When Will Disney Cruise Line Resume Sailings?
“When will Disney Cruise Line return?” and “will my DCL vacation be cancelled?” are common questions. This covers the lawsuit between Florida and the CDC, vaccination & test options, DCL’s cancelled simulation sailing, and when cruising will resume. It also includes an update on the latest cancellations for Summer & Fall 2021 itineraries. (Updated June 29, 2021.)
We’ll break the post down into two parts. The first is a timeline of events that collectively establish what’s necessary for Disney Cruise Line to resume sailings and the earliest possible date that can occur. Nothing speculative about this–it’s all public info released by the CDC, CLIA, and Disney Cruise Line.
The second part will digest all of that and offer predictions as to what it means for the future of Disney Cruise Line sailings in 2021. Obviously, we don’t have a crystal ball, and this is an evolving situation. It’s less unpredictable than it was months ago, but litigation between Florida and the CDC still throws a monkey wrench into when and how Disney Cruise Line will be able to restart sailings. Accordingly, our goal is to offer an informed analysis of when cruising might be possible again…
As noted above, we’ll begin with a timeline of events leading up to the latest updates from the United States federal government and the cruise industry. Late last year, the CDC issued a Framework for Conditional Sailing Order that would allow a phased approach to resuming cruise ship passenger operations in U.S. waters, charting a course for Disney Cruise Line and other companies to begin sailing again.
However, it’s not as simple as that. The Conditional Sailing Order created onerous requirements. To get there, the cruise industry needs to assure the CDC that they are responsible with respect to the needs of crew, passengers, and port communities. You can read the full CDC Order for yourself here. For those whose idea of fun does not include combing 40 pages of arcane legal jargon and footnotes, we’ll break down what it means and offer a summation here…
The initial phase would be crew-centric, consisting of testing and additional safeguards for cruise employees. During that, the CDC would ensure that cruise ship operators have adequate health and safety protections for crew members while the operators build laboratory capacity needed to test future passengers.
Cruise ship operators would run simulated voyages to test the ability to mitigate risk. This phase will have simulated mock voyages of increasing duration, complexity, and numbers in order to test and implement scaling up and the feasibility of how each company implements the CDC plan.
In order to resume passenger sailings, Disney Cruise Line and other companies must earn a “Conditional Sailing Certificate” from the CDC based upon its ability to meet the established health safety protocol and requirements. Once the cruise operator earns its Conditional Sailing Certificate, there will be a phased return to cruise ship passenger sailings in a manner that mitigates risks among passengers, crew members, and communities.
Basically, there is an initial ramp-up of establishing proper protocol and health safety measures, followed by phases of mock or simulated sailings with crew and voluntary participants, followed by another phased process with normal guests. To complicate matters further, the CDC indicates that these phases are subject to change based upon public health considerations and cruise ship operators’ demonstrated ability to reduce risk.
Last month, the CDC issued new guidance that could have rendered moot the Conditional Sailing Order. If cruise lines certify that 98% of their crew and 95% of their passengers are vaccinated, they wouldn’t need to do test cruises before restarting passenger operations. This would essentially allow Disney Cruise Line and other operators to fast forward past the steps of the Conditional Sailing Order that they haven’t yet completed.
However, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a vaccine passport bill banning businesses from requiring proof of vaccination. There was the opportunity to create a carve out in that law for cruise lines, but the state declined to make that. Consequently, the Conditional Sailing Order applies to cruise lines operating in Florida, which has delayed the restart from Port Canaveral and Miami.
But wait, there’s more! Florida filed a lawsuit against the CDC, challenging the Conditional Sailing Order and arguing that the agency overstepped its authority. A federal judge agreed with the state, and preliminarily enjoined the CDC from enforcing the Conditional Sailing Order. Pending further action from the CDC, that will become simply a recommendation on July 18, 2021.
“This order finds that Florida is highly likely to prevail on the merits of the claim that CDC’s conditional sailing order and the implementing orders exceed the authority delegated to CDC,” the ruling said. However, it also provides that the CDC has until July 2, 2021 to propose new guidelines for cruises that permits ships to sail timely, while remaining within CDC’s authority.
