A Huge Update for Disney Cruise Line Testing Requirements
If you are looking to book a Disney cruise or have one coming up, this news is for you! We have a huge update for testing requirements.
Disney Cruise Line protocols
Just like at its theme parks and other destinations, Disney Cruise Line is constantly updating guidelines and protocol based on the current environment. Disney recently eliminated mask mandates and social distancing. In addition, self-serve buffets returned as well. You can read about those changes HERE.
Vaccines are still required, but testing requirements are about to change.
Testing Requirements
Fully vaccinated Guests will now be required to obtain a Covid test on their own and upload their results before embarking. If a test is not uploaded ahead of time, there will be test they can take at the terminal for an additional fee.
If your child is not able to be vaccinated due to age, you must provide proof of a negative test no more than 3 days before your sail date. Rapid antigen tests are not accepted. Additionally, those younger guests are also required to take a second test (paid for by Disney) at the terminal before boarding.
The change is that guests must now supply their own tests and upload the results ahead of time versus being tested at the port.
This is for all cruises in the United States and Canada. This change goes into effect beginning June 7, 2022.
Phased Approach
There is still no word regarding vaccine requirements for passengers on board and those safety guidelines are still in place. As Disney Cruise Line begins their phased approach to resuming "normal" cruise activities, it is likely that we will see more and more activities and events return slowly as we have seen in the theme parks.
We will keep you updated on any further developments for Disney cruises!
What do you think about the changes for Disney Cruise Line? Are you excited to have them back or are you still a little hesitant to take a cruise? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below or on our Facebook page.
Check with Optum Store online. This is the site that Royal Caribbean Lines sent us to for our recent cruise. We also used it for a Princess Cruise last month. The test is from Abbott. BinaxNOW covid 19 test. It is an e-med test done online like FaceTime. The technician watches you take the test and 15 minutes later interpretes the results. The cost was 65 dollars for one or 99 dollars for two, I think. I bought them in January. On their site when you test is a drop down menu that lists most cruise lines. Fast, easy and not to expensive. And you can do it from your hotel room with a Wi-Fi connection.
Same here! I so miss cruising, but will not again until all mandates are gone! It's like they are being predujust against the unvaccinated. Not fair. If you're scared of Covid don't leave your house.
We refuse to cruise until all mandates are gone. I guess we are saving a lot of money. Sad though our son graduates next year and has been dreaming of a disney cruise for years. Its not going to happen all because of mandates.
Not too excited about self serve buffets returning. A little too soon for me...with a lot of sneezing and coughing going on and no masks!
I think they need to get rid of the vaccine mandate all together! It doesn't matter if you have been vaccinated or not, you can still get covid-19 or be a carrier. As long as you take a Covid test and it is negative then you should be able to cruise.
Hi KennythePirate. Of course denying the child is denying the family of four. My problem is with the timing. I don't want sick people on my cruise either, but Disney is stipulating a 2 day window to be tested and that is a problem. I don't arrive on the day before a cruise by plane in case there is a flight cancellation, and there are a lot of those these days. We arrive about 4 days ahead of time and site-see, in this case Vancouver. They should expand the window of the test to a week, because now we have to find a place in Canada to get a test. Even the 2 day window is no guarantee that a person won't have Covid when they board, but it does add a logistical nightmare to the trip. Oh, by the way - our trip is for mid July and they just sent out the email to us 2 days ago. We could not get a full refund now if we disagree with the policy.
Well I am not pleased at the offloading the cost and effort to obtain a negative test prior. If it's required they should still be offering to do it no fee.
Not likely. We had a delightful time at our cruise this year, and very much appreciated Disney’s efforts to keep all guests safe.
I honestly wouldn't hold my breath on that. Disney has been prioritizing safety and limiting their liability; vaccine requirements are a key component of that. Keep an eye on the dates you can cancel by to get a full refund because if your kids aren't vaccinated, they probably aren't going to be able to sale. Failure to vaccinate and being turned away at the port will result in losing the cost of your cruise so it is definitely an expensive risk (no refunds for not following their rules, you would get a refund if you were vaxed and tested positive though).
Not just the child is denied -- the whole travel party is denied. Anyone in the child's stateroom or who traveled in the same car (different if you took a shuttle, etc). You all receive a future cruise credit. They do not pay for any quarantine you'll need before flying back, however, so you would be on the hook for a hotel since your little one wouldn't be able to fly while covid positive.
So, if you fly 3000 miles to Vancouver for a Disney Alaska cruise, and one of your children tests positive at the cruise terminal, what happens ?
You'll be denied the cruise for the child. Insurance is highly important for travel requiring testing these days.
Hoping the vaccine mandates are lifted for children before our cruise on August 5th