Frequently Asked Questions About Disney Cruise Line Documentation

Anyone embarking on a Disney Cruise Line sailing must provide identification documents prior to check-in. Some guests, particularly those who are new to international travel, may find the documentation requirements confusing. We’re here to help. But before we get started … please note that these are the rules for UNITED STATES CITIZENS.

Residents of other countries have different requirements. It is your responsibility to have the correct paperwork. When in doubt, consult the DCL website, call DCL at 1-800-951-3532, or consult US Department of State resources.

Are there different documentation rules for children and adults?

All people, regardless of age, must provide identifying documents to sail. See below for the few exceptions where people under the age of 16 may use slightly different paperwork.

What identification documents will I need to sail?

This depends on where your sailing originates and where you’re going. There are different rules for different types of voyages, which I’ll enumerate below.

That said, the gold standard for travel identification is a passport book. A passport will work as an identifying document in all travel situations.

What are the reasons why I wouldn’t want to get a passport?

The main reason people opt out of getting a passport is price. Currently the price for adults to get a new or renewal passport book is $135 (good for 10 years) and for children under age 16 is $100, (good for 5 years). There is also a $35 execution fee for each person. If you have a large family, that can add a hefty cost to your vacation.

Additionally, there are sometime significant processing times for passports. Waits of up to 12-16 weeks are not unheard of. If you book your cruise close to your sail date, you might not have time to get a passport delivered.

Or if, for example, your cruise is a family reunion that includes an elderly relative who will clearly be unable to travel beyond your sailing, then applying for a passport might not be worth the expense and trouble.

Even so, a passport can be a valuable ID tool in other non-travel situations for most citizens.

What is a passport card? How is it different from a passport book?

• Passport Book:
  • Use: Allows international travel by air, sea, or land.
  • Size: Larger, with more pages for visas and stamps.
  • Cost: More expensive than a passport card.
  • Recommended for: Extensive international travel.
• Passport Card:
  • Use: Allows land and sea travel between the U.S., Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda.
  • Size: Wallet-sized, similar to a credit card.
  • Cost: Less expensive than a passport book.
  • Recommended for: Traveling to specific nearby countries by land or sea.

Note that one of the main differences between a passport card and passport book is that the book may be used for air travel while the card may not. If you were to encounter an emergency on a Caribbean island (for example), you could use a passport book to fly home quickly. This would not be possible with a passport card.

I’m going on an Alaskan DCL cruise and see (below) that there are different rules for different arrival methods. Why does it matter how I get to Vancouver?

While US citizens can certainly visit Alaska with no extraordinary identification, DCL cruises headed to Alaska embark from the Canadian port of Vancouver.

As noted above, you can use a US passport card to arrive in Canada via land or sea, but not by air. If you’re a US citizen and take a train or car to Vancouver you can use a passport card or Trusted Traveler card, but not if you’re flying to Vancouver. You should also be aware that some port excursions on the Alaskan cruises travel into Canada. Your ID documents may impact whether a particular excursion is available to you.

I’d like to get a passport, but my cruise is coming up soon. Is there any way to get a passport quickly?

To get a passport in 7-9 weeks, the US State Department offers an expedited service for an additional $60 per application in addition to the regular passport fees.

If your sailing is sooner than 9 weeks away, you might qualify for Urgent Travel processing. If your travel is fewer than 14 days away, you may be able to get an in-person processing appointment. These appointments can be hard to come by may not be available near your home. Call 877-487-2778 for more information.

My child does not have a passport or a Government-issued photo ID, does this mean they can’t sail?

Children age 15 and younger are an exception to the above rule. If your child is 15 or younger, they may use one on the above documents without also providing a photo ID.

Note that US states can provide a non-driver official ID for citizens ages 16 and up. The fee for this is typically less than the fee to get a driver’s license.

Can I use my Social Security Card for cruise ID?

No neither Social Security nor Global Entry cards are acceptable of proof of United States citizenship for travel outside of the US.

