As we previously reported, the CDC issued updated guidance for guests 11 years of age and younger who are not required to be vaccinated but 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. The test should be a rapid PCR test or a lab-based PCR test. Rapid antigen tests will not be accepted.
For guests who express concerns with the timing of the test or have questions about any alternative options, the following three (3) options for pre-cruise PCR COVID-19 testing can be provided:
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 a 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 guest 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.
Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash
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