Possible Restart on the Horizon as Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy Scheduled For Additional Test Cruises

Following the Disney Dream’s test cruise over the weekend, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) changed the status of the Disney Dream from Crew Only (approved for simulated) to Simulated. Before we go any further, here is a look at the latest CDC cruise ship color status showing the Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy, and the Disney Wonder once again all in a green status.

CDC Color Code Status DCL 20210720

So far so go, it would appear based on the status change the Disney Dream’s test cruise over the weekend went well, as today, Disney Cruise Line is offering Test Cruises from what I gather to Disney Cruise Line cast members. The sailings are a mix of Bahamian and Caribbean on both ships with the final sailing coming just before the next publicly bookable cruises for each ship.

The Disney Dream’s upcoming test cruises are 3-night Bahamian Cruises from Port Canaveral visiting Nassau and Castaway Cay on the following dates:

The Disney Fantasy’s upcoming test cruises are a 3-night Bahamian visiting Nassau and Castaway Cay and a 4-night Western Caribbean from Port Canaveral to Cozumel on the following dates:

Now this is purely speculations, but it would appear the path to resumption for Disney Cruise Line in the US remains on track, and based on these test cruise dates, the Disney Dream’s August 9th and Disney Fantasy’s September 4th sailings are looking more and more promising for those currently booked. Albiet, anything can change so please take all this at the surface level and hope for the best.

38 Replies to “Possible Restart on the Horizon as Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy Scheduled For Additional Test Cruises”

  1. Christopher Fisher

    Let’s hope the good news continues. After two 2020 Covid caused rescheduling, we are again scheduled for October 16, 2021.

    Reply
  2. John

    Sandy and APN – These cruises are required by the CDC based on the CSO. DCL must do these or they can’t sail. Each ship must pass a test sailing.

    Reply
  3. Keith

    These are TEST cruises to fine tune the protocols and practices. This isn’t DeSantis making DCL do anything. I would bet the Royal, Carnival, Norweigan, Holland etc. are all doing test cruises.

    Reply
  4. Enuff

    @L, wrong. The CDC is the entity holding back cruises. DeSantis has done a great service to Florida and it’s people. He’s the reason so many people have been moving to Florida. For its leadership and great results. Try again.

    Reply
    1. Baron

      Ew. Florida has the most COVID cases as usual. Nobody is moving to Florida because of who the governor is.

      Reply
  5. Chris

    Why does DCL perform multiple cruises when Royal Carribean only seems to be doing one to get the CDC sailing certificate?
    Like APN says the Dream just completed her test sailing.
    Seems odd.

    Reply
  6. cmiller24

    What. About. The. Wonder ? ! ? Would be great for Disney to get it approved for a simulated test cruise or just come out and say if it will or will not be sailing to SD for Baja cruises this fall. No movement or communication about that is not helpful.

    Reply
  7. APN

    I get to have an abundance of caution. It seems to me a bit overkill and a way to make the CDC have no reason for concern. As someone who is set to cruise August 16 we still have had zero communication about what protocols will be put into place, if any. I was hoping after this past weekend test cruise we would get some clarity in order to make the best decision for our family. However, with test cruise(s) continuing until August 7, I don’t think we will have any room to pivot. We are cautiously optimistic but the elephant in the room is the communication.

    Reply
    1. Baron

      Totally agree! DCL is being super cautious and CTOA for future CDC guidelines. However, they really should be far better about communicating this, we are down to the wire and at least a heads-up would be appreciated.

      Reply
  8. Donna Spatig

    Aiming forward! I am more than thrilled that Disney is taking this approach. Can’t wait to sit on my verandah and sip my wine whilst gazing at the stars. Peace.

    Reply
  9. Rhonda Smith Tilly

    Agree! We’re booked on her too later this year. At this point, I just want to know one way or the other.

    Reply
  10. L

    @enuff You think his ban on requiring vaccines is going to keep the industry afloat (no pun intended)?? You’re delusional! With Delta on the rise and deathsantis banning independent business from requiring vaccines, it’s a ticking timebomb.

    Reply
  11. John

    L – The ban is only on providing proof of vaccinations. The cruise lines, as they are doing now, can simply ask for proof of vaccination and if not provided then assume you are not vaccinated and then follow the CSO. Most if not all are already doing that and will continue to do so. It really is having no effect whatsoever. The CSO is causing more damage since the rules are so strict. After Oct 31, there’s a good chance all the cruise lines go back to normal and don’t ask for anything. Look at the NCL website for example. It’s stating as of now that they only require vaccinations until Oct 31. That’s not a coincidence and has nothing to do with the DeSantis ban. I get it, you don’t like DeSantis. No issues with that. But at least come with facts, not emotion.

    Reply
    1. Baron

      I do believe that they are referring to the fact that while the CDC has given two avenues to approach a return to sailing, DeSantis has barred the cruise industry from requiring vaccination proof, thus limiting cruise lines to their only remaining option of simulated test cruises. The facts are that with 6.5% of the US population, Florida currently has 20% of the US COVID cases. I don’t see any reason why the CDC would lift cruise line restrictions on October 31 if the primary embarkation point for the entire industry remains the largest hotspot for this virus.