I have a baby. Are there special circumstances for getting a passport for an infant?

I’ll refer you to an excellent article from Afar Magazine that addresses this very topic.

What is the six-month validity rule for passports?

If you have a passport that is expiring in the next year, you may want to renew it prior to your cruise. Most countries require your US passport to have a minimum of 6-months validity after your intended return date.

The purpose of this validity is to safeguard against unforeseen delays you may face in leaving the country you are visiting. (You get stuck in a country due to a new pandemic outbreak, for example.) The State Department recommends that U.S. citizens renew their passports approximately nine months before the date of expiration.

I’m getting married and am going on a cruise for my honeymoon. Can I still sail if my new married name doesn’t match my passport?

You may be able to use a passport with a previous name if you also bring with you a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court documents showing a legal name change. That said, you’ll run into fewer problems is your booking and identification documents all match.

This is a situation where you should call DCL and the US State Department in advance to ensure that you’ll be able to sail. In some cases, changing the name on your cruise booking or expediting an updated passport may facilitate your travels.

All this passport stuff is confusing me. Can anyone help?

While DCL doesn’t offer any help, several other major cruise lines recommend VisaCentral.com (877-304-8071) as a reputable source of passport assistance. This is a fee-based service, but if you just want someone to guide you through the process, these folks can help.

How do I get my ID documents to Disney Cruise Line?

DCL asks guests to submit their ID documents online prior to sailing. This takes place during the Online Check-In process. You must also bring all your ID documents with you to your cruise embarkation.

Identification Rules for Different Situations

OK. Let’s say I’m sailing out of a United States port and returning to the same United States port (a “closed loop” cruise). What documents do I need for this?

For a sailing that starts and ends in the United States (for example, those sailing both to and from Port Canaveral, Fort Lauderdale, Galveston, San Diego, New York, or New Orleans), guests will need to present a valid original (not a copy) US passport book, a valid original (not a copy) US passport card, or a valid original (not a copy) Trusted Traveler Card (NEXUS, FAST).

If you don’t have a passport or Trusted Traveler card, you can substitute with any of the following:

• Original state-issued birth certificate AND a physical Government-issued photo ID (digital/mobile state-issued IDs are not acceptable to sail) Note: Prior to mid-2024, photocopies of birth certificates were accepted. This is no longer the case. Also note that in this situation “original” means “official” rather than “first.” If you happen to have the first birth certificate you obtained as a child, that’s great. But if you don’t have access to that document, you can order a replacement “original birth certificate” from most states. As with ordering a passport, be sure to leave ample time for this document to arrive.
  1. Puerto Rico birth certificates issued prior to 7/1/10 are not acceptable
  2. Hospital-issued birth certificates are not acceptable
• Original Consular Report of Birth Abroad issued by the Department of State AND a physical Government-issued photo ID (digital/mobile state-issued IDs are not acceptable to sail).
• Original Certificate of Naturalization issued by US Citizenship and Immigration Services AND a physical Government-issued photo ID (digital/mobile state-issued IDs are not acceptable to sail)

Note: Closed-loop sailings are the most common type of Disney Cruise Line voyage, but there are many others. 

What if I’m not going a US-based closed loop cruise? Do the rules change?

Yes. And there are several variations, so be sure you know the rules for your specific situation.

For Alaskan cruises originating in Vancouver, US citizens will need:

US Citizens (Including Children) Traveling to or Returning From Canada (Vancouver) by Air

• Original valid US Passport

US Citizens (Guests 16 years of age and older) Traveling to Canada (Vancouver) by Land or Sea

• Original valid US Passport
• Original valid US Passport Card
• Original valid Trusted Traveler Card (NEXUS, FAST)

US Citizens (Guests 15 years of age and younger) Traveling to Canada (Vancouver) by Land or Sea

• Original valid US Passport
• Original valid US Passport Card
• Original valid Trusted Traveler Card (NEXUS, FAST)

OR

• Original state-issued birth certificate AND Government-issued photo ID
  1. Puerto Rico birth certificates issued prior to 7/1/10 are not acceptable
  2. Hospital-issued birth certificates are not acceptable

Guests who are legal permanent residents of the US must present a valid original passport and a Permanent Resident Card to travel outside the US. Photocopies are not acceptable. If traveling by air to Canada, US Permanent Residents must obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA).

