Disney Cruise Line revealed a new Central Florida pre-cruise PCR COVID-19 Testing and test drop off option at Orlando International Airport (MCO) and the Radisson Resort in Cape Canaveral. Due to recently updated technical guidance from the CDC, Guests 11 years of age and younger are not required to be vaccinated but must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test result which is paid for by the Guest taken between 3 days and 24 hours before their sail date. The test should be a rapid PCR test or lab-based PCR test. Rapid antigen tests will not be accepted.
For Guests who express concerns on the timing of the test or have questions about any alternative options, the following three options for pre-cruise PCR COVID-19 testing can be provided:
Option 1: 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 September 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 testing site at the Orlando International Airport is located adjacent to the Disney Magical Express Counter in the Main Terminal Building, Terminal B, Level 1 (in the Ground Transportation area). Guests can take the train from their gate and arrive on Level 3 of the Main Terminal Building. Proceed to Terminal B and take the elevator or escalator down to Level 1. If you need to pick up your luggage, remember to stop on Level 2 at the baggage claim. From the Terminal B parking garage, enter the Main Terminal Building through Door 146 and turn left. The testing room is just ahead on the left. - The Cape Canaveral Radisson Resort, near Port Canaveral, will be open 12 p.m. to 7 p.m., 7 days a week.
Radisson Resort
8701 Astronaut Blvd, Cape Canaveral, FL 32920
Antigua Room
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.
Nope. Not going to sail until this is no longer necessary. If they continue this forever, then goodbye to cruising. There are plenty of great countries to visit that do not require any of this nonsense.
Good morning Scott. This is so confusing. We are going on the Dream in November. We always stay at a resort the night before and take the transfers to the Port. I have a idea. Why doesn’t Disney admin the test while we are sitting in the lobby waiting on the bus? That would cut down test times at the Port. Just a thought.
I sail on the Fantasy on 9/25. So far, nothing on the SafePassage site is updated to reflect any of this information. In fact, it still reflect the previous 5-day testing period. I am glad they have announced a mail-in option, but I’m a little nervous about its execution.
It’s just getting out of control. I completely cancelled our family cruise next month and am getting a total refund. I just can’t take the chances of trying to board a ship clear across the United States from where we live and end up with a false positive or something else. We’d have no way of getting home, nowhere to quarantine. It’s just too much hassle and it seems Disney changes the rules every other day.
@Marcus, good luck, there’s very few countries that don’t have a testing/vaccination/quarantine requirement. Also keep an eye out for WHO updating the Yellow Card, aka the original vaccine passport.
There is NOTHING reflecting this information on the Safe Passage website.
I m doing whatever is required to be able to sail in October 2021!!!! Pixie dust will see us through ?
Why don’t they have testing available at WDW, for those that are starting they’re vacation there. Many guest are from out of town and have to get to the airport or go all the way to Cape Canaveral and waste a whole day to get a test.
Juan,
I’ve wondered this myself, and have even reached out to see if there was something that could materialize through Walt Disney World’s Guest Health Care Services Presented by AdventHealth.
Juan,
I’ve wondered this myself, and have even reached out to see if there was something that could materialize through Walt Disney World’s Guest Health Care Services Presented by AdventHealth.
the guidance is confusing. Is this testing only for those people who are unvaccinated (either by choice or by age)? And then there is still day of embarkation testing that will be done at the port?
Anyone with some clarity please help out. Also, does anyone know what happens if on day of embarkation you test positive and therefore are denied boarding? What happens to the funds that have been paid for that sailing since technically any cancellation is at 100% penalty.
Thanks.
@James, there are plenty of options for free citizens to travel. I’ve already mapped out some. Not worried about the WHO. Once Trump is back in office, things will get back to normal very quickly.
The only unvaccinated passengers allowed onboard are under 12years and 5 weeks old. Everyone older then that, has to be vaccinated.
Everyone will get a Rapid test at the port. The unvaccinated has to get a PCR test between 3 days and 24hrs to sailing.
If 1 person in the party tests positive then the entire party is denied boarding and issued a voucher for a future cruise.
@James – thank you! You should go work for DCL – even their customer service folks that I have spoken to on the phone can’t explain it in a short and sweet and to the point manner.
So I am vaccinated all I need is pcr test 3 days prior and I still need a rapid at port? Everyone needs to pay again for a text at port after taking a pcr 3 days prior and vaccinated. I’m confused
The port is testing everyone. At this time, it would be kids that would need the pre-test as all 12 (plus 5weeks) are required to provide proof of vaccination to sail. This is simply an option for those in the position that require pre-arrival testing.
Juan and Scott. I said the same thing, second comment, it gives Disney guests a little bit of special feeling.
My comment is not cruise related but having a testing site available at WDW would also be a huge help to many International guests who require a test before flying home. We cancelled our late Aug WDW trip partially because of the challenge of finding a place to be tested and get results, within the allotted time-frame, before flying home to Canada.
This virus is mutating and DCL is trying very hard to protect it reputation. The Covid-19 test is for the (DCL) cruise. Doing it at WDW would cause problems for those that text positive, trying to protest their concerns with other people just visiting WDW. Look at the attitude of some of us here when we are told to do things differently. Imagine a whole family turned down because one of their members tested positive at WDW for DCL. WOW!!! It is best to do it at the port so the Port authority can deal with them there. Your only option is to wait until next year to see if anything changes, or you can gamble and hope for the best. The choice will be yours. For me and my family we will wait.
Walt, you make a very good point. Also, it shows how unfair the restrictions are to cruisers. People from all over the world can be shoulder to shoulder at WDW, but have to go through all these additional rules and regulations to be together at sea. We are also choosing to wait till next year.
We are staying several days before too…with no car..we will miss time at the park running around. Even a drop off location for the tests somewhere at WDW would be great so we don’t have to run to the airport. Worried about mailing one
Scott, could you point me to where this information is on the actual Disney Cruise website? I was talking with Disney, as our daughter turns 12 within 5 weeks of our cruise (so not enough time to be fully vaccinated prior to sail date), and the rep (and the supervisor I asked him to check with) both insisted she can’t sail and that testing isn’t an option.
This was information that was provided to travel agents. I too have not found it on DCL’s actual website, but a travel agent sent me this screenshot showing the statement.
If someone tests positive at the terminal, are we allowed
fly home if we are fully vaccinated?
How much is the test at the port going to cost the passengers that have already paid thousands of dollars to cruise?
Guests are not being charged for the embarkation day testing as of September 13 when all guests were required to test at the port.
Yes SAME!!!! Whoo HOO its so worth it!!!
How do you make appointments to be tested at the Radisson or airport? I can’t find any of this info on the Disney Cruise site and can’t access safe passage since I’m more than 15 days out.
Marcus, with all respect, keep your politics out of this travel site forum. There is not any need to express political views in this type of forum. Use other forums that are for that purpose.
Christopher, will all respect, I will continue to exercise my 1st amendment right whether you like it or not. Thank you.
Anyone scheduled an appt the night before sailing with Inspire Diagnostics? Did you have your results on time for sailing the next afternoon?
Got turned away right before boarding. I just tested negative 2 weeks ago and was triple vaccinated. They did not offer anything except full refund or rebooking. They said almost everyone asks for refund. Had to wait an hour for them to get our luggage off of the ship and have a doctor explain why I could not board. Not worth it.