Disney Cruise Line Returns On August 9th

It’s almost time to experience the magic of Disney at sea again because Disney Cruise Line will resume voyages on August 9th!

The Disney Dream will be the first one to set sail again with voyages to the Bahamas departing from Port Canaveral, Florida with all the 3 and 4-night cruises stopping at Castaway Cay, Disney’s private island.

While the magic is back, there are still some health and safety measures that need to be followed in order to promote wellness for guests and crew aboard the ships and in the destinations they visit. You can take at look at the Disney Cruise Line guidelines here:

Health & Wellness

We’re emphasizing a combination of measures to help promote health and wellness on our ships.

These measures include:

• COVID-19 Vaccination: Disney Cruise Line strongly encourages all eligible Guests to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before sailing. Guests who are fully vaccinated may choose to provide proof of vaccination in order to be exempt from pre-trip and Embarkation Day testing requirements (unless arriving from outside the United States) and travel insurance requirements. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) considers people to be fully vaccinated 14 days after the final dose has been administered. To learn more about how to provide proof of your vaccination.
• Pre-Trip COVID-19 Testing: Guests must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test (paid for at the Guest’s expense) taken between 5 days and 24 hours prior to the sail date. Disney Cruise Line has secured a special rate of $98.33 per PCR test (which includes a 3.5% processing fee) through our third-party vendor, Inspire Diagnostics. Guests may also obtain their PCR test from any independent testing supplier. Guests who are fully vaccinated may choose to provide proof of vaccination instead of undergoing COVID-19 pre-trip testing. To learn more about how to provide proof of your negative COVID-19 PCR test result.
• Embarkation COVID-19 Testing: Guests are required to undergo a rapid PCR COVID-19 test administered by Inspire Diagnostics at the terminal prior to boarding. Guests with positive COVID-19 test results, as well as those in their travel party, will be denied boarding. The $65 test fee will be charged to the folio of all Guests 12 years and older. Disney Cruise Line acts as the paying agent for Inspire Diagnostics and will remit the entire cost of the COVID-19 test to Inspire Diagnostics. Guests who are fully vaccinated may choose to provide proof of vaccination instead of undergoing COVID-19 Embarkation Day testing.
• Travel Insurance: For cruises departing from Florida through December 31, 2021, Guests 12 years of age and older must provide proof of a valid travel insurance policy that meets coverage requirements. Guests who are fully vaccinated may choose to provide proof of vaccination instead of obtaining travel insurance.
• Face Coverings: All Guests (ages 2 and up, including those who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19) are required to wear face coverings indoors, except when in their staterooms or actively eating or drinking (while stationary and maintaining an appropriate physical distance). Face coverings are not required for Guests outdoors while on board the ship and at Disney Castaway Cay.
• Hand Sanitizers: The number of hand-sanitizing stations has increased throughout our ships.
• Signage: Additional signage has been installed highlighting recommendations from health authorities on physical distancing, coughing etiquette and proper handwashing.
• Reduced Guest Capacity and Physical Distancing: Considering guidance from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other medical experts, we’re reducing overall Guest capacity in our terminal and aboard our ships, and modifying our experiences to promote physical distancing.
• Reimagined Experiences: While some experiences have been modified to accommodate new health and safety measures, you can be sure entertainment to inspire is always front-and-center for the entire family. Our ships are overflowing with magic—from Characters delighting Guests in new and entertaining ways to Broadway-style spectaculars.
• World-Class Dining: We’re serving up diverse global cuisines and classic casual bites inside themed restaurants peppered with Disney magic. Quick-service food and beverage locations still offer all-you-care-to-eat treats with service attendants available to help you satisfy your cravings at select times.
• Onboard Medical Capabilities: While we are taking a multi-layered approach to help promote health and wellness, we have a plan for managing any suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19. We have added a Public Health Officer and continue to staff our ships with nurses and physicians experienced in emergency or critical care and certified in advanced cardiac care and life support. We have developed protocols for screening for and responding to symptoms of COVID-19. Appointments with the Health Center to evaluate COVID-19 symptoms are free of charge. Medical facilities are equipped with isolation, monitoring care, ventilators, oxygen, laboratory and pharmacy services. The ship’s medical staff adheres to the requirements of the American College of Emergency Physician Health Care Guidelines for Cruise Ship Medical Facilities.

Enhanced Cleaning

We’ve updated our protocols for cleanliness throughout our ships.

These procedures include:

• Enhanced Cleaning: Building on our existing standards, we’re increasing the frequency of cleaning with enhanced protocols. Extra attention will be given to high-touch surfaces, as well as children’s facilities and other common spaces.
• Modified Housekeeping: Staterooms will undergo enhanced treatments between voyages, in addition to twice-daily housekeeping service during each voyage. High-touch loose soft goods—such as sofa pillows and paper stationery—have been removed.
• Air Purification: All ships will be equipped with a new purification system that cleans both air and surface areas using a process called ionization. We are also increasing the circulation of fresh air on board our ships, and all HVAC air filters have been upgraded to MERV-13 high efficiency grade, which can remove very small particles. Additionally, each stateroom maintains singular air circulation, eliminating the need for air intake from adjacent common areas.

