Hi Melanie!
I'm so happy you've found some helpful planning advice here on the Moms Panel site! Don't worry, it's almost summer and September will be here before you know it. Your fabulous voyage on the
Disney Dream will be well worth the wait!
At this time, U.S. Citizens departing from and returning to the same U.S. port (such as your itinerary in September) are still able to use a Photo I.D. and certified birth certificate to board the ship and re-enter the country. You can keep up-to-date on current passport regulations at www. travel.state.gov .
That being said, passport regulations are always changing, and Disney Cruise Line "strongly recommends" that all Guests have a valid U.S. Passport. If you were to encounter an emergency (medical emergency, emergency stop in a foreign country, a late return from an excursion causing you to miss the ship, etc.) that required air travel, passports would be required.
It normally takes 6-8 weeks to get a passport, so you still have plenty of time before your September sailing.
So, the answer is no, you don't need a passport to board the ship. However, you might want to consider getting one to provide peace of mind. We got them a few years ago, and despite my awful passport photo, I'm happy we made the investment!
Hope this helps! - Diane W.