Disney Cruise Line Celebrates Summer 2023 with Family Adventures in Alaska, Europe, the Bahamas and Caribbean

Disney Cruise Line will be offering families a variety of enchanting vacations in summer 2023, including cruises to new and favorite ports of call around the world. From the majestic glaciers of Alaska to the sun-kissed Greek isles, pink sand beaches of Bermuda and picturesque fjords of Norway, these summer destinations will sparkle with adventure and excitement. Plus, for the first time ever, families will have the opportunity to sail around the Mediterranean and British Isles on the Disney Dream during its first season in Europe.

“We are thrilled to have five ships at sea in summer 2023 with a wide array of destinations for families to enjoy,” said Sharon Siskie, senior vice president & general manager of Disney Cruise Line. “These Disney Cruise Line sailings will take families on summer adventures in ways that only Disney can do, delighting guests of all ages with dazzling entertainment, world-class dining, unique character encounters, the ease and indulgence of carefree days at sea and the uncompromising guest service that defines a Disney vacation.”

Bookings open to the public May 9, 2022. For more details, visit the Summer 2023 itineraries page of disneycruise.com.

For its first-ever summer season in Europe, the Disney Dream will call on a wide variety of destinations among the most treasured in the world. With sailings anywhere from four to 11 nights, the Disney Dream will sail from Barcelona and Rome to picturesque ports of call throughout the Mediterranean, including a first-ever seven-night sailing to the Greek Isles with stops in the ever-popular ports of Santorini and Mykonos. 

Late summer/early fall departures of the Disney Dream from Southampton will feature cruises to a wealth of destinations including Spain, France, the British Isles, Norway and Iceland. New ports of call include the postcard-worthy La Rochelle, France and two new ports in Norway – Skjolden, home to a wealth of natural attractions, and Sandnes, a small city just outside the metropolis of Stavanger known for its outdoor activities.

The breathtaking natural beauty of Alaska will combine with the magic of Disney on five, seven and nine-night sailings on the Disney Wonder from Vancouver, Canada. Beginning in May, cruisers will be invited to discover exciting ports like Ketchikan and Skagway, with their prehistoric glaciers, gold mining relics and spectacular land- and sea-life. Three Alaskan itineraries call at Icy Strait Point, home to a coastal rainforest, wilderness tours and for thrill-seekers, ziplining above the treetops.

Sun-splashed tropical isles throughout the Bahamas and Caribbean will await guests on three Disney Cruise Line ships from Florida in summer 2023. 

For its first full summer of sailing, the Disney Wish will homeport in Port Canaveral near Orlando for a series of three- and four-night Bahamas cruises to Nassau and Disney’s private island oasis, Castaway Cay. The Disney Wish will feature exciting new additions including Disney’s first “Frozen”-themed theatrical dining experience and AquaMouse, a wild water adventure and first-ever Disney attraction at sea.

Port Canaveral will also be the departure point for the Disney Fantasy for sailings ranging in length from five to 10 nights. In addition to seven-night cruises to popular ports in the eastern and western Caribbean, guests will also be able to experience a five-night Bahamian sailing with back-to-back calls at Castaway Cay, a 10-night southern Caribbean itinerary to the islands of Aruba and Bonaire and an eight-night cruise featuring two days on the beautiful pink sand beaches of Bermuda.

The Disney Magic will make its summer home in Miami for an assortment of exciting destinations. Starting May 27, the Disney Magic will sail four-night Bahamas cruises and five-night western Caribbean voyages, followed by two seven-night sailings in July to the eastern and western Caribbean. Select summer voyages aboard the Disney Magic will include double days – for double the fun – at Castaway Cay.

Disney Cruise Line Announces Return of Halloween on the High Seas

Halloween on the High Seas will be returning to Disney Cruise Line with more sailings than ever before and new one-of-a-kind experiences for families in September and October 2022. Guest-favorite entertainment and activities, including trick-or-treating, spooky parties, elaborate décor and themed food and beverage items, will await guests on these limited-time voyages as each ship transforms into a ghoulish wonderland.

Disney Cruise Line guests will be the first to experience an all-new character meet and greet opportunity across the fleet during Halloween on the High Seas sailings. While all of the Disney characters on board will adorn Halloween costumes as part of the festivities, Minnie Mouse, Daisy Duck and Clarabelle Cow will debut a never-before-seen look as they dress up as their favorite Halloween sisters, the Sandersons from the movie “Hocus Pocus.”

