Port Bubbles DCL

[Angelquinn]

Now that RC has eased restrictions on port visits for many Caribbean destinations, any ideas on if DCL will do the same? Many excursion bubbles are sold out on our ship leaving little opportunity to enjoy ports we have never visited.

 

[Mommb]

The current requirements for leaving the ship only on Disney excursions are only for non-vaccinated children. Given that some restrictions are still in place for these non-vaccinated children in the Oceaneers Club, I would expect the port restrictions to remain for a while as well, but DCL will do what they do in their own time.

 

[tvguy]

I don't think Disney has complete control of that. That may be the rules of the individual ports.

 

[Princesca]

So wait... if I have a 2 year old, who is unvaccinated because it isn't available, he can't go ashore in the Bahamas except through an excursion? He is too young for the kids clubs except the nurseries, and already can't go in the pools as I understand it...

 

[TRTRguy]

So wait... if I have a 2 year old, who is unvaccinated because it isn't available, he can't go ashore in the Bahamas? He is too young for the kids clubs except the nurseries, and already can't go in the pools as I understand it...

As of right now, In order to go ashore he would need to be on a official disney excursion. This requirement does bot apply to castaway cay.

 

[Princesca]

I find it a little troubling that my TA didn't mention this or the pool thing, despite knowing we are first time cruisers and have a toddler. :/

 

[tvguy]

I find it a little troubling that my TA didn't mention this or the pool thing, despite knowing we are first time cruisers and have a toddler. :/

Well, things are literally changing on a daily basis.

 

[lanejudy]

Well, things are literally changing on a daily basis.

If either of these were new rules, I might agree. However it's no excuse on these 2 issues. The pool rule has been standard policy for years, and the excursions for toddlers has been in place since the restart last summer. The TA was more interested in selling the cruise and getting a commission than helping make sure it's the right vacation for the PP's family.

 

[tvguy]

If either of these were new rules, I might agree. However it's no excuse on these 2 issues. The pool rule has been standard policy for years, and the excursions for toddlers has been in place since the restart last summer. The TA was more interested in selling the cruise and getting a commission than helping make sure it's the right vacation for the PP's family.

But you admit, the excursion bubble rule could change tomorrow, right? I'm kind of torn on the pool issue. I guess you could argue the Travel Agent should have warned about the pools, however, the flip side, many parts of the U.S. toddlers are forbidden by health code from being in a public pool, so no different that being at home.

 

[lanejudy]

But you admit, the excursion bubble rule could change tomorrow, right?

I don't get your point. Are you excusing the TA for not sharing well-known restrictions about the cruise she booked, simply because it could change tomorrow? The itinerary could change too, so maybe it's ok if the TA booked the family on an Eastern Caribbean when they want the Western...?

 

[tvguy]

I don't get your point. Are you excusing the TA for not sharing well-known restrictions about the cruise she booked, simply because it could change tomorrow? The itinerary could change too, so maybe it's ok if the TA booked the family on an Eastern Caribbean when they want the Western...?

I think you are nit picking. Did she disclose the 2 year old can't drink alcohol? Some things are just common sense.

 

[Princesca]

many parts of the U.S. toddlers are forbidden by health code from being in a public pool, so no different that being at home.

I had literally never heard of this, and I've lived in the US my whole life. Granted, I haven't had a toddler until recently. But every pool I've been to has had toddlers in it, with swim diapers, and apparently there's no restriction at Disney resorts so it just didn't occur to me.

I like my TA, he is patient and always cheerful. I'm just surprised he didn't mention either of these things.

 

[tvguy]

I had literally never heard of this, and I've lived in the US my whole life. Granted, I haven't had a toddler until recently. But every pool I've been to has had toddlers in it, with swim diapers, and apparently there's no restriction at Disney resorts so it just didn't occur to me.

I like my TA, he is patient and always cheerful. I'm just surprised he didn't mention either of these things.

Well, this forum nearly 20 years ago was where I first learned of restrictions on children who aren't potty trained in pools. Ah, swim diapers. The DIS Boards slang term for them when I joined was "Fecal Tea Bags".

 

[lanejudy]

Some things are just common sense.

Nope. It's the TA's job to provide the information her clients need about their vacation. Common sense, standard knowledge, specific details, dumb questions and all. Most families are not aware of the swim diaper rule until they go on a cruise; virtually every public pool in the U.S. specifically requires a swim diaper for little ones to enter a pool, cruises are an anomaly to that. Apparently even you didn't know that rule until you learned it here.

@Princesca feel free to ask any questions you have about cruising! Most folks here are happy to help.

 

[Dug720]

I had literally never heard of this, and I've lived in the US my whole life. Granted, I haven't had a toddler until recently. But every pool I've been to has had toddlers in it, with swim diapers, and apparently there's no restriction at Disney resorts so it just didn't occur to me.

I like my TA, he is patient and always cheerful. I'm just surprised he didn't mention either of these things.

Swim diapers are not allowed in DCL pools.

 

[tvguy]

Nope. It's the TA's job to provide the information her clients need about their vacation. Common sense, standard knowledge, specific details, dumb questions and all. Most families are not aware of the swim diaper rule until they go on a cruise; virtually every public pool in the U.S. specifically requires a swim diaper for little ones to enter a pool, cruises are an anomaly to that. Apparently even you didn't know that rule until you learned it here.

@Princesca feel free to ask any questions you have about cruising! Most folks here are happy to help.

I agree a Travel Agent should do everything within their power to inform their clients. But DCL has pages and pages of rules that may apply. I think a reasonable person would agree it would be possible that a TA might miss something.
Most state health laws prohibit swim diapers in public pools. Private pools they are fine. And yes, I did learn that here.

 

[Calantha]

Most state health laws prohibit swim diapers in public pools. Private pools they are fine. And yes, I did learn that here.

Not really sure that's true anymore. Not going to search all 50 states, but jurisdictions in California, DC, New York, Texas, and Florida all permit them in public pools.

 

[tvguy]

Not really sure that's true anymore. Not going to search all 50 states, but jurisdictions in California, DC, New York, Texas, and Florida all permit them in public pools.

Nothing is Universal, of course. And who knows about enforcement? But my 2 year old Granddaughter takes swim lessons in Los Angeles County at a swim school and she CAN wear a swim diaper because it is a private facility. But if she was taking lessons at a public pool it would not be allowed.
And the health code here bans adults from public pools if they have had diarrhea in the past two weeks. Clearly that has to be on the honor system.

https://familycruisecompanion.com/best-cruises-for-toddlers-swim-diapers/

 

[otten]

I find it a little troubling that my TA didn't mention this or the pool thing, despite knowing we are first time cruisers and have a toddler. :/

I would find that troubling too to be honest. Yes things are changing all the time but your TA should be making sure you are aware of the limitations that currently impact you.

I have to say I’m not sure I would be eager to spend the money on a Disney cruise if I had kids under 5 right now. Best of luck.

 

[Kariyaffa]

Not sure how far off your cruise is or how ready your child is, but the restriction on pools is based on toilet training, not age. There is a splash pad they can use, but they will also let a 2 year old who is toilet trained use the family pools.

I agree that the excursion thing is hard. I’m surprised Disney isn’t either offering more excursions for that age group or letting families with young kids get priority or something so that people in this situation have more (or any) options