Hello, Tuan!
My family and I love sailing out of San Diego. In fact, our next cruise as a whole family will be from there to Ensenada later this year, sailing on the Disney Wonder. We can't wait!
When preparing travel documents for your upcoming Disney Cruise Line vacation, there are three things to consider.
- What documents does the Disney Cruise Line require for check-in?
- What documents do the countries you will visit during your cruise require for entry?
- What other travel documents may be required, including in the event of an emergency?
Although US citizens traveling on a cruise ship beginning and ending in the United States generally have multiple travel document options, I personally prefer the peace of mind afforded by traveling with an original US passport. I have also traveled on the Disney Cruise Line out of San Diego with family members, including adults, who have used a valid government-issued photo ID along with an original birth certificate. That seemed to work well enough for them. And the proximity of Ensenada, Mexico, isn't as much of a concern for me in that case.
In nearly all other cases, non-US citizens may only board their Disney Cruise Line ship with a valid original passport. To confirm whether or not additional travel documentation, such as a tourist visa, is required for your cruise from San Diego to Ensenada, I recommend reviewing the latest information from the following sources:
- Consulate General of Mexico, to verify which countries' citizens do not require a visa and what documents may be required. Be sure to check similar resources for any other countries that may be on your cruise itinerary as well.
- The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Information Center and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) travel guidelines, to verify what documents and arrival records may be needed for Lawful Permanent Residents for re-entry into the United States.
- Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in the United States, to confirm general passport rules for Vietnamese citizens abroad.
Consulting with your travel agent, government agency, embassy, or consulate will ensure that you have the latest correct information for your particular cruise itinerary and personal situation.
Tony's Tip: In anticipation of your cruise online check-in a month or two before your cruise, I recommend taking photos of your passports, green cards, and any other travel documents in advance. I like to keep photos of our documents in a dedicated photo album on my phone. That makes it easy to retrieve them during the online check-in process to upload to the Disney Cruise Line for verification. You'll still need to make sure you have your original documents with you when you travel.
Have a magical cruise, Tuan!
~Tony