Disney Cruise Line: Simulated Test Sailings With Volunteers Beginning June 29

[Pooh93]

The CDC also requested a further stay on enforcing the ruling pending appeal. I uploaded the request for a stay here in case anyone wants to read it without paying $3 to download it on PACER: https://www.dropbox.com/s/qrqz65q8teebzc0/CDC Request for Stay.pdf?dl=0

Of interest, there is an attachment from CLIA starting on Page 38 of the PDF outlining the cruise industry's proposal for health and safety protocols.

Wow. After reading and skimming through this, I also believe things a very much up in the air for DCL. And I am even wondering about the Magic coming from the U.K. in October for November sailings. With the U.S./U.K. travel ban, will this impact the ship docking and receiving passengers on a ship that had passengers located in the U.K.? Or will the protocols that have been in place for the Staycations help with the U.S. protocols. So much speculation (on my part) and no answers.

 

[Pooh93]

So things are even more up in the air again. Fantastic.

That is the way I read it also.

 

[jrapps]

So things are even more up in the air again. Fantastic.

Yes, and no. I agree overall things are more up in the air. That said, DCL has to know by now what they are doing with Aug & September, regardless of this move. There are no guarantees the 11th circuit even reacts in time. They have to proceed as-is with rules in place today and make a decision on the next batch of cruises. We are approaching 33 days out....

 

[cvjw]

So things are even more up in the air again. Fantastic.

Other cruise lines are successfully sailing out of Florida and other US states. How can DCL not already know what they are going to do with august sailings? Every other cruise line seems to have successfully figured out how to return to sailing safely.

 

[DCLMP]

Other cruise lines are successfully sailing out of Florida and other US states. How can DCL not already know what they are going to do with august sailings? Every other cruise line seems to have successfully figured out how to return to sailing safely.

Well most of them aren’t allowing children.

 

[cvjw]

Well most of them aren’t allowing children.

royal Caribbean is. And they are sailing

 

[DCLDVC1]

royal Caribbean is. And they are sailing

Do you know how many kids are onboard RCCL? I read Celebrity had around 20 unvaccinated kids on the Edge.

 

[brentm77]

The CDC just appealed the ruling today to the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.

I wouldn't count on the verdict of this one way or the other anytime soon.

But, if the district court denies the motion to stay the order, it won't matter how long the appeals court takes to issue a decision, since the existing district court order will kill the CDC's Conditional Sailing Order in a matter of days. And the district court may be inclined to deny the stay, since the whole point of its order was to open sailing this summer and the arguments for the stay are similar to the arguments the CDC made before losing the preliminary injunction motion. Not to mention how strongly the district court felt the CDC had grossly exceeded its jurisdiction.

I don't think things are more up in the air right now - this was to be expected - and unless the stay is granted, it won't change anything at this time.

I won't go into more detail, because the admins have said providing factual information on the case (even without personal commentary) isn't welcome here. It's one of the reasons I didn't post about the notice of appeal this morning. I don't know what cruising industry news will be considered "political" anymore.

 

[cvjw]

Do you know how many kids are onboard RCCL? I read Celebrity had around 20 unvaccinated kids on the Edge.

I don’t. I just read that there are kids on the sailing. I read that the ceo of royal wouldn’t make the sailings kids free since so many kids sail on royal each year.

 

[mcd2745]

The CDC also requested a further stay on enforcing the ruling pending appeal. I uploaded the request for a stay here in case anyone wants to read it without paying $3 to download it on PACER: https://www.dropbox.com/s/qrqz65q8teebzc0/CDC Request for Stay.pdf?dl=0

Of interest, there is an attachment from CLIA starting on Page 38 of the PDF outlining the cruise industry's proposal for health and safety protocols.

Thanks! After skimming through this, a very interesting blurb from the CDC I thought was this...

"13 ships have been approved or conditionally approved for a simulated voyage. Those ships generally expect to begin revenue voyages within two weeks of a successful simulated voyage."

I've heard rumors the Dream simulated voyage was re-scheduled to take place this week, meaning if it does, they could still resume with that Aug 9 sailing. That said, still doesn't excuse DCL for not communicating yet what they expect the protocols to be and what specific changes from a "normal, pre-Covid" cruise are to be expected.

 

[lodge]

Well most of them aren’t allowing children.

Important detail, being DCL takes great care of the youth!

 

[DCLMP]

Important detail, being DCL takes great care of the youth!

That's true, and it's probably the biggest reason people that can afford Disney choose it. I feel like Disney will restart cruising very similar to how they restarted the parks. Many restrictions at first and then slowly backing off. People won't be happy. Everyone wants cruises to restart just where they left off. I don't think that's the route DCL will take, but I could be wrong. I've been wrong a lot over the last year.

