Is Disney cruise worth it during COVID?

[Lizgistix]

I thought the food overall was pretty decent. A few misses but some other items that were really good.
The evening options on the Dream were plentiful and the only reason I didn't do more (I really should have tried that silent DJ party) was because I was being lazy and didn't want to walk the length of the ship to get back to the adult clubs area.
As far as masks go, at the time (3rd week of January), the mask policy on DCL was the same for Disney World, so it was no big deal for me since I had gone to the parks a few times already.

I had a really good time and it's only through willpower that I haven't booked another cruise for March, because I really want to go again.

 

[Timandalicia]

The only positive due to COVID is reduced capacity, but everything else like having to wear masks and reduced entertainment seems inconvenient for a vacation and the amount of money spent. Just announced a few days ago Royal Caribbean is doing away with masks, that makes for a better experience.

According to cruise critic reviews, the food quality is average at best and like said previously entertainment is reduced. Also, as an aside the internet paying by usage is terrible, unlike Royal Caribbean. Im considering a 2 day stop at Castaway Cay in April. I’m not a Disney hater, but just not sure as the years go by Disney doesn’t up their food game and internet game.

Should I go on the cruise in April? Or should I go the parks instead?

Just went. It is better. No downside. Let me give you an example. The first day, our family of five found a place in the sun to sit on the deck. 5 chairs. But my daughter wanted to be closer to the pool, so we moved. Then we noticed the sun was going to go behind the post so we moved again. We moved a family of five 3 times around the deck. That is flipping nuts. Usually you stand and wait for one chair to open up for your family of five and get whatever you can take. You can use that example as a metaphor for how incredibly awesome the cruise was.

Food was the same as always.

 

[RedHead0186]

That was a different circumstance - DCL was under the conditional sail order from the CDC and following their protocols. The Conditional Sail Order expired on January 15 this year - and so far DCL has not signed up with the CDC's optional program.

Good point, thanks for noting that. I still am not convinced that DCL will automatically switch their mask guidance just because WDW and DL did because they are different environments. But, I won't use last summer as rationale for my hunch since, as you noted, it was a different set of rules/circumstances. Though other cruise lines are dropping/altering mask mandates and guidance, so who knows for sure . . .

 

[KashasMom]

I think it depends on what the changes are and how they affect YOUR family. Only YOU know that. There are things that are important to our family, which makes the experience less. We've moved our cruise twice already. Hopefully the next one is a go for us (because we can't get our money back or move it again).

 

[KashasMom]

I appreciate all the opinions. The two day stop at Castaway Cay seems appealing enough to outweigh the negatives.

Honestly, it's JUST a beach. I don't get all the craziness about it. In fact, we won't go on a cruise that stops at CC - much more interesting ports. And that BBQ food?? Blech! (And I KNOW that's a hugely unpopular opinion, but it's MINE.)

 

[KashasMom]

That's not entirely true. It's mask-optional for fully vaccinated guests. Unvaccinated guests still have to wear them in indoor locations. And everyone still has to wear them on WDW transportation.

And, I wouldn't necessarily bank on DCL following suit right away. When WDW went mask-optional for vaccinated guests last summer, DCL didn't change their mask requirements. Who knows for sure, I but I wouldn't expect DCL to necessarily follow WDW and DL in this.

Have they said how they're going to ID those who are vaccinated? Have to show a card and get a band or something? Otherwise, people will lie.

 

[RedHead0186]

Have they said how they're going to ID those who are vaccinated? Have to show a card and get a band or something? Otherwise, people will lie.

I don't think they're going to do any IDing. It'll be an honor system. At least, that's how it was last summer when this was their mask guidance. There was no checking of vaccination status, they just stated this was it and expected people to follow it. And yes, sadly, I agree that some people will lie.

 

[Calantha]

I had a really good time and it's only through willpower that I haven't booked another cruise for March, because I really want to go again.

