Ahoy William and welcome to planDisney! A sailing on the high seas aboard a
Disney Cruise Line ship sounds like the perfect way to spend a family vacation. Now, let’s talk through ID requirements so you can be prepared, and more importantly, focus on
all the fun aspects of planning for a Disney cruise!
Luckily for you, William, DCL posts necessary travel documentation for sailings based on itineraries and departure ports. You’ll find the website
here. For a round trip sailing out of Fort Lauderdale, US citizens must have one of the following:
- A valid US passport, US passport card, or Trusted Traveler Card (NEXUS, FAST);
- Original state-issued birth certificate and a physical government-issued photo ID (i.e. no digital or mobile state-issued IDs);
- Original Consular Report of Birth Abroad or Certificate of Naturalization AND a physical government-issued photo ID (again, no digital or mobile state-issued IDs).
One exception to this is that children 15 years of age and younger do not need to present a government-issued photo ID, but are required to present one of the documents listed above. Any legal permanent residents in your travel party must present their valid, original Permanent Resident Card. Social Security Cards and Global Entry are also NOT acceptable proof of U.S. citizenship.
DCL recommends having a valid passport in case of emergency that requires you to fly home from a foreign port without delay. From personal experience, I can add that our family has had no issues using several of these methods, including using passports and using a combination of a birth certificate and valid photo ID.
William, hopefully this gives you a better understanding of travel documentation needs for your upcoming cruise. I hope you and your family have the best time! If you have any further questions about a DCL, come back and
visit me and my friends here at planDisney!
Your pal,
Sean