Tracking Cruising Restart: News and Updates

[_auroraborealis_]

I think Aurora has it right, after the test cruise, they have to conduct medical monitoring of passengers for a period of time. So until those data are collected and a report prepared, they will have to keep pushing the return to sail dates. I saw on another thread that someone (maybe Aurora) was saying an estimated 20 days for CDC authorization after completion of the test sailing.

I agree that it makes no sense to do test cruises out of NYC for October if the CSO will expire 11/1.

I am quickly losing hope for Fantasy 9/25 - which is to celebrate the first anniversary of our 20th anniversary (that cruise was cancelled last September).

Yeah, that was me. The tech guidance says 14 days post-sail data, and then I'm fluffing some weekend, some admin time for turnaround. Even if it's faster than a business week past the 14-day mark, you certainly don't want to be messing with passengers to the last freaking SECOND with that sail certification. Getting a certificate Wednesday for a Saturday sailing? Urrrgh.

Interesting that it seems, for the Dream at least, they are now canceling 1 week at a time instead of the whole month. Do they feel they are close to deciding on a re-start date for the Dream?

With a 6/29 Test Sailing date, my wiggly number for +14 post sail is 7/17, add a week and that puts you at 7/24 for a possible certificate okaying sailing assuming all goes well. I expect they want to give at least two weeks' notice that a sailing WILL be happening, possibly slightly more.

 

[MickeySwirl]

Wondering if they may cancel this summer's Alaska sailings in this next batch? They haven't been showing on the website in a while, but IIRC they have only cancelled through the first part of July. It seems really unlikely they can sail in July out of Seattle.

 

[Sykes]

Wondering if they may cancel this summer's Alaska sailings in this next batch? They haven't been showing on the website in a while, but IIRC they have only cancelled through the first part of July. It seems really unlikely they can sail in July out of Seattle.

All of the Alaska sailings are canceled since the Wonder sailings are canceled through September 19th. I'm surprised that they didn't cancel Baja season at the same time. I'm on the September 26th Wonder sailing, which now the first one on the schedule, but I'm 99% certain it'll be canceled.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

All of the Alaska sailings are canceled since the Wonder sailings are canceled through September 19th. I'm surprised that they didn't cancel Baja season at the same time. I'm on the September 26th Wonder sailing, which now the first one on the schedule, but I'm 99% certain it'll be canceled.

I can't see them doing the PC for the Baja sailings. Seems like they want to hit PIF before cancelling.

 

[Princess Merida]

I can't see them doing the PC for the Baja sailings. Seems like they want to hit PIF before cancelling.

Oh my gosh! I hope that is not what they are doing! But based on what just happened with the others maybe so. DCL really needs to put out a statement at least of what their intentions are should the test sailing go well.

 

[SailorsWhyf]

As someone booked for the Aug 16 Dream sailing with my 18 year old daughter (both well past our 2 week full vaccination window), I have a question that maybe you all can help with.

IF the test cruise goes well AND the CDC approves the Dream for unvaccinated cruising, do you think the cruise policies will be as strict as the UK Magic sailings (ie, only one stage show, having to reserve pool deck time, etc.)? Or do you think it will follow more of what we are seeing on land in the US?

After having our full vaccination freedoms return it will be hard to stomach paying DCL prices to go on such a restrictive “vacation”.

I’m trying to decide if we jump ship (pun intended) and make other vacation plans. If we choose WDW as a back-up plan, we are at risk of park reservations filling up before we hear anything concrete from DCL.

 

[Princess Merida]

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.la...021/06/08/disney-cruise-line-app-updates/amp/

Based on this I would say we are likely to have the same restrictions on US sailings.

 

[SailorsWhyf]

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.la...021/06/08/disney-cruise-line-app-updates/amp/

Based on this I would say we are likely to have the same restrictions on US sailings.

Thank you for sharing that. Somehow I had completely missed the updated features.

Ugh.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Oh my gosh! I hope that is not what they are doing! But based on what just happened with the others maybe so. DCL really needs to put out a statement at least of what their intentions are should the test sailing go well.

The PC transit is costly, even in off hours. Add in having to staff the Wonder with the travel bans in place, and it makes the Wonder an easy choice (business perspective) to punt down the calendar.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

IF the test cruise goes well AND the CDC approves the Dream for unvaccinated cruising, do you think the cruise policies will be as strict as the UK Magic sailings (ie, only one stage show, having to reserve pool deck time, etc.)? Or do you think it will follow more of what we are seeing on land in the US?

Based on the guidance for test sails, yeah. Because the choice for a line is to sail with majority vaccinated, or do test sailings demonstrating processes for dealing with potential outbreaks, with a lot of guidance on masking, distancing, etc. etc. The assumption behind test sails is that they won't be differentiating for vaccination, so everyone will be subject to the most restrictive processes.

Magic is currently sailing based on UK guidance, but the US test sail conditional guidance is pretty close to what is happening there.

 

[Princess Merida]

Thank you for sharing that. Somehow I had completely missed the updated features.

Ugh.

You're welcome. I really am just waiting for the word on vaccines 12+ or 18+ because we are okay with all of this. It's not great, but we will deal. DCL please put out a statement already!!!

 

[Bibbobboo2u]

New Features of the Disney Cruise Line Navigator App:

• At Home
  • Guests can make advance reservations for complimentary activities beginning 3 0 days prior to sailing.

Any guesses on what these might include? Maybe shows and movies? What about bar game times? Those can get very crowded. Ughhh - I can't see them investing in the IT and not using it post-COVID to micro-manage guests' time while onboard, which would defeat the purpose of cruising for us. Our WDW visits are very busy, but we take a much more relaxed approach on the cruises. I guess we will find out after first DCL ship sails. We still have one in November that has not been cancelled yet.

 

[BadPinkTink]

New Features of the Disney Cruise Line Navigator App:

• At Home
  • Guests can make advance reservations for complimentary activities beginning 3 0 days prior to sailing.

Any guesses on what these might include? Maybe shows and movies? What about bar game times? Those can get very crowded. Ughhh - I can't see them investing in the IT and not using it post-COVID to micro-manage guests' time while onboard, which would defeat the purpose of cruising for us. Our WDW visits are very busy, but we take a much more relaxed approach on the cruises. I guess we will find out after first DCL ship sails. We still have one in November that has not been cancelled yet.

Thats the same as the UK sailings. Its the theater show, kids club, fitness centre. Things like the bingo, trivia etc will be limited numbers on a first come first served basis and there is a virtual queue for the pool area

 

[Bibbobboo2u]

Thats the same as the UK sailings. Its the theater show, kids club, fitness centre. Things like the bingo, trivia etc will be limited numbers on a first come first served basis and there is a virtual queue for the pool area

Thanks for the info.

 

[SailorsWhyf]

You're welcome. I really am just waiting for the word on vaccines 12+ or 18+ because we are okay with all of this. It's not great, but we will deal. DCL please put out a statement already!!!

I went ahead and canceled. We have a Fantasy cruise and a Wish B2B to look forward to next summer. We are changing gears and heading to the parks instead this summer.
Best of luck on your cruise!!!

 

[Princess Merida]

I went ahead and canceled. We have a Fantasy cruise and a Wish B2B to look forward to next summer. We are changing gears and heading to the parks instead this summer.
Best of luck on your cruise!!!

Truly understandable. If we don't get word soon, we will be bailing as well. Enjoy your cruises next summer. Your plans sound awesome!

 

[jrapps]

As someone booked for the Aug 16 Dream sailing with my 18 year old daughter (both well past our 2 week full vaccination window), I have a question that maybe you all can help with.

IF the test cruise goes well AND the CDC approves the Dream for unvaccinated cruising, do you think the cruise policies will be as strict as the UK Magic sailings (ie, only one stage show, having to reserve pool deck time, etc.)? Or do you think it will follow more of what we are seeing on land in the US?

After having our full vaccination freedoms return it will be hard to stomach paying DCL prices to go on such a restrictive “vacation”.

I’m trying to decide if we jump ship (pun intended) and make other vacation plans. If we choose WDW as a back-up plan, we are at risk of park reservations filling up before we hear anything concrete from DCL.

We will see some of the same restrictions...exactly how much, no clue yet and a lot of that depends on if the CDC alters rules again between now and August (likely) and when DCL finally tells us all what the protocols are. My guess is we won't see official rules from them until mid to late July.

My gut tells me DCL is still trying to decide if they are mandating vaccines for any age groups and how that might affect the experience. At this point you should at least assume masks in certain places, social distancing in theaters (with reservations needed in the app), limited time in the kids club and pool areas, and tables spaced out for dining.

 

[lanejudy]

I really think Disney should have made this decision before requiring the August 2 cruises to be paid in full.

With the Dream doing 2 short cruises per week, it's inevitable there will always be a cruise (or 2 or 3) that just passed the PIF date whenever an announcement comes.

 

[Clojel]

I'm just curious to see if all of these mask requirements, virtual queues & restrictions to kids club, theatre capacity, etc... (assuming that is what it is like when DCL returns to cruising in the US)....will last BEYOND the Nov. 1 CSO. I'm *really* hoping not! I don't mind some social distancing provisions - less people in a space is always nice - but I want flexibility to send my kid down to the Edge whenever she wants, to grab a quick game of mini-golf on Deck 13, etc... and, most of all, I do NOT want to be wearing a mask! Mask mandates are already loosening up where I live...I can't imagine going mask free for a few months and then having to put one on for my December cruise! Yuck!

 

[AmishGuy91]

Why are we thinking the CSO will just cease to exist on Nov 1? I would think it either gets extended and/or modified.