Disney Cruise Line Emailing Guests with a Reminder of Australian Protocols for Upcoming Voyages

On Monday, Disney Cruise Line sent emails to guests booked on upcoming Disney Wonder voyages visiting Australia with a reminder of the current protocols outlined in the Eastern Seaboard and Western Australian cruise protocols document issued by the Australian government.

Below is a copy of the email correspondence.

07/25/2023

Reservation #: 

Dear ,

​All of us at Disney Cruise Line look forward to welcoming you aboard the Disney Wonder. We are reaching out with important information about your sailing.

Please be aware that guests traveling on a cruise ship visiting Australia must comply with the Eastern Seaboard and Western Australian Cruise Protocols. The current Eastern Seaboard and Western Australian Cruise Protocols require the following:

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements
All passengers 12 years of age and older must be fully vaccinated to board a cruise ship. Australia considered a person ‘fully vaccinated’ if the person has had at least two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine approved or recognized by the Therapeutic Goods Association (excluding COVID-19 Vaccine Janssen (Janssen) which may be only one dose). It’s strongly recommended that all eligible passengers (including children) are up to date with their COVID-19 vaccinations prior to travel. Passengers with a medical exemption are permitted to travel without COVID-19 vaccination. 

COVID-19 Testing
All passengers, regardless of vaccination status, 2 years of age and older must take a PCR test within 48 hours before boarding, or a self-administered rapid antigen test within 24 hours before boarding. Guests under 2 years of age do not require testing.

Cruise health and safety protocols vary among countries and continue to evolve. There is a possibility that COVID-19 vaccination and testing requirements may change or be eliminated by the Australian government before your sailing.

In the coming months, we will provide more information on the process for submitting your proof of COVID-19 vaccination and testing, and how to file for a medical exemption. We encourage you to visit the Know Before You Go section of our website for the latest information about health and safety requirements for Disney Cruise Line sailings in Australia.

For sailings aboard the Disney Wonder from October 13, 2023, through November 16, 2023, we are temporarily extending final payment until 60 days prior to sailing for Guests booked in unrestricted stateroom categories. This means that those Guests who have not yet reached their final payment due date can wait until up to 60 days prior to sailing to pay any remaining balance due for their cruise vacation. Onboard cruise activities can be scheduled within your Castaway Club booking window once final payment is received.

Guests booked on the Disney Wonder October 13, 2023, through November 16, 2023, may modify their sail date or cancel their sailing without any Disney-imposed cancellation fees by contacting our reservations team before August 8, 2023, at 1800-718-515 (AU), 0508-765-433 (NZ), and 1-866-325-6685 or 407-566-7797 from all other countries. Please note that change fees and cancellation fees imposed by third-party suppliers, such as airlines and hotels, as well as travel insurance, are not refundable. Refunds will be processed back to the original form of payment. Standard cancellation policies and terms and conditions apply for any cancellation or modification requests received on or after August 8, 2023.

We look forward to welcoming you aboard soon.

Sincerely,

The Cast and Crew
Disney Cruise Line

Disney Cruise Line’s Know Before You Go page includes the following information for sailings from New Zealand.

Sailings from New Zealand
At this time, COVID-19 vaccination and testing is not required for Disney Magic at Sea sailings from New Zealand. 

Guests should visit the sites listed below to learn more about the government entry requirements and guidance for Australia and New Zealand: 

Australia

New Zealand

Disney Cruise Line’s focus remains on creating magic for all on board while operating the ships in a responsible manner. The health and safety of the Crew Members and Guests are top of mind. While protocols may change at any time, Disney Cruise Line adheres to the local laws, regulations and protocols in place—including those related to health and safety—at all homeports and ports of call. Guests should review and stay up to date with any cruise-specific requirements, restrictions or recommendations that may be in place for travel to these destinations.

The limited-time Disney Magic at Sea sailings beginning October 2023 will feature enchanting entertainment and fun-filled activities for every member of the family and touches that are uniquely Disney, these special sailings aboard the Disney Wonder range in length from 2 to 6 nights and will depart from 4 homeports: Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, Australia, as well as Auckland, New Zealand. 

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