Overnight, Disney Cruise Line published new important information including the current vaccine requirement for select guests, as it pertains to the upcoming Disney Magic at Sea UK Staycations. The Disney Magic at Sea UK Staycations go on sale this coming week and are only available to UK residents. Disney clarified this to state, UK residents means residents of either England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.
The Disney Magic at Sea staycations sailings are scheduled to go on sale to the general public on April 30, 2021 with tiered early booking starting on April 28, 2021. These limited time sailings will feature enchanted entertainment with multiple layers of health and safety measures. The Disney Magic is scheduled to sail a variety of itineraries including 2- and 3-night voyages, as well as limited 4-night sailings round-trip from Liverpool, Southampton, Newcastle, and London Tilbury. The first cruise sails on July 15 ,2021 from Liverpool.
As of today, In order to sail, guests 18 years of age and older must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as defined by the National Health Service. NHS currently defines fully vaccinated as 7 days after the final dose. Disney Cruise Line will contact Guests prior to sailing with instructions on how to show proof of vaccination status.
COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing
- COVID-19 Vaccination: In order to sail, Guests 18 years of age and older must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, as defined by the National Health Service (NHS). The NHS currently defines “fully vaccinated” as 7 days after the final dose. Disney Cruise Line will contact Guests prior to sailing with instructions on how to show proof of this vaccination status.
- Pre-Trip COVID-19 Testing: Guests under 18 years of age are not required to be vaccinated, but must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test result (paid for by the Guest) taken between 5 days and 24 hours prior to the date you set sail. Disney Cruise Line has secured a special discounted rate through a third-party vendor for PCR tests and will contact Guests prior to sailing with instructions on how to complete and submit their test results. Guests may obtain their PCR test from the third-party vendor or any qualified testing supplier.
- Embarkation COVID-19 Testing: All Guests, including those who have been vaccinated, are required to undergo an antigen COVID-19 rapid test administered by a third party in the terminal prior to boarding. Anyone testing positive will undergo a second test to verify the results. All tests administered at the terminal will be at the expense of Disney Cruise Line. Guests with positive COVID-19 test results, as well as those in their travel party, will be denied boarding
Guests under 18 years old are NOT required to be vaccinated, but must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test result (paid for by the Guest) taken between 5 days and 24 hours prior to embarkation. Disney Cruise Line has secured a special discounted rate through a third-party vendor for PCR tests and will contact Guests prior to sailing with instructions on how to complete and submit their test results. Guests may obtain their PCR test from the third-party vendor or a qualified testing supplier of their choice. All guests, including those who have been vaccinated, are also required to undergo an antigen COVID-19 rapid test administered by a third party in the terminal prior to boarding, at Disney’s expense. Anyone testing positive at the terminal will undergo a second test to verify the results. Guests with positive COVID-19 test results and their party will be denied boarding. Daily temperature checks and health questionnaires will be required for all Guests prior to embarkation and during the cruise.
Face Coverings
Face coverings are required for all Guests (ages 11 and up) and Crew Members, including those who have received a COVID-19 vaccine. Please bring your own face coverings and wear them at all times, except when dining, swimming or in your stateroom. You may temporarily remove your face covering while actively eating, drinking or taking an outdoor photo, but you must be stationary and maintain appropriate physical distancing during this time. It is recommended that children ages 3 to 10 wear a face covering at all times except in designated locations. All face coverings should fully cover an individual’s nose and mouth and allow the Guest to remain hands-free; fit snugly but comfortably against the side of the face; be secured with ties or ear loops; and be made of breathable material, either disposable or reusable. At this time based on guidance from health authorities, neck gaiters, open-chin triangle bandanas and face coverings containing valves, mesh material or holes of any kind are not acceptable face coverings.
Book with Confidence – 2021 UK Staycations
Disney Cruise Line is offering guests peace of mind with flexible modification and cancellation options for UK Disney Magic at Sea bookings and it is specific to the new UK summer 2021 sailings on Disney Magic.
Extended Final Payment
For UK Disney Magic at Sea sailings, the deadline for final payment is extended until 30 days prior to sailing (excluding bookings for Stateroom Categories with Restrictions).
