Disney Cruise Line Resumes in August 2021!

Disney Cruise Line has announced it will restart Bahamian sailings from Florida in August 2021! Beginning August 9, the Disney Dream will resume voyages departing from Port Canaveral. In this post, we’ll share details about this DCL news, health & safety measures, vaccine policies, and more.

Starting in August 2021, the Disney Dream will resume 3 and 4-night cruises that will visit Castaway Cay in the Bahamas. As previously shared, Disney Fantasy departures through August 28, 2021, Disney Wonder departures through September 19, 2021 and Disney Magic departures in the United States through November 4, 2021 have been suspended. The status of those other three ships remains unchanged.

With sailings starting again on the Dream, Disney Cruise Line reiterated that its focus remains on operating its ships in a responsible way. Sailings are resuming in a gradual, phased approach that emphasizes multiple layers of health and safety measures, developed in consideration of guidance from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other medical experts. What follows are some specific details about DCL’s multi-layered approach to health and safety…

Before we get started, it’s worth noting that Disney Cruise Line has enacted temporary “peace of mind” policies that let you adjust your sail date or receive a full refund should the need arise. For sailings through December 31, 2021, the cancellation fee schedule has been relaxed from beginning as early as 119 days prior to sailing to beginning 59 days prior to sailing for Guests booked in non-Suite and non-Concierge categories.

For Guests booked in Suite and Concierge categories, cancellation fees in excess of the deposit amount will temporarily begin at 59 days prior to sailing. Reservations for Inside, Outside and Verandah Categories with Restrictions remain nonrefundable and nontransferable.

Within 14 days of the sailing, booked Guests with COVID-19 related health concerns, either symptoms or exposure, can receive a full refund without any Disney Cruise Line imposed cancellation fees or apply their cruise fare toward a future sail date.

Now let’s turn to modifications to the guest experience aboard the Disney Dream (and other ships once they restart sailings). While the Disney Cruise Line experience will change a bit, the company indicates that it has come up with modified offerings to create magical memories together that are tailored to the present times and presented with care.

From original live shows inside the lavish Walt Disney Theatre to new ways to see and interact with Disney Characters throughout the ship, most of the hallmarks of Disney Cruise Line will be present when the Disney Dream resumes sailings in August 2021.

Fireworks will continue to illuminate the night on most itineraries. To accommodate everyone, the fireworks show will take place at 10:30 PM on 2 different nights. Guests will be assigned their show date prior to setting sail.

Conversely, Deck Parties have been temporarily paused.

To promote physical distancing, each itinerary will offer one Broadway-style live show performed multiple times with reduced capacity.

First-run films and popular motion-picture releases are available for the viewing pleasure of guests throughout the day inside the Buena Vista Theatre. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis–with physical distancing measures in place.

Disney characters will be popping up for surprise appearances throughout the ship.

Characters will interact with guests from a distance and there will be opportunities for photos of them. However, close-up encounters and autographs have been temporarily paused.

Disney Cruise Line’s popular pool options–aqua play areas, waterslides, plus freshwater pools designed for kids, families and adults–will remain open.

Waterslides are open with queue locations to promote physical distancing. Splash zones, wading pools and whirlpools are open with limited capacity.

Dining room seating times will be staggered to promote physical distancing. Guests will be assigned to the same table and service team for dinner, with one travel party per table.

Buffets still offer all-you-care-to-eat food, and are served by Crew Members at designated times each day throughout the cruise. All food and beverages that were previously available at self-service stations will now be served by Crew Members.

There are a variety of health safety protocol aboard the ships. First and foremost, Disney Cruise Line strongly encourages all eligible guests to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before sailing. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) considers people to be fully vaccinated 14 days after the final dose has been administered.

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 (unless arriving from outside the United States) and travel insurance requirements. Note that this is not required, and guests are providing this information voluntarily if they so desire. It’ll be a nice money-saving perk, for those who choose to take advantage.

Guests must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken between 5 days and 24 hours prior to the sail date. This must be paid for at the Guest’s expense. Disney Cruise Line has secured a special rate of $98.33 per PCR test through a preferred provider, but guests may also obtain their PCR test from any independent testing supplier. Guests who are fully vaccinated may choose to provide proof of vaccination instead of undergoing pre-trip testing.

Guests are required to undergo a rapid PCR COVID-19 test administered 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. The $65 test fee will be charged to the folio of all Guests 12 years and older. Guests who are fully vaccinated may choose to provide proof of vaccination instead of undergoing Embarkation Day testing.

Multiple health screenings will be conducted before and during the cruise to promote health and wellness on board. Guests are required to complete a health questionnaire related to COVID-19 and gastrointestinal illnesses on Embarkation Day. Guests are also required to attest as to whether they have experienced or are currently experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, or have been in contact with anyone suspected of or confirmed as having COVID-19 within the previous 14 days.

