Required Vaccinations for Children?

[IrishSarah]

Now that FDA & CDC have approved Pfizer for children aged 5-11, will DCL require it? If so, when might it start? I have a cruise booked with my 8-year-old at the end of December and I am really interested to see how this all plays out...

 

[laceltris3]

I don't believe they will require it, but they have not even updated their guidance that all kids 11 and under must get a pre-cruise PCR. I suppose it depends on what ports will require.

Royal has already updated their guidance that vaccinations are only required for 12 and over (presumably because of ports) but that the pre-cruise testing is only for unvaccinated kids (all kids 2-11 are tested at the port). That also seems dumb to require a second test from a fully vaccinated person. That's like the worst of both worlds because 12 and over have to test pre-cruise and you still have to wait for a rapid test at port for vaccinated 11 and under. It seems they should pick one or the other for vaccinated people.

 

[HiStitch626]

Obviously, I am not part of the decision-making process, but I would guess Disney will require this at some point. However, it will take some time to implement because the vaccines will need to be distributed and, like the adult versions, the child Pfizer needs 2 doses given several weeks apart.

 

[magicfan1985]

I'm on the Fantasy Dec 26th. My kids are 5 and 7 so I'm curious to see what happens too. I think it all depends on the requirements for Bahamas.

 

[kathi]

DCL did not require vaccinations for 12-17 until it was fully authorized (rather than emergency authorized). I suspect it will not be different for the next age group. I agree it is also likely that they will not require pre-cruise (at home) testing for anyone who is fully vaccinated. Everyone will continue to be tested at the port. Time will tell, and we know that DCL doesn't let you see behind the curtain until they are ready to inform us of their intentions.

 

[Katiebird]

DCL did not require vaccinations for 12-17 until it was fully authorized (rather than emergency authorized). I suspect it will not be different for the next age group. I agree it is also likely that they will not require pre-cruise (at home) testing for anyone who is fully vaccinated. Everyone will continue to be tested at the port. Time will tell, and we know that DCL doesn't let you see behind the curtain until they are ready to inform us of their intentions.

Ages 12-15 is still under EUA, only 16+ has full FDA approval.

 

[lanejudy]

DCL did not require vaccinations for 12-17 until it was fully authorized (rather than emergency authorized).

As PP pointed out, 12-15 isn't fully FDA-approved yet. DCL didn't require vaccines for anybody, adults or 12+, until The Bahamas required it. I think DCL will closely follow the requirements of their ports of call. Requirements for boarding will then match the strictest of those ports. I'd be surprised if vaccines are required for ages 5-11 before 2022; there is still a time lag between 1st does --> 2nd dose --> "fully vaccinated" which puts us into at least mid-December and that's for kids who get a 1st dose immediately.

 

[mousefan73]

A lot also depends on where the ship sails. You need to look at each Port’s local entry requirements. Ex. Cayman Islands I can see requiring this.

 

[Husker Mike]

Cruise the start of December? Vaccination probably not required for kids between 5 and 11. If kids get a shot today, they couldn't get the second shot until Thanksgiving, and then wouldn't be considered fully vaccinated until Dec. 8. Just not logistically feasible by then.

Cruise at Christmas time? I'd be expecting the mandate to be expanded to include 5-11 year old by then.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

DCL really started to require vaccines, for 12+ and adults, because the Bahamas started to require them. So it comes down to when the Bahamas requires them. (Or BVI or USVI, really; Vancouver as well will be a factor. We know Mexico is a non-factor.)

 

[MomOTwins]

Cruise the start of December? Vaccination probably not required for kids between 5 and 11. If kids get a shot today, they couldn't get the second shot until Thanksgiving, and then wouldn't be considered fully vaccinated until Dec. 8. Just not logistically feasible by then.

Cruise at Christmas time? I'd be expecting the mandate to be expanded to include 5-11 year old by then.

