New Health Protocols Reinstated During a Thanksgiving Disney Cruise

It has been quite some time since health protocols were implemented while sailing on Disney Cruise Line. However, having just disembarked on my seven-day cruise, many changes occurred five days into the sailing. Read on to learn more about the many changes.

Health Protocols

It wasn’t until August 9, 2021 that Disney Cruise Line was allowed to set sail after the pandemic. In fact, many health protocols were put in place. My (Marisol) first cruise was the third sailing on the inaugural ship, the Disney Wish, in July 2022. At that time, the check-in process, even before setting foot on the boat, was lengthy.

What began as a normal seven day cruise from San Diego en route to three sea days, Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlán and Cabo San Lucas turned into a cruise feeling like we had sailed in 2021.

One of the first protocols that took place on Thursday morning at the buffet service onboard the Disney Magic was Crew Members serving food instead of guests serving themselves. This was one of the first changes we first noticed during the sailing.

Other Protocols in Place

Another significant change that we noticed right away was the self-service drink station. Until Wednesday night, we could grab a soda, coffee, or hot chocolate. This stopped for the rest of the sailing as a crew member served each guest. With only one service drink service on board, the lines were so long – especially on a sea day!

The Eye Scream station was the other station where guests could no longer serve themselves. The ice cream station rotates its ice cream flavors daily. Guests can swirl their flavor of choice into their ice cream cones. Also on Wednesday, a crew member now served the ice cream and handed it to the guest.

As mentioned initially, guests can no longer serve themselves at the buffet; instead, the crew member serves people individually. One of the traditional protocols in place, regardless of COVID-19 or not, is that guests are invited to wash their hands before entering the buffet restaurant. In traditional restaurants, wet wipes are also provided to guests before entering.

Entertainment and Other Protocols

Disney Cruise Line offers guests many different types of entertainment throughout their voyages. Guests are invited to get together in groups of four while writing down their answers with their mini pencils on their trivia paper.

Before the new protocols were implemented, one could grab a trivia paper and pencil and take a seat. Guests must sanitize using a wet wipe before taking the paper and pencil. Upon the game’s conclusion, the pencil and the paper go into the trash.

Another form of entertainment is the various crafts throughout the sailing. One of the crafts that we had onboard was the 3D craft. With protocol measures in place, guests were to sanitize using a wet wipe, borrow scissors from the “clean” bin, and return to the “dirty” container when completed.

For karaoke, each singer was instructed before taking the microphone to place a “shower cap” on the microphone and take it off after finishing their performance.

When meeting Disney characters at the beginning of the sailing, guests were invited to get autographs, which also included Santa Claus. Once the new protocol was in place, autographs were no longer allowed, and Crew Members could not take their camera or phone to take pictures. Guests were not allowed to hug the characters either.

Near the Senses Spa and gym, guests were instructed to utilize the no-touch water bottle dispenser, whereas inside the gym prior to the protocols there were different water dispensers, such as cucumber, lemon and regular water. There is an extra staff member in addition to the one crew member who wiped down all the machines that are not in use.

So, What Happened?

Once my family and I began to note what was happening, it was clear that some “outbreak” had occurred on the ship. Many guests were also inquiring at guest services and during our rotation with our servers.

We were informed that many people were “getting sick,” mainly from the kid’s club, including the Oceaneer Club and Lab, which is for children ages three to twelve. They had to enforce the new protocols because of specific health and safety concerns.

I was also told that depending on the severity and the number of cases on board, there were different stages of protocols. For example, the next step would mean that all servers would have to wear gloves, no menus would be provided at dinner, guests would need to scan a QR code provided, and purchase items would be contactless.

I was also informed that the protocols depend on each sailing. For example, the last sailing before ours, a four-day cruise, never had to implement the safety protocols. The next four-day sailing that started after our cruise would begin with no protocols in place unless cases of sickness were to occur and be reported.

Once I had internet service back on land, I was able to log into my Facebook cruise page. Many people were sharing their personal stories of kids and adults getting very sick. It is so unfortunate that many people stayed in their stateroom cabins as the first cases of illness were reported beginning Tuesday afternoon. I hope and pray that everyone ill on our sailing feels better soon.

Caution For Future Guests

My family and I were unaware that Disney Cruise Line still follows health and safety COVID protocols during sailing. Our previous cruise was limited in terms of offerings due to protocols in place. The first couple of nights, my husband and I mentioned to one another how nice it was not to go through safe and health protocols. Little did we know that a mere few days later, it would feel like we were sailing like in 2021.

I write this as a caution for guests planning to sail Disney Cruise Line. Although you may set sail with no protocol at the beginning of your cruise, it may change without proper notice. I do not mind that the protocols were placed as it was to keep us safe and healthy. Thankfully, our family did not fall ill during our sailing or upon arriving home.

However, guests on our sailing should have been informed of what was happening and why, as it happened so suddenly with no explanation. Please share this article with a friend who will be sailing on Disney Cruise Line and would find this information helpful before setting sail.