Fantasy policies - published (Sept now 4 nights)

[jrapps]

Under current FL law, they can't require a vaccine for cruises out of a FL port.

Correct, but that is what the hearing today was on. It is possible that that could change vey soon...or not. we all watch and wait. As of TODAY, they can't require a vaccine for cruises out of a FL port. But DCL isn't (or hasn't yet) released protocols today. It's all up in the air.

 

[AquaDame]

Please remember we are still trying to follow the rules regarding covid discussion set by the webmasters: https://www.disboards.com/threads/policy-on-covid-related-discussions.3840344/

Please do not veer into opinion or debate.

 

[kathi]

The scope of the injunction was discussed in the court. The FL lawyer even tried to use it as a justification for denial, claiming that if approved, then all cruise lines would start requiring vaccines.

Clearly some already are - did they bring up the USVI vaccine requirement? Thanks for sharing some specifics from the hearing that directly relate to cruise line sailing protocols.

 

[kathi]

And no doubt they are watching cases sky rocket in the states.

That worries me more than anything else for ports being closed to US-based cruises. I suspect prior posters are correct and we are not likely to see Fantasy details until the ruling - hopefully that is soon.

 

[jrapps]

Clearly some already are - did they bring up the USVI vaccine requirement? Thanks for sharing some specifics from the hearing that directly relate to cruise line sailing protocols.

Yes the judge specifically mentioned USVI ports and asked FLs lawyer how a cruise line can meet USVI vaccine requirements and follow FL law. It sparked several minutes of conversation about where FL does and does not have jurisdiction.

For those of you booked on the Fantasy, when is the first cruise back that has a port stop in St. Thomas? Is that the 9/4 sailing?

 

[orum]

Yes the judge specifically mentioned USVI ports and asked FLs lawyer how a cruise line can meet USVI vaccine requirements and follow FL law. It sparked several minutes of conversation about where FL does and does not have jurisdiction.

For those of you booked on the Fantasy, when is the first cruise back that has a port stop in St. Thomas? Is that the 9/4 sailing?

9/4 and 9/18 both stop at St. Thomas currently.

 

[BuzzLightyearInTampa]

Under current FL law, they can't require a vaccine for cruises out of a FL port.

Yesterday's ruling settled that question. Cruise lines sailing from Florida, for now at least, can require 100% vaccination of all vaccine eligible passengers.

 

[Groucho]

Yesterday's ruling settled that question. Cruise lines sailing from Florida, for now at least, can require 100% vaccination of all vaccine eligible passengers.

I don't believe that's correct. According to the Orlando Sentinel article:
"Norwegian Cruise Lines Holdings can require proof of vaccines for all passengers and crews, a federal judge ruled Sunday night, granting the cruise line a preliminary injunction that prevents it from being subjected to Florida’s ban on so-called vaccine passports."
The other articles I've seen also say that the injunction only applies to Norwegian - not Disney or anyone else. Even if it didn't, I can't see the other cruise lines, who are tiptoeing carefully to stay safe and within rules, changing their policies based just on an injunction. If it gets settled by a court, then probably. I suspect DeSantis will try to push it to the Supreme Court if they lose, but I personally really can't see it succeeding there.

 

[jrapps]

I don't believe that's correct. According to the Orlando Sentinel article:
"Norwegian Cruise Lines Holdings can require proof of vaccines for all passengers and crews, a federal judge ruled Sunday night, granting the cruise line a preliminary injunction that prevents it from being subjected to Florida’s ban on so-called vaccine passports."
The other articles I've seen also say that the injunction only applies to Norwegian - not Disney or anyone else. Even if it didn't, I can't see the other cruise lines, who are tiptoeing carefully to stay safe and within rules, changing their policies based just on an injunction. If it gets settled by a court, then probably. I suspect DeSantis will try to push it to the Supreme Court if they lose, but I personally really can't see it succeeding there.

In speaking to lawyer friends of mine, the injunction ONLY applies to NCL, however other cruise lines may also choose to follow the lead, either officially by joining the suit and thus joining the injunction, launching their own lawsuit (which would be merged with this one), or they might also just decide to require them, citing this injunction as precedent. Remains to be seen if any other lines will do this or not.

 

[zeferjen]

I've lost the plot. What is our best guess on date for fantasy policies?

 

[jrapps]

I've lost the plot. What is our best guess on date for fantasy policies?

Anyone's guess. From the first post of the thread: Dream policies were announced 17 days prior to the first cruise on a Friday.

Fantasy:
31 Day - August 4th (Wednesday)
30 Day - August 5th (Thursday)
17 Day - August 18th (Wednesday)
15 Day - August 20th (Friday)

Most here assume it will be this week.

 

[sethschroeder]

Even if it didn't, I can't see the other cruise lines, who are tiptoeing carefully to stay safe and within rules, changing their policies based just on an injunction.

Thing is for DCL if they don't require vaccines for 12+ on the Fantasy East routes they will have to cancel their stop in USVI. So something will give here in the next couple weeks.

