Do Disney Cruises require vaccinations?

For the past few years, travel requirements for vaccinations, masking, and COVID-19 testing seem to have been a moving target. Requirements seemed to change almost weekly, and it’s been easy to become a bit confused about whether Disney Cruises require vaccinations, COVID-19 testing, or masks.

Among all the types of vacations, cruises can be especially confusing in this regard. For example, a U.S. citizen taking an Alaskan Cruise with Disney typically flies from a U.S. airport to a Canadian airport, boards a Bahamian-registered ship at a Canadian port, visits several U.S. ports of call (possibly taking an Alaska cruise excursion that travels back into Canadian territory via motorcoach), then returns to a Canadian port before flying back to the U.S. via a Canadian airport.

So let’s try to sort out all of the requirements. Fortunately, they’ve gotten markedly simpler since 2022.

Note: Information in this article is accurate as of July 25, 2023. Be sure to check your official Disney Cruise documentation or Disney Cruise Line’s “Know Before You Go” website to ensure you’re up-to-date on the latest regulations regarding your sailing. Also, please note that the information article generally refers to requirements for U.S. Citizens traveling from a U.S. port; those who are citizens of — or who are sailing from — another country should ensure they’re aware of any applicable requirements.

Do you need the COVID shot to take a Disney Cruise?

Disney Cruise Line itself no longer requires vaccinations just to board its cruise ships in most cases, but some ports may require vaccinations.

For it’s part, Disney Cruise Line advises that “Full vaccination [is] not required but highly recommended” for its cruises.

Though there is no direct requirement from the cruise line to be immunized, travelers must always ensure they meet any governmental requirements in order to board the ship or to disembark at a particular port-of-call during the cruise. Some countries may have regulations that are more strict than those onboard the ship itself.

For example, Australia and New Zealand cruises currently do require vaccinations for those ages 12 and up due to government mandates there.

Does Disney Cruise Line require COVID-19 testing to board?

Proof of a negative Coronavirus test was a requirement to board a Disney Cruise for about two-and-a-half-years, but that has since changed.

For Guests sailing from the United States on November 14, 2022 or later, it is no longer necessary to be tested for COVID-19 before boarding the ship.

As with vaccination requirements, COVID-19 testing requirements may vary by country and you’ll always need to abide by any local regulations.

Australia and New Zealand cruises currently do require testing for those ages 2 and up due to local governmental regulations.

Do Guests have to wear a mask on a Disney Cruise?

Face coverings are optional for most Guests onboard Disney Cruise ships. The cruise line does “strongly recommend” that unvaccinated guests wear a mask in all indoor locations, but it’s not a requirement.

In the US, face coverings are optional on Disney Cruise Line’s hotel and airport ground transfers. As always, you’re subject to any applicable local government regulations at various terminals and ports you might visit during your cruise, so masks may be required in some places you visit.