Ahoy there, Rex!
Welcome aboard planDisney! Travel documentation is one of those things that is much easier to sort out before embarkation day, so I’m glad you’re checking now rather than waiting until the last minute to discover that your paperwork needs a little extra pixie dust.
Unfortunately, a wallet-sized birth certificate is not enough for your sailing to Mexico, even when it is an official document issued by your state. You’ll need an
original state-issued birth certificate along with a physical government-issued photo ID. Photocopies and digital IDs won’t work, and while the final decision on travel documents rests with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, wallet-sized birth certificates are generally not accepted during
Online Check-In.
I know that probably isn’t the answer you were hoping for, but the good news is that you’re checking ahead of time. If you still have some time before your sailing, I’d recommend requesting the full-size, certified birth certificate from the state that issued it so you can have everything ready before you head for the ship. If you’re traveling with anyone age 15 or younger, they only need an original state-issued birth certificate and do not need a photo ID.
If you have the opportunity, I’d also
consider getting a passport. It isn’t required for many closed-loop sailings to Mexico, but it can be incredibly helpful if you ever need to leave the ship unexpectedly and fly home from another country. Plus, a passport opens the door to some pretty amazing itineraries, whether you want to trade the Caribbean for the Panama Canal, cross the Atlantic, or follow your compass all the way to the Mediterranean. That’s a pretty good excuse to add another stamp to your passport book!
I hope this helps you get your travel documents squared away so you can spend embarkation day thinking about the amazing dining, tropical waters, and which deck has the best view instead of worrying about paperwork.
A little preparation now can save you from a very un-magical plot twist at the port!
Sea ya real soon as summer waves goodbye and autumn magic begins to shine,
Dustin