Kids and masking

[Sleepyluke]

I hope to ask this correctly to not get it shut down and you understand the question. I have looked in other forums, but don't really see my answer, so if there is anyone that has experiences, please share, not wild guesses so hopefully the thread will stay open.

My basic assumption is that DCL will relax more mask rules as we go along over the next couple of months inline with CDC and other cruise lines. My question comes from the kid standpoint. On other lines that are less strict on the masks indoors, do they allow the under 5 in kids clubs without masks? Or indoors without masks for that matter? I understand that % wise most other lines are less right now than DCL with kids, so it is a little different, but know that with my 4 year old, it is going to be tough to explain why he has to wear a mask when no one else does (at least as he sees it). OR has this not been an issue yet for most parents to have to deal with. We have not had masks at school the entire year, we have explained that we have to all wear them on the plane so we are good there. probably thinking too much, but I am ready to cruise again!

 

[CaptainAmerica]

...it is going to be tough to explain why he has to wear a mask when no one else does (at least as he sees it).

I might be misunderstanding your question, but current DCL rules are that everyone must mask indoors. Kids and adults, not just unvaccinated under-5s.

In general, kids clubs are going to be among the strictest (most strict?) areas onboard. Whatever the stated policy is, that's what's going to be enforced.

 

[TestingH2O]

Agree with above. Also, my understanding is that other lines that do have relaxed masking policies are still requiring masking in kids clubs (Carnival and Royal) and/or not allowing kids under 5 (eta: Carnival is the one that is not allowing under 5) to participate.

 

[Sleepyluke]

I might be misunderstanding your question, but current DCL rules are that everyone must mask indoors. Kids and adults, not just unvaccinated under-5s.

In general, kids clubs are going to be among the strictest (most strict?) areas onboard. Whatever the stated policy is, that's what's going to be enforced.

That is what I was afraid of Several other lines are no mask indoors and have been for a while, and with this week's CDC changing the indoor mask rules, WDW dropping the mask rules indoors, I figure it may be coming soon. Dumbed down question I guess is - has anyone been on other lines with less strict mask rules with only the little kids running around with one on?

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Here is a published example:
https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/will-i-have-to-wear-a-face-mask-onboard-my-cruise

Masks are optional for fully vaccinated guests. We expect unvaccinated children to continue wearing masks indoors and in crowded settings. Masks are required for all children age 2 and older while at the Adventure Ocean youth program. Guests under 2 do not have to wear a mask at any time.

So yes, unvaccinated youth are expected to mask indoors. All Youth Program participants must mask.

 

[lklgoodman]

I have a Norwegian cruise booked, so I joined a social media site for NCL since I've only sailed on Disney. NCL dropped their masking, however their kid's club has been closed ever since they resumed cruising, no word on when it will reopen. A lot of people were upset because they weren't even notified that the club was closed. It's not listed as being closed on the NCL website either.

 

[Dug720]

I saw more than a few families at Disneyland last week who were all masking because their child was unvaxxed and ergo required to wear a mask to solve the "why do i have to if you're not" problem.

 

[tvguy]

I saw more than a few families at Disneyland last week who were all masking because their child was unvaxxed and ergo required to wear a mask to solve the "why do i have to if you're not" problem.

Not on a cruise, but my granddaughter's daycare still requires masks, or did as of last week. She is 2 1/2 and she has no issue with the mask, makes her feel like a big girl. Made her first trip to Disneyland in December wearing a mask. Her baby sister was born last week, so she will be staying home and out of daycare for the next two months until baby sister gets her first vaccinations so no idea if the masking will continue when she returns to daycare.

 

[dcassetta]

I hope to ask this correctly to not get it shut down and you understand the question. I have looked in other forums, but don't really see my answer, so if there is anyone that has experiences, please share, not wild guesses so hopefully the thread will stay open.

My basic assumption is that DCL will relax more mask rules as we go along over the next couple of months inline with CDC and other cruise lines. My question comes from the kid standpoint. On other lines that are less strict on the masks indoors, do they allow the under 5 in kids clubs without masks? Or indoors without masks for that matter? I understand that % wise most other lines are less right now than DCL with kids, so it is a little different, but know that with my 4 year old, it is going to be tough to explain why he has to wear a mask when no one else does (at least as he sees it). OR has this not been an issue yet for most parents to have to deal with. We have not had masks at school the entire year, we have explained that we have to all wear them on the plane so we are good there. probably thinking too much, but I am ready to cruise again!

The newly released policy will require unvaccinated children to wear masks in the club spaces.

 

[Bingbong5912]

The newly released policy will require unvaccinated children to wear masks in the club spaces.

I don’t think the kids club cast members are going to memorize everyone’s ages and make sure the kids that are 3 and 4 keep the masks on while others don’t. I understand what DCL was trying to do here but seems hard to execute on.

 

[tvguy]

So in a nut shell, they still recommend everyone wear a mask indoors, they just don't require it.

 

[lanejudy]

I don’t think the kids club cast members are going to memorize everyone’s ages and make sure the kids that are 3 and 4 keep the masks on while others don’t. I understand what DCL was trying to do here but seems hard to execute on.

Actually, 3- and 4-yr-olds in the Club is probably a small enough number that it's fairly easy to keep track. The families must sign-up for specific time blocks at the Club. The kids must be checked in, so it's likely flagged on their profile. Kids are assigned to pods based on arrival time, so the CM accepting a new pod of kids likely has their names and ages based on the pre-registration. There might be 1-2 kids of that age range in a pod, unless a large group of preschoolers all signed up for the same time slot -- in which case it's still easy because then all of them wear it.