Full Refund before Final Payment Deadline
For UK Disney Magic at Sea sailings, guests who cancel before the final payment deadline can receive a full refund without Disney-imposed cancellation fees, excluding select room categories. Cancellation fee schedule for UK Magic at Sea sailings:
Reservations for Inside, Outside and Verandah Categories with Restrictions remain nonrefundable and nontransferable.
For all categories except Suite, Concierge and Categories with Restrictions:
| Days Prior to Departure Date | Fee Amount |
| 30 days or more | Full refund with no fee |
| 29 – 15 days | 75% of booking price per Guest |
| 14 days or less | 100% of booking price per Guest |
For Suite and Concierge Categories:
| Days Prior to Departure Date | Fee Amount |
| 30 days or more | Deposit per Guest |
| 29 days or less | 100% of booking price per Guest |
Cruise Date Flexibility
Guests can change their sail date without amendment fees up to 7 days prior to departure. Standard prevailing rates will apply. Guests who wish to change their sail date must move their sail date to one that commences prior to September 30, 2022. Standard prevailing rates will apply. Guests cannot change their reservation back to the original sail date after taking advantage of this offer. Should guest then cancel their new sail date, cancellation fees will be the greater of: a) cancellation fees that would have been applicable to the original sail date; or b) cancellation fees applicable to the new sail date.
Flexible Refund Policy
Within 14 days of the sailing, booked Guests with qualifying COVID-19-related concerns can receive a full refund without Disney-imposed cancellation fees or apply their cruise fare toward a future sail date. Standard prevailing rates will apply.
- Within 14 days prior to departure, Guests who experience one or more of the qualifying scenarios may change their sail date, under the following terms:
- Qualifying scenarios include Guests who:
- Have symptoms of COVID-19
- Have a temperature of 38 C or greater
- Have had known exposure to a person with COVID-19 within the previous 14 days
- Have tested positive for COVID-19
- Are unable to travel due to government-imposed travel restrictions
- Guests age 18 and older have not been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as defined by the NHS prior to their sail date.
- Guests who wish to change their sail date must move the sail date to a future sailing that commences prior to September 30, 2022.
- Guests cannot change their reservation back to the original sail date after taking advantage of this policy.
- Guests who do not wish to select a new sail date will be provided a full refund without Disney-imposed cancellation fees in their original form of payment.
- Guests who experience one or more of the qualifying scenarios on the day of departure will not be able to sail and will receive a full refund without Disney-imposed cancellation fees.
Disney Cruise Line Navigator App
The Disney Cruise Line Navigator app will play a major role in the resumption of cruising and it is recommended that guests download the the latest version of before they leave for the terminal. There are number of new features to help maintain physical distancing:
- Guest Services Live Chat: Communicate directly with a Guest Services Crew Member—in addition to our Dining teams—with our new live chat feature.
- Virtual Queue: Use our new virtual queue to easily reserve time at the Goofy’s Pool Deck Area and AquaLab Deck Area.
- Advance Reservations for Complimentary Experiences: In addition to booking premium offerings, you’ll need to reserve complimentary experiences, including showtimes for our West-End-style live shows, time in the kids clubs and visits to the gym, available in the app.
- Digital Receipts: You can now review recent transactions and purchases directly via the app.
- Details You Need: View digital menus, activity schedules, venue descriptions and locations, and much more.
- Exploring Made Easy: Find what you’re looking for quickly with deck plans that show the restaurants, shops and more near you.
Know Before You Go
Disney published a series of Know Before You Go webpages to help keep guests informed as they prepare to set sail on the new Disney Magic at Sea staycation cruises from the UK. The pages will help you discover what you can expect and it will be important to check back here as information is updated often. It appears Disney will note when the pages were last updated, as the pages now show an April 23, 2021 last update date. Since the first UK Staycation cruise is months away embarking July 15 ,2021 from Liverpool, I suspect Disney will continue to modify the important information over the next couple months.
While the Know before you go information is specific to the Disney Magic at Sea UK Staycations, it does offering insight in to what guests may encounter when the other Disney Cruise ships begin to return to service.
