Disney Cruise Line Releases COVID-19 Safety Guidelines for European Sailings

Disney Cruise Line has released new safety guidelines for cruises departing and arriving from European ports.

Due to current vaccine eligibility, Guests from the United Kingdom with children ages 5-11 are unable to travel with Disney Cruise Line at this time. Guests booked on the Disney Magic between May 21 and Sept. 18, 2022, may change or cancel their sailing without any Disney-imposed cancellation fees by May 4, 2022.

Guests on sailings departing from and arriving to homeports in Barcelona, Spain, Civitavecchia, Italy, Dover, England, and Copenhagen, Denmark, are required at this time to adhere to the following Disney Cruise Line COVID-19 vaccination and testing protocols.

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements

All Guests 5 and older must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in accordance with guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization.

The CDC defines fully vaccinated as 14 days after receiving:

  • a single-dose of an accepted 1-dose vaccine
  • the second dose of an accepted 2-dose vaccine
  • the full series of an active (not placebo) COVID-19 vaccine in the U.S.-based AstraZeneca or Novavax COVID-19 vaccine trials
  • the second dose of any “mix-and-match” combination of accepted COVID-19 vaccines (administered at least 17 days apart)

In consideration of guidance from the CDC and the WHO, Disney Cruise Line accepts the following vaccine types: Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson, AstraZeneca, Covishield, Novavax, Sinopharm BBIBP-CorV (VeroCell), Sinovac-CoronaVac and Covavaxin (Bharat Biotech).

Pre-Trip COVID-19 Testing

Guests ineligible for vaccination due to age are required to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test within three days to 24 hours prior to sailing. Tests are to be completed at the guest’s expense. The test should be a NAAT test, rapid PCR test, or lab-based PCR test. Rapid antigen tests are not accepted.

Guests Recently Recovered from COVID-19

In some cases, people who have recently recovered from COVID-19 may still test positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus. If Guests have tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 within 11 to 90 days of their sail date, they may qualify to be considered as “recently recovered.” With the appropriate documentation and subsequent approval, Guests considered recently recovered are not required to participate in COVID-19 testing during the Pre-Sail, Embarkation, or Disembarkation phases of their voyage. To be considered recently recovered, you will need to provide:

  • A copy of your previous positive COVID-19 test result which is greater than 11 days and less than 90 days from your expected sail date. The test must have been antigen, NAAT, rapid PCR, or lab-based PCR. The test result must include your date of birth.
  • A signed letter (on official letterhead that shows the name, address, and phone number of a licensed healthcare provider or public health official) stating that you have recovered from COVID-19 in the last 90 days and are clear for travel.
  • Proof of vaccination

Embarkation COVID-19 Testing

Currently, in consideration of guidance from the CDC and other medical experts, all Guests (regardless of age and vaccination status) will be required to take a COVID-19 test at the terminal before boarding (paid for by Disney Cruise Line and administered by Prenetics). Guests with positive COVID-19 test results will undergo a second confirmatory test. Guests with confirmed positive COVID-19 test results—as well as those sharing the same stateroom and their close contacts—will be denied boarding. Prenetics is Disney Cruise Line’s third-party partner for COVID-19 testing and vaccination verification. Embarkation COVID-19 testing is subject to change at any time based on evolving government guidance and local requirements.

Country-Specific Government Entry Requirements

Certain European countries may have COVID-19 vaccination, testing, and documentation requirements for entry that are independent of and in addition to Disney Cruise Line’s health and safety protocols. Some countries may require a COVID-19 booster dose to enter the destination or port of call if your final COVID-19 vaccine was administered more than 270 days before arrival. In these instances, guests should consider completing a booster dose at least 14 days before arrival into the country. Guests who do not meet country-specific entry requirements for their sailing may be unable to reach their point of embarkation or unable to debark at certain ports of call or their final destination.

Guests are responsible for checking and meeting all requirements or restrictions that may be in place for travel to any homeport or port of call that is part of their cruise itinerary. Some countries may require a valid EU Digital COVID-19 Certificate or additional registration and documentation. Guests are responsible for adhering to these requirements.

Additionally, guests are not required to wear face coverings in all outdoor and most indoor locations, but unvaccinated guests under 5 years old are required to wear them at Youth Activity spaces and in the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique.

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