At the end of March, it was announced that there will be a series of UK-only cruises on the Disney Cruise Line, “Disney Magic at Sea”. Important health and safety information has been released for Guests hoping to sail on the UK Staycations, including COVID-19 vaccination requirements.
In order to sail on “Disney Magic at Sea”, Guests 18 years of age and older must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as defined by the National Health Service, which currently defines “fully vaccinated” as “7 days after the final dose.” Disney Cruise Line will contact Guests prior to sailing with instructions on how to show proof of vaccination status.
Although Guests under 18 years old are not required to be vaccinated, they must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test result, paid for by the Guest, taken between 5 days and 24 hours prior to embarkation. Disney Cruise Line has secured a special discounted rate through a third-party vendor for PCR tests and will contact Guests prior to sailing with instructions on how to complete and submit their test results.
All Guests, including those who have been vaccinated, are also required to undergo an antigen COVID-19 rapid test administered by a third party in the terminal prior to boarding, at Disney’s expense.
Anyone positive at the terminal will undergo and a rapid second test to verify the results. Guests who continue to test positive and their party will be denied boarding.
Daily temperature checks and health questionnaires will be required for all Guests prior to embarkation and during the cruise.
All Guests ages 11 and older are required to wear a face covering on the ship and at the terminals, unless in their stateroom, eating or drinking in a designated seating area or while stationary, swimming, or occupying a deck chair.
As a reminder, Disney Magic at Sea is only available for UK residents, meaning residents of either England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland and is subject to government approval.
This Health and Safety Information, along with Terms & Conditions, can be found on the Disney Cruise Line website. Booking for UK Staycations with Disney Magic at Sea begins on April 30th for Summer 2021 itineraries.
They need to be more consistent across the board with their rules. Why on earth does a two year old need a mask outside in the USA but suddenly overseas it’s not needed until you’re eleven indoors? Ridiculous! Covid doesn’t know boundaries. Disney is a private company and makes their own rules. Please don’t even try to tell me it’s due to government mandates. Desantis doesn’t give a crap if the toddler is in a mask or not.
So you have to be fully vaccinated (which most adults in their 20’s/30’s/40’s won’t be by summer), do an expensive PCR test a few days before you board, then do another test (and also get your kids to too) at the terminal, and then wear a mask most of the time and also only get reduced entertainment. Sounds like a hoot! Honestly I understand the dangers but feels like this is taking it to the extreme.
Exactly. At this point, people shouldn’t be wearing masks for those who don’t want to be vaccinated. And I’m choosing myself to not get vaccinated. So I’m not expecting the world to wear masks forever to protect me. If the vaccines work, then to each their own. You have your protection. No need for a mask after all that testing.
These cruises seem to be more of a test run to see how these requirements play out with a limited population. Since they are UK only it’s easier to manage prior to opening to a larger audience.
I think it’s safe to expect that vaccines will be required at a minimum.
Folks will do it. Disney fans are a dedicated bunch.
Not THAT dedicated. I am a major Disney fan and plan to go to WDW this summer, but if there was a vaccine mandate for entry, I would be going elsewhere. Don’t demand I get vaccinated, wear a mask, and pay excessive amounts of money for half the perks and entertainment. Other places will be happy to take my money.
Since this is likely to be mainly families with young children there probably won’t be that many parents in the U.K. who will be ‘fully vaccinated’ by then which is going to rather limit their sales!