If you are looking to hop aboard a Disney Cruise in the future, there has just been a massive change that you need to know about.
Credit: Disney
Since Disney Cruise Line has just returned with the Disney Dream setting sail, there have been a few changes for Guests embarking and debarking from the ship. As cruises have been gone for quite some time now due to COVID-19 and the ongoing pandemic, operational changes have had to occur.
When cruising returned, non-vaccinated passengers were allowed aboard; however, they had to pay for and received a negative COVID-19 test before embarkation, once boarding the ship, and once more when their cruise came to an end. Now, non-vaccinated passengers will not be able to sail on DCL at all. In the most recent update from Disney, it has been noted:
Beginning September 3 until November 1, 2021, The Bahamas will require that all cruise ship passengers ages 12 and older be fully vaccinated in order for a ship to be allowed entry into any of its cruise ports, including private islands like Disney Castaway Cay.
To comply with this new requirement, all Guests ages 12 and older on upcoming sailings must be fully vaccinated to board the ship. Approved vaccines include those produced by Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson. Please note, in accordance with CDC guidelines:
Guests who have received both doses of Moderna, Pfizer or AstraZeneca are considered fully vaccinated 14 days after the second dose has been administered.
Guests who have received Johnson & Johnson are considered fully vaccinated 14 days after receiving one dose.
Guests with both one dose of Moderna and one dose of Pfizer are considered fully vaccinated 14 days after the second dose.
Guests who have received one single dose of a vector vaccine (e.g. AstraZeneca) and one single dose of a mRNA vaccine (e.g. Pfizer, Moderna) are not considered fully vaccinated.
Guests who choose not to provide proof of vaccination to meet the requirements of The Bahamas will not be permitted to board the ship.
Guests on a sailing to The Bahamas (including Disney Castaway Cay) departing from September 3, 2021, to prior to November 1, 2021, may modify their sail date or cancel their sailing without any Disney-imposed cancellation fees by contacting your travel agent by September 3, 2021. Please note that cancellation fees imposed by third-party suppliers, including airlines, as well as travel insurance, are not refundable. Refunds will be processed back to the original form of payment. Standard cancellation policies and terms and conditions apply for any cancellation or modification requests received on or after September 4, 2021.
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As we have been reporting, the Bahamas has changed their port rules which now will not let any ship with unvaccinated passengers port, which would be a major wrench in Disney Cruise Line itineraries. Disney would not even be able to port at Castaway Cay with this rule in place, as they have been sailing with unvaccinated Guests.
Credit: Disney
The ban will last through to November 1, which is when the order is set to be lifted from Disney Cruise Line as well. If the order extends, Disney will likely have to do so, as well.
Disney is currently requiring Guests to be vaccinated for their ongoing Magic at Sea staycation cruises, which United Kingdom Guests are currently embarking on. Disney Cruise Line is currently gearing up to have the Disney Wish set sail in June of 2022, and will port at Port Canaveral. The ship will join the existing fleet made up of the Disney Dream, the Disney Fantasy, the Disney Magic, and the Disney Wonder.
What do you think of Disney implementing this new vaccination mandate for all Guests sailing?Â
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