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The cruise industry was among the hardest hit business segments during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially when it came to capacity restrictions and increased health and safety protocols both onboard sailings and before departures.
While the Center for Disease Control and Prevention dropped official guidance on COVID-19 precautions at sea earlier this year, many individual cruise lines including Disney Cruise Line, kept up with their own health and safety restrictions.
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Sometimes, as was the case in the most recent testing precautions, these restrictions varied based on a Guest’s age and vaccination status. In the latest update from Disney Cruise Line, however, remaining testing requirements for Guests traveling on sailings that depart from the United States, will soon officially be dropped.
Theme park reporter Scott Gustin shared that Disney is implementing the change beginning November 14, 2022. The policy officially ends the current protocol that requires Guests to present a negative COVID-19 test result taken 1-2 days in advance of their sail.
NEW: Starting Nov. 14, Disney Cruise Line will no longer require guests (regardless of vaccination status) to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test prior to sailing. This applies to sailings departing from the U.S.
— Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) November 2, 2022
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As with any change related to pandemic restrictions over the past nearly three years, Disney has updated its cancellation policy in anticipation of some Guests changing their travel plans. Those booked on upcoming sailings that will be cruising with the new testing policy update, now through January 31, 2023, will be able to modify or cancel their trips by November 13, 2022, with no penalty.
While the testing requirement has been removed from Disney Cruise Line’s domestic departures following this change, there are still some extra precautions taken onboard. Guests with upcoming sailings will likely still encounter additional handwashing stations and reservation requirements to access certain experiences that could become more crowded. Additionally, while most character meet and greets are back to normal across Disney Parks, Resorts, and Disney Cruise Line, this policy reversal has been happening in phases so onboard a Disney ship you may encounter another distanced meet and greet or two.
Credit: Disney
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For the most up-to-date information ahead of your next cruise, or to start booking your next Disney vacation at sea, visit DisneyCruiseLine.com. Happy planning and stay safe!
