How To Volunteer for Disney Cruise

Disney cruises are no doubt expensive. Depending on which accommodation you choose and which specialty dining option you pick, you will often spend a few hundred to even thousands of dollars.

Disney cruises are often worth it if you’re a Disney fan due to the character experiences and any special Disney touch you can get throughout the voyage.

But what if you don’t have the budget for a Disney cruise?

Well, you can volunteer for one instead! The catch? You must take part in various mandatory tests as part of Disney trying out new cruise experiences for its regular guests.

If you’re interested, there will be certain requirements that you need to comply with. Let’s find out what these are!

There’s no accurate information as to how Disney will pick their volunteers. The only information we have is that the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention laid out the rules for test cruises, including that of Disney.

How To Apply as a Disney Cruise Volunteer

As mentioned, the CDC laid the rules for how test cruises should accept volunteers for such cruises.

The same applies to Disney cruises after Disney obtained approval from the CDC following the return of cruises after the pandemic.

As far as we know, there are certain requirements that volunteers should comply with as part of the program’s eligibility criteria.

However, it’s worth noting that not everyone can be a volunteer, and Disney didn’t disclose the specific requirements for their cruises.

That said, we know that the CDC has laid out the following criteria for eligibility:

You Must Be at Least 18 Years Old

There’s no upper age limit when applying to be a cruise volunteer. However, you must be at least 18 years old to be eligible.

That said, older people will have a lower chance of getting accepted due to the risk of health complications throughout the voyage.

You Must Be Healthy Without Any Pre-Existing Health Condition

As a volunteer, you should also be fully healthy without any health condition that will only complicate the test cruise during its journey.

The CDC will require proof of vaccination and documentation from your doctor stating that you don’t have any health condition that will put you at risk.

Simply put, you have to be fit and healthy if you want to have a chance at getting accepted.

You Should Not Expect Any Employment or Compensation

Being a Disney Cruise volunteer is just that – being a volunteer.

This means that you should not expect compensation or employment in any form.

Of course, you will enjoy a free cruise which includes food and accommodation throughout the journey.

However, you should not join the test cruise with the expectation that you are there to get paid.

What To Expect During a Volunteer Cruise

You join the cruise as a volunteer, not a normal guest. This means you won’t be able to go around the cruise ship doing whatever you want, anytime you want.

Instead, you’ll be expected to participate in all the mandatory tests the Disney test cruise will involve. As such, you can expect to be called to a certain location to perform certain activities.

It also means that most facilities, such as bars and restaurants, won’t be open unless Disney decides to conduct a test in one of those outlets.

On average, a test cruise will last for around 2-7 days and will include at least one overnight accommodation.

Moreover, you can expect fewer people aboard, as test cruises normally sail with limited capacity. There won’t be any normal guests either.

What Is the Disney Test Cruise About

So, you might wonder, “What would be the point of test cruises?”

The answer is simple – These simulated voyages are designed to try new procedures that could work in a real-world environment before Disney releases them to the public.

For this reason, their test cruises contain most of the typical components in a standard Disney cruise.

These tests could include trying out new dining policies, embarkation and debarkation protocols, entertainment venue standards, and more.

They will also include various experiences that their normal guests can enjoy.

Conclusion

Disney test cruises started in July 2021 as part of the framework designed by the CDC to ensure that safety protocols will be met and preserved for any cruise ship passenger.

At the same time, it’s a way for Disney to try out new policies, standards, and procedures that they can apply to their cruises without affecting the overall experience of their normal guests.

There’s no news on whether Disney will hold a test cruise again. But when it does, you might want to try to experience this rare opportunity to get on a Disney cruise for free.