Innovative Technology Solutions

We’re harnessing the power of the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app to promote physical distancing for all on board.

New features of the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app include:

• Guest Services Live Chat: Get the answers you’re looking for with our new live chat feature that lets you communicate directly with Guest Services and our Dining and Port Adventures team.
• Virtual Queue: In an effort to promote physical distancing and make planning easier, Guests will need to join our new, easy-to-use virtual queue to debark the ship at all ports of call.
• Mandatory Emergency Drill: To promote physical distancing on board the ship, you are required to participate in the Mandatory Emergency Drill by using the app to check in at your designated Assembly Station.

If you haven’t already, be sure to download the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app today!

Crew Member Training & Safety

Health and safety start with our Crew, so we’ve adopted a number of additional policies and protocols.

New protocols include:

• Training: Crew Members are receiving additional training on both new health and safety measures and the continued importance of personal health and hygiene, such as handwashing, refraining from working while feeling ill, and identifying symptoms of COVID-19. This includes training on how to help Guests and Crew follow new health and safety measures, such as wearing a face covering and maintaining physical distancing.
• Workplace Health & Safety: We’ve enhanced cleaning in work areas, adjusted our work practices to promote physical distancing, and introduced new protocols for COVID-19 testing and face coverings for our Crew.

Working Together

We’re giving Guests the information they need to navigate our new policies and do their part.

• Guest Communication: We will be sharing information with Guests via email and on our website about what to expect ahead of their voyage. On board, we have added additional signage about personal health and hygiene, and new measures are in place for physical distancing, cleaning and more. Guests will also receive tips on ways to promote health and wellness via their stateroom television, digital signage and the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app.

Many of the actions we all take in our daily lives to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 are designed to help not only ourselves, but others as well. As we enforce our guidelines during your cruise, we want to thank our Guests and Crew Members for doing their part.

Related – More Details Revealed for Disney Cruise Line’s Newest Ship Disney Wish

Related – Holiday Cruises are Returning to Disney Cruise Line in 2022

COVID-19 Vaccination

Disney Cruise Line strongly encourages all eligible Guests to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before sailing. Guests who are fully vaccinated may choose to provide proof of vaccination in order to be exempt from pre-trip and Embarkation Day testing requirements (unless arriving from outside the United States) and travel insurance requirements. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) considers people to be fully vaccinated 14 days after the final dose has been administered.

COVID-19 Testing

Learn about the COVID-19 tests that are required for Guests before leaving home and at the terminal.

• Pre-Trip COVID-19 Testing: Guests must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test (paid for at the Guest’s expense) taken between 5 days and 24 hours prior to the sail date. Disney Cruise Line has secured a special rate of $98.33 per PCR test (which includes a 3.5% processing fee) through our third-party vendor, Inspire Diagnostics. Guests may also obtain their PCR test from any independent testing supplier. Guests who are fully vaccinated may choose to provide proof of vaccination instead of undergoing COVID19 pre-trip testing.
• Embarkation COVID-19 Testing: Guests are required to undergo a rapid PCR COVID-19 test administered by Inspire Diagnostics at the terminal prior to boarding. Guests with positive COVID-19 test results, as well as those in their travel party, will be denied boarding. The $65 test fee will be charged to the folio of all Guests 12 years and older. Disney Cruise Line acts as the paying agent for Inspire Diagnostics and will remit the entire cost of the COVID-19 test to Inspire Diagnostics. Guests who are fully vaccinated may choose to provide proof of vaccination instead of undergoing COVID-19 Embarkation Day testing.

Health Screenings

Multiple health screenings will be conducted before and during your cruise to promote health and wellness on board.

• Embarkation Day Health Questionnaire: Guests are required to complete a health questionnaire related to COVID-19 and gastrointestinal illnesses on Embarkation Day. Guests are also required to attest as to whether they have experienced or are currently experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, or have been in contact with anyone suspected of or confirmed as having COVID-19 within the previous 14 days.
• Crew Members: All Crew Members will be screened for symptoms of illness before every shift. Crew Members showing any symptoms or feeling unwell will refrain from working.

Physical Distancing

We’re reducing Guest capacity aboard our ships and adjusting experiences to promote physical distancing. This includes limiting capacity and implementing physical distancing measures in our terminals and areas of our ships such as upper decks, dining rooms, food and beverage locations, lounges, theaters, walkways, elevators, pools, queues and other common spaces.

Signage throughout the ship reminds Guests and Crew to practice physical distancing. Physical barriers have also been installed in areas where physical distancing may be difficult to maintain, like at check-in and Guest Services.

