Family on Beach at Castaway Cay; ship in background, sisters holding hands
  • On Apr 27, 2025
    Robert from CA Asked Please note that experiences, policies, pricing and other offerings are subject to change and may have changed since the date of this answer.

    Going on a 3 day cruise from Ft. Lauderdale to Lookout Cay. Our passports expire 5 months after we get back. We need our passports for a prior trip therefore can't risk not getting them back in time. Do I use my birth certificate at online checkin?

    Hey there, hi there, Robert!

    "You're as welcome as can be!" Thanks for visiting us again here at planDisney.

    I commend you for being diligent in verifying the validity of your travel documents as you get ready to embark on another voyage with Captain Minnie and Captain Minnie. To answer your question, I'm assuming that you and all other members of your travel party are all U.S. citizens. If that is the case and you have current valid passports, my understanding is that you may use those passports for your required citizenship documentation as long as their expiration does not occur before the last day of your cruise.

    Some countries indeed expect tourists visiting them to have a passport that is valid for some months after their planned departure from the company. Many countries in Europe as well as countries like New Zealand and Australia expect visitors to have three or even six months of passport validity after their scheduled departure. That sort of requirement is not currently imposed on U.S. citizens visiting The Bahamas. However, I still recommend checking the Disney Cruise Line Passports, Visas & Citizenship Documentation page for the latest information as well as country-specific information on the State Department's website and the destination country's website.

    To check the latest travel policies as understood by the U.S. State Department:

    1. Visit the State Department's travel website
    2. Click the "International Travel" link
    3. Follow the "Learn About Your Destination" link
    4. In the "Where Are You Traveling?" box enter "The Bahamas" and click the magnifying glass search button
    5. On the page for The Bahamas, review the Passport Validity information within the "Quick Facts" section as well as the information in the "Entry, Exit and Visa Requirements" section.

    Tony's Tip: I recommend submitting your Online Check-In as soon as you are able. When you upload images of your required travel documents, you allow the Disney Cruise Line to help verify your documents. Given what you have described, I don't think there would be any issues with your valid passports. But it is good to have that added peace of mind to have someone else check our work, right? Plus, your Online Check-In submission will help make your debarkation experience at the Ft. Lauderdale cruise terminal as smooth as possible.

    Thanks for checking in with us again here at planDisney, Robert. It's always a pleasure to share tips, advice, and excitement for Disney Cruise Line vacations with you. We look forward to hearing from you again soon.

    Happy sailing, Robert!
    ~Tony

thumbnail image for Tony

Meet the Panelist: Tony, Utah

Coming to you from the Beehive State, I’m a Disney-loving dad and husband, buzzing with excitement to share advice and tips for making your Disneyland Resort vacation as magical as possible! I’m excited to help you discover the storytelling magic of the “Happiest Place on Earth!” Learn More About Tony

Related Video

  • thumbnail image for Three Vacations all in One on Disney Cruise Line

Didn't find what you were looking for? Click the Ask a Question button to open the Ask a Question dialogue box. If you are not logged in a dialogue box will appear to signin in order to ask a question.

To submit your question, please log in now if you have not already done so.

Ask a QuestionOpens the Ask a Question dialog box.
x

Update Browser

For a better experience browsing this website, please download an updated version of Internet Explorer.


Or you can continue browsing without updating.