Full Vaccination Required Ages 5+ Starting 1/13/22

[DMMarla07860]

Like I said, I respect Disney following port rules.

As some one with Lupus I was lucky I could get the vaccine I hope one day exceptions are made for people who can't take it for medical reasons.

 

[airplanegod]

Happy with this, with the hope/expectation other actions are taken such as no more masks, full capacity everywhere from pools to shows to shops, and the return of serving yourself at the drink stations/buffet.

 

[tri-ingTheBigSky]

Happy with this, with the hope/expectation other actions are taken such as no more masks, full capacity everywhere from pools to shows to shops, and the return of serving yourself at the drink stations/buffet.

Good hopes. WDW returned to self-serve drinks a few months ago, and I think I saw reports of some of the buffets returning to previous protocols. As capacity onboard returns, they’ll need the theater capacity and staffing elsewhere. Right now, they can probably afford a few F&B crew managing the drink stations.

I realize at the theme parks you aren’t mixing with the same people for 3-7 nights, but having a “bubble” from Jan forward, I agree with you that most of what isn’t normal now should be going forward.

For my family, I hope that sailings beyond 7 nights return. We’re scheduled for the 11nt Northern from Dover next summer as an anniversary trip. And after multiple cancellations, we want to return in style

 

[jsand99]

Well, a mid-ship verandah room on the May 16th Alaska cruise will be available to anyone interested tomorrow morning...

 

[isabellea]

I know they haven't officially been approved yet in Canada, but they're basically telling us that they're going to be approved. My public health site already has a link for booking vaccinations for 5-11 year olds (obviously it's not active yet) and the top doctor in Ontario is telling us we will be vaccinating kids by the end of November. I did see that it said most likely 8 weeks apart which surprised me. I think you would still be ok with a March 2022 cruise so if it were me, which it's obviously not! - I would take the risk and assume my kids will be vaccinated by then!

The 8 weeks delay between the 2 doses is because it was found that the the immune system develops a stronger long-term response to the vaccines if waiting 8-16 weeks between the 2 doses versus 4 weeks initially approved (Canada's gamble paid off when extending the delay between the 2 doses). If you want a 4 wks delay, you could ask the vaccination clinic if they would allow it since Health Canada will probably approve the vaccines with a minimum delay of 4 weeks (and then the provinces determine the delay they think is best for the current epidemiological situation) and you have a travel requirement. But, keep in mind that if Health Canada approves the vaccines only with a longer delay, then it won't be possible for the vaccination personnel to decreased the number of weeks between dose 1 and 2.

 

[Sherrilatte]

I'm wondering how may people are going to cancel because they don't want to vaccinate their kids.

Not enough to put a dent in DCL's coffers. It will be offset by the families waiting to vaccinate their kids before going on a cruise.

 

[dreamer17555]

This news made me feel better about my future cruise with Disney in March.

 

[dad of 3 addicted to DCL]

WOOHOO!

I am feeling *SO* much better for our January cruise now.

In the email it said it encouraged you to bring a copy of your vaccination record in addition to SafePassage. Do you think a phone picture is sufficient, or should we bring the actual cards?

I asked DCL this just this week for our upcoming December cruise & was told that the actual card was the best bet. Didn't say you HAD to have it, just the best bet. Very odd. We're bringing ours, just in case even though in other venues the photograph is sufficient

 

[YesMickey]

Disney must be wanting to get out of the Cruise business. Cruises now are at less than 50% capacity as it is. And with regards to the Bahamas. Went on a Carnival cruise in mid October with 3 stops in the Bahamas, (Bimini, Freeport, Nassau). They don't care if you are vaccinated or not. They only care if you have money in your pocket. Shouldn't be any lines or worries about finding a seat for a show come Jan. 13.

 

[Kwami]

Disney must be wanting to get out of the Cruise business. Cruises now are at less than 50% capacity as it is. And with regards to the Bahamas. Went on a Carnival cruise in mid October with 3 stops in the Bahamas, (Bimini, Freeport, Nassau). They don't care if you are vaccinated or not. They only care if you have money in your pocket. Shouldn't be any lines or worries about finding a seat for a show come Jan. 13.

The Bahamas does care, though. The law in the Bahamas specifically requires all cruise ship guests 12+ to be vaccinated. And I'm sure that DCL will be just fine with this new policy.

 

[Narcoossee11]

no exemptions,Disney knows people lie.

So true

 

[golex]

Went on a Carnival cruise in mid October with 3 stops in the Bahamas, (Bimini, Freeport, Nassau). They don't care if you are vaccinated or not.

