Welcome aboard, Kelly! My family loves sailing with Disney Cruise Line, and we've taken a few January cruises. It's such a great time to get away and head out to sea for some summer-like fun! Can't you just hear Olaf singing
"In Summer"!
U.S. citizens on Disney's Bahamian sailings that originate and return to the U.S. do not need passports for these itineraries. Children can show their original or copy of their state-issued birth certificate, and adults will need both their state-issued birth certificates along with a government issued I.D., like a driver's license. Please read over the exact details of the
travel documents required on Disney Cruise Line's website so you have the most up-to-date and accurate information before you set sail.
If you have time to get your children passports, without it ruining the surprise, you might look into that option. My family and I always sail with passports, as we just like the added security. Though it hasn't happened, I like to be prepared in the event we run into a medical or other emergency while in a foreign port of call.
Since you mentioned you're surprising them, I wanted to point out that Disney Cruise Line offers free character calls for guests. You can set up a call from Mickey, Goofy, or Mickey and Minnie together at a time you pre-set. They'll call your house and tell the family how excited they are to be setting sail with you soon. That's a great way to surprise the kiddos! You can set this up by
signing into your reservation and clicking on
My Reservation. There you can click
Free Character Call, and it'll walk you through the steps.
Have fun planning, Kelly, and good luck with the surprise!
Marcy