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Disney Cruise Line will require all passengers ages 5 and older to be fully vaccinated.

The mandate will go into effect on Jan. 13 and will apply to sailings both in the United States and abroad.

cruise disney covid

By Ceylan Yeginsu

  • Nov. 17, 2021

Disney Cruise Line updated its immunization policy for guests on Wednesday, requiring all children over the age of 5 to be fully vaccinated against the coronavirus.

The vaccine mandate will go into effect on Jan. 13 and will apply to sailings both in the United States and abroad. Until then, unvaccinated guests between the ages of 5 and 11 must take a pre-departure coronavirus test. Currently, guests age 12 and up and all crew members on Disney ships must be fully vaccinated.

The new requirement comes after federal regulators recently cleared Pfizer-BioNTech’s pediatric vaccine for children ages 5 through 11 earlier.

Like Disney, most other major cruise lines have required passengers 12 and older to be fully vaccinated. While some companies like Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean Group and MSC Cruises have allowed unvaccinated children on board ships with testing requirements, some sailings have had to limit numbers on board because of policies that require at least 95 percent of passengers to be fully vaccinated.

Last week, the chief executive officer of Royal Caribbean, Richard Fain, said he expects an update on vaccine protocols for children soon, but no changes have been announced yet.

“I think we’re moving in the direction where every cruise will have 100 percent of the crew vaccinated and 95 or more percent of the guests,” he said at a media event on board Odyssey of the Seas, a cruise ship owned by Royal Caribbean.

Norwegian Cruise Line has one of the most stringent immunization policies, requiring all passengers and crew to be fully vaccinated — including eligible children — and recently announced that the rules would be extended “indefinitely” in the near future. It bars ineligible children from sailings.

To encourage family cruise vacations, Holland American Line recently announced a new offer allowing fully vaccinated children ages 5 to 17 to sail for free as third and fourth guests in the same stateroom.

“Now that kids ages 5 and older can receive the Covid-19 vaccine, getting out and seeing the world is on everyone’s mind,” said Gus Antorcha, president of Holland America Line.

Ceylan Yeginsu is a London-based reporter. She joined The Times in 2013, and was previously a correspondent in Turkey covering politics, the migrant crisis, the Kurdish conflict, and the rise of Islamic State extremism in Syria and the region. More about Ceylan Yeginsu

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Disney Cruise Line to require children to show vaccination proof to board starting in January

cruise disney covid

Disney Cruise Line will require children ages 5 and up to be fully vaccinated against COVID for sailings starting next year. The requirement is a continuation of the company's policy that all vaccine-eligible passengers be vaccinated.

"This will be a requirement for all Guests (U.S. and international) ages 5 and up for sailings beginning on or after January 13, 2022," Disney Cruise Line  said on its website Wednesday . "Guests who are not vaccine-eligible because of age must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test result."

Disney Cruise Lines says it will accept vaccines approved by the CDC and World Health Organization, including Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson, AstraZeneca, Covishield, Novavax, Sinopharm and Sinovac.

The test – which must be a NAAT test, lab-based PCR test or rapid PCR test – must be taken between three days and 24 hours before the passenger's sail date and will be paid for by the passenger.

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Passengers ages 5 through 11 may opt in to the testing requirement instead of showing vaccination proof for sailings that depart before Jan. 13.

While Disney has changed guidance on its website to include that children 5 and up must show vaccination proof starting in January, Norwegian has grandfathered the new age group into its vaccination requirement.

Norwegian, Celebrity policies require 5+ age group to be vaccinated

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., parent company to Norwegian Cruise Line, Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Oceania Cruises, instituted a 100% vaccination requirement in April and announced earlier this month that it would remain in place indefinitely.

There are no exemptions, including no age-related exemptions, to the 100% vaccination requirement. 

The announcement came on the heels of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's approval for children ages 5 through 11 to be vaccinated. Frank Del Rio, president and CEO of Norwegian, said on an earnings call that the move would "allow for an expanded group of 100% vaccinated guests, especially families to sail on our brand."

Similarly, Celebrity Cruises , a subsidiary of Royal Caribbean Group, said on its website that that "all crew and guests who are eligible to be vaccinated must be vaccinated in order to sail with us."

And Holland America Line , a Carnival Corp. cruise line, said on its website that through Feb. 28, its cruises "are available for guests who have received their final dose of an approved COVID-19 vaccine and have proof of vaccination." 

Earlier this month, Holland America announced a promotion to encourage sailing with vaccinated children offering that passengers "aged 5 to 17 sailing as the third and fourth guests in the same stateroom" would cruise for free – an offer available on some holiday sailings and other itineraries into spring to be reserved by Thursday.

Cruise lines including Royal Caribbean, Carnival have not mandated vaccine proof for children 5+

Other lines have not yet mandated that children 5 and over will need to be vaccinated in order to sail. 

Celebrity's sibling line  Royal Caribbean International , for example, said on its website that while passengers 12 and older must present proof of vaccination, "kids age 5 to 11 who have been vaccinated may present proof of full vaccination and follow the protocols for vaccinated guests" but did not specify that it was a requirement.

Passengers under 12 on Royal Caribbean will be required to complete additional testing if unvaccinated.

Carnival Cruise Line , flagship line to Carnival Corp., has not updated its policy to mandate that that age group be vaccinated, either. The cruise line's website requires passengers 12 and up to be vaccinated, noting there are some exemptions for children under the age of 12 to bypass the company's vaccination rule.

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Theme parks, disney cruise line updates covid-19 vaccination requirements, current vaccination guidelines remain in effect until september.

Thomas Mates , Digital Storyteller

Disney updated its vaccination requirements Monday for guests traveling on its cruise line.

According to Disney’s website , the current vaccination guidelines, requiring anyone 5 and older to be fully vaccinated before traveling, will continue through Sept. 1.

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Starting Sept. 2, guests aged 12 and older must be fully vaccinated before sailing on Disney Cruise Line. Disney, according to the site, now “highly recommends that Guests ages 11 and younger be fully vaccinated before sailing.”

Disney still requires guests to submit to a COVID-19 test before boarding and upload the test results on “the Inspire Diagnostics Safe Passage website by midnight prior to embarkation day,” the website states.

Read the full updated vaccination policy below:

Learn about the requirements for COVID-19 vaccination at the time of sailing. COVID-19 Vaccination: For sailings departing US and Canadian ports through September 1, 2022, Disney Cruise Line requires Guests ages 5 and older to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 at the time of sailing, as defined by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Beginning September 2, 2022, for sailings departing US and Canadian ports, Disney Cruise Line will require Guests ages 12 and older to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 at the time of sailing, as defined by the CDC. In consideration of CDC guidance, Disney Cruise Line highly recommends that Guests ages 11 and younger be fully vaccinated before sailing. In consideration of guidance from the CDC and the World Health Organization, Disney Cruise Line accepts the following vaccine types for Guests ages 5 and older: Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson, AstraZeneca, Covishield, Novavax, Sinopharm BBIBP-CorV (VeroCell), Sinovac-CoronaVac and Covavaxin (Bharat Biotech). For Guests ages 5 and older, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines fully vaccinated as 14 days after receiving one of the following: A single dose of an accepted 1-dose vaccine The second dose of an accepted 2-dose vaccine The full series of an active (not placebo) COVID-19 vaccine in the US-based AstraZeneca or Novavax COVID-19 vaccine trials The second dose of any “mix and match” combination of accepted COVID-19 vaccines (administered at least 17 days apart) Disney Cruise Line accepts Pfizer and Moderna for Guests ages 4 and younger; Sinopharm (BBIBP-CorV, VeroCell) for Guests ages 3 through 4 years of age; and Sinovac (CoronaVac) for Guests ages 6 months through 3 years. For Guests ages 4 and younger, the CDC defines fully vaccinated as receiving one of the following: 3 doses of Pfizer: the second dose administered 21 days after the first; and the third dose administered 56 days after the second. 2 doses of Moderna: the second dose administered one month after the first. 2 doses of Sinopharm BBIBP-CorV (VeroCell): the second dose administered 21 to 28 days after the first. 2 doses of Sinovac-CoronaVac: the second dose administered 14 to 28 days after the first. Disney Cruise Line

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About the Author

Thomas mates.

