Do I need a Passport for a Disney Cruise?

 

Do I need a Passport for a Disney Cruise?

 

A question I get asked by many first-time cruisers is, "Do I need a Passport for a Disney Cruise?” The simple answer is no, Passports are not required but are highly recommended for US based departures. You will need Proof of Citizenship to sail. If you do not have some form of Proof of Citizenship you will NOT be allowed to board the ship.

This is the Proof of Citizenship documents accepted according to the Disney Cruise Website 05/16/2022:

U.S. Citizens (Including Children)

• Original Valid U.S. Passport
• Original Valid U.S. Passport Card
• Original Valid Trusted Traveler Card (NEXUS, FAST)

OR

• Original or copy of their stated-issued birth certificate AND Government-issued photo ID
• Puerto Rico birth certificates issued prior to 7/1/10 are not accepted
• Hospital-issued birth-certificates are not acceptable
• Original Consular Report of Birth Abroad issued by the Department of State AND Government-issued photo ID
• Original Certificate of Naturalization issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services AND Government-issued photo ID

Children 15 years of age and younger and required to present one of the documents listed above, but do not need to present a Government-issued photo ID.

Social Security Cards and Global Entry are not acceptable proof of U.S. citizenship for purposes of traveling outside the U.S.

U.S. Legal Permanent Residents:

• Guests who are legal permanent residents of the U.S. must present a Valid original Permanent Resident Card. Photocopies are not acceptable.

Canadian Citizens (Including Children)

• Original Valid Canadian Passport
• Original Valid Trusted Traveler Program (NEXUS, FAST)

Citizens of All Other Countries (Including Children), Except for some celect cruises.

• Original Valid Passport

As stated above, Proof of Citizenship for US citizens sailing out of a US port on a Closed Loop cruise can be either a Passport or you can show an official copy of your Birth Certificate AND Government Issued ID such as a Driver’s License or State Issued ID. Children under the age of 15 are not required to have Government Issued ID. I personally recommend going to your local DMV and getting an ID for minors. It gives a little more confidence when going into port outside of the US. It is easier in my mind to prove that child is yours if carrying something more than a Birth Certificate. Again this is just an added protection and NOT required.

 

When sailing out of a port that is not in US Territory check your specific cruise for what you are required to bring as Proof of Citizenship. If you are not a US Citizen, make sure you have proper documents.

 

First off let me explain closed loop cruise. A closed loop cruise is a cruise that starts at one US port and returns to the same US port. Most Disney Cruises are Closed Loop Cruises. The exceptions are repositioning cruises.

 

If all you need is your Birth Certificate and State Issued ID, why spend the extra money on a Passport? Why is having a Passport highly recommended? If there is an emergency, illness or injury in your party or an emergency at home you must return for quickly a Passport Book is required to fly home. A Passport Card will NOT suffice. Passport Cards are only good for entering and exiting the Caribbean, Mexico, and Canada by foot or ground transportation or cruise ship.

 

An added benefit to having a Passport Card or Book is the speed to disembark the ship at the end of the cruise. It is quicker going through US Customs with a Passport.

 

Here is where I will STRONGLY suggest having a Passport. If you are elderly, in poor health, have a medical condition that can cause an emergency or have someone at home you might need to return home quickly for I STRONGLY advise you to get that Passport Book. That way if you need to return from a port outside the US, you can quickly do so. The choice is yours to have a Passport or not. I’ve sailed with Birth Certificate and ID and with a Passport. Both ways work. You must make the decision based on your budget and needs.

 

Now that you have decided what form of Proof of Citizenship you are going to go with let me suggest WHEN you should start working on gathering it. You will need it 30 days before you sail, 75 days if your cruise is from a non-US port. It can take 4-6 weeks to get your Birth Certificate. If you decided on a Passport, it could take 4-6 weeks to get it. If you don’t have your Birth Certificate and you will use just that I suggest you order it from the County Register Office where you were born at least 5 months in advance. Add three months if this is a non-US port. This gives you some extra slush time if there is a problem getting it. Again 5 months if you HAVE your Birth Certificate and want to order your Passport. If you need BOTH I Strongly suggest starting 7-8 months in advance. Again add 3 months if it is a non-US port. Yes, that is WAY in advance but saves money and stress. You will not have to worry about not having the documents you want/need to board, and you will not have to pay for express processing and shipping.

Do you want to book a Disney Cruise Line or other Disney Vacation? Let me know!

 

Carolyn@EliteMemoriesTravel.com

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