Uhm....Bahamas is now requiring vaccinations for all passengers over 12..

[AquaDame]

Poor DCL... someone just shared this with me:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1429901040267276288

I imagine a private island is safer than a stop at Nassau or more populated area at least...? These are some rough waters for them to navigate.

 

[jrapps]

Poor DCL... someone just shared this with me:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1429901040267276288

I imagine a private island is safer than a stop at Nassau or more populated area at least...? These are some rough waters for them to navigate.

It specifically calls out Nassau and Freeport, so hopefully this doesn't affect anything on it's own.

 

[TinkerMouse]

The rest of my family liked it. I can't really put my finger on why I didn't. My husband and son cruised on NCL and liked it. I guess I prefer ships overrun with children like DCL and Carnival lol.

Comparing cruises I've taken with Disney to the cruise I took with RCCL I saw way more children on Explorer of the Seas than on the Disney Magic/Wonder. Part of that is due to capacity since there are literally more children on RCCL's mega ships. Another part of it is that many younger children on DCL prefer to spend time away from adults by staying in their clubs so you really only ever see them at meal and main event show times. As a teenager on RCCL I saw at least one mannerless child pushing and stepping on everyone and anyone every day. The kids were running amok on RCCL but the Disney kids were generally better behaved and didn't tend to invade personal space.

 

[Disneyland_emily]

Well that explains their vax requirement…

Yeah I think the ‘private island’ are pretty safe but it’s easier to be all then look like you make exceptions for private businesses

 

[AquaDame]

It specifically calls out Nassau and Freeport, so hopefully this doesn't affect anything on it's own.

I think that is just for the crime portion, which has been the recomendation for awhile now.

 

[TinkerMouse]

I know most everyone is wondering about the vaccination requirement right now, but I'm not worried about that so much since everyone in my family is over 18 and is already vaccinated. What I'm more concerned about is the part of the mandate that says everyone (vaccinated or not) needs a negative test within 5 days of arriving in the Bahamas. Not sure how that'll work. Even on shorter cruises, you probably won't be getting to Castaway until your third or fourth day. And there is travel time to get to Florida. So when/where are we supposed to get tests that won't have already expired? Anyone know how other cruise lines are handling that?

Currently, all unvaccinated people are required to take a COVID test in the terminal parking garage before boarding. Going forward DCL would only need to do as other cruise lines are doing and require that all people get tested at the embarkation port.

 

[Pooh93]

Poor DCL... someone just shared this with me:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1429901040267276288

I imagine a private island is safer than a stop at Nassau or more populated area at least...? These are some rough waters for them to navigate.

*sigh* Now I know how Charlie Brown felt.............

 

[DCLMP]

Poor DCL... someone just shared this with me:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1429901040267276288

I imagine a private island is safer than a stop at Nassau or more populated area at least...? These are some rough waters for them to navigate.

Agreed. The private island is mainly guests, crew, and just a handful of locals.

 

[Travel60]

That said - if you have a recommendation for a smaller ship with a less party like atmosphere and preferably no casino let me know for sure!

Have you looked at the Ponant line? About 100 cabins, wonderful experience the two times we've been.

 

[DCLMP]

Same. We cruise Royal more than Disney. Never liked Carnival.

I guess that is why it's great that there are different lines with different experiences. Something for everyone!

I'm actually surprised to see you say that since you post a lot on the Carnival forums.

 

[sethschroeder]

Just so everyone is aware Disney has yet to actually update the Dream sailings to double dips for most of September. Possibly that will be done after the Fantasy is updated but right now we are still hitting Nassau (although yes most info points to that not being the case).

I do expect it to be a double dip.

 

[JayhawkCruiser]

Had the government contracted DCL to handle all pandemic related news releases, would we even have been told we’re in a pandemic 17 months in?

 

[Dug720]

Poor DCL... someone just shared this with me:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1429901040267276288

I imagine a private island is safer than a stop at Nassau or more populated area at least...? These are some rough waters for them to navigate.

If you want to get technical about it, cruising is not recommended by the CDC as well.

 

[jrapps]

I'm actually surprised to see you say that since you post a lot on the Carnival forums.

Really? Cruise Critic or another site? Maybe someone had a similar screen name to me on that forum LOL.

I am on multiple forums and I have posted on Carnival from time to time, but most of my posts are here or on the Royal forum.

I will say I do love the food on Carnival especially Guy's burgers. The overall ship design just leaves a lot to be desired for us. Don't get me wrong I would go on Carnival again, just not my top choice.

 

[mevelandry]

Poor DCL... someone just shared this with me:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1429901040267276288

I imagine a private island is safer than a stop at Nassau or more populated area at least...? These are some rough waters for them to navigate.

Oh... (That really sucks for the Bahamas.) I can imagine most travel insurance won't cover for Bahamas now.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

25 mins until 4pm EST, can't imagine anything released later than that.

“It’s never too late...”
Oh I miss the Magic and Franco DiFortunato.

 

[lanejudy]

Going forward DCL would only need to do as other cruise lines are doing and require that all people get tested at the embarkation port.

Not necessary, at least not at this time. The testing requirement for The Bahamas does not pertain to cruise ship passengers.

 

[niccikatie]

That said - if you have a recommendation for a smaller ship with a less party like atmosphere and preferably no casino let me know for sure!

On DCL, we've spent 21 days on the Wonder. We also prefer small ships. I LOVE Celebrity's ships. Even their biggest ships are comparable in size to the Magic/Wonder. We find the service, amenities, and atmosphere on Celebrity to very comparable to Disney. DD does not love the kids club on Celebrity, but that could also just be her aging out. Celebrity does have casinos but our experience has been that they're pretty small and not smoky. There's nothing specific she doesn't like so you can make your own conclusions on that, lol. The price is delightful in comparison and generally is an all inclusive rate.

For example,
Celebrity is only sailing with 2 in a room right now and we're a family of 3. We have to get two rooms - 2 in a veranda and 1 in an inside.

For an end of August 7 night cruise:
Veranda: 3895
Inside: 1777
Total: $5672
This fare includes premium alcoholic drink package for all 3, streaming wifi for all 3, all gratuities PLUS $900 OBC as well as their limited Concierge class benefits (nothing like on Disney, but does include premium locations on the ship).

If I wanted to do the same on Disney:
We could all stay in the same cabin (and choose the same cabin for both legs) - so I chose a 5A which is most similar to our veranda on Celebrity
3 Night: $2799
4 Night: $3075
Total: $5874
This fare includes nothing extra (well, soda is included ).

AND the is the Dream which is larger than we like. So, for us, the value proposition is very clear!

I know most everyone is wondering about the vaccination requirement right now, but I'm not worried about that so much since everyone in my family is over 18 and is already vaccinated. What I'm more concerned about is the part of the mandate that says everyone (vaccinated or not) needs a negative test within 5 days of arriving in the Bahamas. Not sure how that'll work. Even on shorter cruises, you probably won't be getting to Castaway until your third or fourth day. And there is travel time to get to Florida. So when/where are we supposed to get tests that won't have already expired? Anyone know how other cruise lines are handling that?

I don't think the Bahamas is requiring additional testing now that they're requiring vaccines, but for St Maarten, Celebrity will be supplying us with a test to comply with their requirements if we decide to go ashore.

 

[epcotrulz]

I just got an email confirming my unused cruise credits are gonna be applied as a stateroom credit. (9/6 sailing)

 

[sethschroeder]

DD does not love the kids club on Celebrity, but that could also just be her aging out.

What age? How did you and she find the kids clubs at younger age? Really missing Disney or didn't really notice?