Let’s Take A Closer Look at the Boarding Requirements For Disney Cruise Line
Today, we here at MickeyBlog are delighted to share the news with you that Disney will resume cruising beginning on August 9th. With this in mind, Disney Cruise Line is reaching out to all guests booked for Summer sailings to let them know of new boarding requirements including COVID testing, vaccination requirements and more.
With clients on these sailings, I’ve received emails from Disney regarding the new boarding requirements and want to share them with you to keep you in the know. So, Let’s dive in.
Two Days at Castaway Cay
Due to the health and safety of passengers, Disney Cruise Line has made the decision that guests WILL NOT disembark at Nassau in the Bahamas. Instead on 3 and 4 night sailings, they will be adding in an additional stop at Castaway Cay. This gives guests two days to enjoy Disney’s private island.
COVID-19 Vaccinations
Disney Cruise line is NOT requiring that all passengers be vaccinated for COVID-19, especially given that many of the passengers are kids under 12 for which the vaccines are not available. Rather their official stance is that guests are encouraged to be vaccinated and may want to provide proof of vaccination in order to be exempt from pre-trip embarkation COVID-19 testing and travel insurance requirements.
Pre-Trip COVID-19 Testing
Before cruising guests MUST provide proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test (paid for at the guest’s expense.) The test must be taken between 5 days and 24 hours before the sail date. Those fully vaccinated can provide proof of vaccination instead of undergoing COVID-19 pre-trip testing.
COVID-19 Testing at Embarkation:
Guests MUST undergo a rapid PCR COVID-19 test at the terminal BEFORE boarding. There is a $65 fee for the test which will be charged to the folios of all guests ages 12 and older.
Guests who are fully vaccinated may choose to provide proof of vaccination INSTEAD of undergoing COVID-19 embarkation testing.
Mandatory Log VIA Safe Passage by Inspire Diagnostic Website
A requirement of sailing for Disney Cruise Line passengers is that ALL guests MUST individually create an account with Inspire Diagnostics. This is a 3rd Party provider for COVID-19 testing and vaccination verifications.
- Adults: No later than 33 days out, EACH ADULT must log into the Safe Passage website, by Inspire Diagnostics and create an online account associated with your Disney Cruise Line reservation.
- Travelling with minors? Parents or legal guardians MUST create accounts on behalf of minors.
- Recommended: In addition to creating your accounts with Inspire Diagnostics, Disney Cruise Line is advising that passengers should bring their negative COVID-19 PCR test or vaccination card. Final doses of the vaccines MUST be administered at least 14 days before sailing.
Travel Insurance:
For cruises departing from Florida through December 31, 2021, Guests 12 years or older MUST provide proof of valid travel insurance 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 and beneficiary and may be purchased through the Guests’ preferred travel insurance provider OR through Disney Cruise Line Vacation Protection Program.. Guests that purchase insurance from a provider OTHER than Disney Cruise Line will need to provide proof of insurance policy showing the name of each covered guests and a description of the coverage in the policy to Inspire (See Above) prior in order to receive sailing clearance.
Guests who are fully vaccinated may opt to show proof of vaccination instead of getting travel insurance.
Know Before You Go
We know that there is a lot of information here Disney friends. You are encouraged to reach out to your travel agent or Disney Cruise Line with any additional enquiries. Disney Cruise LIne has also set up a Before Leaving Home: Know Before You Go.section which will help you with the most commonly asked questions.
Navigator App
We recommend that you download the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app or go online to make advanced reservations for youth activities, premium experiences and dinner at Palo.
Port Adventures:
Disney Cruise Line is advising in their email to passengers this morning that they are still finalizing onboard activities and port adventures. Keep checking back with us and we promise to provide you with further updates.
Online Check-In
Guests MUST complete Online Check-in prior to your sailing. It is VITAL that you submit the required documents as well as select a Port Arrival Time. All passengers including Platinum Castaway Club Guests MUST select at Port Arrival Time. Guests arriving for check in before suggested arrival time will be advised to wait until your allotted time slot.
Flexible Booking Policy:
Guests with a scheduled sailing on the Disney Dream sailing through March 28,2022 have the option of modifying or cancelling your sailing and receive a full refund WITHOUT a cancellation fee. Contact your travel agent or Disney Cruise Line directly at t 1-866-352-6685 or 407-566-7797 by August 6, 2021.
Please Note: Standard cancellation policies and terms and conditions apply for any cancellation requests received on or after August 7, 2021.
Readers are encouraged to keep following along with MickeyBlog where we’ll continue to keep you updated about Disney Cruise Line’s returning to sailing.
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