Helpful Links
- New! UK Staycations with Disney Magic at Sea (archived pdf – 4/24/21)
- Disney Magic at Sea – Know Before You Go – last updated April 23, 2021 (archived pdf – 4/24/21)
- Before Leaving Home (archived pdf – 4/24/21)
- Embarkation Day (archived pdf – 4/24/21)
- On The Ship (archived pdf – 4/24/21)
- Debarkation Day (archived pdf – 4/24/21)
- Book with Confidence: 2021 UK Staycations with Disney Magic at Sea (archived pdf – 4/24/21)
exactly as it should be. if people don’t like it, then don’t go. i’m tired of people thinking the rules don’t apply to them. these rules should be in effect for all cruise ships for the foreseeable future.
Wow, just when you think Disney cant get any dumber, they go and do this. So fully vaccinated people need to wear masks at all time (even when eating, its remove mask, take a bite and put mask back on when chewing). for fully vaccinated people, when there is absolutely ZERO scientific evidence they can spread covid. Yet children (who cannot get vaccinated) DONT need to wear masks? Even for Disney this is atrociously stupid. They better smarten up quick or they are going to put DCL out of business because no person with a shred of common sense will go for this.
There is evidence that vaccinated spread covid. Pretty stupid to mandate vaccines when you can still get and spread covid all while being vaccinated.
Yes, because it makes complete sense to force people who are fully vaccinated to wear masks at all time, yet kids who can just as easily spread covid dont need them. Yep, exactly as it should be if you have the critical thinking skills of a third grader…
L- agreed. My biggest concern about returning is the obstinate guest who refuses to obey the rules. Geez, Disney had a hard enough time getting people to wash their hands on the way into the buffet. What will enforcement look like ?
Love it.? I can sail with my family again with a clear conscience. I do understand that nothing is perfect.
Does this mean that you even have to wear a face covering when be stationary outdoor on a deck chair?
actually those folks who follow science and recommendations and wish to get on with their lives while following protocols will be happy to do this. those who don’t believe in science and wish to ignore all the rules, as they’ve likely done the past year, will pitch a fit and demand the rules be bent for them because they have the maturity level of a 2 year old. it’s high time roles get reversed and the rule-followers get some props.
DCL is a private company. It can make rules as it sees fit to run their business. No we have no shoes, no shirt, no mask no service. No big deal. If you don’t like those rules then don’t spend your money at the business. Calling people names and equating their critical thinking skills to a third grader is completely inappropriate for this forum. Take those comments elsewhere.
You are INCORRECT about the your explanation about eating and masks. The rule is the same as it is at Disney World. While sitting at a table you may remove your mask once your food is served and you can keep it off while sitting and eating.
It’s actually based on UK government rules. We still have a mask policy in the UK and the ship is operating in UK waters
Please. Do some research! ALL cruise lines have to operate within UK government guidelines – it is NOT Disney who create the rules as you claim but the UK government and if they do not they cannot sail. Simple. Here’s a FACT for you! Like all medicines, no vaccine is completely effective, so you should continue to take recommended precautions to avoid infection. Some people may still get COVID-19 despite having a vaccination, but this should be less severe. Astrensenca is 79 per cent effective for example. So even though you may have had the vaccine, it does not mean you cannot carry the disease and pass it on. If you do not want to folow the rules then my advise is simple DO.NOT.TRAVEL If any cruise line wants to STAY in business they will have to ADAPT their model, and so will their guests. Oh, and for the record SAFETYM is Disney’s number one concern NOT profit,
Thease rules are too strict, mask don’t save lives. I hope it improves when it returns to the USA
This is stupid, going on vacation and follow rules of a communist country. Get real, who wants to spend $20,000 for a two week cruise
Is the vaccine requirement for UK residents only?
As of now, this is specific to the Disney Magic at Sea UK staycations which are exclusive to UK residents.
Interested to see what happens if/when the UK government relax some rules (should be 21st June). Will Disney follow suit?
Still planning on booking one, and will keep a close eye on the reports from the first few cruises. My main concern is lack of things to do – they seem to have cut a lot of the entertainment/shows/kids clubs etc.
