“We are ready to welcome you aboard and set sail once again,” said Thomas Mazloum, president of Disney Signature Experiences, in a video posted on Instagram. Mazloum oversees Disney Cruise Line, Disney Vacation Club, and Adventures by Disney, among other divisions.
The first paying cruises in the United States since the start of the coronavirus pandemic will be aboard the Disney Dream. The three- and four-night cruises will depart from Port Canaveral, Florida, and visit Disney Castaway Cay, the cruise line's private island in the Bahamas.
“We are resuming sailing in a phased, gradual approach that emphasizes multiple layers of health and safety measures, developed with input from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other medical experts,” Disney Cruise Line wrote in a notice to guests.
The cruise line said it was continuing to prepare its ships, the Disney Fantasy and Disney Wonder, for future sailings. Meanwhile, the Disney Magic is offering short sailings in the UK this summer, exclusively for British residents.
Regarding health and safety measures for Disney Dream cruises, vaccination is strongly recommended but will not be required on Disney Dream sailings from Florida. Guests who voluntarily show proof of vaccination may be exempt from required COVID-19 testing. All those who do not show proof of vaccination will be required to take a COVID-19 test before leaving home and at the port, and must have negative results on both tests to board the ship.
Masks will be required in indoor public areas, and the ship's capacity will be reduced to allow for greater social distancing. The cruise line also said enhanced cleaning measures will be implemented, including cabin cleanings twice daily, new air purification systems, and extra attention to surfaces.
“While some things may look a little different for now, the dazzling entertainment, impeccable service, and attention to detail that have long defined Disney vacations remain the same,” Mazloum said.
