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Disney Cruise NEW Coronavirus policy allowing full refund for future cruises

Disney Cruise’s new policy from today

Guests scheduled to sail between now and May 31, 2020, can now change their reservation up until the day before embarkation and receive a 100% cruise credit to be used for a future sailing within 12 months of their original sail date by calling the telephone number above. The credit is non-refundable and standard prevailing rates will apply. 

Given the uncertainties for people sailing this spring this was a wise change for Disney.

Without clear policies as to what happens to guests on a quarantined ship – as is shown in California the last few days – Disney needed to address this.

Feb 29 from Disney Cruise about Coronavirus

New information from Disney Cruise Line about the coronavirus from about 5 minutes ago:

Dear …,

On Thursday we sent you an email about your upcoming cruise vacation and the proactive steps we are taking in regard to Coronavirus Disease 2019.

As we mentioned was possible, information continues to evolve and today public health officials have issued additional travel guidance and some of our ports of call have provided further information regarding who they will allow into their ports based on travel history. Therefore, the following updated guidelines are in effect and may continue to evolve as more information becomes available:

•Any guest or crew member who has traveled from, to or through China, including Hong Kong and Macau, South Korea, Italy, Iran or Japan, within 14 days of their sailing’s departure will not be able to board our ships.

•Any guest who has been in contact with someone from these areas, including guests with connecting flights in these locations, also will not be able to board, nor will anyone who has helped care for someone suspected or diagnosed with coronavirus, or who is currently subject to health monitoring for possible exposure. Guests who have air travel booked through Disney Cruise Line will automatically have their flights rebooked on an alternate route. Guests who booked their own air travel arrangements should contact their airlines directly to make the appropriate changes.

•As is always our practice, we screen all guests before they board and anyone who feels unwell with gastrointestinal or flu-like symptoms (fever over 100.4º F, chills, cough or difficulty breathing) will not be permitted to sail.

•If your cruise includes a stop in Nassau or Castaway Cay, please note that The Bahamas will not allow anyone to disembark in any Bahamian port if they have been to China in the past 20 days prior to arrival. These guests may be able to sail but will be unable to visit The Bahamas.

•If your cruise includes a stop in Jamaica, please note that in addition to the locations noted above, officials there also will not allow guests who have visited Singapore within 14 days of arrival to come ashore. These guests may be able to sail but will be unable to visit Jamaica.

If any of these situations apply to you, please contact us at 1-866-325-2112 or 407-566-3510 so that we can discuss your options.

Disney Cruise Line consistently receives among the highest public health inspection scores and has rigorous sanitation standards. We also have a comprehensive plan that outlines protocols for managing illness and closely follow the guidance of public health officials. Some of these procedures include:

•Training for all of our crew members on how best to prevent the spread of illness onboard.

•A health questionnaire completed by all guests and crew members to screen for illness before they board the ship.

•Extensive cleaning and sanitation of high-traffic areas (e.g., handrails, doorknobs and elevator buttons) and children’s facilities.

•Comprehensive cleaning of all staterooms twice a day, and additional disinfection when necessary.

•Medical clinics on our ships staffed with experienced doctors and nurses and stocked with supplies and medications to treat a variety of illnesses.

According to public health authorities, you can also help prevent the spread of illness by frequently washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after using the restroom and before eating. Parents can supervise their children to ensure they wash their hands thoroughly. In addition, Disney Cruise Line has sanitation wipes conveniently available in multiple places on its ships, including entrances to dining areas. Covering your nose and mouth with a tissue (or with your upper sleeve) when sneezing, and avoiding sneezing or coughing into your hands or without covering your nose and mouth, is recommended.

If at any time during your cruise you believe you are ill, we ask that you please contact the ship’s Health Center immediately. Our doctors and nurses are available to make sure you receive the appropriate medical care.

Please know that your health and safety, as well as that of our crew, is our primary focus. We are committed to keeping you informed and updated, and are happy to address any questions you have in advance of your cruise and once you’re onboard. We look forward to welcoming you aboard and providing you with a magical cruise experience.

Sincerely,

The Cast and Crew

Disney Cruise Line

Royal Caribbean bans Chinese passport holders from ships due to Coronavirus

“Any guests holding a Chinese, Hong Kong, or Macau passport, regardless of when they were there last, will not be allowed to board our ships. Regardless of nationality, any guest or crewmember traveling from, to, or through mainland China, Hong Kong, or Macau less than 15 days prior to their sailing will be unable to board any of our ships.” – Royal Caribbean

Disney Cruise Line Coronavirus questionnaire.

Disney Cruise Line has revised their health questionnaire to ask questions regarding Coronavirus as of the Magic Feb 6, 2020 sailing from PortMiami per Robert Saylors on Twitter.

The 2019 Novel Coronavirus threat has impacted cruise travel to the Bahamas recently and travel worldwide including prohibiting travel to the Bahamas if the passenger has traveled to China in the previous 20 days. The revised questionnaire reads as follows:

  • Have you or any occupant of your stateroom travels from or through China, including Hong Kong or Macau, in the past 14 days?
  • Have you or any occupant of your stateroom had cloys contact with, or helped care for, anyone suspected or diagnosed as having Novel Coronavirus, or who is currently subject to health monitory for possible exposure to Novel Coronavirus?
  • The Bahamas will not allow anyone who has been in China in the past 20 days to disembark at any Bahamian port of call. Have you or any occupant of your stateroom been to China, including Hong Kong or Macau, in the past 20 days?
  • Do you or any occupant of your stateroom have a fever (100.4ºF / 38ºC or higher), feel feverish, or have chills, a cough or difficulty breathing?
  • Within the last 3 days, have you or any occupant of your stateroom developed symptoms of volition or diarrhea?

The Diamond Princess cruise ship has been under a two week quarantine at sea near Tokyo, Japan and in all likelihood other ships will be impacted.


Updates on February 6-7, 2020: A Cruise ship bound for New Jersey will have the passengers tested for coronavirus. And as of Feb 7, it is occurring.

As of February 6, 2020, Disney has stated this, in part:

We previously asked guests who had traveled through mainland China within the 14 days prior to their arrival to contact us. In an abundance of caution, we are expanding this measure to include guests that have traveled through Hong Kong and Macau. Given the unique environment of a cruise ship, guests and crew members who indicate they have traveled from or through China, including Hong Kong and Macau, in the 14 days prior to embarkation will not be able to board. In addition, The Bahamas will not allow anyone to disembark in any Bahamian port of call if they have been to China in the past 20 days prior to their arrival.

Feb 7, 2020: Now Royal Carribean has announced it is banning all Chinese passport-holders from their ships:

“Any guests holding a Chinese, Hong Kong, or Macau passport, regardless of when they were there last, will not be allowed to board our ships,” Royal Caribbean said. “Regardless of nationality, any guest or crewmember traveling from, to, or through mainland China, Hong Kong, or Macau less than 15 days prior to their sailing will be unable to board any of our ships.”