Will Disney follow Royal and not require vaccines?

[brentm77]

The global COVID pandemic created unprecedented restrictions, disruptions and changes to our travel, work, shopping, schooling, social interactions and so many other aspects of our lives since the beginning of 2020. We’ve all been affected, and we have been inundated with news, information, mis-information, frustrations and opinions. We’ve heard them, we’ve shared them, we’ve argued about them.

The discussions, debates and arguments about the virus, distancing and masking policies, various politicians’ statements and actions have been overwhelming and divisive. Many threads on the DISboards have been derailed or devolved into arguments due to this topic. We understand the passion, but feel that we’ve let the discussions run their course. We are sure there are better places on the WWW to learn about and debate scientific, medical and political issues. The mission of the DISboards is to be a great travel resource and a friendly community.

Now that travel is opening up again, it’s time to refocus on that mission!

From this point on, we will welcome information on COVID policies RELATED TO TRAVEL. Things like the vaccination policies issued by venues or destinations, the cleaning or distancing procedures in use, practical tips for travelers or things they might need to know that are different from location to location are all valid topics. Any official policies issued by Disney, other travel destinations, cruise lines, airlines, etc. regarding requirements for visiting parks or cruising can be shared. This information needs to be on-topic for the specific forum and thread where posted.

We will NOT welcome debate or opinion about medical, scientific, or political aspects of the pandemic. There are a few often repeated trigger items that won’t be allowed: No statistics about infection rates, no ranting about individual rights, no “face-diaper” comments, no debate about whether vaccinations or masking are effective, no discussions about which governor or politician or news personality did or said what.

In summary: COVID related discussion should be limited to actual policy and practical application, and NOT veer into opinion or debate.

We understand that you may be passionate in your opinions on this topic and want to discuss or debate them, and appreciate your understanding that there are more appropriate places than the DISboards to do that.

Thank you,
DISboards Administrators

Sorry - I didn't see the new policy before touching on efficacy along with my discussion of cruising. I will support the new policy and look forward to discussing just cruising again!

 

[DCLMP]

For anyone cruising on Royal, these are their current plans. I wish DCL would start talking.

Adventure of the Seas: June 12, 2021 departing from Nassau, Bahamas

• Allure of the Seas: August 8, 2021 departing from Port Canaveral, Florida

• Anthem of the Seas: July 7, 2021 departing from Southampton, United Kingdom

• Freedom of the Seas: July 2, 2021 departing from Miami, Florida

• Harmony of the Seas: August 15, 2021 departing from Barcelona, Spain & Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy

• Independence of the Seas: August 15, 2021 departing from Galveston, Texas

• Jewel of the Seas: July 10, 2021 departing from Limassol, Cyprus

• Mariner of the Seas: August 23, 2021 departing from Port Canaveral, Florida

• Navigator of the Seas: November 19, 2021 departing from Los Angeles, California

• Odyssey of the Seas: July 3, 2021 departing from Fort Lauderdale, Florida

• Ovation of the Seas: August 13, 2021 departing from Seattle, Washington

• Quantum of the Seas: December 1, 2020 departing from Singapore

• Serenade of the Seas: July 19, 2021 departing from Seattle, Washington

• Symphony of the Seas: August 14, 2021 departing from Miami, Florida

The following ships have been suspended through the end of August 2021. We are looking forward to announcing their return to service dates soon.

• Brilliance of the Seas

• Enchantment of the Seas

• Explorer of the Seas

• Liberty of the Seas

• Grandeur of the Seas

• Oasis of the Seas

• Radiance of the Seas

• Rhapsody of the Seas

• Spectrum of the Seas

• Vision of the Seas

• Voyager of the Seas

 

[JLTraveling]

Yeah and what if we get hit by a rogue wave? In all seriousness that's a lot of hypotheticals and what if's. You do realize unvaxxed cruises have been happening for months in other parts of the world without any major incidents. To your other point, this isn't March of 2020. Hospitals all are over the world are well adjusted to having covid patients and know how to treat them.

But have ANY of them guaranteed that they will accept COVID patients from international waters? If the ship is 12 miles off shore, NO country is required to receive it or anyone on board. And how is it that you know there haven't been any major incidents? Because we haven't heard about them? Nobody dies at Disney either.

 

[randumb0]

It's time for Disney to announce their plans. NCL will be 100% vaccinated through 10/31.

 

[sethschroeder]

It's time for Disney to announce their plans. NCL will be 100% vaccinated through 10/31.

They are likely waiting because CDC guidelines possibly could change again before they even get done with their test cruises.

 

[Clojel]

They are likely waiting because CDC guidelines possibly could change again before they even get done with their test cruises.

Yes, this! CDC guidelines have been changing pretty rapidly the last few months....and ALSO... I think they're stalling a bit to see exactly how quickly the 12 and under set will be able to get vaccinated. Obviously, as many others have already pointed out, the under 12 set affects DCL more than the other cruise lines.

 

[Freeman867]

In the end, we all should honor whatever policies Disney puts in place, regardless of our feelings on COVID/masks/vaccines/buffets/social distancing in general. I just want to know what they'll be so I can decide if my cruise is worth going on now or if the restrictions or lack thereof just make me want to delay to another date.

What everyone should have the common decency and courtesy to do is not say "I don't agree with Disney's mask policy and think it's stupid, but I'm going to go on the cruise anyways and just not wear my mask". If Disney requires vaccines but due to the lack of a national database to make you prove it, simply takes it on the honor system? Please have the common human decency to just not go on the cruise if you're not vaccinated and don't lie about it. This is a luxury cruise. Not a grocery store where you need to buy food to feed your family. This is the very definition of a luxury good and not a necessity and cries of human rights being violated due to a mask or vaccination being required for a period of time so you can't go on a cruise right this moment are just silly.

 

[DCLMP]

It's time for Disney to announce their plans. NCL will be 100% vaccinated through 10/31.

I believe they have no cruises from Florida until November.

 

[DCLMP]

In the end, we all should honor whatever policies Disney puts in place, regardless of our feelings on COVID/masks/vaccines/buffets/social distancing in general. I just want to know what they'll be so I can decide if my cruise is worth going on now or if the restrictions or lack thereof just make me want to delay to another date.

What everyone should have the common decency and courtesy to do is not say "I don't agree with Disney's mask policy and think it's stupid, but I'm going to go on the cruise anyways and just not wear my mask". If Disney requires vaccines but due to the lack of a national database to make you prove it, simply takes it on the honor system? Please have the common human decency to just not go on the cruise if you're not vaccinated and don't lie about it. This is a luxury cruise. Not a grocery store where you need to buy food to feed your family. This is the very definition of a luxury good and not a necessity and cries of human rights being violated due to a mask or vaccination being required for a period of time so you can't go on a cruise right this moment are just silly.

If they take the same course as Royal out of Florida which is very likely they will. Then people will have respect that too. It does go both ways.

 

[Princess Merida]

I just spoke with a DCL cm via chat that did not say the same old thing about not knowing anything at this time. His words were we have not released this information yet, it should be soon. We love that word here I know. Maybe this is nothing, but I will say that I've chatted like 6 times now asking about rules onboard and I've received the same copy and paste response up until now so I have a little hope that news is coming. I sure hope so, because with the news from Royal my group is ready to jump ship and I think I still want DCL.

 

[randumb0]

I believe they have no cruises from Florida until November.

Starts in August out of Miami

 

[DCLMP]

Starts in August out of Miami

Yes I just saw they added one ship in August. I’m not sure what the protocols are for it.

 

[DCLMP]

I just spoke with a DCL cm via chat that did not say the same old thing about not knowing anything at this time. His words were we have not released this information yet, it should be soon. We love that word here I know. Maybe this is nothing, but I will say that I've chatted like 6 times now asking about rules onboard and I've received the same copy and paste response up until now so I have a little hope that news is coming. I sure hope so, because with the news from Royal my group is ready to jump ship and I think I still want DCL.

Our last cruise before Covid was on Allure. My kids really enjoyed it. I prefer Disney, but there is nothing wrong with Royal. There new ship odyssey looks pretty amazing. There is a lot more to do on Royal then there is on Disney. They have ice skating, bumper cars, laser tag etc. The only negative is the fee involved. You will still come off the ship spending less than DCL, but for some reason it irritates people.
If I remember correctly my kids got to a lot of the activities through the teen club without paying extra.

 

[Freeman867]

If they take the same course as Royal out of Florida which is very likely they will. Then people will have respect that too. It does go both ways.

Of course they will have to respect that. No COVID fearing cruiser should act all upset on a cruise when someone is in their personal space without a mask if there are no guidelines set in place by the cruise line preventing this. Either way you fall on this, an individual person/family should be able to look at the rules and restrictions before they go and make the call on their level of comfort. I'm simply saying no one should act all high and mighty on a cruise and either blatantly disregard the rules or get upset when others aren't meeting a standard that was never supposed to be met.

 

[jrapps]

Yes I just saw they added one ship in August. I’m not sure what the protocols are for it.

100% vaccine required. I just went to their website and did a mock booking of the Aug 15th sailing. It says right in the booking process:

Note: Proof of vaccine required for all guests of any age on this cruise.

 

[tvguy]

14 worldwide. When I go to the website I still see four different ships sailing in July and more in August. Two in the U.S, one in Greece, and one in Asia. I'm not sure how accurate the cruise hive is.
The ships I see sailing per the website this Summer are Odyssey, Freedom, voyager, Jewel, Adventure, Mariner and Serenade. Not 14, but not three either.

Article listed 14, but it certainly could be wrong.

 

[DCLMP]

They are likely waiting because CDC guidelines possibly could change again before they even get done with their test cruises.

They could be waiting until after the hearing on Thursday. At least they are not flip flopping all over the place like the other cruise lines.They should put a gag order on Carnivals president. NCL CEO likes to spout off and make idle threats and RCCL did a complete 180.

I was annoyed with DCL for keeping quiet, but now I understand why. They will probably come out off this looking the best. Their PR team is probably laughing at all the other cruiselines.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

They could be waiting until after the hearing on Thursday. At least they are not flip flopping all over the place like the other cruise lines.They should put a gag order on Carnivals president. NCL CEO likes to spout off and make idle threats and RCCL did a complete 180.

I was annoyed with DCL for keeping quiet, but now I understand why. They will probably come out off this looking the best. Their PR team is probably laughing at all the other cruiselines.

I've disagreed with you on almost everything else, but this I am in full agreement with.

 

[DMMarla07860]

I've been on a lot of cruises where I've looked at somebody and thought they were brave to get on a ship. People cruise with all kinds of co-morbidity's and pre-existing conditions. People do die on ships and medical emergencies are not uncommon. Everyone knows the risks when they get on a ship.

As someone with a pre-existing condition I’ve learned so much more I was diagnosed in October 2018, sailed the Magic to Bermuda , 2 days later.

cruising 29 times I know risks, but I also know may health. If I wasn’t healthy I wouldn’t go.

 

[DMMarla07860]

Of course they will have to respect that. No COVID fearing cruiser should act all upset on a cruise when someone is in their personal space without a mask if there are no guidelines set in place by the cruise line preventing this. Either way you fall on this, an individual person/family should be able to look at the rules and restrictions before they go and make the call on their level of comfort. I'm simply saying no one should act all high and mighty on a cruise and either blatantly disregard the rules or get upset when others aren't meeting a standard that was never supposed to be met.

well said as someone with a Autoimmune disease I hope to cruise in August 2022, I know a long way off, but whatever rules there are I will follow and can’t wait