Disney Cruise Line Will Require Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination in UK

    According to a “Know Before You Go” page on the Disney Cruise Line website, guests looking to sail on the Disney Magic at Sea staycation cruises from the UK will be required to provide a proof of COVID-19 vaccination. Here are the safety protocols that will be in place for the “staycation” cruises.

    COVID-19 Vaccination

    In order to sail, Guests 18 years of age and older must be fully vaccinated as defined by the National Health Service.

    • 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.

    COVID-19 Testing

    Learn about the COVID-19 tests that are required for Guests under the age of 18 before leaving home, and the testing at the terminal for all Guests before setting sail.

    • 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.

    Health Screenings

    Multiple health screenings will be conducted before and during your cruise to promote the health and safety of everyone on board.

    • Temperature Checks: Before leaving home, be sure to check the temperatures of everyone in your party—including yourself—as an extra layer of precaution. Everyone arriving at the terminal will have their temperature checked. Guests with a temperature higher than 38°C are not permitted to board, nor are any Guests in their travel party. During your cruise, daily temperature checks are required aboard the ship for all Guests and Crew. Crew Members will be stationed at the entrances to the dining rooms during lunch to take your temperature. Guests displaying a temperature higher than 38°C will be referred to the onboard Medical Center.
    • Embarkation Day Health Questionnaire: Guests are required to complete a health questionnaire related to COVID-19 and gastrointestinal illnesses on Embarkation Day. Guests are also required to attest as to whether they have experienced or are currently experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, or have been in contact with anyone suspected of or confirmed as having COVID-19 within the previous 14 days.
    • Daily Health Questionnaire: Guests are required to complete a daily health questionnaire via the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app on behalf of every Guest in their stateroom. Each day, via the app, Guests will receive a daily notification and link to complete the health questionnaire.
    • Crew Members: All Crew Members will be screened for symptoms of illness before every shift and have their temperatures checked twice daily. Crew Members showing any symptoms of feeling unwell will refrain from working.

    Physical Distancing

    We’re reducing Guest capacity aboard our ships and adjusting experiences to allow for physical distancing. This includes limiting capacity and implementing physical distancing measures in our terminals and areas of our ships such as upper decks, dining rooms, food and beverage locations, lounges, theaters, walkways, elevators, pools, queues and other common spaces.

    Signage throughout the ship reminds Guests and Crew to practice physical distancing. Physical barriers have also been installed in areas where physical distancing may be difficult to maintain, like at check-in and Guest Services.

    Complimentary experiences, such as theatrical shows, must be booked in advance. Close-up interactions with Disney Characters have been paused, and youth activities are experienced in small group settings.

    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.
    • Be made of breathable material, either disposable or reusable.

    Guests may bring face coverings that have an integrated transparent plastic panel to aid in viewing the wearer’s mouth. These face coverings must:

    • Fully cover an individual’s nose and mouth and allow the Guest to remain hands-free
    • Be a fabric face covering featuring a solid plastic panel containing no openings that is attached to the fabric on all sides using tight knit stitching
    • Meet all face covering requirements listed above

    In addition to the required face covering, Guests may elect to bring and wear a face shield, keeping in mind that the face shield must:

    • Be a minimum height of 8.5” and minimum width of 11”
    • Include foam padding at the forehead with a minimum length of 8” and maximum thickness of 2”
    • Extend beneath the chin
    • Have sides that extend wider than the head
    • Have solid clear plastic front with no vent holes or perforations
    • Be worn with a cloth face covering beneath it

    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.

    The use of face coverings is not a substitute for physical distancing.

    Virtual Queues and More

    Download the latest version of our app on your mobile device, with location services and notifications enabled.

    Help maintain physical distancing with these helpful features of the new and improved Disney Cruise Line Navigator app:

    • 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.

    If you haven’t already, be sure to download the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app today!

    Available for iPhone®, iPad® and smartphones for Android™. Message, data and roaming rates may apply. Availability subject to handset limitations and features may vary by handset or service provider. Coverage and app stores not available everywhere. If you’re under 18, get your parents’ permission first.

    Online Check-In

    Be sure to complete your Online Check-In at least one day prior to the date you set sail. This step-by-step process includes filling out important cruise documents, in addition to selecting a port arrival time, which you’ll need to do before you make your way to the terminal. Please note: All Guests and Castaway Club Members—including Platinum Members—are required to select a port arrival time before making their way to the cruise terminal. Completing Online Check-In in advance helps in physical distancing efforts and reduces the time at the cruise terminal before you board the ship. Guests will not be permitted at the terminal or in parking areas before their scheduled arrival time in order to help maintain physical distancing in the terminal. Guests who arrive early will be asked to return at their scheduled arrival time. Begin Online Check-In.


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