During its inaugural season of Halloween cruises this fall, the Disney Wish, the newest Disney Cruise Line ship, will introduce a unique twist on a Halloween on the High Seas hallmark.

The centerpiece of every ship during Halloween sailings is the signature magical Pumpkin Tree towering over the atrium lobby, each with sprouting Jack-O-Lanterns and flickering lights.

Aboard the Disney Wish, guests will witness the debut of an all-new Pumpkin Tree in the “Cinderella”-inspired Grand Hall. Featuring lighter bark, graceful branches and a mystical face, this enchanted tree that grew perfect gourds with the help of a Wishing Star at night produced the perfect pumpkin that became the coach that carried Cinderella to the Prince’s Ball.

Other special experiences on Halloween on the High Seas sailings include:

• Mickey’s Mouse-querade Party: Beloved Disney characters in Halloween attire will join guests for a fun-filled costume party.
• Halloween Isn’t Just For Kids: Adult-exclusive venues across the fleet will become a ghoulish setting for costume contests and a Villainous Takeover on the dance floor.
• Spooky Movies: To get guests into the spirit of the season, Halloween-themed movies will be shown on Funnel Vision by the family pool and in staterooms.
• Ghoulish Delights: Guests will enjoy special themed food and beverage items.
• More spooky fun includes mask-making and a ghostly takeover of ship announcements.

Halloween on the High Seas voyages will be offered aboard select sailings in September and October. Departing from ports in Miami and Port Canaveral, Florida, San Diego and New York City, each cruise will take families to fascinating destinations including the Bahamas, Caribbean, Bermuda, Canada and Mexico. All sailings from Port Canaveral and Miami will include a stop at Castaway Cay, Disney’s private island paradise outfitted for family fun and relaxation and brimming with special Disney touches.

Disney Announces Return of Pre-Pandemic “Huggable” Meet and Greets

Recently Disney announced that character meet and greets will return to pre-pandemic conditions beginning on April 18th.

Not all locations will be available immediately. The removal of physical distancing at character meet and greets will be coming to Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise line, and Aulani throughout the spring and summer.

Currently, most of Walt Disney World’s character meet and greet locations have returned, but physical distancing currently remains in effect with characters located behind a barrier and guests unable to make any direct contact.

At Walt Disney World character meet and greets have been physically distance ever since the parks re-opened from the COVID-19 closure in mid-2020.

Disney Cruise Line Announces ‘Pixar Day at Sea’ on Select Disney Fantasy Sailings in 2023

Previously Disney Cruise Line announced the great destinations that they will sail to in early 2023.  Now they are adding yet another reason to trade in your winter blues for the crystal blue waters of the Caribbean… Pixar Day at Sea!

Beginning in January of 2023, select seven-night sailings on the Disney Fantasy will include a day-long celebration dedicated to the beloved tales of Pixar. Guest on these sailings will be able to dine, play, dance, sing and swim with their favorite Pixar pals.

There will be a Pixar film festival, exclusive merchandise and photo opportunities.  Pixar Day at Sea will include a variety of one-of-a-kind experiences, including:

Character Encounters

  • From morning until night, your family will dance, play and interact with your favorite Pixar pals, including Woody, Buzz Lightyear and Bo Peep from “Toy Story”; Mike, Sulley and Boo from “Monsters, Inc.”; Joy and Sadness from “Inside Out”; Dug and Russell from “Up”; and everyone’s favorite supers – Mr. Incredible, Elastigirl and Frozone from “The Incredibles.”

Immersive Entertainment

  • A new nighttime spectacular will call upon your family to help the Incredibles save the day.
  • A first-of-its-kind theatrical experience will bring to life the beloved story of Miguel and his family from “Coco” through live music and puppetry.
  • Families will be able to join their favorite characters from the beloved Pixar films for a dance party bash.

Dining Filled with Character

  • A new, interactive character dining experience hosted by Sheriff Woody, Jesse and Bullseye will kick-start your day with sing-a-longs, cowboy serenades and all the country breakfast fixins.
  • Enjoy a Pixar-themed dinner with dishes inspired by the Pixar Animation Studios’ California locale.
  • Immerse yourself in undersea magic while dining in Animator’s Palate with visits from some of your favorite “Finding Nemo” friends, including interactive conversations with Crush.

