Ahoy there, Patricia, and welcome to planDisney! I sure am glad you sailed my way with your question about current health and safety policies - it's always good to be prepared, and doubly so while we all navigate these recently charted waters together!
It's great that you've already been on the lookout for what you'll need in order to cruise this June, but hop aboard with me while we sail past some important specifics.
According to the latest Know Before You Go information, Disney Cruise Line continues to require all vaccine-eligible Guests (based on US eligibility requirements) to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, as defined by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), at the time of sailing. As of January 13, 2022, this is a requirement for all Guests (US and international) ages five (5) and older.
That's a lot of very precisely-worded information to say that currently, only passengers who are not vaccine-eligible because of age (4-years-old and under) have to provide a negative test within the 72-hour timeframe that you mentioned. ALL other Guests who are eligible for vaccination must be vaccinated and provide official proof. If you have anyone in your crew under 4-years-old, they will have to test negative within the 72-hours prior to your cruise.
While Disney Cruise Line does not provide these tests, they have done everything they can to make qualifying testing options available to Guests. The requirements and options are outlined in detail over at the "Before Leaving Home" but here's the basics
- Guests residing in the United States can purchase a pre-trip, at-home PCR test directly from the Safe Passage website by Inspire Diagnostics. Tests must be completed and mailed back 3 days before sailing or dropped off at one of the Central Florida testing locations offered by Inspire Diagnostics.
- Guests can 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 Guests near the cruise terminal, one to 3 days before their sail date.
- Guests may obtain their PCR test from any independent testing provider.
So Patricia, if you (and those in your party) fulfill those requirements, you're setting yourself up for smooth sailing with just a few more steps! The current "
Before Leaving Home" information goes into the specifics of how exactly to set up proof of vaccination, and where and how to submit it to the Safe Passage website. Be sure to review this information - it's very important that each Guest in your crew follow these instructions!
Once you've completed everything required by the Safe Passage website, you're set until embarkation day! Remember, every Guest is tested before embarking the ship, and everyone in your immediate party must test negative in order to board.
Whew. I know that seems like a lot, but once you're aboard experiencing
everything that's included on a Disney Cruise Line vacation, it'll all be worth it!
Oh, and remember while these are the current requirements, remember that policies are always subject to changes like the tides!
Thank you again for asking your question here at planDisney, Patricia! If you come up with any other questions as you finish planning for June, please drop me another line!
Fair winds and following seas,
Andrew