We are up to day three on our Disney Magic Staycation Cruise from Liverpool. These cruises were advertised as safe vacations during uncertain times. One of the elements Disney stress on their website is that there will be increased Physical Distancing on the Disney Magic. In today’s post, in addition to talking about the day’s highlights, we will discuss how well Disney has implemented physical distancing on the Disney Magic.
As I have previously mentioned, we are now back from our cruise. Our sailing date was the 23rd of July after most lockdown restrictions ended in England. However, even now, Disney stresses that these cruises will have increased Physical Distancing in place:
Physical Distancing
We’re reducing Guest capacity aboard our ships and adjusting experiences to promote physical distancing. This includes limiting capacity and implementing physical distancing measures in our terminals and areas of our ships such as upper decks, dining rooms, food and beverage locations, lounges, theaters, walkways, elevators, pools, queues and other common spaces.
Signage throughout the ship reminds Guests and Crew to practice physical distancing. Physical barriers have also been installed in areas where physical distancing may be difficult to maintain, like at check-in and Guest Services.
Close-up interactions with Disney Characters have been paused, and youth activities are experienced in small group settings.
Disney Cruise Line
From what we can gather, there has been an increase in capacity on the Disney Magic since current national restrictions ended on the 19th of July. We understand the reason that Disney would want to increase capacity and do not disagree with these decisions. However, at the same time, many of the physical distancing measures seem to have become more relaxed on the ship. While we understand and support increasing overall capacity, we are less convinced over relaxing some of these measures:
- Guests now only need to keep 1 seat free between parties in the theatre and there are no longer free rows.
- There is no enforced social disancing in place at bars, lounges or sundecks.
- The virtual lines have been removed from sundecks
- Main pool capacity states 12, but we saw 24 guests regularly getting admitted.
While some restrictions have been removed, interactions with characters remain distanced, and youth activities are still in small groups.
Overall, I don’t necessarily disagree with many of these changes. Cruise Ships have to make a profit, and this will be challenging with reduced guests. However, we should receive the experience as advertised, and in some ways, I feel a little misled by Disney.
If Disney is starting to return to normal with parts of the cruise delivery, the number of different shows, activities, and access to youth clubs should also have increased. Currently, there are many similar comparisons on the Disney Magic to the reopening of Walt Disney World. Like Walt Disney World, crowds on the Disney Magic are increasing, but the entertainment options remain restricted.
Chocolate and Liquor Tasting
Today we took part in one of Disney’s specialty tasting sessions. We struggled to book before our cruise but managed to secure via the App once on board. Yet again, there was no social distancing between parties with guests sat at the same tables, but the experience was brilliant. The experience includes informative waiters, delicious chocolate, and plenty of alcohol.
Tomorrow, we are doing the mixology class, and I’m sure we will enjoy this just as much. These experiences represent pretty good value for money, which isn’t something you usually associate with Disney and alcohol.
Rapunzel’s Royal Table
Tonight was our opportunity to experience the third restaurant on the Disney Magic. Rapunzel’s Royal Table is exclusive to the Disney Magic and was perhaps the meal we liked least. During the dinner, there are character performances including singing in the restaurant, but they have been reduced. Currently, there is no parade at Rapunzel’s. We suspect the experience usually is similar to Tiana’s Place on the Disney Wonder, which we loved on our previous cruise. Perhaps we will need to sail again to experience?
Unfortunately, our table wasn’t in a great position to see the stage, but that is the luck of the draw. Our table at both Animator’s Palate and Lumiere’s was brilliantly positioned.
Read More
Just two more days to do on our fantastic United Kingdom 2021 Staycation. To read more of our adventures, click here.
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