Ahoy and welcome to planDisney, Katie! Are you sailing the
Disney Dream from Fort Lauderdale? I had the chance to cruise out of Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale recently, and it is such an easy cruise terminal to navigate. From the moment you pull up to the port, Disney Cruise Line and its magical flourishes welcome you aboard!
Generally speaking, these closed-loop cruises (departing from and returning to the same US port) do not require passengers to present passports to travel. The
list of required travel documentation indicates your passengers under the age of 5 are permitted to cruise with proof of citizenship, which can be an original state-issued birth certificate. The travel documentation policies are set by the US State Department, so I always recommend reading the content on this site just to make sure nothing has changed and the paperwork you have in your hands meets the requirements.
About a month before your cruise, you will upload your travel documentation for review as part of the online check-in. When it is time for check-in, sign into
Disney Cruise Line; go to the "Already Booked" drop-down navigation; and select "Online Check-In." You will need to load pictures of your citizenship documentation and photos of each member of your stateroom (think passport photos - headshots against a blank wall). When you have completed the check-in, your status will become "Pending Review." It will likely stay in pending status until your cruise is just around the riverbend. Pack the documents in your carry-on luggage to take to the port with you. They will ask for them as they are required to be with you when you check in at the port to board the ship.
Once you are cleared to board and your boarding group is called, it is time to let the good times roll! You can head to
Cabanas for lunch and explore the ship. With young kids, I highly recommend going to
Disney's Oceaneer Club during the Open House on the first day. You can all explore the club and see what fun is in store for your little ones.
The Disney Dream has amazing shows, including Beauty and the Beast. And the Golden Mickeys will have you swinging through the jungle with your favorite Disney movie characters, like Tarzan and so many others. This show will be in your heart.
Please cruise back by
planDisney with any other questions as you plan your dream at sea!
Bon Voyage,
Jana