Thomas Mates is a digital storyteller for News 6 and ClickOrlando.com. He also produces the podcast Florida Foodie. Thomas is originally from Northeastern Pennsylvania and worked in Portland, Oregon before moving to Central Florida in August 2018. He graduated from Temple University with a degree in Journalism in 2010.

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A view of Disney's private island, Castaway Cay, in The...

Anika Noni Rose, who is the voice of Princess Tiana from Disney's 'Princess and the Frog' takes the stage to perform with Mickey & Co. during the Disney Cruise Line ship Disney Wish official christening ceremony at Port Canaveral, Fla., Wednesday June 29, 2022. The ship is the fifth in the DCL fleet, with its inaugural cruise for Disney guests slated for July 14. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

A statue of Prince Eric, from Disney's The Little Mermaid,...

A statue of Prince Eric, from Disney's The Little Mermaid, welcomes snorkelers off the beach of Castaway Cay in the Abaco Islands, The Bahamas, Thursday, June 30, 2022, during the christening cruise of the Disney Cruise Line ship Wish. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

The cast of "The Little Mermaid" performs during a preview...

A 9-foot-tall Rapunzel "paints" the stern of the Disney Cruise Line ship Wish, seen at at Castaway Cay in the Abaco Islands, The Bahamas, Thursday, June 30, 2022, during the christening cruise of the ship. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

The Disney Cruise Line ship Disney Wish docked at Port...

The Disney Cruise Line ship Disney Wish docked at Port Canaveral terminal 8, with sister ship Fantasy (far right), Saturday July 2, 2022, following its christening cruise to The Bahamas. The ship is the fifth in the DCL fleet, with its inaugural cruise for Disney guests set for July 14.(Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel staff portrait in Orlando, Fla., Tuesday, July 19, 2022. (Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel)

Disney Cruise Line announced it would relax COVID-19 testing requirements for most of its ships in late September.

The update to its health safety protocols announced Monday does not change its stance on vaccinations, which were already shifting to allow more unvaccinated children to sail.

But as far as testing goes, vaccinated passengers sailing on the new Disney Wish and Disney Fantasy out of Port Canaveral, Disney Dream out of PortMiami and Disney Wonder on the West Coast, will be able to board without any pre-cruise testing starting Sept. 23. The same goes for Disney Magic, currently in Europe, beginning Nov. 7 when it returns stateside.

As previously announced, DCL still requires passengers 5 and older to be vaccinated, but is shifting that age requirement to 12 and older beginning Sept. 2.

For now, both vaccinated and unvaccinated passengers still have to provide the results of a negative COVID-19 test, paid for by the passenger, taken within 1-3 days for those who’ve had the vaccine, and 1-2 days for those who have not. Unvaccinated passengers also have to be tested at the terminal, free of cost, before boarding, as well as any vaccinated guest that did not get tested beforehand, although the cost for the on-site test for the vaccinated that choose to go that route is on them.

Starting Sept. 23, though, for its four U.S.-based ships, the vaccinated can ignore testing entirely while the unvaccinated guests will no longer have to take a second test at the terminal to board if they test beforehand.

DCL has been slower than other cruise lines to loosen their vaccine and testing requirements . Most major cruise lines have opened up sailings to anyone who has not been vaccinated as of early September while also eliminating the pre-cruise testing requirement for those who have been vaccinated.

Cruise lines began their shifts in policy after the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention officially shut down its COVID-19 monitoring program in July.

The cruise industry was shut down for nearly a year and a half after the pandemic exploded in March 2020, with several outbreaks centered on cruise ships. The industry worked with the CDC to develop dozens of safety measures in an effort to get cruise lines back up and running, and out from under a no-sail order from the CDC.

The first ships began sailing from the U.S. in summer 2021, taking through spring 2022 before the cruise lines returned most of their fleets to service.

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Do You Need to Be Vaccinated to Cruise? It Depends on the Ship and Destination

While most cruise lines have scrapped covid vaccine and testing requirements, some companies and international cruise ports still have vaccination and testing rules in place..

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Viking Star vessel with New York City skyline in the background

If you’re planning on sailing with Viking anytime soon, you’d better track down that COVID-19 vaccine certificate.

Courtesy of Viking

When cruising restarted in spring 2021, after a nearly 15-month pandemic-spurred shutdown imposed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), cruisers faced a barrage of rules, including strict requirements for COVID-19 vaccinations and precruise COVID-19 testing. Later, the rules started to go by the wayside, and it was hard to keep track of who was requiring what. Not anymore.

Most cruise lines have now dropped or are soon dropping rules for both vaccinations and precruise testing, with at least one notable exception. Viking —on its river, ocean, and expedition ships—still requires everyone on board be fully vaccinated .

Another line that was still requiring COVID vaccinations, small-ship line Windstar Cruises, will be scrapping its vaccine mandate as of June 1, 2023. “We’ve invested in and improved our health and safety processes, including upgrading the HVAC systems on all of our ships, which has led to a cleaner and safer environment on board,” says Windstar president Christopher Prelog. “When combined with the widespread availability of vaccines and medical treatments, the risk factors are considerably lower now, giving us the confidence to lift the requirement.”

Are COVID vaccinations and testing still required for cruises?

Most cruise lines have dropped both their vaccine and testing requirements. Those that have lingered into 2023—mostly lines operating smaller ships—have been quietly scaling back their requirements.

The result: While there was a time after cruising restarted that you could be assured that your fellow passengers, at least those age 12 and up, were both fully vaccinated and tested for COVID-19 before getting on the ship, that is not the case anymore.

That said, specific countries have their own requirements, and several countries still require that cruise ship passengers are vaccinated and/or tested before arrival. If you are doing an itinerary outside of the Caribbean or Europe (where most vaccine and testing requirements have been dropped)—including to select countries in Central and South America or to Australia—you still have to read your cruise line’s precruise health and safety information carefully to make sure you comply with the latest requirements.

Contact your cruise line or check the U.S. State Department’s travel advisories for the latest.

What to know before you cruise

Vaccine and pretrip testing requirements can be confusing, especially if you are cruising internationally. Cruise lines have their own rules; countries have their own rules.

Before your trip, you will need to review your cruise line’s health and safety protocols. If a precruise test is required by a certain country, you will find that noted. In this case, you may be required to arrive at your ship with a negative COVID-19 test result in hand or not. (If testing is required, it can typically be either a PCR test or tele-health-monitored antigen test , paid for by the passenger. The cruise line may also require a test at the pier, paid for by the cruise line.)

If being fully vaccinated is required, that means having received the original series of vaccines at least 14 days prior to your cruise, or the original series plus a booster shot or shots.

As was the case even before the pandemic, you will be asked at embarkation to fill out a questionnaire inquiring about your current health status and whether you currently have any symptoms of illness.

You are free to pack and wear masks on your cruise. Most cruise lines suggest you do wear masks in crowded indoor situations—but it’s not enforced.

A quick cruise line guide to COVID requirements

Here’s a rundown of the basic rules for some leading cruise lines. Note: There may be additional requirements if you are traveling internationally. Be sure to review the latest requirements prior to boarding.

American Queen Voyages

On American Queen Voyages’ river, ocean, Great Lakes, and expedition ships, there are no longer any precruise testing or vaccinations required. Face coverings are optional, though masks may be required of any passengers showing symptoms.

Precruise testing is no longer required for vaccinated guests sailing with Azamara , except in ports where testing is required. No vaccination is necessary for cruises departing from or returning to the United States or Europe. In Australia, all guests 12 years and older must be fully vaccinated at least 14 days before sailing with all required COVID-19 vaccine doses (including a booster shot). Children under 12 years old are not required to be vaccinated.

Celebrity Cruises

No vaccination or testing is required on the majority of Celebrity Cruises sailings. Destinations with stricter requirements include: the Galápagos, Australia and New Zealand, transatlantic crossings, and select Central and South America itineraries. Unvaccinated guests need to be tested in Brazil, Chile, and Colombia.

As of April 23, 2023, on the Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria , and as of June 8, 2023, on the Queen Elizabeth , vaccinations and testing will no longer be required by Cunard (until then, testing and vaccination requirements apply).