 

[Lizard78]

Regardless of what the CDC is doing, I suspect Disney must also consider what the governments in other ports are doing as well. I imagine if their policies aren't in line with those of the countries they are visiting, those countries may deny entry. I think this is why you'll see cruise ships "lagging" behind U.S. policy.

 

[lanejudy]

The new indoor masking optional rule is only for sailings originating from a US port.

 

[Chrislovesdisney]

Over the summer and early fall when we were vaccinated but our children not yet, we always wore masks when all of us were out so that my children didn’t feel like it was just them. The mask/unmask policies may ebb and flow and change but if you’re concerned about them feeling different, the adults in your party wearing a mask may mitigate that.

 

[Cheburashka]

I hope to ask this correctly to not get it shut down and you understand the question. I have looked in other forums, but don't really see my answer, so if there is anyone that has experiences, please share, not wild guesses so hopefully the thread will stay open.

My basic assumption is that DCL will relax more mask rules as we go along over the next couple of months inline with CDC and other cruise lines. My question comes from the kid standpoint. On other lines that are less strict on the masks indoors, do they allow the under 5 in kids clubs without masks? Or indoors without masks for that matter? I understand that % wise most other lines are less right now than DCL with kids, so it is a little different, but know that with my 4 year old, it is going to be tough to explain why he has to wear a mask when no one else does (at least as he sees it). OR has this not been an issue yet for most parents to have to deal with. We have not had masks at school the entire year, we have explained that we have to all wear them on the plane so we are good there. probably thinking too much, but I am ready to cruise again!

Maybe just don't use the clubs & BBB? That's the only place where masking requirements are different for the little ones.

Elsewhere onboard, no guest of any age has to wear a mask, except in the Walt Disney Theater, but there, everyone has to wear one, so your child won't feel singled out.

 

[Cheburashka]

So in a nut shell, they still recommend everyone wear a mask indoors, they just don't require it.

No, DCL only recommends masking for the unvaccinated little ones. Masks are described as optional for everyone else, not even "recommended".

 

[tvguy]

No, DCL only recommends masking for the unvaccinated little ones. Masks are described as optional for everyone else, not even "recommended".

Nope. See bolded in the email. Required in the Walt Disney theater for everyone.

Dear [Guests on Travel Agent Bookings],
All of us at Disney Cruise Line hope you and your family are staying well. Considering recently updated guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, we have updated our face covering requirements for sailings originating from a U.S. port of departure, including your upcoming sailing:

• For sailings beginning March 11, 2022, face coverings on Disney Cruise Line will become optional in most indoor locations throughout our ships. Guests ages 2 and up, including those who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, will still be required to wear face coverings in the Walt Disney Theatre.
• Guests under 5 years of age who are currently ineligible to be vaccinated will be required to wear face coverings in Youth Activities spaces and in the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique; and, while not required, we continue to strongly recommend these Guests wear a face covering in all other indoor locations.
• As previously shared, face coverings are not required in outdoor locations while onboard our ships.

Face coverings may be required in ports of call based on local government requirements, including in some areas at Disney Castaway Cay. Masks should also be worn in the cruise terminal during the boarding and screening process, as well as during disembarkation. Please be sure to review the information available on the Know Before You Go section of our website for answers to many frequently asked questions.
We appreciate you sailing with us and look forward to welcoming you aboard.
Sincerely,
The Cast and Crew
Disney Cruise Line

 

[Cheburashka]

Nope. See bolded in the email. Required in the Walt Disney theater for everyone.

Dear [Guests on Travel Agent Bookings],
All of us at Disney Cruise Line hope you and your family are staying well. Considering recently updated guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, we have updated our face covering requirements for sailings originating from a U.S. port of departure, including your upcoming sailing:

• For sailings beginning March 11, 2022, face coverings on Disney Cruise Line will become optional in most indoor locations throughout our ships. Guests ages 2 and up, including those who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, will still be required to wear face coverings in the Walt Disney Theatre.
• Guests under 5 years of age who are currently ineligible to be vaccinated will be required to wear face coverings in Youth Activities spaces and in the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique; and, while not required, we continue to strongly recommend these Guests wear a face covering in all other indoor locations.
• As previously shared, face coverings are not required in outdoor locations while onboard our ships.

Face coverings may be required in ports of call based on local government requirements, including in some areas at Disney Castaway Cay. Masks should also be worn in the cruise terminal during the boarding and screening process, as well as during disembarkation. Please be sure to review the information available on the Know Before You Go section of our website for answers to many frequently asked questions.
We appreciate you sailing with us and look forward to welcoming you aboard.
Sincerely,
The Cast and Crew
Disney Cruise Line

Your post proves my point. Like I said, DCL only recommends masks for the unvaccinated little ones. For everyone else, they're merely optional in all spaces except the theatre, not recommended.

 

[mousefan73]

I don’t think the kids club cast members are going to memorize everyone’s ages and make sure the kids that are 3 and 4 keep the masks on while others don’t. I understand what DCL was trying to do here but seems hard to execute on.

I would assume they might implement a wrist band thing. That is how for example a resort we stayed at did it. Vaxxed got wristbands