Close-up interactions with Disney Characters have been paused, and youth activities are experienced in small group settings.

Face Coverings

All Guests (ages 2 and up, including those who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19) are required to wear face coverings indoors. Exceptions include when Guests are in their staterooms or actively eating or drinking (while stationary and maintaining an appropriate physical distance). Face coverings are not required for Guests outdoors while on board the ship and at Disney Castaway Cay. Face coverings may be required in ports of call based on local government requirements.

All face coverings should:

• Fully cover an individual’s nose and mouth and allow the Guest to remain hands-free.
• Fit snugly but comfortably against the side of the face.
• Be secured with ties or ear loops.
• Be made of 2 layers of breathable material, either disposable or reusable, that is not elastic in nature, such as spandex and elastane.

Guests may bring face coverings that have an integrated transparent plastic panel to aid in viewing the wearer’s mouth. These face coverings must:

• Fully cover an individual’s nose and mouth and allow the Guest to remain hands-free
• Be a fabric face covering featuring a solid plastic panel containing no openings that is attached to the fabric on all sides using tight knit stitching
• Meet all face covering requirements listed above

At this time based on guidance from health authorities, neck gaiters, open-chin triangle bandanas and face coverings containing valves, mesh material or holes of any kind are not acceptable face coverings. Costume masks are not considered appropriate and are prohibited from being worn.

The use of face coverings is not a substitute for physical distancing.

Disney Cruise Line Navigator App

Download the latest version of our app on your mobile device, with location services and notifications enabled.

Help maintain physical distancing with these helpful features of the new and improved Disney Cruise Line Navigator app:

• Guest Services Live Chat: Communicate directly with a Guest Services Crew Member—in addition to our Dining and Port Adventures teams—with our new live chat feature.
• Virtual Queue: Use our new virtual queue to easily debark the ship at all ports of call.
• Details You Need: View digital menus, activity schedules, venue descriptions and locations, and much more.
• Exploring the Ship: Find what you’re looking for with deck plans that show the restaurants, shops and more near you.

If you haven’t already, be sure to download the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app today!

Available for iPhone®, iPad® and smartphones for Android™. Message, data and roaming rates may apply. Availability subject to handset limitations and features may vary by handset or service provider. Coverage and app stores not available everywhere. If you’re under 18, get your parents’ permission first.

Online Check-In

Be sure to complete your Online Check-In at least one day prior to the date you set sail. This step-by-step process includes filling out important cruise documents, in addition to selecting a port arrival time, which you’ll need to do before you make your way to the terminal. Please note: All Guests and Castaway Club Members—including Platinum Members—are required to select a port arrival time before making their way to the cruise terminal. Completing Online Check-In in advance helps in physical distancing efforts and reduces the time at the cruise terminal before you board the ship. Guests will not be permitted at the terminal or in parking areas before their scheduled arrival time in order to promote physical distancing in the terminal. Guests who arrive early will be asked to return at their scheduled arrival time.

Important Information

Health and safety measures, ports of call and offerings may change at any time without notice. Upon reopening, certain onboard venues, experiences and other offerings will be modified or unavailable, will have limited capacity and will be subject to limited availability, advance reservations or even closure. We reserve the right to cancel any reservations or purchases—please review your rights in our Terms and Conditions. Subject to government approval.Health Acknowledgement

Please make sure that you have reviewed and follow any advisories or restrictions that may be in place for travel, including those posted on Florida COVID-19 website. Guests who are or may be at increased risk of severe illness due to contracting COVID-19 should consult with their health care provider before sailing.

By boarding a Disney Cruise Line ship, you are confirming that you and all persons in your party have not been in close contact with someone confirmed or suspected of COVID-19 within the last 14 days and are not experiencing any of the following symptoms of COVID-19 identified by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention including:

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

You must report to Disney Cruise Line if you experience any COVID-19 symptoms while onboard. Guests who cannot confirm all of the above criteria must not board the ship. If at any point during their cruise a Guest does not meet all of the above criteria, they—and their traveling party and close contacts—will be required to isolate.

By boarding a Disney Cruise Line ship, you acknowledge that you understand and will abide by the above health and safety requirements.

COVID-19 Warning

We have taken enhanced health and safety measures, for you, our other Guests, Cast and Crew Members. You must follow all posted instructions while sailing with Disney Cruise Line.

An inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public place where people are present. COVID-19 is an extremely contagious disease that can lead to severe illness and death. According to  the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, senior citizens and Guests with underlying medical conditions are especially vulnerable.

By sailing with Disney Cruise Line you voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19 and agree to follow all health and safety measures implemented by Disney Cruise Line and any relevant governments and authorities. 

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So if you are planning on going on the Disney Cruise Line anytime soon, make sure to follow all these guidelines to keep yourself and everyone around you healthy!

Credit: Disney Cruise Line

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