While the Disney Cruise Line has suspended all departures through at least December 6, 2020, they are still very much at work trying to navigate through COVID-19 and what it means for future sailings. It is being reported that yesterday, September 21, some progress has been made with safety agreements needed before cruise lines can attempt to resume sailing in the future.
As shared by OrlandoSentinel: Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the trade association for companies that include Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Carnival, Disney and MSC Cruises among others, made the announcement Monday (Sept. 21), saying that all member lines had come to an agreement for some basic, but major components for any line’s safe return to cruising in North America amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Chief among the recommendations were that anyone planning to sail should have taken a COVID-19 test between five days and 24 hours of departure and have received a negative result. Anyone who tests positive should not board, or even come to the port. And neither should anyone in that person’s traveling party.
In addition, before boarding, passengers will be screened for symptoms, including the taking of temperatures and answering questions, which might lead to a secondary screening to determine if they should be allowed to board.
CDC guidelines for social distancing and face protection should be followed by wearing of face coverings indoors and maintaining 6 feet of social distance when checking in, and while sailing, in major public areas indoors where people congregate.
