Required Documentation to Cruise
IMPORTANT!
Everyone in your travel party, including babies and children, must present proof of citizenship before boarding the ship.
What Documents You Need for Your Disney Cruise
I wanted to share some important information about the documents you’ll need to cruise, along with a few notes about traveling with minors. This is one of those things that feels small until it isn’t, so I always recommend double checking everything well before travel day.
Below is a clear breakdown based on itinerary type. Government regulations can change, and it is ultimately each guest’s responsibility to ensure they have the proper documentation to board the ship and enter each country on their itinerary. Guests without the correct documents will be denied boarding.
When you arrive at the terminal and drop off your luggage, be sure to keep all travel documents with you to present during check in.
Passports and Proof of Citizenship
A passport is your safest and simplest form of documentation because it is valid in any scenario. