Welcome aboard, John!
Congratulations on your upcoming sailing with Disney Cruise Line to the Bahamas! If you're cruising out of Miami next year in February, that must mean you'll be onboard one of my favorite ships:
The Disney Magic! Of course, I love all four of Disney's pixie-dusted ships, but the classic ships, the Magic and the Wonder, will always hold a special place in my heart!
Please take a look at the
Passport and Travel Document page of Disney Cruise Line's website. You'll see specific requirements there for each itinerary, and if you have any special circumstances or questions, I encourage you to contact Disney Cruise Line directly for clarification. However, for a U.S. citizen traveling on a round-trip cruise from a U.S. port, like your cruise from Miami and back to Miami, a passport is not necessarily required. You may bring the original or a copy of your state-issued (not hospital-issued) birth certificate and a government-issued I.D., like your driver's license. Children under 16 traveling with their parents will only need the state-issued birth certificate.
However, I always recommend obtaining and traveling with a valid
passport if at all possible before cruising. I like the extra security of knowing that even in the event of an unexpected medical problem or other emergency in a foreign port of call, my family and I can more easily fly back home with our valid passports. Since you have over a year until you set sail, I would suggest getting passports for the added security.
I hope those details help as you continue to plan over the next year for your cruise, John! Have a magical adventure!
Marcy