All Crew Members will be screened for symptoms of illness before every shift. Crew Members showing any symptoms or feeling unwell will refrain from working.

Disney Cruise Line ships is increasing the circulation of fresh air on board its ships, and all HVAC air filters have been upgraded to MERV-13 high efficiency grade, which can remove very small particles. Additionally, each stateroom maintains singular air circulation, eliminating the need for air intake from adjacent common areas.

For anyone concerned about their own health & safety aboard Disney Cruise Line, this is the biggest detail of its modified protocol. As an airborne virus, ventilation is key. By contrast, surface cleaning and many other measures are more hygiene theater (at least when it comes to COVID–cleaning surfaces is definitely a good idea on cruise ships, and always has been!)

To promote physical distancing, Disney Cruise Line has reduced capacity aboard its ships and will adjust experiences. This includes limiting capacity and implementing physical distancing measures in terminals and areas of the ships such as upper decks, dining rooms, food & beverage locations, lounges, theaters, walkways, elevators, pools, and other common spaces.

Close-up interactions with Disney Characters have been paused, and youth activities are experienced in small group settings. Plexiglass barriers have also been installed in areas where physical distancing may be difficult to maintain, like at check-in and Guest Services counters.

All guests ages 2 and up, including those who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, are required to wear face masks indoors except when in their staterooms or actively eating or drinking while stationary and physically distanced.

Masks are not required outdoors while on board the ship or at Castaway Cay. Face masks may be required in ports of call based on local government requirements.

All face masks are required to:

• Fully cover an individual’s nose and mouth.
• Fit snugly but comfortably against the side of the face.
• Be secured with ties or ear loops.
• Be made of 2 layers of breathable material, either disposable or reusable, that is not elastic in nature

Guests may bring face coverings that have an integrated transparent plastic panel to aid in viewing the wearer’s mouth. These face coverings must be a fabric face covering featuring a solid plastic panel containing no openings that is attached to the fabric on all sides using tight knit stitching. They must also meet all other face covering requirements listed above.

Neck gaiters, open-chin triangle bandanas, and face masks containing valves, mesh material or holes of any kind are not acceptable face coverings. Costume masks are not considered appropriate and are prohibited from being worn.

We’ve simply shared the highlights and main changes aboard Disney Cruise Line when it resumes sailing. There’s a ton more to know about Disney Cruise Line’s health & safety policies, as well as operational modifications.

For full details, we’d recommend checking out DCL’s comprehensive Know Before You Go pages.

Ultimately, this is good news for Disney Cruise Line fans who are ready to set sail once again. Based on the entertainment, dining, and more, it also appears that Disney Cruise Line is putting in consider thought and effort into the modified experience. Those who do opt to go on a cruise right now–and are cognizant of the compromises that entails–will likely have a good time.

With that said, I’ve seen enough to not want to do an early return sailing of Disney Cruise Line. With so many viable vacation opportunities back in nearly normal form and without restrictions, cruising just is not as attractive to me right now. These policies are understandable given the circumstances, but also feel like stepping back in time a few months as compared to other destinations, including Walt Disney World.

Moreover, although I’m not worried about my own health safety as someone who is fully vaccinated, I do have lingering concerns about the possibility of a cruise being cancelled, cut short, or having other issues due to an outbreak of guests or Crew Members. This concern is more pronounced right now as the Delta variant is surging in Florida. As compared to other cruise lines, DCL is not doing as much to incentivize pre-cruise vaccinations or discourage unvaccinated guests from cruising. To each their own, but I’d rather watch how early cruises go for others, and consider sailing for Christmas 2021 or maybe in early 2022. Regardless, it’s very exciting to see Disney Cruise Line resuming sailings–and we’re happy for others who choose to cruise next month and beyond!

Planning to set sail aboard one of the DCL ships? Read our comprehensive Disney Cruise Line Guide to prepare for your voyage, plus plan entertainment, activities & excursions, and learn what to expect from your Disney cruise! For personalized planning & recommendations, click here to get a cruise quote from a no-fee Authorized Disney Vacation Planner. They can find you all of the current discounts, and help you plan the details of your cruise!

YOUR THOUGHTS

Are you excited to see Disney Cruise Line resume sailings aboard the Dream in August 2021? Will you be going on one of the late summer or early fall cruises? Thoughts on the modified operations, entertainment, dining, and character encounters? Are you okay with all of the health safety protocol, or does it feel like stepping back in time? Will you sail with Disney Cruise Line this year, or will you wait longer? Do you agree or disagree with our advice and assessment? Any questions? Hearing feedback about your experiences is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!