Carnival requires that every passenger be vaccinated currently so that is why that is not an issue.

 

[cvjw]

For my family, I hope that sailings beyond 7 nights return. We’re scheduled for the 11nt Northern from Dover next summer as an anniversary trip. And after multiple cancellations, we want to return in style

Sailings longer than 7 nights have already returned. Did the 8 night on the fantasy last month

 

[tri-ingTheBigSky]

Sailings longer than 7 nights have already returned. Did the 8 night on the fantasy last month

Oh! I stand corrected then! Sail on, sailors

 

[CBMom01]

I'm not asking this as a debate. I'm just trying to understand... is this because Disney wants it this way, or because the locations they are sailing to are requiring it for entry?
My family basically just got banned from ever going on a Disney cruise. I had a severe reaction to my first dose and another family member almost died after their first dose. So, while I do not wish to start a debate about what Disney chooses to do. I feel that people should get vaccinated if they want and also should not be treated like scum if they don't want to get a vaccine because some of us have damn good reasons for not getting it. I just want to know the basis for this particular requirement.

I honestly think think they just don’t want Covid outbreaks on their ships. For some of us, vaccine and/or testing requirements weigh heavily in our vacation planning, but I think Disney is just trying to prevent Covid from spreading on their ships since Covid spread = lost dollars and bad press, at a minimum. It also disrupts others’ vacation planning when companies have to cancel cruises or limit services because of Covid. The vaccine requirements allow us to plan vacations and Disney to run its business.

When I say I wish WDW had a vaccine mandate, that’s why. I’m not judgmental, I’m selfish. I just want that certainty and safety in my own vacation plans.

 

[mousefan73]

I honestly think think they just don’t want Covid outbreaks on their ships. For some of us, vaccine and/or testing requirements weigh heavily in our vacation planning, but I think Disney is just trying to prevent Covid from spreading on their ships since Covid spread = lost dollars and bad press, at a minimum. It also disrupts others’ vacation planning when companies have to cancel cruises or limit services because of Covid. The vaccine requirements allow us to plan vacations and Disney to run its business.

When I say I wish WDW had a vaccine mandate, that’s why. I’m not judgmental, I’m selfish. I just want that certainty and safety in my own vacation plans.

In your case I highly recommend Disneyland Paris. It was wonderful.

 

[Intr3pid]

Dang, our early Jan cruise will now see some last-minute bookings from the other crowd.

 

[CBMom01]

In your case I highly recommend Disneyland Paris. It was wonderful.

It’s on my list for sure!

 

[kucanhead]

The cruise we are going on departs on 12/21 so it falls in that window between where kids can be fully vaccinated but aren't required to be to sail. My kids will be fully vaccinated by then, and I was hoping to skip the pre-cruise (1-3 days) testing since we will be flying out 3 days before embarkation. My TA contacted DCL and was told that it is still required regardless of vaccination status. Has anyone else heard differently?

Today's email implies that they only need testing if not vaccinated: "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 5-11 may complete these testing requirement in lieu of being fully vaccinated for sailings that depart before January 13, 2022."

However, the "Know Before You Go" website is worded differently: "Pre-Trip COVID-19 Testing: For departures before January 13, 2022, Guests 11 years of age and younger are not required to be vaccinated but must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test result (paid for by the Guest) taken between 3 days and 24 hours before your sail date."

Hopefully it's just a matter if them clarifying their policies since the change just happened today.

 

[2goofykiddos]

The cruise we are going on departs on 12/21 so it falls in that window between where kids can be fully vaccinated but aren't required to be to sail. My kids will be fully vaccinated by then, and I was hoping to skip the pre-cruise (1-3 days) testing since we will be flying out 3 days before embarkation. My TA contacted DCL and was told that it is still required regardless of vaccination status. Has anyone else heard differently?

Today's email implies that they only need testing if not vaccinated: "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 5-11 may complete these testing requirement in lieu of being fully vaccinated for sailings that depart before January 13, 2022."

However, the "Know Before You Go" website is worded differently: "Pre-Trip COVID-19 Testing: For departures before January 13, 2022, Guests 11 years of age and younger are not required to be vaccinated but must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test result (paid for by the Guest) taken between 3 days and 24 hours before your sail date."

Hopefully it's just a matter if them clarifying their policies since the change just happened today.

I understood that they would not need testing if they were vaccinated; I sure hope that’s the case. The testing sounded stressful and unnecessary if they were vaccinated.