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After an incredibly rough 2020, 2021 has been looking up for Disney Cruise Line. While some of their cruise ships remained docked for a majority of 2021, some of them were able to resume sailing, and Disney Cruise Line received some major awards for the experience they are still able to give Guests — including being named the Best Cruise Line for Families by U.S. News & World Report.
Credit: Disney
While many sailings have now resumed, there are some major changes that Guests will experience while aboard a Disney Cruise. Cruise ships have to be extremely careful in order to keep Guests safe, so there are vaccination requirements, mask requirements, socially distanced character interactions, and more. When vaccinations first became widely available, they were only approved for people 12 and over, so Disney only required proof of vaccination for Guests 12 and over on their ships. Any child under 12 only had to show a negative COVID test.
Credit: Disney
However, the Food & Drug Administration has recently approved the COVID-19 vaccine for all children 5 and over. In order to adjust to those new standards, all Disney Cruises are now changing their vaccination requirements. Disney Cruise Line posted the following information in the “Know Before You Go” section of its website.
Currently, Disney Cruise Line continues to require all vaccine-eligible Guests (based on US eligibility requirements) to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, as defined by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), at the time of sailing. This will be a requirement for all Guests (US and international) ages 5 and up for sailings beginning on or after January 13, 2022. Guests who are not vaccine-eligible because of age must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test result (paid for by the Guest) taken between 3 days and 24 hours before their sail date. Guests ages 5 through 11 may complete this testing requirement in lieu of being fully vaccinated for sailings that depart before January 13, 2022. Guests 4 years of age and under must complete the testing requirements. The test should be a NAAT test, rapid PCR test or lab-based PCR test.
Rapid antigen tests are not accepted.
Credit: Disney
It is important for Guests sailing on a Disney Cruise to note the vaccination requirement dates. If you are sailing BEFORE January 13, 2022, then any child aged 5 to 11 may just show a negative COVID test. But if you are sailing on or AFTER January 13, 2022, then all Guests 5 and over will be required to show proof of vaccination. Children under 5 will be required to show proof of a negative COVID test.
What do you think of Disney Cruise Line’s vaccination requirement?