Disney Cruise Line

For sailings embarking from the United States, which are the bulk of Disney Cruise Line’s sailings, no vaccination or testing is required. Disney recommends all guests be vaccinated before sailing and take a test for COVID-19 two days prior to their cruise. There are additional requirements on repositioning cruises and in Australia, so it is important to check the line’s website before your cruise.

Holland America Line

There are no precruise testing or vaccination requirements on most Holland America Line itineraries. There are requirements on select voyages (you can look up a specific voyage’s requirements on the line’s website).

Lindblad Expeditions

For voyages embarking on or after May 11, 2023, Lindblad Expeditions will no longer require guests to be fully vaccinated, although the line recommends guests be fully vaccinated (for cruises prior to that time, all passengers age five and up must be vaccinated). Lindblad recommends, but does not require, passengers take a predeparture COVID-19 test within five days of the start of their expedition.

Oceania Cruises

Vaccine requirements are purely dependent on the destinations being visited on each Oceania cruise. Passengers are advised to be up to date on the latest regulations for all destinations on their cruise itinerary.

Paul Gauguin Cruises

Effective April 2023, Paul Gauguin Cruises no longer requires that passengers are vaccinated or tested for COVID prior to embarkation, but it continues to encourage vaccination. “Paul Gauguin Cruises’ officers, staff and crew will remain fully vaccinated,” the line states. Travelers will need to present a health declaration form at embarkation.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Vaccines and precruise testing are generally not required to sail with Regent Seven Seas Cruises . There are some requirements in place based on local health regulations in a specific country a ship is visiting. Regent notifies guests approximately 30 days prior to sailing of any country-specific protocols.

Royal Caribbean

No vaccine or precruise testing is required on the majority of Royal Caribbean itineraries, with a few exceptions: Cruises from Australia, transpacific and transatlantic sailings, and cruises from Hawai‘i to Vancouver.

No vaccine or testing required except on certain Seabourn itineraries where a country may have specific requirements.

No vaccination is required for Silversea passengers except as designated by the destination. Precruise testing is not required except when specified by a destination.

Viking Cruises

All passengers and crew are required to be vaccinated on Viking’s river, ocean, and expedition ships—without exception. Viking strongly recommends passengers receive a booster dose before departing. Viking recommends but does not require a predeparture COVID-19 test (except if required by a destination).

Virgin Voyages

Virgin Voyages has no precruise testing or vaccination requirements. Masks may be required at select times.

Windstar Cruises

Beginning June 1, 2023, Windstar will no longer require guests to be vaccinated. Crew will continue to be vaccinated. Masks are optional, with the line highly recommending guests wear masks in indoor public spaces. All guests fill out a health questionnaire on embarkation. A precruise COVID-19 test is not required unless you show symptoms.

This article was originally published in May 2022; it was most recently updated on April 19, 2023, with current information.

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Do I need a COVID vaccine to cruise? A line-by-line guide

Ashley Kosciolek

When the first cruises allowing Americans restarted in spring 2021, all major lines were sailing with at least 90% of passengers vaccinated against COVID-19. That meant they required just about everyone on board to have their shots, with only a few exceptions allowed for young children and people who can't be vaccinated due to medical conditions or religious beliefs.

Since then, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has withdrawn its opt-in guidance for cruise lines, and most are now allowing unvaccinated passengers to sail. In fact, most aren't even checking to see if cruisers are vaccinated or not.

However, with cases picking up seasonally and new booster vaccines rolling out, will you need a vaccine to cruise? Click on your favorite cruise line above, under "Jump to Section," to find out.

For more cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG's new cruise newsletter .

Note: In order to be considered "fully vaccinated," passengers must have received their final shot (not including boosters) at least 15 days prior to embarkation. Most lines only accept vaccines (or a combination of vaccines) recognized and approved by the World Health Organization and the CDC. Generally, proof of inoculation must include your name, the type of vaccine you received and the dates on which you received all required doses.

Booster shots are not required unless specifically noted. However, keep in mind that the rules may vary by country, with some lines requiring boosters for international departures due to local regulations or for extra-long sailings like ocean crossings when port calls are few or nonexistent. Passengers who have their boosters are considered "up to date" rather than merely "fully vaccinated."

For general information on testing, please refer to our article on cruise testing requirements .

cruise disney covid

AmaWaterways

Vaccine required no.

AmaWaterways no longer requires proof of vaccination for passengers. However, cruisers are responsible for meeting the requirements of the countries in which they'll be traveling. If they do not, standard cancellation fees will apply. Pre-cruise testing is not required. Should passengers become ill during their cruise, AmaWaterways will assist in procuring testing and other medical services, which will be the financial responsibility of those guests.

American Cruise Lines

American Cruise Lines does not have a vaccine requirement for all passengers on any of its sailings. Pre-cruise testing is no longer required.

American Queen Voyages

Vaccines are not required to sail with American Queen Voyages , and pre-cruise testing is no longer required.

Related: What happens if someone tests positive for COVID-19 on your cruise

Atlas Ocean Voyages

Vaccination is not mandatory for Atlas cruises, but passengers must comply with regulations in countries on their scheduled itinerary, which could require that they be up to date on their shots. Additionally, pre-cruise testing is no longer a requirement.

Avalon Waterways

Avalon Waterways no longer requires proof of vaccination or a negative test prior to passenger boarding. However, mandatory testing and proof of vaccination could still be required in some countries the line visits.

cruise disney covid

Azamara recommends that passengers follow local regulations and the latest guidance from government health organizations when determining which vaccines to obtain prior to travel. The line also does not require negative test results in order to board unless mandated by local governments in the ports where the line's ships sail.

Carnival Cruise Line

Neither vaccines nor pre-cruise testing is required for Carnival sailings. However, the line recommends that anyone 5 years or older be up to date on their shots and carry proof. It also suggests that cruisers test themselves no further than three days from their sailing date to make sure they're in good health.

Celebrity Cruises

Celebrity does not mandate vaccination or testing for any passenger on any sailing unless required by regulations in the ports its ships are visiting.

Related: Cruise ship contact tracing: How the world's major lines are tracking COVID-19 exposure

Celestyal Cruises

Celestyal continues to require all crew members to be fully vaccinated, but passengers don't have to be. The line recommends anyone 12 and older be up to date on their inoculations. Testing is also no longer necessary in order to board Celestyal ships.

cruise disney covid

Cunard Line

Although Cunard suggests that travelers be fully vaccinated and current with their boosters, proof of immunization is not required, nor is pre-cruise testing for any of the line's sailing unless required by law.

Disney Cruise Line

Disney Cruise Line encourages — but does not require — all passengers to be fully vaccinated before sailing. It also recommends pre-cruise testing, no more than two days prior to embarkation, for anyone who doesn't have their shots.

Emerald Cruises

Emerald Cruises suggests that all passengers be vaccinated, but it no longer checks for proof. Pre-cruise testing is also no longer required, but the line advises travelers to check local regulations in the places they'll be visiting.

Grand Circle Cruise Line

Vaccine required yes.

Grand Circle has mandated that all passengers must be fully vaccinated at least 14 days prior to embarkation as a condition of carriage, and proof must be provided before boarding. Passengers who are not fully vaccinated will have to return home at their own expense. Boosters are not mandatory. Pre-cruise testing might be required, depending on your port of embarkation. (The line will send you that information prior to your sailing.)

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises

Hapag-Lloyd does not require vaccinations or pre-cruise testing as a condition of sailing. However, the line recommends both to passengers as precautions. It also advises that cruisers are responsible for knowing and adhering to all local guidelines and regulations.

cruise disney covid

Holland America

Holland America now allows unvaccinated passengers to sail and does not make pre-cruise testing compulsory unless either of these is required by local regulations in the areas its vessels sail. Booked cruisers can search for requirements specific to their individual sailings by using this tool .

Hurtigruten

Vaccine required sometimes.

On expedition cruises with Hurtigruten , passengers are not required to show proof of vaccination, except on 2023 and 2024 voyages to Antarctica and the Northwest Passage or West Africa sailings departing from and returning to Dakar. Immunization is also not necessary for the line's non-expedition itineraries, but it is recommended for both coastal voyages and expedition cruises. Neither type of cruise requires negative test results as a condition of embarkation. Passengers with reservations can check specific protocols for their specific bookings using this tool .

