Ahoy, Molly!
I'm happy to hear you'll be cruising with Captain Mickey next February on the beautiful Disney Dream! Waiting for a fun vacation can be tough, but it's also fun to have something so awesome to look forward to. It's important to make sure you have all of your travel documentation in order before you cruise - it helps everything run smoothly as you head out for fun on the high seas.
I had the same issue the first time I cruised. My driver's license had my married name, which was of course different than my birth certificate. To be safe, I brought along documentation of my name change - our marriage certificate. Those documents were acceptable and allowed me to embark and disembark with no problem.
That being said, Disney Cruise Line
recommends that all guests have a valid U.S. Passport., due to the fact that government policies and regulations are always subject to change. Having a passport gives you an extra level of security when you travel, and protects you in the unlikely event that you have an emergency and need to fly home from a foreign port.
The decision to obtain a passport is up to you, but it's important to be aware of the most up-to-date U.S. Government policies regarding travel documentation. You can visit travel.state.gov to get the most current information, or check out the
Passport and Travel Documentation section on
DisneyCruise.com.
I hope this helps you with your planning! Please come back and visit us here at the Moms Panel if you have any further questions. Have a great day! - Diane W.