Disney Cruise Line to Require COVID-19 Vaccinations for Ages 5 and Up

Yesterday Disney Cruise Line announced that it has updated its COVID-19 vaccination requirements to include passengers age 5 and up effective January 13, 2022.

Below are the updated requirements –

Currently, Disney Cruise Line continues to require all vaccine-eligible Guests (based on US eligibility requirements) to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, as defined by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), at the time of sailing. This will be a requirement for all Guests (US and international) ages 5 and up for sailings beginning on or after January 13, 2022.

Guests who are not vaccine-eligible because of age must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test result (paid for by the Guest) taken between 3 days and 24 hours before their sail date. Guests ages 5 through 11 may complete this testing requirement in lieu of being fully vaccinated for sailings that depart before January 13, 2022.

The test should be a NAAT test, rapid PCR test or lab-based PCR test. Rapid antigen tests are not accepted. 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 test from any independent testing supplier.

Disney Cruise Line Drops Nassau as Port of Call

Disney Cruise Line is dropping Nassau, Bahamas as a port of call on all cruise itineraries in September and October 2021.

The change is likely due to the fact that the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) recently issued a Level 4 travel warning for American travelers visiting the Bahamas.

This announcement comes spite of the fact that Disney Cruise Line is now requiring all passengers over 12 years of age to have received the COVID-19 vaccine.

With this change, the itineraries that involved a port of call at Nassau will now have a day at sea or an additional stop at Castaway Cay.

Here is the updated itineraries –

On the 3-night sailings Nassau will be replaced by a sea day, and the 4-night will add a second stop at Castaway Cay. Emails are being sent to guests booked on the following sail dates to inform guests of the itinerary modification.

Disney Dream 3-night Sailings with an Itinerary Change
Friday September 10, 2021  3-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral 
Friday September 17, 2021 3-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral 
Friday September 24, 2021  3-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral 
Friday October 1, 2021 3-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral 
Friday October 8, 2021  3-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral

Disney Dream 4-night Sailings with an Itinerary Change
Monday September 13, 2021  4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral 
Monday September 20, 2021  4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral 
Monday September 27, 2021  4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral
Monday October 4, 2021  4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral

Disney Cruise Line to Resume Bahamian Itineraries from Florida in August

Beginning August 9th, the Disney Dream will kick off the long-awaited return to cruising from the United States, with tropical voyages to the Bahamas departing from Port Canaveral, Florida.

Three and four-night cruises will visit Disney’s  private island, Castaway Cay, for an unforgettable vacation at sea.

Yolanda Cade, Director, Public Relations, Disney Signature Experience stated on the Disney Parks Blog recently –

I’m speaking on behalf of our entire cast and crew when I emphatically say, “We have missed you!” Right now, we’re working hard to get ready for your return, and our focus remains on operating in a responsible way while creating magic for all on board. That’s why we’ve enhanced our health and safety measures to promote wellness for guests and crew aboard our ships and in the destinations we visit.

Disney Cruise Line will not require vaccinations, but Disney will be requiring pre-trip and embarkation COVID-19 testing. Guests 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 ($98.33 per PCR test). Guests are then required to undergo a rapid PCR COVID-19 test ($65) at the terminal prior to boarding. Guests with positive COVID-19 test results, as well as those in their travel party, will be denied boarding.

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.

 

Disney Cruise Line Announces Test Cruises

According to sources, Disney Cruise Line has received approval to start test cruises at the end of June.

In the article, Thomas Mazloum who is President of Disney Signature Experiences shared an update with the news that the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has given the line permission to do test cruises.

The announcement of test cruises means that Disney Cruise Line does not want to attempt to comply with the mandate of having at least 95% vaccinated passengers and 98% vaccinated crew members in order to bypass test cruises.

With the amount of children onboard this means too many guests would be unvaccinated, and as a result, test cruises are required.

Disney said that the test cruises will begin on June 29th from Port Canaveral and include only volunteers acting as passengers. The cruise will run through July 1st.

Here is what was shared by Thomas Mazloum:

I have some great news to share, team.

We received word that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has approved our application to conduct a simulation cruise in advance of resuming normal operations.

This is a critically important milestone for Disney Cruise Line – and I want to thank everyone who has been supporting our return-to-service plans with such dedication and hard work.

We now have the green light to conduct our two-night simulation cruise aboard the Disney Dream from June 29 to July 1, sailing from Port Canaveral. The ship will sail with volunteer passengers and test our newly developed health and safety protocols, which have been meticulously tailored to the current public health environment. All of these protocols are essential to cruising responsibly, and Disney Cruise Line couldn’t be more committed to making vacation dreams come true as it prioritizes the wellbeing of all who step aboard our ships.

