Very, very high capacity Disney Wish even with vax, testing mandate

'Our cruise ships have generally been operating without COVID-19-related capacity restrictions since April 2022,' the company said in its earnings report.

Vaccination still mandated for ages 5 and older

This is notable as Disney Cruise Line continues to require all vaccine-eligible travelers (based on US eligibility) be fully vaccinated — in other words, those 5 and older.

Testing for all

Also, vaccinated passengers must provide a negative COVID-19 test taken no more than two days before sailing (antigen or PCR), while kids 4 and under (not vaccine eligible) can test up to three days before sailing (PCR required, rapid antigen not accepted) and additionally have to be tested at the terminal before embarking.

Lately some other lines have reduced or, in the case of Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises, done away with vaccination mandates, while testing has been eased depending on whether passengers are vaccinated and the cruise length.

Bahamas

However, for any line protocols are subject to destination requirements, and key places like the Bahamas still require vaccination for cruisers 12 and older, including for ships calling at private islands. Many Disney cruises frequent the Bahamas and private island Castaway Cay.

Disney's cruise business was 'the most severely impacted by COVID in terms of duration of disruption' and is 'still coming out of that,' Christine McCarthy, senior EVP and CFO Walt Disney Co., said during the company's earnings call.

Double-digit returns historically

She added: 'Historically, the cruise line has been terrific with really attractive ROICs for us and it's generated double-digit returns on the investment. And we expect that business to come back to the similarly attractive returns that we had previously experienced.'

Disney Wish, which began revenue service July 14, has gone out with 'very, very high capacity' and been 'very well-received,' according to McCarthy, who said occupancy on the other four ships is improving week by week.

40% would only cruise with Disney

McCarthy also noted Disney ships deliver one of the highest rated guest experiences across all the company's parks and experiences portfolio. Further, 40% of DCL passengers say they would not have chosen to a cruise vacation if it weren't with Disney.

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