According to a company statement, the Disney Dream, which was to set sail on Tuesday, will now launch in July.
What We Know:
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) previously approved the Disney Cruise Line to conduct a two-night simulation cruise with 300 Cast Members onboard. However, since a small number of employees’ had inconsistent COVID-19 test results, which the CDC considers positive cases, Disney moved the dates. The trip will now occur in July, pending approvals.
- The CDC requires cruise lines to conduct test sailings if a ship cannot ensure a 95% vaccination rate for passengers and 98% for crew members. Since many families with small children choose the Disney Cruise Line for their navigations, Disney must follow these guidelines. Alongside this, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill that bans businesses from requiring proof of vaccination, so it is even more important for Disney to run this simulation cruise.
- The Disney Dream became the second ship to postpone its test cruise. In early June, Royal Caribbean’s Odyssey of the Seas pushed their sailing date from July 3 to July 31st because of crew members’ positive cases. Currently, the only ship to successfully complete a test cruise is the Royal Caribbean Cruises Freedom of the Seas.
- Last weekend, Celebrity Cruises’ Edge became the first ship to leave a U.S. port in 15 months; the seven-night cruise left from the Port of Miami and held less than 40% capacity. In addition, the company reported a passenger vaccination rate of 99%, well over the CDC’s prerequisites.
- Other cruises will quickly follow Celebrity’s path in welcoming tourists. This weekend, the Freedom of the Seas will begin three and four-night travels to the Bahamas and Perfect Day at Coco Cay from Miami. In addition, Carnival Cruises will send their Vista cruise from Galveston to the Western Caribbean starting July 3.
The return of cruise voyages brings hope that the pandemic may also be sailing away soon.