Lindblad Expeditions

Lindblad passengers no longer need to provide proof of vaccination in order to cruise, and pre-cruise testing is no longer required, including at embarkation. Exceptions might apply for departures from certain destinations. The line urges passengers to follow government recommendations for masking, testing and vaccination.

Related: Why I feel safer now on a cruise ship than in my hometown

MSC Cruises

Vaccination and testing are no longer terms of carriage when sailing with MSC Cruises . The line still recommends that passengers receive their shots and notes that it's each passenger's responsibility to comply with local regulations in the places their sailing visits.

Norwegian Cruise Line

In early August 2022, Norwegian Cruise Line became the first major cruise line to roll back its vaccination requirements. Proof of immunization is no longer required, nor is testing in order to board for any voyage.

cruise disney covid

Oceania Cruises

Upscale cruise line Oceania does not check vaccination records for passengers, nor does it require pre-cruise testing for its sailings.

P&O Cruises

There are no vaccination or testing mandates in place for any of P&O Cruises ' voyages.

Ponant 's website simply reads, "when you visit certain destinations, vaccines can be recommended," but they are not required by the line. Ponant also says it will alert passengers to their specific requirements after they have booked a voyage. Testing is also not needed in order to board.

Princess Cruises

Following an industry-wide rollback of protocols, Princess passengers no longer have to show proof of a COVID-19 vaccine, nor proof of a negative test result, unless either is required by local regulations. Passengers are responsible for knowing the requirements for the places their ships will visit.

cruise disney covid

Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Regent doesn't check the vaccination status of any of its passengers unless required by local protocols. Testing requirements vary by location and might depend on whether or not you are up to date on your shots. If vaccination or testing is required, the line will alert cruisers approximately 30 days prior to their sailing date.

Royal Caribbean

To board Royal Caribbean ships, you don't have to be vaccinated or provide test results. However, the line advises staying up to date on inoculations and following guidelines issued by federal health authorities.

Saga has rolled back its vaccination and testing requirements, which is significant, given that the line only allows passengers 50 and older to sail on its vessels. They will only be required if local authorities dictate them.

Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours

Passengers embarking on river and ocean voyages with Scenic will not need to be fully immunized prior to sailing. Testing is not required by the line but might be needed to enter the country in which you're embarking on your sailing. Passengers are responsible for meeting entry requirements.

cruise disney covid

For cruises with luxury line Seabourn , there are no line-enforced regulations for vaccination or testing unless required by local authorities in the countries on which its vessels call. To see if your booked sailing requires either of these, check out the line's search tool .

Luxury brand Silversea does not require shots for its passengers or pre-cruise tests unless they're needed to meet local regulations.

Star Clippers

Star Clippers has eliminated all vaccine checks and testing protocols for all passengers on all voyages.

cruise disney covid

For all voyages through 2023, Tauck requires passengers 12 and older to be fully vaccinated and have at least one booster dose and/or show proof of recovery from COVID-19. Passengers 11 years old and younger are not required to be fully vaccinated. If they aren't fully vaccinated or don't have a booster, they must provide proof of a negative PCR or antigen test result from a test taken no more than three days prior to embarkation. For sailings in 2024, vaccination and testing requirements will be waived for all passengers.

UnCruise Adventures

All UnCruise passengers are exempt from vaccine and testing requirements. The line will continue to monitor the effects of new variants, as well as CDC recommendations and will adjust its policies accordingly.

Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection

Testing requirements are determined by the countries the ships visit, but the line itself has no vaccine or testing mandates of its own. You can check the protocols for the places on your itinerary for the most up-to-date information by visiting the protocols page on Uniworld's website .

All Viking passengers, whether on a river sailing or an ocean voyage, must be fully vaccinated for sailings departing on or before Oct. 31, 2023. It will not be required for cruisers embarking on or after Nov. 1, 2023. Testing is no longer required unless passengers are exhibiting symptoms and seek medical assistance.

Virgin Voyages

Virgin Voyages will not check proof of immunization or a negative COVID-19 test prior to boarding.

Windstar Cruises

Windstar no longer mandates shots for passengers of any age. Testing is not required by the line but might be necessary based on local regulations, which with passengers must comply.

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Disney’s Updated Policy for COVID-19 Recovered Guests

Picture of Sarah Bretz, Contributor

Sarah Bretz, Contributor

  • February 1, 2022

Disney Cruise Line has updated its ‘Know Before You Go’ website with policies for passengers who have recently recovered from COVID-19.

In some cases, those who have recently recovered may still test positive. If guests have tested positive within 11 to 90 days of their sail date, they may qualify to be considered as “90-Day-Recovered.”

disney dream port canaveral

90 Day Recovered

With the appropriate documentation and approval from Disney Cruise Line, those who are considered “90-Day-Recovered” do not have to take a COVID-19 test during the pre-sail, embarkation, or disembarkation phases of their sailing.

The following documentation should be uploaded to the Safe Passage website for those who would like to be identified as “90-Day-Recovered”:

  • A copy of your previous positive COVID-19 test result which is greater than 11 days and less than 90 days from the sail date. The test must have been antigen, NAAT, rapid PCR, or lab-based PCR. The test result must include your date of birth.
  • A signed letter (on official letterhead that shows the name, address, and phone number of a licensed healthcare provider or public health official) stating that you have recovered from COVID-19 in the last 90 days and are clear for travel.

MORE: Carnival Pulls Cruise Ship from Australia, Redeploys to Florida

Those who are able to prove they have recently recovered from COVID-19 are not exempt from Disney Cruise Line’s current vaccination policy. Those who are ages 5 and older must be vaccinated to sail, regardless of whether they have had COVID-19 recently or not.

This means that all passengers 5 and older who do  want to be considered as 90-Day-Recovered must also upload proof of vaccination in addition to their 90-Day-Recovered documentation onto Safe Passage.

Bring the documentation with you to the port on embarkation day, as well.

disney fantasy pool deck aqua duck

Everyone Else

Those who are not old enough to be vaccinated and haven’t recovered from COVID-19 recently will need to test prior to the cruise as usual with one of these options:

  • United States residents can purchase an at-home PCR test directly from the Safe Passage website by Inspire Diagnostics. Tests must be completed and mailed back 3 days prior to sailing, or dropped off at one of the Central Florida testing locations offered by Inspire Diagnostics.
  • The second option is to use the Safe Passage website to purchase and schedule a pre-trip test to be performed at one of the Inspire Diagnostics testing locations set up for Disney Cruise Line passengers near the terminal, 1 to 3 days prior to sailing.
  • The third option is to obtain a PCR test from any independent testing provider.

On embarkation day, all guests regardless of their age or vaccination status will be required to take a test at the terminal prior to boarding the ship.

READ NEXT: 10 Fun Facts About Disney Dream You Probably Didn’t Know

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Privacy Notice

Health screening measures during covid-19.

As Disney Cruise Line (we, us) returns to sailing following the public health threat of COVID-19, we are changing some of our usual practices. Our Health Screening Measures (listed in section 2 below) promote health and safety onboard and help minimise the likelihood of spreading COVID-19. More information about our Health Screening Measures can be found at Know Before You Go .

This Privacy Notice describes how your personal data will be collected, used and handled as a result of the Health Screening Measures being implemented throughout your journey, from prior to travel to the end of your time on board our ship.

For the purposes of the data protection legislation including the Data Protection Act 2018 (UK), Magical Cruise Company Ltd (trading as Disney Cruise Line) is the data controller of the Personal Data to be processed in accordance with this Notice.

1 THE SCOPE OF THIS NOTICE

1.1 This Privacy Notice applies to all Disney Cruise Line guests, crew members, ship visitors, and any other person embarking the ships or attending the port.

1.2 This Privacy Notice supplements and does not replace any other privacy notice which applies to you.

2 WHAT TYPES OF PERSONAL DATA DO WE COLLECT?

2.1 Your Personal Data is information which can be identified (either directly or indirectly) as relating to you. The Personal Data we will collect from you or about you from a third party (such as a testing provider), as part of our Health Screening Measures may include special categories of personal data which may be more sensitive, such as health information, and to which extra obligations apply.