At it stands the Liverpool cruises will only have adults aged 45 and above. This is due to the vaccine roll out programme meaning anybody younger will not have had the chance to have both vaccinations by time the last Liverpool cruise leaves, unless they were on the vaccine priority list. It’s another disappointment by Disney. They have already messed up with the bookings being cancelled from the first announcement. Suggest Disney get all their facts clear before they go live with information to avoid their loyal followers to be disappointed once again.
If I had understood this situation from the beginning (as other cruise companies who are mandating vaccines made clear) I would have accepted this better and not told my children.
No doubt CDC will be closely watching these cruises, and DCL (along with others) will use them as evidence that the mitigating measure employed work (assuming nothing goes too badly wrong).
There have been lots of “It’s discrimination” and “boycott” about them. It seems mostly from would be first time cruises. The Platinum and Gold members seem to be very much of the opinion that these cruises will be more like a Panama Canal or Transatlantic in passenger make up.
I’ll be booking on the 28th.
Darren, I see it differently. I think gold and platinum members know what a DCL cruise is like under normal conditions whereas first time cruisers do not have the same expectations. I cannot imagine paying for the full Disney experience and getting so much less for your money. Even if there are adults who are willing to pay and settle for a lot less, how do you explain all these rules to a child. Doesn’t seem much of a family vacation to me. Are we suppose to be so grateful to cruise that we will accept these restrictions and pay full fare. No thanks. Hope it works out well for you Darren and you have a great voyage.
I hope these rules apply to all crew members and cast members as well!
CDC and WHO rules are so confusing to cruisers as they tinker with changes and exceptions in different countries or geographies. These current rules should be adopted for cruising industrywide for a set number of months that can be reviewed on a regular basis. Let’s support an abundance of safety measures for 6 months or a year so cruisers can plan ahead with confidence and no surprises. Those who deny the severity of this virus will always be there. They will either cooperate for the safety of all or they will not cruise.
Jo you are right. It’s the children that won’t or not understand. First time cruisers will, but Gold and Platinum cruisers children will not since they are accustomed to details/entertainments prior pandemic. Adults maybe, but then again it’s the things that makes our children happy is that makes us (parents) happy. The price is too much for less pleasure. There will be a big difference with the new rules and less activities. Still it will be up to you as to what you want to do. If you all do go, just try to make the best of it and enjoy yourselves regardless of the outcome. Complaining will not change anything.?
Hi Darren,
I am a Platinum Castaway member with 120 nights and several Transatlantic crossings under my belt. My issue is that if you are over 18 but under 45 years of age you cannot book as the UK Vaccination roll out programme is just at 45 years and over, as of today today. I wanted to do the Liverpool 4 night sailing at the end of July but it is just impossible. It’s taken 4 months to get here from the over 80 years start point and now we have added issues with vaccine supply (after a very good start) and the under 30s cannot have the AZ due to blood clot concerns. This cruise line is all about families (their promotion) but they have just excluded most young families (or even worse split families up from being able to sail) due to this decision. This is Disney’s decision and not a UK government one.
The ship is at sea the whole time. The better approach would be to have PCR test for all adults prior to embarkation. I hope you enjoy your booking on 28th but please spare a thought for those Castaway members who cannot book through no fault of their own – its hurts
You can’t force EXPERIMENTAL Vaccines on people! If this is going to be the policy you will be hearing from my lawyer!
The CDC doesn’t apply for these cruises, the UK NHS (national health service) is dictating the rules.
Bob: First, this blog is run by a person not affiliated with Disney Cruise Line, so your outrage would properly be directed at Disney Cruise Line, not the author of this blog. Second, Disney Cruise Line is a private company and has the absolute right to put such requirements in place. You do not have the right to cruise. If you don’t like their rules, you don’t do business with them. If you don’t want to get the vaccine, you don’t have to – but you won’t be sailing with Disney Cruise Line. Your lawyer would tell you as much.
What 8f you’re unable to have the vaccination due to allergies?
Why do people have to be vaccinated if they still have to wear a mask? makes no sense. Cancelling my trip until they get it together.
Hi am i correct to say that you start your cruise from 4pm and then have to depart at 8.30am on last day , seems very expensive to me, so only 1 whole day
Good thing you’re incorrect on just about all counts. Vaccines are most certainly *not* required on DCL. Helps to keep up to date vice preaching from a lofty standpoint while being wrong.