Today, according to an article posted on Disney Cruise Line Blog, The Bahamas have imposed new restrictions on Cruise Ships. These restrictions are not just on lands owned by Bahamas, but also includes private islands like Disney’s Castaway Cay

The new restrictions are currently set from September 3, 2021 and expires on November 1, 2021.

New Restrictions on Cruise Ships in The Bahamas

Effective the 3rd day of September, 2021 until the 1st day of November 2021, a cruise ship which is on a passenger voyage shall not be permitted to enter a port in The Bahamas (including private stops) – unless;

• the captain/master of the cruise ship transmits manifest which discloses vaccination status of all persons on board.
• all passengers over 12 are fully vaccinated
• and health protocols the cruise line previously submitted to the competent authority has been complied with.

The full emergency order can be found here.

Disney has not made any announcements yet as to its Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy sailings. Both ship have itineraries that are set to visit Disney’s Castaway Cay twice during their short sailings. Just 3 days ago, Disney Cruise Line announced shortened sailings on Disney Fantasy, which resumes sailing September 11, 2021.

Disney Cruise Line COVID-19 Vaccination Guidelines

According to Disney Cruise Line’s “Know Before You Go“:

• COVID-19 Vaccination

  • Disney Cruise Line strongly encourages all eligible Guests to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before sailing. Guests who are fully vaccinated may choose to provide proof of vaccination in order to be exempt from pre-trip and Embarkation Day testing requirements (unless arriving from outside the United States) and travel insurance requirements.
  • The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) considers people to be fully vaccinated 14 days after the final dose has been administered. To learn more about how to provide proof of your vaccination, please visit: Before Leaving Home: Know Before You Go.

• Pre-Trip COVID-19 Testing:

  • All Guests (adults and children, regardless of age) must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test (paid for at the Guest’s expense) taken between 5 days and 24 hours prior to the sail date. This is the first of 2 COVID-19 PCR tests required to set sail. The test should be a lab-based PCR test, not a rapid test. Disney Cruise Line has secured a special rate of $98.33 per PCR test (which includes a 3.5% processing fee) through our third-party vendor, Inspire Diagnostics.
  • Guests may also obtain their PCR test from any independent testing supplier. To submit your testing results or to order a testing kit, visit the Safe Passage website by Inspire Diagnostics. Guests who are fully vaccinated may choose to provide proof of vaccination instead of undergoing COVID19 pre-trip testing. To learn more about how to provide proof of your negative COVID-19 PCR test result, please visit: Before Leaving Home: Know Before You Go.

• Embarkation COVID-19 Testing:

  • All Guests (adults and children, regardless of age) are required to undergo a PCR COVID-19 test administered by Inspire Diagnostics at the terminal prior to boarding. This is the second of 2 COVID-19 PCR tests required to set sail. Guests with positive COVID-19 test results, as well as those in their travel party, will be denied boarding. The $65 test fee will be charged to the folio of all Guests 12 years and older. Guests under 12 will be tested at no charge. 
  • Disney Cruise Line acts as the paying agent for Inspire Diagnostics and will remit the entire cost of the COVID-19 test to Inspire Diagnostics. Guests who are fully vaccinated may choose to provide proof of vaccination instead of undergoing COVID-19 Embarkation Day testing. Fully vaccinated Guests with recent travel outside the United States must undergo a PCR COVID-19 test at the terminal, paid for by Disney Cruise Line. All unvaccinated Guests on back-to-back, consecutive sailings will be required to undergo a PCR COVID-19 test administered by Inspire Diagnostics at the terminal after debarking the ship following their first cruise, before reboarding the ship for their second cruise.

Ultimately, it appears unless a change in vaccination guidelines is made, ships will not be able to enter their ports.

Be sure to stay tuned to Pirates and Princesses as we continue to monitor these developments.

Source: Disney Cruise Line Blog