As of this month, it has been a full year since Disney Cruise Line set saild. The Disney Dream, the Disney Fantasy, the Disney Magic, and the Disney Wonder have been unable to host Guests for quite some time now, but it seems that Disney hopes that DCL’s fate will take a positive turn this fall.

During The Walt Disney Company’s 2021 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, Disney CEO Bob Chapek announced that he was hopeful for Disney Cruise Line to return in Fall 2021. That being said, this is just speculation on Disney’s end at the moment. The decision will ultimately rely on whether or not all of the ships in Disney’s fleet have received their conditional sailing certificates, per CDC guidelines.

The conditional sailing order was released on October 31, 2020 and gives cruise operators a clear path to return to sailing with passengers onboard. Chapek’s update regarding when DCL hopes to once again offer sailing itineraries is the first light at the end of the tunnel that Disney Cruise Line Guests have received! It also indicates that Disney intends for all of its ships to have obtained the necessary CDC certifications by the fall season.

With this news freshly in the minds of Disney Cruise Line fans, we took to Instagram to see what ITM readers thought about Chapek’s hopeful timeline.

Related: New Cruising Ban Will Bar Disney Cruise Line From Alaska Until 2022

First, we started off with a poll on Instagram. This is actually something we have done previously, but that was prior to having any knowledge that Disney wanted to have DCL make a comeback before the end of 2021. Although the divide was not huge, it seems that even with Chapek’s encouragement, 68% of the cruise line Guests we polled will not be hopping on a ship until 2022.

Related: Disney Wonder Sails to Castaway Cay – When Will Cruises Resume?

We also posted an Instagram photo inspired by the news of Chapek wanting Disney Cruise Line to sail in Fall 2021. The responses on the photo were interesting, as there were reactions on both sides regarding Chapek’s statement.

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A post shared by Inside The Magic (@itmnews)

Instagram user Sharinsam08 said:

I can’t think of a time that would be safer than right after they reopen, however I would like to see them put additional health protocols in place. We already know people lie about theirs or their children’s health when boarding. I would like to see a real medical screening and possibly rapid Covid testing to board.

As a matter of fact, Disney has already entered into a CLIA agreement in which all crew members and passengers must present negative COVID-19 test results prior to boarding.

Similarly, Machell722 said:

I think cruise lines will be developing something like the vaccine passport app. States like Hawaii and New York are in the works of developing it, other countries are getting ready to use it. It will be for test results to be added not just vaccine. They are working closely with the CDC, State Travel, and countries they travel too. So what they require the cruise ships will implement it.

It seems that these Guests are not against the possible Fall 2021 news, but would like safety to be taken seriously.

Off that note, Jessiemind stated:

Disney’s been doing a great job enhancing social distancing and health protocols at the parks, would love to see that kind of stuff on the cruises as well

Lisacurnuck joined in with a similar feeling of positivity!

Heck yeah. Sign me up. Some cruise lines are requiring vaccine proof and I’m fine with that if it gets us back on board

Lentskathy loved the news:

YES! Can’t wait to sail Again!!!

That being said, many Guests were still hesitant to hop back on a ship. Thefairytalemama said:

Cruises are one thing I’ll probably hold off on for a little while, even though I sure do miss them!

It seems that this cruiser can’t wait to get back on a ship, but is going to wait it out until the pandemic lessens in severity, which, could possibly be by Fall 2021, as Chapek noted!

Jlangdon24 seems to be playing the long game to wait to hop back onboard.

When masks are no longer required.

Disney has indicated that they will be requiring masks in their theme parks through 2021 — rules for 2022 are not yet known. It seems likely that cruise ships will follow a similar trajectory, but again, will likely be subject to specific CDC regulations.

Mrodz81 seems to also be quite hesitant, although hoping for the best.

Hope it works out. Hate to be locked in for weeks quarantined inside your cabin.

Related: This Just In: Approximately 200 Disney Wonder Crew Members Have Tested Positive

Of course, when Disney cruising returns, it is impossible to predict exactly how it will go. However, with proper health and safety measures in place, the risk of booking an itinerary decreases significantly.

For now, we will need to continue to monitor the pandemic and await official news from Disney on when Disney Cruise Line will return.

Do you think Bob Chapek’s Fall 2021 estimate for the return of DCL is accurate? 

If you want to book a stress-free cruise line trip, click here to get a booking today! Get ready to sail out of Port Canaveral to hop on a Diseny cruise ship. With the cruise industry waiting to bounce back, this can be a perfect time to book! Use Academy Travel as your top choice for a travel agent today.