Disney Cruise Line Mandates Vaccinations for Bahamas Passengers

Disney Cruise Line joined the growing list of cruise lines that are mandating passengers be vaccinated against COVID-19.

On Wednesday, Disney announced that it would require vaccination proof from all passengers 12-years and older on Bahamas sailings starting on Sept. 3. The move comes shortly after the Bahamas made its own announcement that it would require all guests coming into its cruise ports, including Disney’s Castaway Cay, to be vaccinated.

While Disney’s vaccine requirement doesn’t include those under 12, Disney will still require those guests to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken between 5 and 24 hours prior to sailing. They will also be required to get tested a second time at the terminal prior to boarding.

All that information has to be uploaded into the Safe Passage by Inspire website no later than 24 hours prior to sailing. If passengers aren’t able to do it, they will not be allowed on board.

Disney’s announcement, aside from its connection to the Bahamas news, also comes shortly after Carnival Cruise Line announced its own vaccination mandate that would run through at least October.

Carnival Ambassador John Heald mentioned the new Bahamas requirement that requires vaccination for all cruise guests 12 years and older as one of the reasons behind the decision. 

“The Bahamas and other Caribbean countries have recently instituted new requirements calling on cruise lines to confirm that all guests 12 and older are fully vaccinated, with exemptions only for those with a medical condition that prohibits vaccination.  Consequently, it is necessary for us to make these adjustments. We believe these will be will temporary measures and apologize for any disruption caused to our guests,” Heald wrote.