Disney Cruise Line departs on test cruise

PORT CANAVERAL, Fla. Disney Cruise Line takes a big step in its cruise comeback.

The Disney Dream has a trial run from Port Canaveral on Saturday.

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Brevard County residents Joe Woelich and Jan Barker frequent Jetty Park. The pair said they plan to watch the first cruise ship leave Port Canaveral since the start of the pandemic.

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Everyone’s waiting for it, so yeah, it’s cool, Woelich said.

Officials said the Disney Dream was the last passenger to depart Port Canaveral on March 13, 2020, before the cruise industry was shut down.

However, it is sad to see them. They come in here and you can see them at Cocoa Beach way off the coast. It’s kind of sad to see them like this instead of picking up passengers and going on cruises, Barker said.

The Disney Dream was originally supposed to sail more than two weeks ago, but conflicting COVID-19 test results pushed it back.

The passengers are Disney employees who volunteered for the two-day trip. News 6 watched as they were tested before crossing the bridge to enter the terminal.

Barker said the closure has been bad for business, so she’s happy the cruise is returning.

This will be a big help when things get going again, she said.

This comes as the port prepares for its first revenue sailing with the Carnival Mardi Gras on July 31.

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Barker said this is a sign that life is returning to normal.

It’s a start, definitely a start, Barker said.