 

[DCLMP]

Thanks! After skimming through this, a very interesting blurb from the CDC I thought was this...

"13 ships have been approved or conditionally approved for a simulated voyage. Those ships generally expect to begin revenue voyages within two weeks of a successful simulated voyage."

I've heard rumors the Dream simulated voyage was re-scheduled to take place this week, meaning if it does, they could still resume with that Aug 9 sailing. That said, still doesn't excuse DCL for not communicating yet what they expect the protocols to be and what specific changes from a "normal, pre-Covid" cruise are to be expected.

I was thinking they extended the PIF for the November and December sailings to give people a chance to cancel if they don't like the protocols. I would assume they would give all sailings the same consideration. I have a hard time believing Disney would refuse to refund money because someone doesn't want to wear a mask or get a vaccine.

 

[lodge]

I was thinking they extended the PIF for the November and December sailings to give people a chance to cancel if they don't like the protocols. I would assume they would give all sailings the same consideration. I have a hard time believing Disney would refuse to refund money because someone doesn't want to wear a mask or get a vaccine.

The court battle won the issue of not demanding vaccines, if I understand correctly. I think Disney will not require they be done.

 

[DCLMP]

The court battle won the issue of not demanding vaccines, if I understand correctly. I think Disney will not require they be done.

I kind of thought that before the court battle. They've been very successful opening of the parks when most places with large gatherings were closed. MSC is a crusieline that has done a good job of sailing throughout the pandemic. I think the other cruiselines are understandably very nervous about restarting and want no issues. I have a feeling things will be relaxed in the coming months, but I could be wrong.

 

[jrapps]

I've heard rumors the Dream simulated voyage was re-scheduled to take place this week, meaning if it does, they could still resume with that Aug 9 sailing.

Per guidelines, a ship needs to wait 2 weeks to leave Red status. So this really depends on when the crew tested positive and then cleared. The DCL Blog said the positive test was the week before the test sailing, so if that is true they could theoretically test sail at the end of this week. Does anyone know the exact day the crew first tested positive?

 

[lovedisneycruise]

The CDC also requested a further stay on enforcing the ruling pending appeal. I uploaded the request for a stay here in case anyone wants to read it without paying $3 to download it on PACER: https://www.dropbox.com/s/qrqz65q8teebzc0/CDC Request for Stay.pdf?dl=0

Of interest, there is an attachment from CLIA starting on Page 38 of the PDF outlining the cruise industry's proposal for health and safety protocols.

Thank you for providing this. I’m still in the process of reading it, but interestingly in the declaration at the back, it states that the fantasy simulated sailing is scheduled for between July 28-30 (pg 26-I had not been aware of that) and if all goes well, the presumption is they intend to begin sailing two weeks after that.

I won’t provide my thoughts on this filing because I don’t think we’re allowed to here at this time, but thank you again for linking it.

 

[bunnm09]

I don’t. I just read that there are kids on the sailing. I read that the ceo of royal wouldn’t make the sailings kids free since so many kids sail on royal each year.

I believe it’s 5% unvaccinated spots are held, so mainly for kids. That would never fly on a Disney cruise

 

[mcd2745]

But, if the district court denies the motion to stay the order, it won't matter how long the appeals court takes to issue a decision, since the existing district court order will kill the CDC's Conditional Sailing Order in a matter of days. And the district court may be inclined to deny the stay, since the whole point of its order was to open sailing this summer and the arguments for the stay are similar to the arguments the CDC made before losing the preliminary injunction motion. Not to mention how strongly the district court felt the CDC had grossly exceeded its jurisdiction.

I don't think things are more up in the air right now - this was to be expected - and unless the stay is granted, it won't change anything at this time.

I won't go into more detail, because the admins have said providing factual information on the case (even without personal commentary) isn't welcome here. It's one of the reasons I didn't post about the notice of appeal this morning. I don't know what cruising industry news will be considered "political" anymore.

Do you think there will be ruling on the motion to stay relatively quickly (within a few days)?

 

[brentm77]

Do you think there will be ruling on the motion to stay relatively quickly (within a few days)?

It is hard to predict. But, with the way the court provided short deadlines in its order, I think that is likely. Assuming the motion will be denied, it will want to signal to the CDC that it must submit its alternative plan still and it isn't getting a pass just because it appealed. On the other hand, the court surprised me last time, so I really have no idea. It may end up granting the motion since I think it won't.

Edit: Actually - the date for the CDC to submit a motion for a narrower injunction passed (July 2), and the CDC never submitted that motion. That means the entire Conditional Sail Order will be gone July 18 if the court denies the stay.