      Reply
  12. John

    Good points. But Oct 31 is a long way away. Trying to figure out if they’ll extend or not is probably a hard thing to do. There will be immense pressure on the CDC to expire the CSO unless all heck is breaking loose with cases and more importantly hospitalizations and deaths. Those 2 stats are exponentially more important than cases. Case numbers are pretty meaningless at this point. They impact nothing other than to frighten.

    We’ve discussed in other threads the interesting point of cruise lines not joining the original FL lawsuit against the CDC and now no cruise lines joining NCL on their lawsuit against FL. As I was pointing out, it appears they don’t seem to care too much about the FL ban.

    Finally, without the CSO the FL ban would be even more meaningless since the cruise lines could simply accept everyone on board without any further restrictions. That’s why that date of Oct 31 on the NCL site is so telling. They too are likely waiting and wishing for expiration so they can go back to accepting everyone, regardless of vaccination status.

    Reply
  13. marathongirlll

    So glad to see DCL taking every precaution. The ones complaining about the CDC, vaccines, mask, etc. will be the first ones filing a lawsuit if they get the sniffles onboard. Protect your brand and protect employees and customers first!

    Reply
  14. John

    marathongirll – Stop trying to act as if what we’re discussing is unreasonable. if you don’t think someone who is vaccinated is not going to file a lawsuit if they get the sniffles onboard then you’re out of your mind. The lawsuits will come from everyone and everywhere regardless of what rules are in place. The only way cruise lines are not going to have lawsuits from the vaccinated and unvaccinated is to not sail.

    Reply
  15. mattydred

    So what does this mean for the cruises in September that are still on? What will cruising look like? No meet and greets? Passenger limit or scheduled times allowed on the pool deck? Reduced capacity on the entire ship? What if it is already sold out? What if the ports of call on that itinerary are not allowing cruises (i.e. Grand Cayman)?

    There is no information at all about this. I have a cruise in September that I booked before COVID was even a thing. I am nervous right now…not because of cruising during COVID but because I have no idea what to expect on my cruise. I, personally, do not want to go on a cruise where the entertainment and amenities being offered are not what I paid for when I booked.

    Reply
  16. Paul

    Hey @Enuff, you are a person of strongly held views. Based on what you know: Disney Magic or Disney Wish? Which would you rather go on?

    Reply
  17. Walt

    Marathongirl is right. Why complain or sail if you are going to file a lawsuit if you get a sniffle on board. You said you didn’t care. Just go home afterwards, be happy that you gamble, got sick and still got to do your cruise. It people like those that are going to file a lawsuit if they just get a sniffle that the cruise line industries are trying to protect themselves from. Let them please take their time to get it right so they don’t go out of business.

    Reply
  18. Enuff

    @Paul, I would choose to travel on neither ship. We prefer the itineraries of the Dream and Fantasy. And from what I’ve seen of the Wish, I’m not so sure about the adult only areas. We’ll have to wait and see on that one.

    Reply
  19. John

    Walt – you don’t get it. It’s more likely a fully vaccinated customer will file a lawsuit when they get a sniffle because they were ‘assured’ that the cruise was 100% safe, that everyone was vaccinated, etc.

    Reply
  20. Paul

    @enuff. I agree with you on the adult space on the wish. My kids are getting older and I enjoy the adult space. Dream and Fantasy are good ships. Magic is however my sentimental favourite and has arguably the most diverse itineraries.

    Reply
  21. robert windham

    My opinion is open up the cruise industry. There will always be health concerns on a cruise wether it is GI issues or Covid. Cruising has always had a risk of ship wide outbreaks. If this is over concerning to you just don’t go. If you have been vaccinated you should be fine right. That’s the whole point of the vaccine. If you haven’t then you know the risk and have chosen to except that risk. The cruise industry will do what they can to be safe because an outbreak would greatly hurt them. So open it up and lets go have fun.

    Reply
  22. Joe

    The only state worse that Florida in per capita Covid cases over the last week is Arkansas. 49th place out of 50. DeSantis has almost achieved success in his race to the bottom. Interesting to see progress and prosperity take hold when your hospitals are overflowing with Covid cases, and your per capita medical expenses climb through the roof. Keep those blinders on.

    Reply
  23. John

    Joe – look at the data. Hospitals are not overflowing, optional surgeries and procedures are taking place every day. Even in the worst of the pandemic we never had overflows. Entire outdoor hospitals were built and never used. Stop fear mongering. I have no issues if you don’t like DeSantis and the way he governs but try and use facts, not emotion.

    Reply
  24. Enuff

    Sometimes you can’t reason with unreasonable people. They see non-mask wearers as disease spreading, defiant, imbeciles when in reality they are fighting for the last remnants of your freedom you didn’t know you were about to lose.

    Reply
  25. Joe Jones

    Keep those blinders on. Florida just reported over 12,000 new Covid cases in one day. Florida represented over 23% of the new Covid cases for the entire country. Enjoy your last remnants of freedom from your hospital bed.

    Reply

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