Ahoy, Mike, and welcome to planDisney! A Disney cruise is the perfect setting to create lifelong memories with the grandkids. Before we get to the answer to your question, have you seen the
"Midnight Magic" video that Disney Cruise Line debuted earlier this year? I love it, perhaps because I've experienced special moments like this onboard with my kids. Now, let's talk about travel documentation!
Even if you don't intend to leave the ship, everyone will still need to bring the required travel documentation. Not all itineraries require a passport, though. You'll want to review the
travel documentation page on the Disney Cruise Line website for the current requirements, as they vary by itinerary. You'll find that, for round-trip Disney cruises that begin and end at the same U.S. port, U.S. citizens can typically sail with a state-issued birth certificate (along with a government-issued photo ID for adults).
That's exactly what my family did last year when we sailed from San Diego. My husband's passport had expired, and the kids didn't have theirs yet, so they traveled with their birth certificates (plus my husband's driver's license). It worked out just fine.
That said, Disney Cruise Line highlights several
advantages of having a passport for everyone in your group, including kids, if you have time to obtain them before your sailing. A passport offers more flexibility if you ever need to arrange alternate travel unexpectedly, and many families appreciate the added peace of mind a passport can provide.
As I mentioned, there are
so many magical moments during any Disney cruise. There are big moments, like enjoying dinner at the themed rotational dining restaurants, meeting Characters, watching Broadway-style shows, and joining in on the fun of a deck party. There are small moments, too, like enjoying Mickey Bars together on the deck, dancing at a silent disco party, coming together for a family trivia session, watching a movie on FunnelVision in the ocean air, and simply walking the halls. On top of all that, there are some great activities at the different ports.
Castaway Cay is a highlight of any Bahamian cruise, that's for sure!
Mike, I know that you and your grandkids will have the most amazing time. Your next step is deciding where you'd like to sail from, how long you'd like your cruise to be, which ports of call you'd most like to visit, and which ship you'd like to experience. We can certainly help with that – please reach out if you'd like some more guidance. We're always happy to help here at planDisney!
Smooth sailing ahead,
Kriss