Today, as we move closer to restarting our U.S. cruises, I want to spotlight the tremendous resilience and positivity of the team. Your collaboration and continued enthusiasm throughout the pandemic have been nothing short of amazing, as we’ve researched, drafted, revised and refined our comprehensive roadmap for cruising again. It has been no small feat – and I’m extremely proud of everyone.

We will continue to evaluate our health and safety protocols, working closely with the CDC, and make adjustments as we work toward a full resumption of cruising. In the meantime, we can all take pride in the approval of our application with the CDC – a milestone that reflects the incredible talents of our entire team.

The ship that will be conducting the test cruise will be the Disney Dream.

At this time, Disney is the second known cruise line to get approval to start test cruises, following Royal Caribbean’s announcement last week.

It is important to note that volunteers must be at least 18 years old.  If they are not vaccinated, the CDC says they must have written documentation from a health care provider or must self certify that they aren’t at a heightened risk for COVID-19.

 

Disney Cruise Line Opens Pop Up Store in Disney Springs

You aren’t able to go on a Disney Cruise yet, so why not shop instead.

Now through early September, guests will be able to stop by the Marketplace Co-Op to shop exclusive collections including the traditional Disney Cruise Line Wave and Sail Away Minnie Mouse collections, as well as a selection from Castaway Cay, Disney Cruise Line’s private island in The Bahamas.

Guests should be prepared to sail away with trendy and nautical-themed spirit jerseys, T-shirts, and even matching styles for adults and kids so you and the family can all match.

You’ll be able to pack those perfect getaway essentials in adorable Disney Cruise Line Loungefly bags or with a classy luggage set.

Are you looking for gifts for Disney Cruise Line fans? You’ll be able to discover treasure that includes everything from mugs, magnets, luggage tags, hats to photo frames, and more.

Guests will also be able to check out the ship models for an up close and personal look of the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy ships.

Disney Cruise Line Announces 2022 Itineraries and Departure Dates

Disney Cruise Line announced itineraries and departure dates for Summer 2022.  You will be able to sail to the ancient shores of the Mediterranean to explore must-see destinations such as the Greek Isles, a fan favorite offering stunning landscapes and archeological wonders. Visit other enchanting areas in Europe such as Norway and the British Isles. Voyage to Alaska for breathtaking scenery and adventure. Or cruise to the Bahamas and the Caribbean for relaxation on tropical beaches.

In addition, for the first summer ever, embark from Miami on select tropical adventures.

If you’re currently a Platinum, Gold or Silver Castaway Club member, take advantage of the opportunity to book our new cruises before they go on sale to the general public on March 25, 2021. You’ll be able to book Summer 2022 itineraries online or by phone during a designated booking window.

When to Book

  • March 22, 2021: Platinum Members
  • March 23, 2021: Platinum and Gold Members
  • March 24, 2021: Platinum, Gold and Silver Members
  • March 25, 2021: All Guests

How to book

  • Online: If you’re an existing member, simply log in to your account now to verify your Castaway Club status, so you’ll be all set to book on your designated date.
  • By Phone: Call (866) 784-1592 starting at 8:00 AM Eastern Time —or contact your travel agent.

If you have any questions about your Castaway Club status, please contact Disney Cruise Line at (800) 449-3380. Guests under 18 years of age must have parent or guardian permission to call.

If you’re currently a Disney Vacation Club Member, an Adventures by Disney Insider or a Golden Oak Club Member, you’re invited to enjoy the exclusive opportunity to book our new cruises before they go on sale to the general public on March 25, 2021.

When to Book

  • Golden Oak Club Members – Begins March 22, 2021 at 8:00 AM Eastern Time
  • Disney Vacation Club Members and Adventures by Disney Insiders – Begins March 24, 2021 at 8:00 AM Eastern Time

How to Book

  • Golden Oak Club Members: contact Golden Oak Club Member Services
  • Disney Vacation Club Members: to book with Reservation Points, call Member Services at (800) 800-9800; to make a cash-only booking, call Disney Cruise Line at (866) 325-6348 —or contact your travel agent
  • Adventures by Disney Insiders: Call (888) 272-0644 —or contact your travel agent

Guests under 18 years of age must have parent or guardian permission to call.