BREAKING NEWS: Vaccination Requirements Lifted For Disney Cruise Line Passengers Ages 5-11
Planning a Disney Cruise Line getaway just got a wee bit easier this morning with the news that Disney Cruise Line is no longer requiring passengers between the ages of 5-11 to have the COVID-19 vaccination in order to sail. This policy will go into effect on sailings starting September 2, 2022 and only applies to domestic sailings. Those sailing before September 1, 2022 are still required to be vaccinated.
After September 2, 2022, those passengers between the ages of 5-11 not vaccinated will still need to be tested for COVID-19 at port. Disney Cruise Line covers that cost of these portside tests. It should be noted that guests ages 12+ will still need to meet the mandatory vaccination requirements.
The protocol for those ages 12+ will remain the same until further notice. It should be noted that thought vaccinations ARE NOT required for guests 5-11 after September 2, 2022, based on advice form the CDC, Disney still recommends vaccinations for the age group.
Vaccinations for Children:
Ages 5+:
For Guests ages 5 and older, the CDC defines fully vaccinated as 14 days after receiving one of the following:
- · A single dose of an accepted 1-dose vaccine
- · The second dose of an accepted 2-dose vaccine
- · The full series of an active (not placebo) COVID-19 vaccine in the U.S.-based AstraZeneca or Novavax COVID-19 vaccine trials
- · The second dose of any “mix and match” combination of accepted COVID-19 vaccines (administered at least 17 days apart)
Ages 4 and Younger:
For Guests ages 4 and younger, the CDC defines fully vaccinated as 14 days after receiving one of the following:
- · Three doses of Pfizer: the second dose administered 21 days after the first; and the third dose administered 56 days after the second
- · Two doses of Moderna: the second dose administered one month after the first
- · Two doses of Sinopharm BBIBP-CorV (VeroCell): the second dose administered 21-28 days after the first
- · Two doses of Sinovac-CoronaVac: the second dose administered 14-28 days after the first
COVID-19 Testing for Guests who are Fully Vaccinated
Pre-Trip Testing: Fully vaccinated Guests on sailings departing U.S. and Canadian ports must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test result (paid for by the Guest) taken 1-2 days before setting sail. Completing pre-trip testing prior to embarkation day enhances the efficiency of boarding and confirms that you are negative for COVID-19 prior to traveling to the terminal. Pre-trip test results must be uploaded into the Inspire Diagnostics Safe Passage website by midnight prior to embarkation day. Inspire Diagnostics is Disney Cruise Line’s third-party partner for vaccination verification and COVID-19 testing.
Antigen tests must be completed using a proctored telehealth service and come with digital results that can be uploaded to the Safe Passage website. A nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) or PCR test also is acceptable. Guests can purchase COVID-19 tests through the Inspire Diagnostics Safe Passage website, or obtain a test from any independent testing supplier.
Embarkation Day Testing
Fully vaccinated Guests who upload their pre-trip test results to the Safe Passage website by midnight prior to embarkation day will be exempt from embarkation testing. Fully vaccinated Guests who do not upload test results by midnight prior to embarkation day must be tested at the terminal on embarkation day before boarding the ship and will be charged for the cost of the test. Guests with positive COVID-19 test results are required to complete a second confirmatory test. Guests with confirmed positive test results—as well as those sharing the same stateroom and other close contacts—will be denied boarding.
The cost of embarkation tests for fully vaccinated Guests will be $74.00 (USD) plus tax for the initial antigen test, and, if needed, $125.00 (USD) plus tax for a confirmatory PCR test, charged at the time of service. For Canada sailings, the cost of embarkation tests for fully vaccinated Guests will be $95.00 (CAD) plus GST for the initial antigen test, and, if needed, $160.00 (CAD) plus GST for a confirmatory PCR test, charged at the time of service.
COVID-19 Testing for Guests who are Not Fully Vaccinated
- Pre-Trip Testing: Guests who are not fully vaccinated must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken 1-3 days before the sail date. The test should be a Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAAT), a rapid PCR test or a lab-based PCR test. Rapid antigen tests are not accepted. This will be the first of two tests required for unvaccinated Guests; the second test will be conducted at the terminal on embarkation day.
- Embarkation Day Testing: Guests who are not fully vaccinated are required to complete a COVID-19 test at the terminal prior to boarding on embarkation day (paid for by Disney Cruise Line).
Upload Proof of Vaccination and COVID-19 Test Results to Safe Passage Website
In order to sail, all Guests (adults and children, regardless of age) must upload their proof of vaccination and negative COVID-19 test results on the Inspire Diagnostics Safe Passage website by midnight prior to their sailing. A parent or legal guardian will need to use their own account to provide this information on behalf of minors. To learn more about how to provide proof of your negative COVID-19 test result, please visit Before Leaving Home: Know Before You Go.
After appropriate documents have been uploaded and reviewed by Inspire, Guests should see the words “Clear to Arrive” or “Clear to Sail” in the Pre-Sail Screening section when they log into their Safe Passage account before arriving at the port.
It is also recommended that Guests bring a copy of their proof of vaccination and negative COVID-19 PCR test result with them to the port. If you have any questions about your Safe Passage registration or status, please contact Inspire Diagnostics at 877-250-5132.
Guests Recently Recovered from COVID-19
In some cases, people who have recently recovered from COVID-19 may still test positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus. If Guests have tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 within 11 to 90 days of their sail date, they may qualify to be considered as “90-Day-Recovered.” With the appropriate documentation and subsequent approval, Guests considered “90-Day-Recovered” are not required to participate in COVID-19 testing during the Pre-Sail, Embarkation or Debarkation phases of their voyage. For details on what documentation is required, please visit Before Leaving Home: Know Before You Go.
Disney Cruise Line is currently reaching out to all passengers impacted by the vaccination changes. Be sure to check your email inbox.
Readers are encouraged to keep following along with MickeyBlog for further Disney Cruise Line news and updates!
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