For one-way (repositioning) Caribbean cruises (examples may include Galveston to San Juan, San Juan to Miami or Fort Lauderdale).

US Citizens (Including Children)

• Original valid US Passport
• Original valid US Passport Card
• Original valid Trusted Traveler Card (NEXUS, FAST)

OR

• Original state-issued birth certificate AND a physical Government-issued photo ID (digital/mobile state-issued IDs are not acceptable to sail)
  1. Puerto Rico birth certificates issued prior to 7/1/10 are not acceptable
  2. Hospital-issued birth certificates are not acceptable
• Original Consular Report of Birth Abroad issued by the Department of State AND a physical Government-issued photo ID (digital/mobile state-issued IDs are not acceptable to sail)
• Original Certificate of Naturalization issued by US Citizenship and Immigration Services AND a physical Government-issued photo ID (digital/mobile state-issued IDs are not acceptable to sail)
• Guests who are legal permanent residents of the US must present a valid original Permanent Resident Card. Photocopies are not acceptable.

For European sailings:

• Original valid passport (valid at least 6 months after the sailing has ended)
• Additionally, you may be required to obtain a multiple-entry visas for Europe (Schengen Visa). It is each Guest’s responsibility to identify and obtain all the necessary visas.

For Pacific Coast or Canada sailings between Hawaii and Vancouver – One-way (repositioning) cruises:

US Citizens (Including Children) Traveling to or Returning from Canada by Air

• Original valid US Passport

US Citizens (Including Children) Traveling to or Returning from Canada by Land or Sea

• Original valid US Passport
• Original valid US Passport Card
• Original valid Trusted Traveler Card (NEXUS, FAST)

For Panama Canal crossings:

US Citizens (Including Children)

• Original valid US Passport
• Original valid US Passport Card
• Original valid Trusted Traveler Card (NEXUS, FAST)

OR

• Original state-issued birth certificate AND a physical Government-issued photo ID (digital/mobile state-issued IDs are not acceptable to sail)
  1. Puerto Rico birth certificates issued prior to 7/1/10 are not acceptable
  2. Hospital-issued birth certificates are not acceptable
• Original Consular Report of Birth Abroad issued by the Department of State AND a physical Government-issued photo ID (digital/mobile state-issued IDs are not acceptable to sail)
• Original Certificate of Naturalization issued by US Citizenship and Immigration Services AND a physical Government-issued photo ID (digital/mobile state-issued IDs are not acceptable to sail)

Note: Guests who are legal permanent residents of the US must present a valid original Permanent Resident Card. Photocopies are not acceptable.

For Transatlantic crossings:

US Citizens (Including Children)

• Original valid US Passport (valid at least 6 months after the sailing has ended)
• In addition to a valid passport, you may be required to obtain multiple-entry visas for Europe (Schengen Visa).

US Legal Permanent Residents

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

In addition to all the permutations listed above, there are several ID variations needed for US guests going on the Australia and New Zealand cruises, including the South Pacific Repositioning sailings, depending on whether there are minor children in the party, whether the minors are accompanied by their legal guardians or not, and whether the cruise makes a port stop in New Caledonia (a French territory). US citizens will need a passport book for these sailings and visas may be necessary in some situations. PLEASE speak to a travel agent or DCL directly to ensure that you understand the nuances of ID requirements and permissions for minors for these sailings.

What have been your experiences with ID documents for Disney cruises? Let us know in the comments. 

Originally published October 2023. Updated September 2024.