll want to keep reading. Disney Cruise Line has just announced a new pre-cruise PCR COVID-19 testing option for their guests.

We previously brought you the news that due to recently updated technical guidance from the CDC, guests 11 years of age and younger must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test result (paid for by the Guest) taken between 3 days and 24 hours before their sail date. Please keep in mind that all guests 12 and older are required to show proof of vaccination in order to board the ship.

Since this news broke, many guests have expressed their concerns on the timing of the test and/or have had questions about any alternative options. Disney Cruise Line has added a third testing option to try and make the process easier.

Let’s take a look at the three options available:

Option 1 (NEW!): Guests may use the Safe Passage website to purchase and schedule a pre-trip test to be performed at a testing location in Central Florida, 1-3 days before their sail date.

• Beginning Sept. 13, 2021, Guests may use the Safe Passage website to purchase and schedule a pre-trip test to be performed at a testing site in Central Florida, performed 1-3 days before their sail date. The cost is US $98.33 per test (which includes a 3.5% processing fee).
• Testing locations will be set up at the Orlando International Airport and at the Radisson Resort in Cape Canaveral, Florida.
• The Orlando International Airport Testing Location will be open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., 7 days a week.
• The Cape Canaveral Radisson Resort, near Port Canaveral, will be open 12 p.m. to 7 p.m., 7 days a week.
• Results take 24-48 hours to process and will be sent to the email address provided during the registration on the Safe Passage website.
• Guests who completed an at-home test kit, but did not mail it to Inspire via UPS, can drop off their completed test sample at one of the onsite testing locations in Central Florida.

Option 2: Guests residing in the United States may purchase a pre-trip, at-home PCR test directly from the Safe Passage website by Inspire Diagnostics.

• Guests residing in the United States may purchase an at-home PCR testing kit directly from the Safe Passage website by Inspire Diagnostics at a cost of US $98.33 per test (which includes a 3.5% processing fee).
• Test kits must be administered and mailed back to Inspire Diagnostics exactly 3 days before the sail date and mailed using the pre-paid UPS envelope included with the kit.
• Guests must drop the envelope at an official UPS drop box or at a UPS store location. Guests must not use a “UPS Access Point” for shipment, which are drop boxes located at a retail outlet such as pharmacy, grocery store or gas station.
• Results will be available 24 to 48 hours from the time the sample is received by Inspire Diagnostics and will be sent to the email address provided during registration on the Safe Passage website.
• Guests who completed an at-home test kit, but did not mail it to Inspire via UPS, can drop off their completed test sample at one of our onsite testing locations in Central Florida located at the Orlando International Airport and at the Radisson Resort in Cape Canaveral.

Option 3: Guests may obtain their PCR test from any independent testing provider.

• Guests may obtain their PCR test from any independent testing provider. When selecting an independent testing provider, Guests should choose a provider with the fastest processing time, as the window for testing and submitting test results is between 3 days and 24 hours prior to their sailing. If the Guests is submitting their test sample to an independent provider by mail, overnight mail is recommended.

Additionally, the following is an update on how old a child must be in order to sail with a negative COVID-19 PCR test:

Guests who turn 12 within 5 weeks of embarkation are permitted to sail but will be required to follow testing protocols, which include providing proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test result (paid for by the Guest) taken between 3 days and 24 hours before their sail date. This test should be a rapid PCR test or lab-based PCR test. Rapid antigen tests will not be accepted. Additionally, they will also be required to take a COVID 19 test administered by Inspire Diagnostics at the terminal before boarding, per recently updated CDC guidance.

What do you think of the new pre-cruise PCR COVID-19 testing option? Will your family be trying it out on your next sailing? Let me know in the comments below.

Disney Cruise Line New Pre-Cruise PCR COVID-19 Testing Option Credit: Disney

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