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  • On Feb 4, 2026
    Olivia from AL Asked Please note that experiences, policies, pricing and other offerings are subject to change and may have changed since the date of this answer.

    Hi my family are traveling to the Bahamas round trip from port Canaveral. We plan to use our birth certificates and photo ids as identification. My question is do we need to have stars in our ids for them to be valid? Also is a non-driver state id valid?

    Hiya, Olivia!

    While I do appreciate the convenience and peace of mind of traveling internationally with a current passport, there may be other valid forms of citizenship documentation. For example, on round-trip cruises from Florida to the Bahamas, US citizens age 16 or older are permitted to travel if they have both an original (no photocopies) state-issued birth certificate and a current government-issued photo ID card (again, no photocopies and digital IDs are also not accepted).

    A variety of current government-issued photo ID cards could be accepted. Some examples might be active-duty military ID, driver license, or, yes, even a state-issued photo ID card that isn't also a driver license. Passengers who are US citizens and 15 years old and younger are not required to have a photo ID and may travel on round-trip cruises to the Bahamas with only an original birth certificate as proof of citizenship.

    Speaking of proof of citizenship, that is effectively what the combination of a birth certificate and a government-issued photo ID provides. Although I'm not an official Disney Cruise Line Cast Member, nor a Customs and Border Patrol agent, I can confidently say that a driver license or state ID card without a star indicating that it is a REAL ID is still sufficient for use in boarding a round-trip cruise to the Bahamas. Guests who are only driving and not flying on a commercial airline (which would require a valid REAL ID or passport for identification) may board a Disney cruise with both a state-issued birth certificate and a valid government-issued photo ID, even if it doesn't have a REAL ID star.

    I hope that helps with your plans for your upcoming Disney Cruise Line vacation, Olivia. If you think of any other questions we may be able to answer here at planDisney, please don't hesitate to stop by again.

    Have a magical cruise, Olivia!
    ~Tony

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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

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