TAMPA, Fla. — Passengers under 12 years old aboard Disney Cruise Line ships will no longer have to be vaccinated against COVID-19 come Sept. 2.
Disney Cruise Line is dropping the requirement for guests ages 5 to 11 for sails leaving U.S. and Canadian ports, according to new guidance. Prior to the rule change, guests 5 and older had to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to board the cruise line through Sept. 1. Disney Cruise Line did not extend the requirement for children younger than age 5.
Although children will no longer have to be fully vaccinated, the policy has not changed for guests 12 and older. Disney Cruise Line said that vaccination requirements will still be required for all guests over 11 years old but only recommended for children 5 to 11.
Fully vaccinated guests on sailings that depart from the U.S. and Canadian ports still must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test result taken within two days before settling sail, the cruise line says. However, if they are provided before arriving at the port, they are exempt from testing at the cruise terminal.
Those who are fully vaccinated but do not provide the required test prior to terminal arrival must provide a negative test result before travel and take a second test at the terminal, according to its policy. The cost of the embarkation tests for fully vaccinated guests at the cruise terminal is $74 plus tax for the initial antigen test.