In other words, the saga between Florida and the CDC isn’t over. The latter is likely to more narrowly tailor its guidance so it doesn’t run afoul of the federal court’s ruling, but they will undoubtedly issue a modified Conditional Sailing Order. Which means the two will either end up in court again or test sailings will still be necessary. Basically, the whole exercise will have been pointless if the goal was an expeditious restart to cruising that minimized economic harm to Florida.
For its part, Disney Cruise Line has completed most steps necessary in obtaining a Conditional Sailing Order, and plans to proceed with the test cruises. In fact, DCL’s first simulation cruise aboard the Disney Dream was scheduled to begin June 29, 2021.
However, the voyage was postponed until July 2021 because a small number of crew members had inconsistent test results, “which is considered positive by the CDC,” Disney Cruise Line said in a statement to the Orlando Sentinel. “The rigorous health and safety protocols we have in place helped us identify the situation, though the test results were ultimately negative.”
Other cruise lines have begun resuming passenger operations, with Celebrity Cruises in particular reporting that they’ve exceeded the vaccination threshold set by the CDC to bypass the test sailings. However, Disney does not plan to require vaccines for passengers, with the company instead opting to attempt simulated sailings. This is not a huge surprise–when the vaccination option was first announced by the CDC, we predicted that DCL would still go the test cruise route, as Disney has thus far steered clear of vaccine passport “controversies.”
While cruise lines departing from Florida ports won’t be able to mandate passengers are vaccinated, other cruise lines are sidestepping Florida’s law. They’re doing this by finding ways to either discourage unvaccinated passengers from sailing or making it as burdensome as possible for them to do so.
Royal Caribbean is requiring unvaccinated passengers pay for costly testing and travel insurance for passengers over the age of 11. Additionally, unvaccinated adults will not be allowed in certain areas of the ship, nor will they have access to certain activities. The motivation for deterring unvaccinated guests from sailing is not simply punitive; if there’s an outbreak aboard a cruise ship among crew or passengers, sailings could be cancelled or cut short.
While the CDC resumption framework and test cruise situation gets sorted out, Disney Cruise Line has cancelled numerous sailings. Guests who have paid their reservation in full will receive the choice of a 125% future cruise credit to be used for a sailing prior to September 30, 2022 or a full refund.
To date, Disney Dream departures through August 6, 2021, Disney Fantasy departures through August 28, 2021, Disney Wonder departures through September 19, 2021, and Disney Magic departures in the US through November 4, 2021 are cancelled.
From all of the above, we know with certainty that Disney Cruise Line won’t set sail before August 2021 at the absolute earliest. That’s if DCL gets its cancelled simulation sailing rescheduled for early July, manages to get approval from the CDC shortly thereafter, and there aren’t more problems between Florida and the CDC.
Prior to all of this, Disney CEO Bob Chapek indicated that “with some luck and the increase in the number of vaccinations and encouraging trends that we are seeing that maybe by this fall we might be able to have some limited operations of our cruise ships.” It would now appear that DCL could beat that Fall 2021 goal if the cruise line so desires.
In such a scenario, it’s not outside the realm of possibility that the Disney Dream’s scheduled sailing departing on August 13, 2021 could actually happen. In short, there is light at the end of the tunnel, and we’re optimistic about late August 2021 given where things currently stand.
With that said, I’ve seen enough to not want to be a guinea pig on an early return sailing aboard 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. While I’m not concerned about my own safety as someone who is fully vaccinated, I am also worried about the possibility of a cruise being cancelled or cut short due to an outbreak. All of that, plus the standoff between Florida and the CDC, presents too many question marks for my comfort about how any situation would be handled. 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.
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
Do you think Disney Cruise Line will resume sailing by Fall 2021, or is the holiday season or even 2022 more reasonable at this point? What’s your predicted timeframe? Are you expecting significantly modified operations once DCL returns? Would you sail with Disney Cruise Line next 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!
The ignorant moth breathers who say it’s no big deal; it’s just like the flu – yeah say that to someone who had both of their parents in the hospital for over 2 weeks. Or to someone who had 2 relatives die from COVID.
