Disney Cruise Line Cancels Departures Through April 28th Due To Pandemic

Posted on by Mathew Corn Uncategorized

As the world continues to face the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Disney Cruise Line has announced that they have extended their suspension of departures until Tuesday, April 28th. Previously, departures had only been suspended up until April 12th.

In fall 2019, the Disney Magic sails to Bermuda, Bahamas and Canada from New York, followed by Bahamian and Caribbean voyages from Miami. Aboard the Disney Magic, guests can experience new spaces and experiences, including dining at Rapunzel’s Royal Table. (Matt Stroshane, photographer)

From Disney Cruise Line’s COVID-19 landing page:

With the wellbeing of our Guests and team members as our top priority and in line with direction from health experts and government officials, Disney Cruise Line has decided to extend the suspension of all new departures through Tuesday, April 28, 2020.

Guests currently booked on affected sailings will be offered the choice of a cruise credit to be used for a future sailing within 15 months of their original sail date or a full refund. These Guests and travel agents will receive an email from us outlining details and next steps.

Guests who booked their reservation through a travel agent should contact them directly with any questions. Those who booked directly with Disney Cruise Line and have questions after receiving their email from us should call us at (866) 325-2112 or (407) 566-3510.

Below is a list of impacted sailings:

Disney Magic

March 14-19

March 19-23

March 23-28

March 28-April 2

April 2-6

April 6-11

April 11-16

April 20-25

April 25-30

Disney Wonder

March 20-25

March 25-29

March 29-April 5

April 5-10

April 10-12

April 12-19

April 24-29

Disney Dream

March 16-20

March 20-23

March 23-27

March 27-30

March 30-April 3

April 3-6

April 6-10

April 10-13

April 13-17

April 17-20

April 20-24

April 24-27

April 27-May 1

Disney Fantasy

March 14-21

March 21-29

March 29-April 4

April 4-11

April 11-18

April 25-May 2

Temporary Cancellation Policy Update

Given the current situation, we are offering temporary adjustments to our cancellation policy to provide more flexibility for our Guests. These adjustments may continue to evolve as more information becomes available.

All Guests scheduled to depart on the Disney Magic between April 29, 2020 and May 8, 2020 and on the Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy and Disney Wonder between April 29, 2020 and May 31, 2020 can change their reservation up until the day before embarkation and receive a 100% cruise credit to be used for a future sailing within 15 months of their original sail date. The credit is non-refundable and standard prevailing rates will apply. Guests who booked their reservation through a travel agent should contact them directly. Those who booked with Disney Cruise Line may call us at (866) 325-2112 or (407) 566-3510.

Disney Cruise Line Coronavirus (COVID-19) Additional Information

Disney Cruise Line consistently receives among the highest public health inspection scores and has health and safety protocols in place. We also have a comprehensive plan that outlines protocols for managing illness and closely follow the guidance of public health officials. In light of COVID-19, Disney Cruise Line is operating at elevated cleaning and sanitation levels. Among the procedures currently in place include:

  • Training for all of our Crew Members on how best to prevent the spread of illness onboard.
  • A health screening completed by all Guests and Crew Members to check for illness before they board the ship.
  • Extensive cleaning and sanitation of high-traffic areas (e.g., handrails, doorknobs and elevator buttons) and children’s facilities.
  • Cleaning of all staterooms twice a day and additional disinfection when necessary.
  • Discontinuing self-service at buffet locations.
  • Regular communication to Guests and Crew Members regarding how to prevent illness.
  • Hand-washing stations and sanitizing wipes conveniently located throughout our ships.
  • Medical clinics on our ships staffed with experienced doctors and nurses and stocked with supplies and medications to treat a variety of illnesses.

According to public health authorities, Guests can also help prevent the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) and many other illnesses by frequently washing their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after using the restroom and before eating. Parents can supervise their children to ensure they wash their hands thoroughly. Guests are also advised to cover their nose and mouth with a tissue (or upper sleeve) when sneezing, and avoid sneezing or coughing into their hands or without covering their nose and mouth. Guests or Crew Members who show any symptoms of illness are advised to contact their ship’s Medical Center immediately.

