All Cruise Ship Passengers Required to Wear Face Masks, Per CDC - Inside the Magic

When the CDC lifted its “No-Sail Order” on October 31, 2020, it came as something of a surprise to both cruise vacationers and cruise operators like Disney Cruise Line.

Related: Maiden Voyage Scheduled for Disney Wish, Disney Cruise Line’s Huge New Ship!

However, in order to actually set sail with passengers again, all cruise lines were required to meet a number of requirements that were set forth in the CDC’s sailing framework.

All ships in a fleet, for example, must now obtain conditional sailing certificates before they can hit the high seas once again. In order to get these certifications, a variety of COVID-19 health and safety protocols must be in place.

Now, the CDC has issued yet another rule for cruise operators to follow — all passengers must wear appropriate face masks while onboard. Per Cruise Industry News:

…the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) appears to be requiring all passengers to wear masks, via a new order that goes into effect at 11:59 p.m. ET on Feb. 1.

The order was issued late Friday and will require face masks to be worn by all passengers on public conveyances traveling into or within the United States.

Related: Castaway Cay is Hiring! What This Could Mean For Disney Cruise Line

The article continued:

“Requiring masks on our transportation systems will protect Americans and provide confidence that we can once again travel safely even during this pandemic,” said the order, which was signed by Dr. Martin Cetron, director of the CDC’s Division of Global Migration and Quarantine.

“Therefore, requiring masks will help us control this pandemic and aid in reopening America’s economy.”

Passengers may take the mask off to eat, drink or take medications for brief periods, as well as for communication purposes. Children under the age of two are exempt, as are those with a disability who cannot safely wear a mask.

Related: Disney Cruise Line Confirms a Full Year Without Sailing

In Disney’s case, this would have likely already been a requirement since Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort, Disney’s Vero Beach Resort, Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa in Hawaii, and all of The Walt Disney Company’s open theme parks — Walt Disney World, Tokyo Disney Resort, and Shanghai Disneyland — require face coverings for Guests age 2 and over.

Additionally, Disney Cruise Line released a promotional video in December showing Guests wearing face masks as well as other pandemic protocols, which you can read more about here.

At this time, the Disney Cruise Line fleet of cruise ships — the Disney Dream, the Disney Fantasy, the Disney Magic, and the Disney Wonder — will not set sail until well into 2021. According to our recent coverage:

Sailings are cancelled aboard the Disney Fantasy through April 24; the Disney Dream through April 30; the Disney Magic through May 6 and Disney Wonder through May 12.

Additionally, as previously shared, based on the conditional sail order provided by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Disney Cruise Line must cancel sailings longer than 7 nights.

If you are interested in booking a future Disney Cruise vacation to Castaway Cay or another destination, let the experts at Academy Travel assist you with every magical detail!