Hi there, Liz!
I wouldn't want to PASS on your question because it's all about visiting all the amazing PORTs during your Disney cruise. Port Adventures and getting to explore far-off destinations are precisely why I love Disney Cruise Line so very much! While we haven't talked about where you'll be cruising, I can still give you some advice on what you'll need for disembarking at all the stops during your voyage.
So much depends on what itinerary you are sailing and the requirements at those individual ports for disembarking. What I recommend is that you check the
documentation requirements for both Check-In for your cruise and debarking at each port because they are subject to change. You can also check the guidelines for your voyage under “My Reservations” on the Disney Cruise Line website. While onboard, Disney Cruise Line will communicate exactly
what identification may be required for disembarking, so you will be fully aware of what you need when you do go to get off the ship.
Since Guests are required to show some type of photo ID when traveling, some simply choose to use their
passport as their identification. But I also understand why some Guests prefer not to carry their passports for fear of losing them. So I like your idea to keep photocopies of all the passports on you just in case. I tend to be a worrywart, so my preference is to carry my family's passports with us when leaving the ship as I feel more comfortable with this level of identification if there is an emergency.
There’s truly a difference between getting off the ship and getting off the ship with Disney Cruise Line! With the Disney-affiliated
Port Adventures, Captain Mickey will do everything he can to wait for those Port Adventure participants if there is a delay in returning to the ship. I've never actually encountered a problem while on a Port Adventure, but I sure like the feeling that I won't miss the ship if something goes awry.
Liz, we sure hope that you return to planDisney with more great questions as you embark on planning the best cruise ever!
Happy Sailing!
Sherry