Menu

Disney Cruise Guests Not Allowed to Disembark Due to COVID

Mickey and Minnie Disney Cruise line
Credit: Disney Cruise Line

A journey on the big blue with the Disney Cruise Line fleet is a dream come true for many. Whether you’re sailing with the Disney Dream, Disney Magic, Disney Fantasy, Disney Wonder, or soon-to-be Disney’s newest ship, the Disney Wish – it’s an experience unlike any other. Unfortunately, for these Disney Cruise Line Guests, they are experiencing a rise in COVID cases onboard, resulting in them not being allowed to disembark while at the port in St. Thomas.

Disney Cruise Line
Credit: Disney

RELATED: Disney Announces New “Specifically Designed Cruise Terminal” for Guests of Disney Cruise Line

According to reports from Disney Cruise Line Blog, today, Thursday, December 30, 2021, the Disney Fantasy docked at the St. Thomas port. Instead of Guests being allowed to disembark to enjoy the destination, they were kept onboard the Disney Cruise Line ship.

Guests were reportedly not permitted to go ashore due to an “abundance of caution” as COVID cases are on the rise onboard.

Disney Cruise Line
Credit: Disney

RELATED: Disney’s Newest Cruise Ship, Disney Wish, Is All Put Together!

A neighboring cruise ship at the port, Carnival Magic, was docked next to the Disney Fantasy at St. Thomas and allowed passengers to disembark from the cruise ship without issue. This occurrence means it’s likely the Disney Fantasy case total is unaccepted by St. Thomas officials’ standards.

According to the report, Disney’s Captain Jason announced over the ship intercom there are passengers in quarantine. There are reportedly less than 1% of the crew and passengers (all with the required vaccination) currently isolated with COIVD-19.

Credit: Disney

RELATED: What Are You Doing In 2023? New Itineraries to Sail Away with the Disney Cruise Line

Further report shows the Disney Fantasy departed St. Thomas to spend the day at sea around 9:30 a.m. local time. The Disney Cruise Line is offering all onboard Guests a 20% future cruise credit as well as a $200 onboard credit.

We have received a response from a Disney spokesperson as follows, “The Disney Fantasy did not call on St. Thomas today due to both an increase in COVID-19 cases on the island and a small number of fully vaccinated Crew Members and Guests – less than 1% of those on board – in isolation for COVID-19. Those affected by these breakthrough cases are either asymptomatic or have mild symptoms, and we are following CDC protocols for managing cases on board. We continue to operate with multiple layers of health and safety protocols in place, such as requiring vaccinations, PCR tests at the port prior to embarkation for all guests, testing of our Crew multiple times per week, enhanced cleaning protocols and a requirement that masks be worn in all indoor spaces.”

The Disney Fantasy is on a 7-night Eastern Caribbean Cruise and scheduled to return to Port Canaveral on Sunday, January 2, 2022. At the moment, the stop at Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay, is still scheduled for Saturday, January 1.

About Jamie Sylvester

I'm a Disney nerd! A kid at heart who loves the magic and memories of Walt Disney World. I follow all things Disney and enjoy the vacations, day trips, weekend getaways, and geek out over the planning of such events. My goal is to experience as many Disney desserts and cocktails as possible! Married to another Disney nerd and blessed with a daughter and son, we thoroughly enjoy the magic at Disney and are here to help others experience the magic as well.