I'm right there with you. The only thing that's keeping me from it is the amount of vacation time I have left and that we're going in June...

 

[Foreveraprincess17]

What is the "CDC's optional program?" I am not familiar with this term.

 

[michelleandbrett]

Who knows if they'll extend it again or if it will change anything with cruises but as of now the federal mask mandate on transportation is set to expire March 18th.

 

[Bibbidi_Boo]

I think it depends on what the changes are and how they affect YOUR family. Only YOU know that. There are things that are important to our family, which makes the experience less. We've moved our cruise twice already. Hopefully the next one is a go for us (because we can't get our money back or move it again).

This is well said. With 3 kids and the prices no right now its not worth it. We have one in September that we hope to go on but for 6k (4 night wish) I will not be paying all that money for mandates/restrictions/testing and anything overall limited. But I also choose to see it asa chance to use the time and money to do something else we haven't done or haven't in a long time.

 

[Calantha]

What is the "CDC's optional program?"

The CDC’s Temporary Extension & Modification of Framework for Conditional Sailing Order (CSO) expired on January 15, 2022 and now they are just encouraging cruise lines to participate. If they don't they will show up in gray on the scoring framework, otherwise, it will continue as before.

 

[Snowwhyt]

^^^ True....I mean if Cali can drop the mandate, don’t see why DCL would keep it!!! Fingers crossed!

California doesn’t report Covid breakouts that happened from any given day at the park. DCL does report it’s cases and needs to appear to not be a super spreaders of germs. You never hear about California closing early because it’s patrons have Covid, but cruises are occasionally denied a port stop due to illness/Covid levels in the ship. We only hear about things like “foreign tourist with measles spent 2 days at Disney parks”

 

[Snowwhyt]

The CDC’s Temporary Extension & Modification of Framework for Conditional Sailing Order (CSO) expired on January 15, 2022 and now they are just encouraging cruise lines to participate. If they don't they will show up in gray on the scoring framework, otherwise, it will continue as before.

So does that mean the color system participation is optional now?

 

[Bibbidi_Boo]

So does that mean the color system participation is optional now?

I think they have to opt in by Feb 18th to participate , other wise they will just be grey.

 

[ChicosWife]

I think they have to opt in by Feb 18th to participate , other wise they will just be grey.

If they are "grey", what does that mean? Is there a benefit to not being "grey?"

 

[Calantha]

If they are "grey", what does that mean? Is there a benefit to not being "grey?"

It means 'no data' and then you (the generic you) don't know whether or not you should sail on that ship (if you were going to use that as a criteria for sailing) vs the participating ships that are still following the current instructions and providing information.

 

[princesscinderella]

Honestly, it's JUST a beach. I don't get all the craziness about it. In fact, we won't go on a cruise that stops at CC - much more interesting ports. And that BBQ food?? Blech! (And I KNOW that's a hugely unpopular opinion, but it's MINE.)

Our family is in the same opinion as yours, with the exception of my husband who loves CC. We drag the kids off the ship for 1/2 day and they can’t wait to get back on. The problem is that most of the crew go ashore so there’s not much going on onboard til mid afternoon. We live in SoFla so relaxing on a beach is not a big draw for us as we can do that anytime we want. The same with most of the excursions on a Caribbean cruise. If we lived in a different part of the country we would probably love CC more. We go to enjoy the ship and as a mom I love it because I don’t have to cook (and hear they don’t like what I made) and clean for days

 

[Calantha]

If we lived in a different part of the country we would probably love CC more.

This. When we were there in January...we hadn't seen a real beach since we were on our last Disney cruise in June 2019 (we did visit a small lake in PA but I don't think that counts). I had to drag my son back on the ship at the end of the day. BBQ...meh...beach...yeah!

Also, in general, I hate waves, sand, and having to walk 10 minutes to find a grimy bathroom...but with the nice seating, no waves, and clean facilities, I don't mind it at all.