Disney announces the return of Disney Cruise Line voyages from Florida in early August with masks and testing

Jul 23, 2021 in "The Walt Disney Company"

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Disney Dream resumes cruises

Posted: Friday July 23, 2021 6:29am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Disney Cruise Line will resume sailings from Florida on August 9 2021, with the Disney Dream departing from Port Canaveral to the Bahamas.

Disney Dream resumes cruises

Vaccinations will not be required, but Disney will be requiring pre-trip and embarkation 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 ($98.33 per PCR test). Guests are then required to undergo a rapid PCR COVID-19 test ($65) 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.

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.

Disney Cruise Line returns after more than a year of suspended sailings

Increased physical distancing will be implemented, and Cast Member will be wearing masks indoors. 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.

Check-in and virtual queues will be implemented by an upgraded Disney Navigator app.

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zappleAug 12, 2021

Yeah, my cruise is next month and I thought the instructions were perfectly clear, as did the majority of the other passengers, obviously. Especially now in the age of covid travel, I obsessively check on requirements for upcoming trips because I don’t want to be caught out like that. Disney just hates bad publicity so much they coddle people who get angry at their own mistakes. They got refunds, they shouldn’t be rewarded with a free cruise.

jaklgreenAug 12, 2021

Same. I hate how companies reward people for bad behavior and ignorance. Disney is really bad at trying to keep horrible people happy. They need to start rewarding people who do the right thing. Maybe say to all of those people "hey, congratulations on actually reading the information and following instructions, here is a free cruise.". 😁

Sans SouciAug 12, 2021

I'd be kind of angry if I was on this cruise and I found out these people got a free cruise because they couldn't be bothered to look up the testing protocol.

jaklgreenAug 12, 2021

In situations like this, where the majority of people did the right thing and had no issues, it is kind of hard to feel bad for those that did not take the time to read through everything. Especially in the times that we are now. I feel bad for the kids, not so much for the adults. I can understand if the majority of passengers did not understand the instructions, but with it being just these few families, the blame is on them. If you are confused, wouldn't it be normal to call DCL for clarification? I am thinking that they just did not want to put the time and effort into the prep work that goes into vacations, which includes reading what they send and following the instructions, and this time it bit them in the behind.

Sans SouciAug 12, 2021

There's an update. It looks like 200 people out of 1600 people couldn't board. They've gotten a full refund and associated costs refunded to them .Plus, they're getting a free cruise and DCL paid for their hotel and transportation to the hotel when they couldn't board. In the comments, someone claims only a total of 121 pax couldn't board. It pays not to pay attention. :hilarious:

JaxFLBearAug 12, 2021

I’m grateful my family has forgiven me and I’m hoping that the refund process DCL has promised will be fulfilled without further incident. They won't be dealing with DCL for their refund. They have to work with DVC Member Services because they booked the cruise using DVC points.

Santa Raccoon 77Aug 12, 2021

One of the families even had PCR tests for all but 1. They were obviously aware of this requirement but still thought they could chance it with a different test. I find it strange they claim ignorance of the testing procedures yet , as you say , hundreds of other families were fully aware.

Giss NericAug 12, 2021

Feel sorry for those who got denied but if hundreds of families were able to follow and board the ship then why could a dozen not?

DCBakerAug 10, 2021

Santa Raccoon 77Jul 29, 2021

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-58006163

DCBakerJul 28, 2021

"Today, Disney Cruise Line quietly added a handful of Disney Magic voyages sailing from Miami, Florida beginning October 21, 2021. The new sailings fill-in the void previously left with the cancellation of cruises from New York and signifies, the Disney Magic will likely end her Summer season of UK staycations when she return to London on October 4th. It is suspected, the Disney Magic will sail without passengers back to the United States where she will eventually resume operations from PortMiami. Below are the sailings added and guess what, they are already bookable. Thursday October 21, 2021 🎃 3-Night Bahamian Cruise from Miami Sunday October 24, 2021 🎃 4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Miami Thursday October 28, 2021 🎃 3-Night Bahamian Cruise from Miami Sunday October 31, 2021 🎃 4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Miami Thursday November 4, 2021 4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Miami Previously, the next US sailing for the Disney Magic was scheduled for November 8, 2021." https://disneycruiselineblog.com/2021/07/disney-magic-october-and-november-2021-sailings-quietlyadded/

Parker in NYCJul 28, 2021

So, a patient was helicoptered off the Magic o’er in Wales. Sure, could be any number of things but come on. It’s raising my eyebrows.

NunuJul 28, 2021

No to us, either. I was concerned about that too, with my 78yo dad. Turned out, he felt fine for the duration of our sailing. Pack some Dramamine for your DH, just in case. Yey! for your first Disney Cruise Line voyage, I'm sure you'll have a blast, I look forward to that TR! ;)