Who’s dreaming of setting sail on a Disney Cruise??
The Disney Wonder
We love the totally immersive experience that Disney Cruise Line gives us! But with the current increased health and safety concerns about cruising, we wanted to know how our readers feel about getting back on board.
Currently, all Disney Cruise Line departures through June 18th are canceled, and Vancouver and European sailings are postponed even longer (through June 30th and July 2nd, respectively.) So, when the ships do take to the high seas again, would you be ready to set sail with Captain Mickey?
The cruise industry has taken a serious hit in consumer confidence amid the current shutdowns. With stories of passengers falling ill and ships anchored off the coast, people are understandably concerned about boarding a cruise ship when sailings resume.
When Disney Cruise Line does begin sailing again, we’ll almost certainly see some changes to the way things are run. While Disney hasn’t announced any decisions yet, CNBC reported that changes could include the elimination of buffet-style dining, increased medical screenings, and fewer passengers per sailing.
Donald on a Disney Cruise to Alaska
With all of the concern and uncertainty surrounding the industry, we wanted to know how our readers were feeling! So, we asked our followers on Instagram, “When will you feel safe going on another Disney Cruise?”
And the results were pretty divided! Of the 233 responses, 75 would go on a cruise immediately, 45 would go at some point later in 2020, 95 would wait until 2021 or later, and 18 wouldn’t feel comfortable cruising again. Here’s a visual breakdown of the results!
Pie Chart of Our Readers’ Responses When Asked When They Would Go on a Disney Cruise
Let’s take a look at the reasons people gave for their responses!
“I Would Get on a Cruise Right Away!”
Of our readers who responded, 32% said they would go on a Disney Cruise as soon as they start sailing again. Many of the people in this group pointed to Disney’s solid track record with health and safety. “[I would go] the moment Disney is choosing to cruise. I trust their judgment!”
Castaway Cay
Another reader echoed a similar sentiment, saying, “When Disney opens them back up, I know they’ll be following the right procedures.”
Check out our video on must-do activities on a Disney Cruise!
“I Would Go on a Disney Cruise Later This Year”
Moving a little farther out, 19% of respondents said they would go on a Disney cruise later in 2020. Several even mentioned that they have trips planned that they’re planning to keep as long as the sailings aren’t canceled. “We have one booked for September and if they don’t cancel it, we are definitely going.”
Castaway Cay
Others said they wouldn’t feel comfortable until a little later in the year. One reader said they wouldn’t consider cruising until “November at the earliest.”
Click here to watch our video on things we wish we knew before going on a Disney Cruise!
“I Won’t go on a Disney Cruise Until at Least 2021”
Making up the largest group, 41% said they don’t plan on cruising until 2021 or later. Many people said they aren’t convinced that enough can be done to ensure the health of passengers on board, and several said they’re waiting until a vaccine is available. “Honestly, it may not feel ‘safe’ to me for at least a year or two. Or if a vaccine is created soon.”
©Disney
Another reader had similar thoughts about holding out to make sure health measures are working. “Not for a year once this all clears, just to be safe.”
We asked our readers when they would feel safe returning to Walt Disney World and here’s what they said
“I Don’t Plan on Cruising Ever Again”
And some readers don’t think they’ll ever feel comfortable enough to cruise. 8% said they’ll never go on another Disney Cruise. Some of these respondents mentioned that this situation reaffirms their previously held concerns. “Can’t really see myself cruising again. It’s always made me a bit uneasy.”
Disney Cruise Line
Some pointed out that despite the high standards of health and cleanliness on Disney Cruise Line, the risk is still too high for them. “I would feel more comfortable going on a Disney Cruise than any other cruise, but I still wouldn’t.”
So, our readers hold a variety of opinions about when they’ll feel safe to sail on another Disney Cruise! While some are confident in Disney’s ability to maintain a clean and safe environment, others plan to hold out a bit longer for a vaccine. And some are leery about ever returning to the high seas.
Click here for more information about the current closures of Disney parks, resorts, and cruises
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When would you feel safe enough to go on another Disney Cruise? Let us know in the comments!
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Dear DFB: I am looking to cruise in December 2020. I will go as soon as I can.
First of all I would like to thank the work that you guys for providing a bright spot in our lives during this sit uation. I do think you are results are perhaps a little skewed. Looking at the way you asked the questions, even one of the responses that you highlighted saying that they would go on their trip in September if it is still planned, isn’t that basically going to be the same thing as going on a cruise right away? Disney has already announced that they will not be cruising through the end of July, and if someone has a cruise booked in September, that could be only a few short weeks after they begin cruising again. That seems pretty immediate to me. If the cruise line does start selling again in August that leaves only 5 months until the end of the year, and I don’t know about anyone else but whenever I plan my cruises out, I am not booking a cruise to go within the next few months. I think that if you look at the data it shows that 51% of the people polled are willing and eager to get back out on the high seas. I have a cruise planned for the middle of August and as long as the cruise lines are sailing I will be going. The ships are going to be the cleanest they’ve ever been and the staff is going to do a phenomenal job to make sure that everyone is following the extensive safety procedures they have in place. Thank you again DFB and keep doing great work!
I would go on a Disney Cruise no problem, they have the best standard for cleaning.
Our Disney May 2020 cruise was canceled and we have changed our cruise dates twice since then. Currently we have a Disney cruise booked for the end of August 2020. Due to the fact of our age, and some pre-existing health issues, I don’t see us sailing again on any cruise line until a vaccine is available. We are sad about that but hopeful to cruise again in the future. We will be changing our August cruise to next year in 2021 sometime. Probably mid-year 2021, or Fall 2021. Meanwhile, we are watching our planned November 2020 vacation for Disney World. Once again, for us, it all depends on whether a vaccine will be ready by then or not. So far, it’s been a year of many changes over and over again; airline tickets, Disney cruises and Disney vacations. We are hoping that everything turns out for the best for everyone so that we can all return soon to the vacations we love at Disney World and Disney cruise line.