“Land of the Ignorant, home of the selfish and stupid” should be the new American motto.
You privileged people don’t care one ounce about people as a whole. How it affects MeMeME! is all you care about. For shame.
First of all, numbers came out today that only one state (Maine) has 40% of people vaccinated. ALL of the other states is much lower numbers. EVERYONE has access to the vax at this point, except children. I just don’t see cruising happening until after kids are vaccinated and you are talking about a whole other conversation, when it comes to that issue! I myself JUST had the virus and have antibodies and I am not getting the vax until I need to.
Very disappointing. I’m hoping the Disney money and influence gets this changed eventually. So sad for people who choose not get the vaccine.
It is so frustrating – I’ve had multiple DCL staff say that our Alaska Disney cruise for late August is still happening even though Canada clearly has said no cruises though 2022. I’d love to go on a cruise, however I just wish there was more details at this point with such conflicting statements based on info available. I don’t mind rescheduling but I would like to plan our travel if at all possible. I have a backup booked already for next summer but would like to plan the rest of this summer for our family and this is making it tough!
While an adults only Disney Cruise is probably on the childless millennial bucket list I think Disney will avoid that. It goes against branding. Kids are even allowed at the bars on property and they cut Pleasure Island.
Although that 95% vaccinated is going to be hard to hit without Disney limiting how many young kids are on each ship. I think if they require 16+ vaccinated it could work. No one has a right to cruise, it’s absolutely a privilege. Vaccines are required for a lot of travel already I don’t think it’s asking a lot or antithetical to “freedom” to make it a requirement on ships.
Jeez- I have no idea what to do. We’ve postponed once already and currently scheduled for the FIRST cruise back on the Fantasy on 7/31/21. If we postpone again without this being cancelled, we lose out our on-board booking credit. We would book for spring break 2022 on the same cruise itinerary which is also over $1k more than we paid before. So many pros and cons with keeping the current cruise vs postponing. The 2022 price keeps increasing every couple weeks as well, already $200 more than just last week. Could potentially re-book now and even though losing out on on-board booking credit, would make up that amount by booking now before it increases again.
This is good news! People weren’t expecting cruise lines to sail this year anyway, so the expedited timeline will least allow adults (with proof of vaccination) to cruise this year. The vaccine for children will be approved later this year, so families can cruise next year (which was the original timeline anyway). And if people who refuse to get the vaccine complain about not being able to cruise, tough luck. It’s their choice, either get the vaccine or don’t. But if they don’t, then don’t complain when they aren’t able to participate in activities that require vaccination. Just my opinion.
Swine Flu killed under 300,000 people. Covid-19 has killed over 3 million so far and counting, and that’s WITH the massive masking, distancing, and vaccination efforts that we’ve taken to curb its spread. Don’t even pretend for a second that these two diseases are even remotely comparable.
Sounds fabulous. I would get on a cruise ship just to be surrounded by 95 to 98% vaccinated people!
Completely nuts.
We never lost our minds in 2009 with swine flu…
I have a feeling cruises as we knew it are gone for good as are most things, ie I doubt our Disney trips will ever be close to pre-March 2020 normal. Hope I am wrong. 🙁
We are scheduled to leave on the Disney Dream July 2nd and our final payment is due in one day. From what you posted it seems our cruise will be cancelled. When will Disney announce the cancellation? Will we have to pay in full and then wait to be refunded if they don’t make the announcement by tomorrow?
We all can Sign waivers and open cruises back up. I’m at the point that if they cancel again I’m done I’ll just travel to country or KeyWest.
Disney would not want to announce too few or too many modifications now and then irritate people who have booked on the strength of some modifications or cancelled because of modifications that never materialize!
Tom, I am one of those nerds who also read the whole 40 page document. There was just so much misinformation so I wanted to go to the source, but I can’t say it helped all that much. I see everything they have to do and I agree that it’s probably going to be obsolete by the time they would get it all done. When I first saw it I was hoping the process could go quicker – but I guess all of the agreements and things they have to do just to get those test sailings are a lot more than I realized when I read them.