2.2 Our Health Screening Measures include:

  • Vaccination information: we may ask you to confirm whether you and those in your travel party have received a COVID-19 vaccine including proof of vaccination and date given. This may be done: for guests, prior to making a booking, at the port when checking-in or onboard; for crew, prior to embarking the ships.
  • Temperature checks: we may test your temperature before embarkation and during your time on-board our ship. This will usually be done by using a hand held contactless thermometer operated by our crew or self-temperature checks using a provided thermometer.
  • Health screening questionnaire: prior to embarkation, you will need to complete a health screening questionnaire for all members of your stateroom confirming your travel history and whether any members of your travel party have had any COVID-19 symptoms. You may be asked to complete this again during your time onboard. This may be done via our App (such as the Navigator App for guests), in-person when checking in or via email.
  • COVID-19 tests: we may ask you to undergo a COVID-19 test, including PCR swab or antigen / lateral flow tests. You may be asked to have a test: prior to travel or embarking the ship; onboard the ship; if you have any symptoms consistent with COVID-19; as part of a surveillance program and/or if you are considered a close contact with someone who has tested positive to COVID-19 or is showing symptoms of it. Test results may be provided to us by you or by the testing provider.
  • Contact Tracing: individuals on-board may be required to participate in our contact tracing programme, which includes on-board data collection. On-board data is data collected for other purposes which may be used to identify individuals who were in close contact (as defined by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and subject to change) with a positive or suspected positive case of COVID-19. Examples of on-board data include restaurant reservations or entertainment bookings.
  • Passenger Locator Form: we may require you complete a Passenger Locator Form about you and/or your travel party in accordance with public health and government guidance. The Passenger Locator Form includes your contact details and journey details. 

3 WHY ARE WE COLLECTING YOUR PERSONAL DATA?

3.1 We process your Personal Data in accordance with this Privacy Notice for our legitimate purposes and/or to comply with our legal obligations to:

  • Promote the security and protection of people on our ships;
  • Facilitate the business of Disney Cruise Line;
  • Comply with health and safety obligations;
  • Comply with legal regulatory compliance and auditing purposes, and cooperate with investigations carried out by the policy, government or regulatory.

3.2 We process Special Categories of Personal Data for more restricted purposes and only as permitted by law. We process Special Categories of Personal Data where:

  • necessary for complying with employment, social security and social protection laws including health and safety;
  • necessary for the reasons of substantial public interest and public health in limiting the risk of exposure to COVID-19 to all crew, guests and third parties to the ship(s);
  • necessary to protect the vital interests of those on-board our ships including Disney Cruise Line guests, crew and ship visitors; and/or
  • for health care purposes such as preventative medicine or to assess the working capacity of our crew.

3.3 Without your Personal Data we may not be able to allow you on-board the ship(s).

4 SHARING YOUR PERSONAL DATA

4.1 Where we are required to do so, we may share your Personal Data with third parties who provide professional services such as medical service providers or COVID-19 testing providers; and to government institutions such as public health authorities and port authorities. This may include authorities from the country you boarded the ship, destinations visited and your final port.

4.2 We may also share your Personal Data within The Walt Disney group of companies, if necessary (such as to help reschedule a cruise if you test positive for COVID-19 prior to embarkation) and/or to the third parties who provide products and services to us (e.g. cloud services) in order to carry out activities on our behalf. Where we share your Personal Data, we put in place appropriate contractual protections.

5 SECURITY OF YOUR PERSONAL DATA

The information that you provide will be stored securely on our electronic systems. Only relevant members of staff will have access to the information you provide to us.

6 RETAINING YOUR PERSONAL DATA

We will hold the Personal Data which you provide to us as part of the Health Screening Measures for the purposes listed in this Privacy Notice for no longer than is necessary. We will continue to review the guidance issued by respective governments to determine how long that may be.

Personal Data collected for other purposes, and covered by other privacy notices will be retained for the duration set out in those notices.

7 YOUR RIGHTS

7.1 You can request access to or deletion of your Personal Data, or correct or update inaccurate Personal Data. These rights are not always absolute and there may be reasons we need to retain your Personal Data. We will always tell you if we need to do so. If you wish to exercise any of these rights, you can do so by e-mailing your request to [email protected]

7.2 If you are not satisfied with the response you receive, you have a right to lodge a complaint with your local Supervisory Authority which in the UK, is the Information Commissioner’s Office (“ICO”). The ICO can be contacted via www.ico.org.uk or telephone +44 0303 123 1113.

This Notice may be updated from time to time, and we may issue further guidance or amendments to this Notice.

These are the cruise ships with the best — and worst — sanitation scores so far this year

  • The CDC randomly inspects cruise ships to help prevent the spread of stomach viruses. 
  • The agency has reported 13 norovirus outbreaks on cruise ships this year.
  • These are the cruise ships with the best and worst sanitation report cards in 2023 so far.

Insider Today

There's nothing like a stomach virus to ruin your vacation, as hundreds of cruise ship passengers have unfortunately learned this year.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported 13 norovirus outbreaks on cruise ships so far in 2023. The last time the industry's yearly gastrointestinal illness outbreak total was that high was back in 2016 — and it's only July.

For the agency to report a cruise-ship outbreak, 3% or more of passengers or crew members must report symptoms of gastrointestinal illness, such as vomiting and diarrhea, to the ship's medical staff. During the most recent outbreak, a 14-day cruise aboard the Viking Neptune in June, slightly over 13% of passengers (110 of 838) reported being ill with predominant symptoms of abdominal cramps, vomiting, and diarrhea, according to the CDC.

The nasty stomach bug isn't just a cruise-ship problem, though. Norovirus cases have spiked across the United States this year, which some experts say is the result of ending COVID-19 restrictions .

"People often associate cruise ships with acute gastrointestinal illnesses such as norovirus, but acute gastrointestinal illness is relatively infrequent on cruise ships," the CDC says on its website. "Health officials track illness on cruise ships. So outbreaks are found and reported more quickly on a cruise ship than on land."

To try to help prevent the spread of stomach viruses at sea, the CDC randomly inspects cruise ships and scores them on a scale of 0 to 100 through the Vessel Sanitation Program . Inspection scores of 85 and lower are considered "not satisfactory" by the agency.

Related stories

Most vessels have received scores in the high 90s — only one cruise ship, the MSC Seaside, has failed the CDC's sanitation inspection so far this year. The vessel received an unusually low score of 67 , nearly 20 points below the agency's passing grade.

An MSC Cruises representative told Insider at the time that the cruise line had launched an internal investigation based on the inspector's concerns and taken immediate corrective actions.

"MSC Cruises rigorously adheres to health protocols, and the results of this inspection do not reflect the brand's high standards," the person added.

In the past 10 years, only three other cruise ships have received sanitation scores below 70, CDC records show. Violations can include something as small as not posting a raw-eggs advisory on the omelet station or a single fly hovering in a food area. But before going on your next cruise adventure, it doesn't hurt to check out the ship's most recent sanitation rating.

These are the cruise ships with the highest and lowest sanitation scores so far this year:

The 15 cruise ships with perfect scores of 100

The 15 cruise ships with scores below a 95.

Correction: July 17, 2023 — An earlier version of this story included a photo caption that misstated how many passengers and crew members aboard the Nieuw Amsterdam reported being ill during a May voyage. It was 284 people, not 539.

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Cruises Still Sailing Despite COVID Outbreaks

cruise disney covid

While the Omicron variant spreads, COVID-19 is not sparing cruise ships. 

The CDC lists nearly 90 ships that are under observation or investigation, including major cruise lines. 

But on a sunny Wednesday afternoon, passengers set for sail on a Royal Caribbean cruise out of Tampa. 

"When I’m seeing the number of people that kind of got on the ship I'm nervous but they said that everybody has to be double vaccinated and the boosters so we were comfortable about that," said Maissa King before boarding. 

"You gotta enjoy life, you can't hide away in a house all the time, you have to at least try," John Lunshof said. 

The CDC is also monitoring four other ships. The threshold for an investigation includes cases in at least 0.10% of passengers or in at least one crew member. 

Britany and Raymond Kelly said they looked forward to a vacation over Christmas with their daughter on a Royal Caribbean cruise out of Miami. 

"Kind of like a mixture between a comedy movie and a horror movie," Raymond Kelly said of their experience.

The Kelly’s said Britany first tested positive while on board the cruise. While Raymond and their daughter tested negative initially, they said the next day Raymond also tested positive. 

