Disney Cruise Line to resume Bahamian voyages from Florida in August; multiple layers of safety measures added
Starting Aug. 9, the Disney Cruise Line will hit the high seas once again as the Disney Dream resumes voyages to The Bahamas departing from Port Canaveral, Fla. — but there are a handful of new health and safety measures that guests will have to abide by in order to sail.
As part of a phased approach to bringing back the cruise line, itineraries of select 3- and 4-night sailings have been modified to include an additional day at Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay, instead of visiting Nassau, The Bahamas.
In addition, there are some COVID-19 testing and safety requirements that guests will now have to consider when planning a Disney Cruise:
COVID-19 Vaccination
Disney Cruise Line encourages all eligible guests to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 before sailing, but vaccinations are not required for Florida sailings. Those who are vaccinated can opt to provide proof in order to be exempt form the pre-trip and embarkation COVID-19 testing and travel insurance requirements for those who do not.
Pre-Trip COVID-19 Testing
Guests will have to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test at their expense, taken between 5 days and 24 hours prior to the sail date.
Embarkation COVID-19 Testing
Guests will be required to undergo a rapid PCR COVID-19 test at the terminal before boarding the ship, and a $65 test fee will be charged to the folio of all guests ages 12 and older.
Safe Passage by Inspire Diagnostics Website
In order to sail, every adult guest will have to individually create an account with Inspire Diagnostics, a third-party provider, for COVID-19 testing and vaccination verification. Starting no sooner than 33 days before sailing, each adult guests will be required to log into the Safe Passage website and create an account associated with their reservation. Parents and legal guardians will have to create accounts on behalf of minors in their party.
It’s recommended that guests bring their negative COVID-19 PCR test result or vaccination card showing their final dose was administered at least 14 days prior to sailing with them for embarkation.
Travel Insurance
For cruises departing from Florida through Dec. 31, 2021, guests ages 12 and older will have to provide proof of a valid travel insurance policy with a minimum of $10,000 per person in medical expense coverage and $30,000 coverage for emergency medical evacuation and no COVID-19 exclusions.
The insurance policy must name the guest as the policy holder or beneficiary and can be purchased from the guests’ preferred travel insurance provider or through the Disney Cruise Line Vacation Protection Program. Guests who purchase insurance from a provider other than Disney will have to provide proof of the policy — showing the name of each of the covered guests and a description of the coverage in the policy — to Inspire Diagnostics prior to receiving clearance to sail.
Once actually onboard the ship, guests will encounter many operational changes in order to make their cruise as safe as possible:
Optimal Physical Distancing
Disney Cruise Line has reduced guest capacity to help promote physical distancing, as well as made adjustments to experiences aboard the ship and at Castaway Cay.
Hand Sanitizer Locations
More hand sanitizer stations will be found aboard the ship and island for guests’ convenience.
Required Face Coverings
Don’t forget to pack your favorite face masks, as they will be required in most public indoor areas for all guests ages 2 and older.
Medical Personnel Onboard
Every Disney Cruise Line ship will have a team of doctors and medical personnel who are equipped to screen for and respond to symptoms of COVID-19.
Enhanced Cleaning Protocols
Cleaning protocols in all guest areas will be enhanced, with an emphasis on high-touch surfaces, common areas and children’s facilities. Stateroom hosts will perform enhanced cleaning treatments before guests board, and will continue to provide housekeeping services twice daily.
Purification Systems
Disney Cruise Line is also elevating the air purification systems onboard the ships, with upgraded air filters and increased fresh air circulation.
Technology Solutions
The Disney Cruise Line Navigator app has been enhanced to allow guests to pre-book onboard experiences and check-in online. Throughout the actual cruise, guests can use the app to chat with guest services, access digital dining menus, join virtual queues and more.
Crew Member Training & Safety
Each crew member aboard the ships are receiving specialized training based on the latest guidance and practices. Crew members will also wear face masks indoors and follow the enhanced health and safety measures.
Much of these new updates are mentioned in the video below, as well as on the Disney Cruise Line “Know Before You Go” page here.
