Royal and Carnival announce optional mask policy.

[RML18]

Norwegian now these 2…really hope Disney follows suit. #cruisingmarch7th

 

[dianerroy]

fingers crossed!

 

[KashasMom]

I agree!!

 

[cvjw]

Things seem to be heading in the right direction.

 

[Mike1082]

I'd be more excited if they just dropped the at port testing!

 

[diablodancer]

Personally hope Disney doesn’t change their current policy, it’s what makes cruising feel like a safe vacation atm as someone with an immune condition.

 

[Cheburashka]

Land ho! Normal life spotted ahead!

 

[randumb0]

Personally hope Disney doesn’t change their current policy, it’s what makes cruising feel like a safe vacation atm as someone with an immune condition.

The dropping of masks is inevitable. The real question is when will vaccine requirements be removed

 

[Kwami]

The current CDC guidelines require masks indoors for ships that aren't considered Highly Vaccinated or better. Disney only has 2/4 ships in that category and I expect the number of young kids onboard to increase over spring break and then summer break, making it harder for Disney to hit the 95% mark. So, Disney might have a harder time relaxing the mask rules than some of the other lines. Until young kids can be vaccinated, anyway.

 

[iowadisneyfamily]

The current CDC guidelines require masks indoors for ships that aren't considered Highly Vaccinated or better. Disney only has 2/4 ships in that category and I expect the number of young kids onboard to increase over spring break and then summer break, making it harder for Disney to hit the 95% mark. So, Disney might have a harder time relaxing the mask rules than some of the other lines. Until young kids can be vaccinated, anyway.

On Friday the CDC made some changes to that classification. See below:

“The CDC has further defined the definition of "up to date", stating it "means when a person has received all recommended COVID-19 vaccines, including any booster dose(s) when eligible".
The clarification of this new wording now allows cruise ships to exempt passengers who are ineligible for boosters -- namely children under 5 -- in their calculation toward the CDC's "Vaccination Standard of Excellence." This classification, the highest available, encompasses cruise ships to operate with at least 95% of their passengers and 95% of their crew being up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines”

 

[Bibbidi_Boo]

The dropping of masks is inevitable. The real question is when will vaccine requirements be removed

hoping by summer , which I do think is possible

 

[JWelch62]

The current CDC guidelines require masks indoors for ships that aren't considered Highly Vaccinated or better. Disney only has 2/4 ships in that category and I expect the number of young kids onboard to increase over spring break and then summer break, making it harder for Disney to hit the 95% mark. So, Disney might have a harder time relaxing the mask rules than some of the other lines. Until young kids can be vaccinated, anyway.

DCL is currently 4/4 Highly Vaccinated. This may be a result of the changed definition mentioned by @iowadisneyfamily

 

[RML18]

I'd be more excited if they just dropped the at port testing!

This to!!

 

[randumb0]

I am hoping that they continue to test at the port. If testing is to remain it is pointless to test 2 - 3 days out

 

[tvguy]

Land ho! Normal life spotted ahead!

Unless......................we get another spike.

 

[DCSWO]

The dropping of masks is inevitable. The real question is when will vaccine requirements be removed

I wouldn’t count on that happening - at all.

 

[gismo1554]

RCL has a triple vaccination rule in place and I'm not sure but think Carnival is the same. Disney has not yet done this so it may be that they keep masks longer and don't require the booster jab

 

[hrhdhd]

RCL has a triple vaccination rule in place and I'm not sure but think Carnival is the same. Disney has not yet done this so it may be that they keep masks longer and don't require the booster jab

Where are you seeing that about RCL? This is from their FAQ:

"We strongly recommend that fully vaccinated guests receive a booster dose when they become eligible to do so, though it is currently not required."

 

[braysmommy]

I don't see them dropping the vaccination requirement in part due to ports that will still be requiring it.

 

[loislane]

I'd be more excited if they just dropped the at port testing!

This! It's the part I'm most nervous about for our cruise in August, so I'm really hoping all this is gone by then. Especially when I read the posts from people testing positive at the port.