ORLANDO, Fla. — As the COVID-19 pandemic wanes, Disney Cruise Line is set to join other lines in relaxing mask requirements at sea.
In an update to its safety policies on its website, the line announced that starting March 11 it would allow guests to go about without face coverings indoors. Until then, the line insists on wearing masks indoors for all guests ages 2 and up no matter their vaccination status. The exceptions are for when they’re in their cabins or actively eating or drinking.
It already allowed face coverings to be removed outdoors except when social distancing could not be maintained, following guidelines from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
But as the CDC guidelines have been relaxed, so too are cruise lines. The CDC last week issued new masking guidelines that suggest masks are not needed for most of the country. Facemasks are still required by federal law at least through March 18 to be worn on planes, trains and other forms of public transportation.
The line will still insist on guests 2 and over to wear masks when in the Walt Disney Theatre for its shows, and guests ages 4 and under not currently able to be vaccinated will have to wear face coverings when in youth activity spaces as well as the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique.
The line also encourages those younger guests to use face coverings in all other indoor locations.
The cruise line was one of the first to require all guests 5 and over to be fully vaccinated to sail
Face coverings may also be required at some ports of call for now as well.
Disney Cruise Line currently sails Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy out of Port Canaveral, Disney Magic out of PortMiami and Disney Wonder from San Diego.
The line will welcome its new ship Disney Wish to Port Canaveral this summer. While it will arrive to the port in early June, according to port officials, it won’t have its debut sailing with customers until July 14.
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