Updates will be posted online as new information becomes available and Guests with specific questions may reach out to our Call Center at (866) 325-2112 or (407) 566-3510 or contact their travel agent. Please note that call volumes may be high.

Disney Executives To Take Salary Cuts During the Park Closures

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

Disney has just announced that Senior Executives for the Walt Disney Company will be taking salary cuts to help in the midst of the unprecedented effects of COVID-19 on the company and the indefinite closure of Disney Parks across the globe.

Bob Chapek sent out an email earlier saying all senior executives will have their pays reduced during this period. Chapek himself is having his salary reduced by 50%. Bob Iger has agreed to forgo 100% of his salary. Various decreases in pay for SVPs, EVPs, and VPs have also been enacted: VP by 20%, SVPs by 25%, EVP by 30%. For reference, Bob Chapek’s base salary is currently $2.5 million, according to a document filed with the Securities and Exchanges Commission. He is also eligible for a bonus of “not less than 300% of the annual base salary.”

Here is the full email as posted by @ScottGustin via Twitter:

The salary cuts are temporary, but will remain in effect “until the company forsees a substantive recovery in business”, according to the email sent out by Bob Chapek to Cast Members earlier today. Salary cuts are to go into effect on April 5th.

Government Social Distancing Guidelines Extended And How They Effect Disney Parks

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

On March 29th, President Donald Trump announced that the government will be extending the national social distancing mandate through April 30th. In addition, the need to avoid any and all discretionary travel was heavily stressed.

In other words, if you’ve been counting down the days till your April Disney parks getaway… it may be time to stop counting and start unpacking. This furthers the notion that Disney Parks will remain closed through April, if not well into May. Yesterday, Walt Disney World announced that at this time, it would begin only accepting bookings for travel starting on June 1 or later. As stated within the offer’s fine print, whether or not Walt Disney World will remain closed until June 1st is still undecided.

Walt Disney World and Disneyland will remain closed until May 1st, at the very least.

Walt Disney W0rld Now Only Accepting Reservations For June 1st and Later

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Dining, Disney Parks, Disney Resorts

After the latest closure extension “until further notice” due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Walt Disney World has now announced that they will only begin accepting reservations for dining and resorts for travel dates starting June 1 and later.

The following update was listed on the Walt Disney World Resort’s COVID-19 landing page:

The key wording here is: “As always, Guests are able to modify these bookings if Walt Disney World Resort opens before or after that time.” So clearly, after yesterday’s vague announcement, whether or not Walt Disney World will remain closed until June 1st is still undecided.

This comes on the heel of an announcement offering Free Dining to most guests with reservations directly impacted by the unprecedented Coronavirus closures.

Walt Disney Company Raises $1.3 Billion In Canadian Debt Offering

Posted on by Mathew Corn Uncategorized

With the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic not going away any time soon and The Walt Disney Company still facing an uncertain financial future, the company has acquired more cash, this time in a $1.3 billion debt offering in Canada, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Disney revealed in a SEC filing on Thursday that it raised through a Canadian private placement “around $1.3 billion in 3.057 percent senior notes,” which would be due in 2027. Disney plans to use the new debt financing “for general corporate purposes, including the repayment of indebtedness (including commercial paper).”

On Friday, Disney disclosed in a different SEC filing that it recently raised $6 billion in debt, also to pay down “other debt obligations.” According to the Reporter, the American debt offering consisted of “five different notes, set to mature between 2025 and 2050,” with a valuation of between $500 million and $1.75 billion, and interest rates set between 3.35 percent and 4.7 percent.

At the end of the previous fiscal year, Disney had long-term debt worth over $38 billion. Disney is far from the only media company seeking to raise money through debt, with Comcast, owner of Disney’s chief theme park rival, Universal Parks & Resorts, also raising debt to offset COVID-19’s impact on their operations.