 

[jrapps]

Thing is for DCL if they don't require vaccines for 12+ on the Fantasy East routes they will have to cancel their stop in USVI. So something will give here in the next couple weeks.

This is why I feel DCL was waiting for the court ruling. I don't think they want to cancel stops in the USVI, but I also think it over-complicates things if they have to treat the East and West itineraries differently for vaccination rules.

I expect the conference rooms at DCL will be getting a lot of use today...

 

[sethschroeder]

I don't think they want to cancel stops in the USVI

I would have to go back and look but for USVI is the only requirement to be vaccinated for 12+? Or do they require testing as well?

One of the obstacles I see as well is these countries requiring testing X hours out from port which would be challenging to test everyone on board.

 

[sethschroeder]

I also think it over-complicates things if they have to treat the East and West itineraries differently for vaccination rules.

I was talking with my DW over the weekend and honestly we thought it really wasn't much different than having Dream vs Fantasy. You go to the site, choose US, and instead of just showing you the policy changes it then has you choose your ship itenary (Dream and Fantasy West) vs (Fantasy East) before showing you the policies.

In reality you probably have 4 or 5 groups of people on Back to Back whom likely are more in the know and Disney could then just personally call even to outline the difference in their cruises.

So yes an extra tiny layer but in reality there are so many things required and worst case the system rejects you upon trying to check-in if you don't agree to the language outlining that vaccinations are required.

Again I would not expect any other differences just that one requires vaccines and the other does not. You still are going to need masks on board.

 

[jrapps]

I would have to go back and look but for USVI is the only requirement to be vaccinated for 12+? Or do they require testing as well?

One of the obstacles I see as well is these countries requiring testing X hours out from port which would be challenging to test everyone on board.

Many of the rules posted on tourism websites about testing x hours/days before are specifically for arriving to the country for the purposes of staying. Their rules for arriving by cruises (where people are only day visitors) can be, and often are, different and are often communicated directly to cruise lines. This helps to get around requirements about testing within timeframes. They negotiate with the lines directly to test before embarkation if needed.

Case in point, looking at the Bahamas rules everyone arriving to the Bahamas needs a health passport and everyone must PCR test before arriving, but that doesn't apply to cruise ships otherwise everyone would need this to arrive at Castaway.

This is also why people can't find specific mention on the USVI website that vaccines are required (and claim it to be false) when it obviously is true at this point.

 

[jrapps]

I was talking with my DW over the weekend and honestly we thought it really wasn't much different than having Dream vs Fantasy. You go to the site, choose US, and instead of just showing you the policy changes it then has you choose your ship itenary (Dream and Fantasy West) vs (Fantasy East) before showing you the policies.

In reality you probably have 4 or 5 groups of people on Back to Back whom likely are more in the know and Disney could then just personally call even to outline the difference in their cruises.

So yes an extra tiny layer but in reality there are so many things required and worst case the system rejects you upon trying to check-in if you don't agree to the language outlining that vaccinations are required.

Again I would not expect any other differences just that one requires vaccines and the other does not. You still are going to need masks on board.

Maybe. I can see them either doing it the way you propose, or going all-in on vaccines (all Fantasy routes require, and eventually moving that policy to the Dream).

Not sure which I am more focused on, waiting to hear Fantasy policies, or hearing about today's Dream sailing!

 

[jujubiee4]

Maybe. I can see them either doing it the way you propose, or going all-in on vaccines (all Fantasy routes require, and eventually moving that policy to the Dream).

Not sure which I am more focused on, waiting to hear Fantasy policies, or hearing about today's Dream sailing!

Refresh my memory. Does Fantasy have to dock somewhere other than Castaway? I love the
different islands but my husband just asked me why can't Fantasy dock at Castaway for a few days?
He wants to be in a lone bubble with just DCL guests and Castaway. Isn't this just the Dream but
longer? lol

 

[Lynes88]

I would have to go back and look but for USVI is the only requirement to be vaccinated for 12+? Or do they require testing as well?

One of the obstacles I see as well is these countries requiring testing X hours out from port which would be challenging to test everyone on board.

And don't forget that recently, the USVI was labeled with a CDC Level 4 Travel Warning... telling people essentially to not go there. To me, DCL does not want to stop at an island either way (vaccination rules or not) under those conditions. That is asking for trouble and could be construed as reckless in my opinion (non legal).

 

[jrapps]

Refresh my memory. Does Fantasy have to dock somewhere other than Castaway? I love the
different islands but my husband just asked me why can't Fantasy dock at Castaway for a few days?
He wants to be in a lone bubble with just DCL guests and Castaway. Isn't this just the Dream but
longer? lol

A 3-day cruise can get away with just castaway. 7-night cruises need more ports, otherwise you will have a LOT of sea days, and many people book specific weeks for the ports & itineraries.

If you figure that for the foreseeable future, the Dream will be doing 1-2 stops per cruise at Castaway, that is 2-4 days of the week right there. That only leaves a few more days a week, maybe the Fantasy could do 2 days there as well but that would be about it. That leaves 5 sea days.

I know many people (like me) go for the ship, but many people also go for the islands, excursions, etc.