Ahoy Constance!
Looks like you are getting shipshape for your Disney cruise to the
Bahamas! Are you ready to experience
Castaway Cay, Disney's private island? This little slice of paradise is calling and you MUST go!
What a great question! Nothing more important than making sure your
travel documentation is correct. Nobody wants a snafu on embarkation day! For U.S. citizens sailing on a closed loop cruise (sailing from and returning to the same U.S. port), they can present a government-issued photo ID along with an original or copy of their state-issued birth certificate. So there is no requirement of a passport or passport card for U.S. citizens. If the kids are 15 or younger, they only need a state-issued birth certificate.
That said, it's always my preference to use a passport for one reason: if there's a medical emergency and I have to be taken ashore, I may need a passport if I needed to return to the U.S. by plane. Again, this is an extreme worst-case scenario. And I already have a passport, so it's not a big deal for me to make sure it's on my
packing list. But don't let it deter you from cruising to the Bahamas if you and the kids don't have passports.
What you MUST do before setting sail is download the
Disney Cruise Line Navigator app. This app will guide you with all the onboard activities and entertainment, from character meet and greets to dinner menus, deck plans, and first-run movies.
With documents and app in hand and plans made, you'll be hitting the high seas to the Bahamas in no time. Meanwhile, if you need any extra planning tips, don't hesitate to contact the Disney Parks Moms Panel!
SEA ya real soon!
Sherry