How Has Disney Cruise Line Changed?

Disney Cruise Line is back to sailing in the US!

You saw our reports last week from the TouringPlans team that was on the Disney Dream. (If you missed them, take a look: Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, Day 4.) Based on their reporting, reports from other early sailors, and a deep dive into the fine print on the DCL website, here’s a roundup of some of things that have changed between pre-pandemic times (March 2020) and after the resumption of sailing (August 2021).

Please read this with the biggest, brightest, shiniest caveat that DCL’s policies in the COVID era are a moving target. Rules and procedures could change at any minute. Always check the specifics of your sailing prior to travel.

• Pre-pandemic Practice: Guests complete a one-minute pre-sailing health questionnaire. No specific vaccinations or health testing was required.
• Immediate Post-pandemic Practice: Guests must provide proof of vaccination or submit proof of negative COVID tests in advance of sailing.

• Pre-pandemic Practice: Children ages three and up had unlimited drop-in use of the kids’ clubs
• Immediate Post-pandemic Practice: Reservations are required for children ages 3-12, with time limits for use.

  

• Pre-pandemic Practice: Children ages 6 months to 3 years could be cared for in the onboard babysitting center, It’s a Small World Nursery.
• Immediate Post-pandemic Practice: The It’s a Small World nursery is closed. There is no onboard babysitting for the youngest children.

• Pre-pandemic Practice: There was new live entertainment in the Walt Disney theater every night.
• Immediate Post-pandemic Practice: Fewer shows are performed, with repeats over multiple nights, to allow for social distancing in the theater.

• Pre-pandemic Practice: Sharing tables with other parties was common.
• Immediate Post-pandemic Practice: You’re only allowed to sit with your own travel party during dinner.

  

• Pre-pandemic Practice: There was a big “sail away” deck party as the ship left port on embarkation day.
• Immediate Post-pandemic Practice: No more sail away party (though there is now a small welcome show in the lobby atrium).

• Pre-pandemic Practice: Buffet service at Palo during brunch.
• Immediate Post-pandemic Practice: Palo brunch is menu-based.

• Pre-pandemic Practice: The Rainforest Room at the spa was drop-in use at will for a fee.
• Immediate Post-pandemic Practice: Timed reservations must be made for the Rainforest Room, only one party is allowed in at a time for a fee.

• Pre-pandemic Practice: Throughout the day, characters appeared in the lobby atrium and guests lined up to chat, sign autographs, and take photos with them.
• Immediate Post-pandemic Practice: Characters walk around the ship and pose at a distance from guests. No traditional meet & greets.

• Pre-pandemic Practice: Passports and other documentation is first checked at the port.
• Immediate Post-pandemic Practice: Guests upload scans of photos and other documentation to an online website prior to sailing.

• Pre-pandemic Practice: Guests begin boarding before noon; sailaway time is at about 4:00 p.m.
• Immediate Post-pandemic Practice: Guests board after 1:00 p.m.; sailaway time is at about 7:00 p.m.

  

• Pre-pandemic Practice: All adult guests may use the fitness center at will at any time during operating hours.
• Immediate Post-pandemic Practice: Unvaccinated guests are limited in the times when they may enter the fitness center.

• Pre-pandemic Practice: There are many areas of self-serve food and drink such as the Cabanas buffet, and the pool deck soda and ice cream machines.
• Immediate Post-pandemic Practice: All food is served by cast members.

• Pre-pandemic Practice: The muster drill (lifeboat evacuation training) was a large, in-person event.
• Immediate Post-pandemic Practice: Much of the muster drill is completed virtually by individual parties.

• Pre-pandemic Practice: There were physical menus at all table service restaurants.
• Immediate Post-pandemic Practice: Menus were accessed via a QR code you scan on your phone.

• Pre-pandemic Practice: Trip insurance was recommended, but not required.
• Immediate Post-pandemic Practice: Unvaccinated guests ages 12 and older may be required to purchase travel insurance.

• Pre-pandemic Practice: No face coverings were required on board.
• Immediate Post-pandemic Practice: Face coverings are required at all indoor locations other than inside your stateroom and while eating and seated away from other guests.

How do you feel about these changes? Do they impact your decision to sail? Let us know in the comments.