Disney Cruise Line makes face masks optional

Disney Cruise Line will follow updated U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance regarding face coverings, making them optional for sailings starting on March 11, 2022.

Masks have been required for indoor locations onboard the Disney Wonder, Disney Magic, Disney Fantasy, and Disney Dream cruise ships, but once the requirement is dropped on March 11, all sailings originating from a U.S. port of departure will be mask-optional in most of the ships’ indoor locations.

The exception to the new mask-optional policy will be the Walt Disney Theatre, where all guests ages two and up will still be required to wear a face covering.

Guests under age five who are ineligible for vaccination will also be required to wear a face covering in the Youth Activities areas, and in Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. Disney Cruise Line will also strongly recommend these young travelers wear a face covering in all indoor locations.

Those sailing with DCL should bear in mind that ports of call will follow their own government guidance and some may continue to require face coverings. This includes some areas at Disney’s Castaway Cay.

All guests should still wear masks while in the cruise terminal during boarding and screening processes, and during disembarkation.

While DCL’s face covering policy will be relaxed, other health and safety protocols will continue to be implemented, according to the advice of medical experts and the CDC.

Guests sailing on the Disney Wonder from March 11-April 17, 2022, Disney Magic from March 11-May 8, Disney Fantasy from March 11-May 28, and Disney Dream from March 11-May 30 have received SeaMail that lays out this new policy.

According to Disney Cruise Line’s “Know Before You Go” the following vaccine requirements are still in place:

“Currently, Disney Cruise Line continues to require all vaccine-eligible Guests (based on US eligibility requirements) to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, as defined by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), at the time of sailing. This is a requirement for all Guests (US and international) ages 5 and older. Guests who are not vaccine-eligible because of age must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test result (paid for by the Guest) taken between 3 days and 24 hours before their sail date. Guests ages 4 and under must complete the testing requirements. The test should be a NAAT test, rapid PCR test or lab-based PCR test. Rapid antigen tests are not accepted.”

For more information visit DisneyCruiseLine.com.