We postponed… Again. Our daughter with cognitive disabilities would not understand all the safety changes, so hoping Oct 2022 will be more “normal”. With the 125% credit we are able to try out new port (miami), upgraded stateroom, and longer cruise with 2 days at castaway cay. I think we owe daughter a trip to Disney world this fall, though. Still fun to plan!
We booked a fall 2022 with 2 days at Castaway Cay as well. Just booked it the other day. Good luck & maybe we’ll see you aboard!
I think the issue that Disney and the CDC will face is not so much the safety measures that will be put in place but that most Americans will completely ignore them because of their “rights”.
The anti mask, anti vax, anti science crowd is going to make this whole thing last a lot longer than we think and hope for.
I am hoping to book an Autumn 2022 cruise but for me it feels optimistic to thank that it will be possible.
i would wager cruses don’t return until 4th quarter of 2021 at the earliest. i wouldn’t even bet on that though. and expect even stricter requirements than the theme parks.
i meant to add, i think if they return sooner, no way it will be originating from or stopping in the US. too many issues here still.
I don’t see DCL returning in 2021. Maybe 1st quarter of 2022 IF decent numbers get vaccinated and we see reasonable herd immunity
This is America, what happened to our freedom, let the people choose, if you want to wear a mask, that is on you, if you are afraid, then dont go. Let the people decide, let us sign a waiver and get on with our lives. Not everyone is scared. Look at the statistics, the people dying are not healthy or middle age or younger. People get sick and get over it, just like any other illness.
Gail – I could not agree with you more. Little tired of the virtue signaling as well! And I told DCL the same – “My wife and I will sign a waiver” We won’t hold DCL or any one else responsible for what happens to us when WE make the decision.
i don’t want to drive the speed limit! it infringes on my rights! everyone should sign a waiver when they get into a car!
Amen, Gail! I would NEVER expect anyone or any business to “keep me safe” from a virus that 97% of people (myself included) who contracted it recovered from. I mean, good grief! If you’re high risk & you need to take extra safety measures, then that’s on you. When my dad had cancer & was going through chemo, WE took whatever precautions we needed for him, but we never once thought about demanding the rest of the world to live like they were going through chemo too…
Very well said. Hate to think we can’t cruise any more but my family and I will not be getting the vaccine any time in the foreseeable future. We have all had it and recovered just like we always have from the flu.
I agree. We have a cruise booked for Aug 2021 party of 12.Rescheduled twice. In the past it has taken yrs to get a vaccine passed. None of the 12 going feel comfortable getting the vaccine. We’ll sign a waiver even wear a mask if they ask, but none of us want the shot.
My question is if DCL require that vaccine and we don’t take it, Will we get our money back? I feel like we should. When I booked our cruise no vaccination was required so because of a rule change I should be able to get 100% of my money back.
All I have to say is that I have had 8 Disney cruises canceled so far and I currently have 3 back to back in July and 2 in August which are concierge. Disney has a ton of my money and if Chapek knows they are not sailing in July or August they should cancel these cruises so we can get our money back instead of making us wait. Instead they have us wasting our time booking activities that we know are not going to happen. Disney has not even had the decency to give travelers any idea of what cruising will be look like and what things they are changing or imposing. I mean honestly I am sure they have been discussing what their approach would be once they resume ( entertainment, leaving ports, etc. ) and they just are not sharing anything while hanging on to our money. Besides those 5 cruises I currently have 6 other ones booked and I am just not feeling the magic right now.
LOL, seems like you need to venture off and try some other cruise lines, since time and money don’t seem to be an issue to you.
Currently the port excursions and ship activity reservations are open to us for our June 20th DCL cruise. That being said, I’ve seen that Grand Cayman is not opening to cruise ports through 2021. But, it is still on our itinerary and excursions are available to chose from in Grand Cayman for our cruise. As we book activities and port excursions, I too, am wondering WHY since it seems obvious that June will not be a cruise re-entry for DCL. I prefer transparency and don’t feel like we are getting clear messages about this. I agree that it would be helpful to know – regardless of the monies they are holding on to. Just let me know so I can get on with the our backup cruise planning.
you can cancel your bookings anytime to get your money refunded back to you.
Agreed. Pretty sad…