"It seemed like they didn't want to test me or my daughter again because they didn’t want another positive case on board," he said. 

They describe confusion with what tests to take before boarding, and later, frustration with the service and care they received after they said they tested positive on the ship and isolated in a hotel. 

"I'm just disappointed they were not prepared for the what if. I was honestly impressed with them like cleaning the boat and stuff but they didn't think it all the way through," said Britany Kelly. 

Royal Caribbean had not yet responded to Newsy's request for comment at the time of publication, but tells customers on its web site. "An inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public place where people gather." 

The cases come as the Omicron variant spreads. Some public health officials say some data shows it appears the variant may be less severe. 

But when it comes to next steps, Senator Richard Blumenthal called for a pause. He tweeted in part, "Cruises are repeating recent history as Petri dishes of COVID infection." 

"The numbers are a much higher average today than they were even a month ago," said James Walker.

Walker is an attorney who represents passengers and crew members against cruise lines and runs the blog Cruise Law News. 

"If you're gonna go on a cruise prepare for there to be a disruption. Prepare yourself for the possibility the port communities won’t let whatever cruise ship you're on stop in your jurisdiction," said Walker.

This week the Mexican government announced it would allow ships with cases to dock. 

Cruise lines have pointed to the protocols they've implemented to mitigate the spread of the virus.

"We are working closely with the CDC and local health authorities in all ports and destinations that we visit. The rapid spread of the Omicron Variant may shape how some destination authorities view even a small number of cases, even when they are being managed with our vigorous protocols. Some destinations have limited medical resources and are focused on managing their own local response to the variant. Should it be necessary to cancel a port, we will do our best to find an alternative destination," said AnneMarie Mathews, the senior director for communications for Carnival Cruise line, in part in a statement. 

"Whenever we experience a positive case on board, we immediately enact a series of proven protocols, including quarantine, contact tracing and PCR testing to identify, isolate and mitigate any further transmission. That said, largely in part to our vaccination policy and thorough embarkation procedures, we've been able to detect any possible positive cases prior to boarding and ensure those folks are well taken care of. As we continue to navigate the challenges we’re collectively facing in the fight against COVID-19, we are confident in our health and safety measures and will continue them moving forward," a Virgin Voyages spokesperson stated. 

The Cruise Lines International Association said cases in recent weeks make up a slim percentage of total population on board. 

"No setting is immune from the impacts of COVID-19. The difference with cruise ships is that our members have measures in place that were designed specifically for moments like this, and those measures continue to prove effective to mitigate COVID-19 amongst cruise passengers, crewmembers, and communities," said Bari Golin-Blaugrund, Vice President of Strategic Communications and Public Affairs.

When it comes to future cruises, people are still booking. 

"We're seeing the demand especially. It was very strong until beginning of December, then when Omicron came out things slowed down. But we are seeing after February, we're still seeing strong traction on bookings," said Bob Cook, the director of sales with Go Travel.

The CDC notes "cruising will always pose some risk of COVID-19 transmission."

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Why Disney is doubling down on theme parks with a $60-billion plan

A person wearing golden Mickey Mouse ears stands in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland in Anaheim.

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Over the decades since Walt Disney opened his first theme park in 1955, the company’s tourism business has ballooned to an enterprise worth tens of billions in yearly sales, with sprawling locations in Anaheim, Orlando, Paris, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Tokyo.

Today, the Burbank entertainment giant is doubling down once again. Disney plans to invest $60 billion over 10 years into its so-called experiences division, which includes the theme parks, resorts and cruise line, as well as merchandise.

In Anaheim, the city council recently approved an expansion plan at Disneyland Resort, which could lead to at least $1.9 billion of development and involve new attractions alongside hotel, retail and restaurant space.

Why the massive investment? At a time when Disney faces revenue challenges due to cord cutting, streaming wars and a slower film box office, its theme parks are a bright — and reliable — spot for its business. Moreover, they play a major part in the company’s strategy — using well-loved movies to inspire rides and vice versa (think “Pirates of the Caribbean”), feeding an ongoing virtuous cycle.

“When you consider other elements of Disney’s business, those theme parks, they’ve shown themselves to be proven winners,” said Carissa Baker, assistant professor of theme park and attraction management at the University of Central Florida’s Rosen College of Hospitality Management. “There’s no doubt that they have stayed very competitive in the film space and the TV space, but they’ve always led the theme park sector.”

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During the most recent fiscal year, the company’s experiences division — which is heavily anchored by the parks — brought in about 70% of Disney’s operating income, according to a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. By contrast, Disney’s sports sector, including ESPN, contributed 19% of operating income. The entertainment division, consisting of the company’s TV channels, streaming services and movie studios, brought up the rear at 11%.

Those numbers represent a stark contrast from even 10 years ago, when the company was heavily reliant on its TV networks, which brought in 56% of Disney’s operating income (that segment included ESPN at the time). The parks and resorts division drew just 20%.

The tide began to turn in 2019, as the global theme park industry saw record-breaking attendance, just in time for the pandemic to hit the next year.

With the parks closed, Disney reported an operating loss of $81 million in 2020 . Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure, in particular, were shut for 15 months, due to tight restrictions in the Golden State. Since then, pent-up demand from visitors has propelled theme park revenue in a way that hasn’t been replicated in movie theaters.

“The industry was really growing quickly before COVID-19, and that obviously put a crimp on everything,” said Martin Lewison, associate professor of business management at Farmingdale State College in New York. “But it appears as long as the economy remains healthy, the industry is back on track for that growth.”

Walt Disney Company Chairman and CEO Robert A Iger poses with Mickey Mouse attends Mickey's 90th Spectacular at The Shrine Auditorium on October 6, 2018 in Los Angeles. (Photo by VALERIE MACON / AFP) (Photo credit should read VALERIE MACON/AFP via Getty Images)

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Theme parks are typically one of the fastest parts of the travel and hospitality industry to recover after economic downturns, said Dennis Speigel, founder and chief executive of consulting firm International Theme Park Services. Part of that is because it’s hard to duplicate the theme park experience at home.

“Disney sets the bar for our entire global theme park industry,” Speigel said. “The guests, the visitors, they love the way Disney immerses you in their storytelling.”

The Disneyland Resort expansion plan, known as DisneylandForward, will help the 490-acre park stay fresh for visitors. The plan calls for changes to the park’s zoning, allowing the company more freedom to mix attractions, theme parks, shopping, dining and parking. While the plan doesn’t specify exactly which attractions will be added to the resort, company officials have floated ideas including immersive Frozen, Tron and Avatar experiences.

Over the years, Disneyland has cycled out many rides and exhibits to make way for new ones — for example, of the original 33 attractions that debuted with the park , only about a dozen still exist. (One that didn’t make it? The Monsanto Hall of Chemistry).

Though Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure have recently seen additions such as Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge , Avengers Campus and the renovated Pixar Place Hotel , giving guests new reasons to come back again and again are the key to increased growth. This summer, the Magic Kingdom will open Tiana’s Bayou Adventure , replacing the controversial “Song of the South”-inspired Splash Mountain attraction.

“In the theme parks business, you tend to make more money the more you invest,” said Lewison of Farmingdale State College. “People love riding Haunted Mansion 50 times, but the truth is that even that gets old. So new rides, new lands, new parks — these things draw in attendance, they create pricing power and they add capacity.”

And Disney’s rivals in the theme parks business show no signs of slowing down, meaning Disney can’t just rely on its existing hits. Universal Studios Hollywood recently added Super Nintendo World to its park, SeaWorld is touting new attractions and shows for its 60th anniversary this year, and even immersive art installation company Meow Wolf is expanding throughout the U.S.

The competition is becoming so fierce that Disney Chief Executive Bob Iger faced a pointed question during last month’s shareholder meeting about Walt Disney World’s readiness to vie with a new Universal park set to open in Orlando in 2025. He pushed back on the query, saying the idea that Disney World didn’t prepare enough attractions to compete for guests that year “just couldn’t be further from the truth.”

“We’ve been aware of Universal’s plans for a new park for more than a decade,” he said. “We have a sophisticated approach to analyzing the needs of all of our businesses and strategically deploying capital.”

