Ahoy, Susan!
Thank you for sending in your question to the Disney Parks Moms Panel! I always love helping out a fellow Georgia Peach, so I'm thrilled you are here and excited about your upcoming sailing aboard the Disney Dream! Your crew is going to love this ship because there is so much to experience for the entire family. And you are going to love Disney's private island, Castaway Cay! Disney thought of everything when they created this little slice of Bahamian paradise-an open-air BBQ, a teen hangout, an adult-only beach, water sports, character opportunities and so much more! I'll go ahead and warn you that it won't be easy to leave so soak up as much magic as you can before you head back to the ship!
Disney Cruise Line recommends
passports in the unlikely event of an unforeseen emergency because flights to and from the Bahamas do require them, but they do accept state-issued birth certificates and Government-issued photo IDs as proof of citizenship for closed-loop cruises (cruises leaving and returning to the same U.S. port of departure). You will be allowed to get off the ship in Nassau and will only need your photo ID and "Key to the World" card (card given to you when you check-in at the cruise terminal). When you leave the ship in Nassau and Castaway Cay, a crew member will scan your card to know you have disembarked. To return to the ship, the Bahamian officials will check both your photo ID and your cruise card at the end of the pier and you'll scan your card once you embark. I recommend leaving your birth certificates in your stateroom safe as you will only need them to check-in at Port Canaveral and when you present yourself to U.S. Customs and Border Patrol once your cruise is over.
Thank you for stopping by, Susan! If you have any further questions, please write back.
Have a magical day!
Nancy