Do these new UK cruises regulations shine a light on how DCL could look when wider operations commence

[steamboat will]

This morning Disney Cruise Line ne have announced massive new updates for restrictions in place during the UK cruises coming this summer.

These include all passengers 18+ having both vaccinations before being permitted boarding.

The use of face coverings

Limited theatre offering

Daily health screenings

And much much more

These may provide a view on what restrictions will be in place when Disney Cruise Line begins operations on a wider scale.

So what do you make of these new regulations

And are they compromises you would be willing to take to board your next Disney cruise.





Disney Cruise Line have now released full details of Disney Magic At Sea
Disney Magic At Sea Know Before You Go Overview

Full Information For Passengers Before They Leave Home Disney Magic At Sea Know Before Leaving Home

Full Information For Passengers On Embarkation Day Disney Magic At Sea Embarkation Day

Full Information For Passengers About Food, Entertainment, Shopping, Staterooms and Other Experiences On The Ship Disney Magic At Sea On The Ship

Full Information For Passengers About Debarkation Day Disney Magic At Sea Debarkation Day

• COVID-19 Vaccination: In order to sail, Guests 18 years of age and older must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, as defined by the National Health Service (NHS). The NHS currently defines “fully vaccinated” as 7 days after the final dose. Disney Cruise Line will contact Guests prior to sailing with instructions on how to show proof of this vaccination status.
• Pre-Trip COVID-19 Testing: Guests under 18 years of age are not required to be vaccinated, but must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test result (paid for by the Guest) taken between 5 days and 24 hours prior to the date you set sail. Disney Cruise Line has secured a special discounted rate through a third-party vendor for PCR tests and will contact Guests prior to sailing with instructions on how to complete and submit their test results. Guests may obtain their PCR test from the third-party vendor or any qualified testing supplier.
• Embarkation COVID-19 Testing: All Guests, including those who have been vaccinated, are required to undergo an antigen COVID-19 rapid test administered by a third party in the terminal prior to boarding. Anyone testing positive will undergo a second test to verify the results. All tests administered at the terminal will be at the expense of Disney Cruise Line. Guests with positive COVID-19 test results, as well as those in their travel party, will be denied boarding.
• Temperature Checks and Questionnaires: Daily temperature checks and health questionnaires are required for all Guests and Crew Members.
• Face Coverings: Face coverings are required for all Guests (ages 11 and up) and Crew Members, including those who have received a COVID-19 vaccine. Please bring your own face coverings and wear them at all times, except when dining, swimming or in your stateroom. You may temporarily remove your face covering while actively eating, drinking or taking an outdoor photo, but you must be stationary and maintain appropriate physical distancing during this time. It is recommended that children ages 3 to 10 wear a face covering at all times except in designated locations.

 

[n2mm]

Just happy to finally see some guidelines released. Now wait to see if they remain the same for US sailings. At least people can move on, change vacation plans. Our entire family from 16-70 are fully vaccinated and our next cruise is February 2022.

 

[steamboat will]

I really love there theatre productions so having them limited, essentially cut by half, might be something that would make we consider taking a cruise....

 

[I_love_Cruising]

And fish extenders are not permitted.

So only 2 shows and no FE's that makes me reconsider a Disney cruise. If they take away what makes Disney special, than I can as well chose an other cruise line and sail 3 times for the same price.

 

[n2mm]

And fish extenders are not permitted.

So only 2 shows and no FE's that makes me reconsider a Disney cruise. If they take away what makes Disney special, than I can as well chose an other cruise line and sail 3 times for the same price.

Im thinking they are listing every restriction at the beginning, then slowly start modifying as long as things go well. I had a b2b in November that I moved into 2022 because I wanted to go after some of the bugs are worked out.

 

[jrapps]

I personally am very good with these! Perhaps the only restriction that sucks is you can only register the kids for one 1.5-2.5hr session in the kids club per day. I am 100% onboard with vaccine and mask requirements. Makes me much more comfortable going. While the show limitations are less than optimal, we have seen every show over a dozen times each already. Heck, sometimes we skip them anyway.

If US cruises start with these exact rules, we will be on!

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

I think these rules provide a rough idea of what Disney will do if/when they are permitted to start sailing again in the US. IMO it was total wishful thinking that vaccines would not be required on DCL ships, so I'm glad not to have to hear that anymore

I thinks that when/if the rules are applied here, the vaccine requirement age bracket will be younger. Vaccines here are good for 16+ and should be available to 12+ in the next month or two so. I also think masks will be required for 2+ like they are in the parks.

Overall, I'm happy with the first glance of the rules. I wouldn't cruise without some kind of vaccination requirement due to the potential of an outbreak causing a major travel disruption. I'm still a little leery about getting on as ship with a bunch of unvaccinated kids with the potential for break-through variants (and travel disruptions), but I'm hoping that by time the cruises start again we will have some kind of herd immunity. This is probably wishful thinking on my part, but I'm trying to be optimistic

 

[tvguy]

Unfortunately you have to GET to the ship and that likely will put you in places with lower or no protocols. I'll wait until the pandemic is better controlled.

 

[Chrissy-Mickey]

Nothing surprising on the list; good to finally have them stated.
I'm good with all of them. I'm ready to cruise!