The importance of the parks to Disney’s bottom line is also showing up in the entertainment giant’s search for Iger’s successor . (Iger is expected to retire in 2026.) Josh D’Amaro, the chair of Disney Experiences, which includes the parks, is considered one of four front-runners for the job. Notably, it was Bob Chapek, formerly of the parks division, who initially succeeded Iger, though he was later ousted from the role.

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Disney Confirms Changes Coming to Attraction for First Time Since 1971

in Walt Disney World

A split image with close-up of a building permit and blueprints on the left, and the Disney Cinderella Castle at Disney World on the right under a cloudy sky.

A new permit filed by Walt Disney World Resort signals some potential improvements for a beloved attraction operating since 1971.

A wrecked boat with animatronic chimpanzees on board at Walt Disney World Resort's Jungle Cruise

New Permit Filed Points Towards Renovations and Improvements for a 53-Year-Old Disney Magic Kingdom Attraction

This week, a new notice of commencement has been filed for extensive underwater work at the Jungle Cruise attraction in Magic Kingdom.

Unlike typical permits with a one-year expiration, this permit is set to expire in October 2025. Underwater Engineering Services Inc . has been contracted for the project, although the license only outlines “general construction” as the scope of work.

The permit’s address corresponds to the Jungle Cruise attraction rather than any backstage facilities or maintenance areas.

While specifics still need to be included in the permit, information from the UESI website suggests their expertise covers above and below-water assets, including operational facilities and those undergoing decommissioning.

Visitors walking near the entrance of a "jungle cruise" attraction at theme parks in the summer with signs for fastpass and stand-by entrances under a sunny sky inside Disney World.

Given the attraction’s more than 50 years of operation, it’s plausible that the work may involve corrosion control, inspections, repairs, or similar activities.

However, it’s unlikely that this work signals a thematic change for the Jungle Cruise , especially considering recent updates made by Walt Disney Imagineering to enhance the attraction for future guests.

Notably, the permit is owned by Disney World’s facility management team rather than Walt Disney Imagineering. It remains to be seen if the project will necessitate any downtime for the attraction, as no closures or refurbishments have been announced.

A picturesque view of a fairy tale Cinderella Castle with spires, under a clear blue sky with the sun setting behind, casting a warm glow over the scene.

  • 1960s and 1970s: New animals and show scenes were added
  • 1994: The river channel was rerouted and shortened to make room for the Indiana Jones Adventure attraction
  • 1995: The colorful fringes on top of the boats were replaced with a canvas look
  • 2021 and 2022: The ride received a new backstory, new scenes, and updates to make it more culturally sensitive
  • 2023:  The ride underwent a major change in November

Although these changes have occurred and renovations have been done to the ride, this specific type  of permit signals that the kind of work about to be done has not been done since 1971 when the attraction first opened to the general public.

Jungle Cruise Boat

Situated within the enchanting realm of the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort, Jungle Cruise is a timeless attraction , offering guests an immersive riverboat journey through a captivating array of exotic landscapes.

Inspired by the majestic rivers of the world, this ride is renowned for its picturesque scenery , lifelike animatronics depicting a variety of wildlife, and engaging narration by witty skippers.

Upon boarding the boats, guests are transported into a realm of adventure, where they encounter whimsical interactions with hippos, elephants, and other jungle inhabitants. The attraction’s meticulous attention to detail and compelling storytelling have solidified its status as a cherished highlight of the Magic Kingdom experience.

Jungle Cruise

Over the years, Jungle Cruise has undergone strategic updates and enhancements to uphold its appeal to visitors of all ages, all while preserving its nostalgic allure.

As a quintessential destination within Disney’s enchanting theme park, Jungle Cruise continues to beckon adventurers seeking immersive entertainment at the heart of the Magic Kingdom.

cruise disney covid

7 amazing cruise itineraries to book in 2024

I don't know about you, but each year, as the weather turns cold, I start daydreaming about getting out of Dodge — or, in my case, Pennsylvania. My mind wanders to cruises that will take me to places where the temperature is warmer, but I also take a hard look at the (exceptionally lengthy) list of places I'm longing to visit.

After digging through what's new for 2024, I've come up with a shortlist of sailings that I think are noteworthy. They range from a standard Bahamas voyage with a new twist and an extended Alaska sailing that includes a foray across the Arctic Circle to more far-flung destinations in the Asia-Pacific region.

Dream on, dear reader, and add these to your list of 2024 cruise itineraries.

Note: All prices listed are per person, based on double occupancy, unless otherwise noted. Fares do not include taxes and fees.

For more cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

Seabourn's 'Kimberley Expedition: Waterfalls and Wandjinas' itinerary

Last year, the Australia and New Zealand cruise region gained momentum following the pandemic shutdown. In 2024, the hardly populated Australia region of The Kimberley is gaining popularity. Luxury cruise brand Seabourn will be offering a series of six 10-night voyages between Broome and Darwin on expedition vessel Seabourn Pursuit during what will be early winter in the southern hemisphere.

The line's " Kimberley Expedition: Waterfalls and Wandjinas " will take passengers to places along the coast few passengers are able to visit to see the stunning teal waters and horizontal waterfalls of Talbot Bay, sample wines in the Hunter River Region and check out nature preserves in Wyndham.

Details: The first sailing, from Darwin to Broome, embarks on June 12. The final voyage, from Broome to Darwin, departs on Aug. 1. Prices start from $6,134 per person ($613 per person, per night), double occupancy, for the July 2 cruise. All accommodations are suites with balconies.

Celebrity's 'Best of Japan' and 'Vietnam and Thailand' cruises

The number of voyages in Asia was trending upward notably prior to 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic brought cruising in the region to an extended halt. And it's once again on the rise. Following that curve, Celebrity Cruises will be running new 11- to 13-night Asia sailings in 2024 on two ships — Celebrity Millennium and Celebrity Solstice — that bring stops in Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Vietnam and Thailand.

What's notable about the offerings is that they will aim to immerse passengers further into the destinations by including overnights in a total of 11 ports across all itineraries. That means more time to explore Hanoi's Old Quarter as the sun sets, indulge in nighttime gastronomy in Hong Kong, visit one of Bangkok's many markets, or learn why Osaka is known for street food.

Details: Celebrity Millennium's " Best of Japan " cruises run from early mid-March to early October. At press time, the least expensive fares — for a 12-night sailing — start from $1,330 per person ($111 per person, per night) for an inside cabin. It travels round-trip from Yokohama and visits Hiroshima, Pusan and other ports, including Osaka, where the ship will overnight.

Celerbrity Solstice's Vietnam and Thailand cruises kick off in mid-January and run through March. The ship will resume them again in the fall of 2024 and run through the winter season. Prices start from $1,255 per person ($105 per person, per night) for an inside cabin. The voyage sails from Hong Kong to Singapore with stops in Da Nang and Koh Samui, plus overnights in Hanoi and Bangkok.

SeaDream's 'Yachting the Adriatic & Greek Isles' sailing

Here's one to put on your radar if you're looking to book — but not necessarily sail — in 2024. It's a new Mediterranean itinerary that doesn't start up for nearly three more years, in 2026. The SeaDream routing brings stops at seven ports that are rarely visited by cruise passengers. During the seven-night voyages, there will be calls at Primosten, Croatia; Cesme, Turkey; Cetubal, Portugal; and Kythira, Kythnos, Syvota and Tinos, Greece — making these sailings unique and well-suited to anyone who loves the region but who's looking for new places to experience.

SeaDream's small ships, each of which carries just 112 people, are able to reach locales about which passengers on megaships can only fantasize. Couple that with excellent service, and you'll be visiting the Our Lady of Loretto statue in Primosten, touring the Cesme Castle and lounging on stunning Greek beaches from a home base that puts you squarely in the lap of luxury.

Details: An itinerary that includes three of the seven new ports is the 11-night " Yachting the Adriatic & Greek Isles " itinerary from Venice, Italy, to Athens, Greece, departing on Aug. 8, 2026, on SeaDream I. Prices start from $10,399 per person ($946 per person, per night) for a room with a porthole view.

Holland America's 'Alaska Arctic Circle Solstice' Legendary Voyage

Alaska is an absolute must for anyone who enjoys the vastness of untouched wilderness, the wildlife it houses and adventurous pursuits it provides. (Think whale-watching, hiking on glaciers and salmon fishing.) However, Holland America 's Westerdam is hosting a 28-day sailing that's anything but your standard cruise to the Last Frontier .

