Disney Cruise Line Releases Sail Date Change Policy in Response to COVID-19

This morning, Disney Cruise Line has released a new statement regarding the impact of COVID-19 (coronavirus) on upcoming travel. The newest and arguably most important information in today’s communication impacts guests sailing in the next 3 months.

If you have a cruise scheduled to sail between now and May 31, 2020, DCL is allowing you to change your reservation any time from the present until the day before your cruise. You will receive a credit equal to 100% of your cruise fare, which you may use on a future cruise. Your new cruise date must be within 12 months of your original sail date.

Update: Currently, there are no changes planned for any of the European sailings this summer, but the situation continues to be monitored. However, guests who have a European cruise booked through July 25 may also take advantage of the same change option. These guests can receive a 100% cruise credit to use towards a future sailing that is within 15 months of the original sail date. 

Additionally, guests on the Disney Magic on July 13, July 18, or July 25 have the option to defer their final payment until 30 days prior to sailing.

If you elect to move to a future date, and the total of your new cruise is less than your cruise credit, the additional amount will be placed on the onboard account as a non-refundable onboard credit.

Changes can be made with your travel agent, or by calling DCL directly. Please be patient, as the cast at the reservation center will be overwhelmed with calls.

The announcement also reiterated the safety measures that are being taken onboard and in port. Here is the official language from the announcement sent to guests this morning:

• Any guest or crew member who has traveled from, to or through China, including Hong Kong and Macau, South Korea, Italy, Iran or Japan, within 14 days of departure will not be able to board our ships.
• Any guest or crew member who has been in contact with someone from these areas, including guests with connecting flights in these locations, also will not be able to board, nor will anyone who has helped care for someone suspected of having or diagnosed with COVID-19, or who is currently subject to health monitoring for possible exposure. Guests who have air travel booked through Disney Cruise Line will automatically have their flights rebooked on an alternate route. Guests who booked their own air travel arrangements should contact their airlines directly to make the appropriate changes.
• As is always our practice, we screen all guests and crew members before they board, and anyone who feels unwell with gastrointestinal or flu-like symptoms (fever over 100.4º F, chills, cough or difficulty breathing) will not be permitted to sail. Beginning Friday, March 6, all guests and crew members will have their temperature checked by a nurse with a no touch thermometer prior to boarding. Additional medical screening will be required for anyone with a temperature of 100.4º F or greater, and they along with their travel party may be unable to sail.
• If your cruise includes a stop in Nassau or Castaway Cay, please note that The Bahamas will not allow anyone to disembark in any Bahamian port if they have been to China, South Korea, Italy or Iran in the past 20 days prior to arrival. These guests and Crew Members may be able to sail but will be unable to visit The Bahamas.
• If your cruise includes a stop in Jamaica, please note that in addition to the locations noted above, officials there also will not allow guests who have traveled from, to or through Singapore within 14 days of arrival to disembark. These guests will be unable to sail.

We will keep you up to date with any future changes. Until then….wash your hands! 🙂