 

[jrapps]

I feel like these are going to be very close to the rules once cruising is allowed to expand back to the US, with a few caveats

Vaccinations - This is the biggest unknown still. I feel that DCL is requiring this due to UK laws/guidelines. This is such a touchy subject in the US, but if the CDC were to say they are required, then this would remain. If any ports require them, then it will remain. Otherwise, they may fall back to vaccine OR negative test. Not sure how I feel about that yet. I'd much rather they require vaccinations, at least for the first 3-6 months of cruising.

Kid's Clubs - This will depend on the number of kids on the ship. Summer cruises will have more children. I am hoping that once we hit September, then non-peak times will allow for more time in the kids club (since there are less kids). Vaccines can also play a factor here, if by late summer, some if not all kids are eligible for a vaccine.

Onboard Covid Testing - For short 3-4 days sailing I don't see this as an issue, but on longer 7 day sailings, I can totally see DCL requiring guests to submit and be negative mid-cruise, especially if there is an outbreak. If on day 2-3 of a 7 day voyage, multiple people show symptoms and test positive, I would be interested to see if DCL tests everyone onboard.

Excursions - Remains to be seen how this will be done but my guess is you only get off the ship with a DCL approved excursion (or Castaway since it's a private island)

I'm also curious what they are doing with Cabanas. I know they said no Buffets...does that mean Cabanas is closed, or that it is converted into plated counter service similar to the other quick-serve options. Cabanas can get VERY crowded.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

I can totally see DCL requiring guests to submit and be negative mid-cruise, especially if there is an outbreak.

I think it worth noting that the UK staycations are closed-loop: no port stops. I can practically guarantee that if there are port stops, there will be embark testing at each port.

 

[kathi]

I didn’t read the whole thing (I will when back on my laptop). We are in US so I’m using this as a guide for what we may experience. If someone has read the fine print:

Are masks required when sitting at the pool? That would likely be a deal breaker for our September Fantasy sailing.

Any information on concierge lounge changes? If there is no food, happy hour or restrictions on sun deck, that is also a deal breaker for the price we are paying for concierge.

 

[BadPinkTink]

Are masks required when sitting at the pool?

Mask are not required when dining, swimming or in your stateroom, but are required at all other times.

There will be a virtual queue for the pool deck areas. Guests join the virtual queue via the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app once they’re on board the ship. When it’s their turn, Guests will receive a push notification on their mobile device requesting they make their way to the Goofy’s Pool Deck Area and AquaLab Deck Area, which includes 2 family pools, a kid’s splash area and lounge chairs. As Guests leave the pool area, chairs will be thoroughly cleaned before new Guests make their way in. Towels will be provided.

 

[DCLMP]

Florida has said no vaccine passports. I know they don't have jurisdiction over the ships in international water, but I'm guessing they have some say in ships embarking from their ports. They won't get any push back from the worlds largest cruise line. The CEO of Carnival has already stated that they do not want to mandate vaccines in the US. The CDC cannot mandate vaccines at least that is according to their website. I believe the state could, but Florida is not going to. It's all too complicated for me, but it will be interesting to see how it all works out.

I personally would not pay DCL prices to cruise under these conditions and I'm a hard core DCL fan. If I cruise this year it will be something cheap just to test it out.

 

[ArielRae]

Are masks required when sitting at the pool? That would likely be a deal breaker for our September Fantasy sailing.

Mask are not required when dining, swimming or in your stateroom, but are required at all other times.

There will be a virtual queue for the pool deck areas. Guests join the virtual queue via the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app once they’re on board the ship. When it’s their turn, Guests will receive a push notification on their mobile device requesting they make their way to the Goofy’s Pool Deck Area and AquaLab Deck Area, which includes 2 family pools, a kid’s splash area and lounge chairs. As Guests leave the pool area, chairs will be thoroughly cleaned before new Guests make their way in. Towels will be provided.

Face Coverings
Face coverings for Guests ages 11 and older—including those who have received a COVID-19 vaccine—are not required while swimming, but are required when navigating the pool areas. Deck chairs and relaxation spaces are pre-arranged to reduce capacity and accommodate physical distancing. It is recommended that children ages 3 to 10 wear a face covering at all times except in designated locations.

- I read it as yes you will have to wear your mask while walking to the pool deck and sitting in the deck chairs but can remove them when you walk over to enjoy the pools.

 

[DCLMP]

Did anybody see anything about the EDGE and Vibe? All I saw regarding teens is that they can use the gym. The gym has always been 18 and over.

 

[kathi]

I don’t think it’s clear about when sitting in the deck chairs. I was at Disney World last month and the pool chairs were distanced and you didn’t need to wear them when sitting.

 

[TestingH2O]

The gym has always been 18 and over.

DCL changed this last year to allow younger guests to use the gym with adult supervision. There was no official announcement or anything, it just appeared in the online materials.

 

[bcwife76]

Did anybody see anything about the EDGE and Vibe? All I saw regarding teens is that they can use the gym. The gym has always been 18 and over.

I didn't see anything and I'm curious too because my kids will be in the age groups for Edge and Vibe in summer 2022.

 

[DCLMP]

DCL changed this last year to allow younger guests to use the gym with adult supervision. There was no official announcement or anything, it just appeared in the online materials.

I didn't know that. Last year was my first in ten years without a Disney cruise.