Passengers will visit the usual Alaska ports, such as Ketchikan, Sitka and Juneau, with scenic sailing through the Inside Passage, past Hubbard Glacier and to Glacier Bay. But they can also expect less-common stops at places like Nome, Kodiak, Anchorage (with an overnight) and Homer. Plus, about halfway through, this cruise crosses the Arctic Circle — a rite of passage for many travelers.

Details: Holland America's 28-day " Alaska Arctic Circle Solstice " cruise — one of the line's Legendary Voyages, known for longer durations and a unique mix of port calls — sails June 9-July 7, round-trip from Seattle. Inside cabins start from $5,299 per person (about $189 per person, per night).

Silversea's summertime French Polynesia cruises

Another consideration for future travel is Silversea Cruises , which is featuring its first full-summer season in French Polynesia in 2026. Silver Whisper will offer two immersive itineraries, including overnights, across 17 voyages between April and September.

Passengers can choose seven-night sailings that visit idyllic favorites like Tahiti, Moorea and Huahine and which also include overnights in Bora Bora. Or, they can cruise for twice as long by selecting a 14-night voyage that calls on the same ports as the seven-night option but with Fakarava, Nuku Hiva, Fatu Hiva, Atuona and Tahuata added.

Details: Silversea's seven-night voyages begin April 6, 2026, and start from $5,650 per person ($808 per person, per night) for an ocean-view cabin.

The line's 14-night sailings start on April 20, 2026. Fares start from $10,450 per person ($747 per person, per night) for ocean-view accommodations.

New Bermuda voyages on Carnival Venezia

Beginning in May of 2025, Carnival Cruise Line 's Carnival Venezia will sail a series of eight four- and five-night cruises to Bermuda from New York. These itineraries are notable because the line is aiming to increase its presence there but also because the style of the ship is new to even most of the brand's most dedicated passengers.

In 2022, Carnival announced its Costa by Carnival concept after revealing it would be transferring ships from its Costa sister brand to the Carnival fleet. Now, when travelers visit the Gibb's Hill Lighthouse or check out the island's renowned pink-sand beaches during a sailing on Carnival Venezia, they can enjoy both the Italian style of the ship and Carnival's fun atmosphere and high service standards.

Details: Voyages kick off on May 22, 2025. Prices start from $429 per person ($108 per person, per night) for an inside cabin on a four-night cruise departing Sept. 18, 2025.

Disney Cruise Line's Lighthouse Point itineraries

Disney Cruise Line 's new Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point , a private destination on the Bahamian island of Eleuthera, is set to open in June with a three-night preview sailing on June 6 aboard Disney Magic. Following the initial voyage, the line will run regular three- to seven-night voyages to Lighthouse Point on Disney Magic, Disney Fantasy and Disney Dream.

The island will feature a dedicated family beach and water play area, an arts and culture pavilion focused on Bahamian culture, 20 family cabanas, an adults-only beach and a selection of shore excursion options.

Details: Prices for itineraries that include Lighthouse Point start from $624 per person ($208 per person, per night) for a three-night cruise on Disney Magic. The cruise departs Nov. 5 and sails from Fort Lauderdale's Port Everglades to San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Have cruise questions? TPG has answers:

  • Banned items: What not to pack for a cruise
  • Man overboard: Why do people fall off cruise ships?
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  • What is a lido deck on a cruise ship?
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  • What's the difference between a cruise concierge and a butler?

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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Business | California Disney characters are unionizing…

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Business | California Disney characters are unionizing decades after Florida peers. Hollywood plays a role

cruise disney covid

By MIKE SCHNEIDER (Associated Press)

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — During three years of working as a parade performer at the Disneyland Resort in Southern California , Zach Elefante always has had a second or third job to help him earn a living.

Unlike the experiences of his peers at Disney’s parks in Orlando, Florida, where there is a much smaller talent pool, the performers who play Mickey Mouse, Goofy and other beloved Disney characters at the California parks aren’t always provided a consistent work schedule by the company.

It’s among the reasons the California performers are organizing to be represented by a union now, more than four decades after their Florida counterparts did so.

While Disney asks character performers to be available to work at any time, that demand isn’t always rewarded with scheduled work hours, the California performers said.

“A lot of performers get the sense that if they don’t give their full availability, we won’t be in shows … and that will impact other jobs we need to sustain a living in this area,” said Elefante, who lives in Santa Ana, California.

Earlier this month, the California character performers and the union organizing them, Actors’ Equity Association, said they had filed a petition for union recognition.

It’s a different era and a different union doing the organizing this time around, so the California character and parade performers likely will avoid some of the bad blood that the Disney performers in Florida have experienced with their union, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.

It has been a rocky four-decade marriage in Florida between the performers who put the “magic” in the Magic Kingdom and the Teamsters, a union historically formed for transportation and warehouse workers which had deep ties to organized crime until the late 1980s.

Why now for the California character performers, so many decades after their Florida counterparts organized? Unlike in Florida where performing as a character often is a full-time job, many of the character performers in Southern California have multiple other gigs, often in Hollywood movies and TV.

Elefante performs at rival Universal Studios Hollywood and works as a tour guide for the movie studios. In addition to performing in the “Fantasmic!” show at Disneyland, Chase Thomas works as the director of operations for a theater festival and previously has had jobs as a visual effects coordinator and entertainment licensing agent.

Angela Nichols moved to California to be a TV writer and often works as a writer in addition to her job as an entertainment host at Disneyland, where she assists the character performers when they’re interacting with guests.

“Disney really is a cornerstone of the stories we grow up with in our culture. Being able to watch people immersed in these stories and live it out is magical,” Nichols said. “And when we’re being supported as cast members and performers, we’re able to make that happen. We’re just not being set up for success in the way we need to be at this time.”

When many of their Hollywood gigs dried up because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the recent actors’ and writers’ strikes, the character performers wanted more consistent scheduling at Disneyland once it reopened after a yearlong, pandemic-related closure. The pandemic also made them more alert to health and safety concerns concerning things like hugging guests or having sanitary costumes.

Most of the more than 35,000 workers at the Disneyland Resort in Southern California already were unionized, and the parades and character department members were among the holdovers.

“A lot of cast members want to do this fulltime and make it work,” Thomas said.

Unlike their Florida counterparts, the character performers in California are being organized by a union devoted to performers. As such, Actors’ Equity Association officials understand the unique needs of the theme park performers in ways that would be difficult for other unions to grasp.

When there is a new stage show, the shoes of the costumes need to be tested to make sure the performers won’t trip or slip on stage. Union representatives make sure “face performers,” whose faces are visible, such as Cinderella, have the right makeup and double check that parade dancers have ice packs available to nurse sore knees.

Unclean costumes are a perennial problem, and it was a top reason for the Florida performers wanting to organize with the Teamsters in the early 1980s. The other reasons included kids kicking Disney villains like Captain Hook in the shins and adults grabbing at the chests of performers playing Mickey Mouse to see if there was a man or woman underneath.

Clean costumes were so important to the Florida character performers that more than two decades ago the Teamsters successfully inserted a contract clause to assign individual undergarments that the performers could take home to wash after pubic lice and scabies were shared via the garments.

There always existed a culture clash in Florida between the costumed character performers and the traditional Teamsters union leaders of truck drivers and warehouse workers. The drivers often viewed the performers as living charmed lives, paid to dress up every day as if it were Halloween.

Those tensions came to a head in the late 2010s as a new leader of the local Teamsters affiliate in Orlando began targeting the costumed character performers for harassment. The character performers pushed back and the fight went up to James Hoffa , then-head of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, who intervened.

In California, Elefante is hopeful union representation will give performers a voice in decisions about issues including the larger-than-life costumes, which can cause long-term injuries when ill-fitted, and the safety of performing in parades during rain.

“It’s about having a seat at the table and being a part of the conversation from the performers’ perspective,” Elefante said.

Associated Press reporter Amy Taxin in Orange County, California, contributed to this report.

Mike Schneider’s book, “Mickey and the Teamsters: A Fight for Fair Unions at Disney,” was published in October by the University Press of Florida. Follow him on X , formerly Twitter.

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COMMENTS

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