Walt Disney Co’s cruise division said on Tuesday it will require vaccination proof from all passengers above the age of 12 traveling from Florida to the Bahamas, as the COVID-19 Delta variant sweeps across the United States.
For sailings beginning Sept. 3, travelers under the age of 12 will have to provide a negative COVID-19 test, the cruise operator said in a blog. It also plans to cancel the Sept. 4 “Disney Fantasy” sailing.
Guests who choose not to provide proof of vaccination to meet the requirements of The Bahamas will not be permitted to board the ship.
Disney’s cruise line had earlier said it did not insist on vaccinations, but the change in stance comes after the U.S. health regulator asked people at a high risk of severe COVID-19 illness to avoid cruises irrespective of vaccination status.
Guests under the age of 12 must still provide proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken between 5 days and 24 hours prior to the sail date by uploading their test results to the Safe Passage by Inspire website. They will also be required to undergo a second PCR COVID-19 test administered by Inspire Diagnostics at the terminal prior to boarding.
The Bahamas, a major hub for cruises, has said it would not allow those ships to dock in the country unless all passengers 12 and older provide proof of vaccination, on any of its cruise ports, including private islands like Disney Castaway Cay.
The Disney Fantasy will resume sailing beginning September 11, 2021, with 4-night cruises from Port Canaveral, Florida. During this initial phase, the Disney Fantasy will only visit Disney Castaway Cay, its private island in The Bahamas. Disney hopes to resume 7-night voyages or longer onboard the Disney Fantasy in October.
Carnival Corp’s namesake cruise line said on Sunday it requires vaccination proof for all passengers aged 12 and above.