I signed my kids up this morning and the cvs website was like getting a boarding group for Rise of Resistance—time slots were changing from available to full in the second it took me to click on them. Earliest I could get was two weeks from now. So my kids won’t be fully vaxxed plus two weeks until nearly Christmas. I figure Disney will wait a bit to set a reasonable date by which kids can be vaxxed before requiring it. Current protocols seem to be working fine. I think December is too soon/not realistic

 

[Maggie'sMom]

Another reason they likely won’t require it in December—don’t want families cancelling those expensive Christmas cruises and getting a refund! My gut tells me they will wait until the January start if “off season” when the cancellations/refunds will be cheaper and schools are in session so not as many kids sailing.

Ultimately, it likely won't be DCL making the decision whether kids will have to be vaccinated or not. It will be the ports. If the Bahamas changes their rules and says kids 5 and older have to be vacinnated in order for a ship to dock in the Bahamas, then DCL will have to require it, whether it impacts the Christmas cruises or not.

My guess is the Bahamas will change their rules, but the will make the effective date a few months from now in order to give families the time to get their kids fully vaccinated.

 

[Crissitwinmomma]

Do we think that vaccinated 5-11 year olds will now have the same testing requirements as the current vaccinated guests requirement (ie will no longer be required to test prior to port arrival) regardless of whether or not Disney changes their vaccination requirements for 5-11 year olds? I am thinking of getting my kids vaccinated prior to our January cruise, but if they still will be lumped in a 5-11 population testing requirement I may think twice...

 

[2goofykiddos]

My 11 year old is going Sat. It will be a relief not to have to worry about him impacting our Xmas cruise or having to potentially quarantine. He will be completely vaxed by Dec 1. I wish they’d require it ASAP.

 

[2goofykiddos]

Do we think that vaccinated 5-11 year olds will now have the same testing requirements as the current vaccinated guests requirement (ie will no longer be required to test prior to port arrival) regardless of whether or not Disney changes their vaccination requirements for 5-11 year olds? I am thinking of getting my kids vaccinated prior to our January cruise, but if they still will be lumped in a 5-11 population testing requirement I may think twice...

Yes. I’m really hoping now none of us will need that 3 day in advance test.

 

[Chrissy-Mickey]

Royal has already updated their guidance that vaccinations are only required for 12 and over (presumably because of ports) but that the pre-cruise testing is only for unvaccinated kids (all kids 2-11 are tested at the port).

May I ask your source? I couldn't find the change on the website.
We (adults only) have a Royal cruise booked for December, and I would love to skip the stress of getting tested 2 days before cruising. I much prefer the testing at port arranged by the cruise line.

 

[laceltris3]

https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/will-i-have-to-take-a-test-before-i-cruise
I meant among the child population. Pre-cruise testing (2 day) is required for vaccinated adults, 3 day PCR for unvaccinated children, but vaccinated children are rapid tested at the port only. That's what I meant by the worst of both worlds. It seems vaccinated children would be treated the same as vaccinated adults, but they are not. You have to pre-cruise test adults AND wait around to get port-testing for the vaccinated kids.

 

[Calantha]

I called my son's doctor today and I can't even make an appointment until Monday...so I probably won't be able to get him in until mid-month...at least we have plenty of time until June. :-(

 

[DCLMP]

I think they’ll eventually require it, but I also think they will allow people time to cancel with full refund because there will be cancellations.

 

[tri-ingTheBigSky]

As PP pointed out, 12-15 isn't fully FDA-approved yet. DCL didn't require vaccines for anybody, adults or 12+, until The Bahamas required it. I think DCL will closely follow the requirements of their ports of call. Requirements for boarding will then match the strictest of those ports. I'd be surprised if vaccines are required for ages 5-11 before 2022; there is still a time lag between 1st does --> 2nd dose --> "fully vaccinated" which puts us into at least mid-December and that's for kids who get a 1st dose immediately.

And that’s for the US passengers only at this point. Other nations or blocs (EU) will probably follow suit soon, but it’s going to be a hot minute until the 5-11 program is up and running full steam internationally. Should the Bahamas require it of 5+, I agree it will be well into late winter, if not early spring. Strongly suggested in the interim, perhaps, but not required 12/9 (the earliest date today’s kids would be “fully vaccinated” by definition).

With that, on to scouting what will happen with Baltic ports next summer, hoping and praying we sail.