In response to the ongoing health emergency, the US Government’s Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has extended its “No Sail” order for cruise lines to 100 days. This will prevent Disney Cruise Line and others in the cruise industry from boarding guests during that time.
A 30-day no sail order for cruise lines was originally issued on March 14. Following those guidelines, Disney Cruise Line (DCL) was among those cruises who then canceled all departures before April 12.
DCL subsequently extended their suspension of departures through April 28 and then this morning, after the CDC’s order, through May 17. Although with the new 100 day no sail order, the earliest guests could board a cruise would be June 19.
There is the possibility that the CDC could loosen restrictions earlier, but given the lack of widespread testing availability on the scale that would be needed to clear passengers to board, certification standards for international travel, and the probable need to continue physical distancing guidelines, it seems unlikely.
Canada has also issued their own no sail order through at least June 1.
According to the CDC, cruise lines are key vectors of infection for diseases like the Coronavirus.
“We are working with the cruise line industry to address the health and safety of crew at sea as well as communities surrounding U.S. cruise ship points of entry,” said CDC Director Robert Redfield. “The measures we are taking today to stop the spread of COVID-19 are necessary to protect Americans, and we will continue to provide critical public health guidance to the industry to limit the impacts of COVID-19 on its workforce throughout the remainder of this pandemic.”
The CDC reports there are approximately 100 cruise ships at sea off the East Coast, West Coast, and Gulf Coast, with nearly 80,000 crew onboard. 20 cruise ships are at docked at US ports or anchored nearby with known or suspected COVID-19 infection among the crew who remain onboard.
While we wait for Disney Cruise Line to update their website with new refund and booking guidelines, here’s a look at what DCL issued following their last batch of cancelled departures this morning.
Guests currently booked on affected sailings will be offered the choice of a cruise credit to be used for a future sailing within 15 months of their original sail date or a full refund. These Guests and travel agents will receive an email from us outlining details and next steps.
Guests who booked their reservation through a travel agent should contact them directly with any questions. Those who booked directly with Disney Cruise Line and have questions after receiving their email from us should call us at (866) 325-6685 or (407) 566-7797.
The cruise credit is 125% of the original booking price, which should allow for a cabin upgrade or perhaps a longer cruise.
If you’ve been looking forward to a Disney Cruise voyage, when do you expect to take your next cruise and what would be your dream itinerary? Let us know in the comments.
So are they not sailing this year now?
The extension of the no sail order looks to run through mid-June or early July. Hard to tell exactly
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