Much of Disney is returning to “normal” now that over 1.5 million Americans have been vaccinated against COVID-19. Mask and social distancing requirements in the Disney Parks have eased up, attractions and events are beginning to return and even the first Disney cruise test was scheduled to set sail this week. Unfortunately, however, the Disney Dream test cruise scheduled to depart today has been postponed until next month.
With approval by the CDC, the Disney Dream two-night simulation cruise was set to sail from Port Canaveral in Florida with 300 volunteer employees. Unfortunately, due to inconsistent COVID-19 test results in a few employees the test cruise will have to wait until next month, pending further approval.
The CDC had previously approved Disney’s request to run this short simulation cruise with only employees on board. However, since the CDC considers inconsistent COVID test results as positive results, the cruise and employees will have to wait until next month to sail into the sunset.
In a statement, Disney Cruise Lines said:
“We are delaying our simulation cruise due to a small number of inconsistent COVID-19 test results, which are considered positive by the CDC. The rigorous health and safety protocols we have in place helped us identify the situation, though the test results were ultimately negative.”
This news surely comes as a disappointment to Disney since Celebrity Cruises was able to return to service with its first cruise setting sail from Fort Lauderdale last weekend. This marked to first cruise to leave a US port in over 15 months since the COVID pandemic swept across the world in late 2019 and early 2020. Carnaval Cruises are also scheduled to begin setting sail as early as next month.
While Disney Cruise fans are surely anxious to get back on a Disney ship and set sail on the open seas, they will have to wait a bit longer for an “all clear” announcement from Disney. Out of an abundance of caution, Disney has taken slower steps in returning to pre-COVID operations at their parks and other industries and cruising is no different.
Have you taken a Disney Cruise? What are you most looking forward to about cruising with Disney? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Written by
DVC Shop Editorial Team
DVC Shop Editorial Team
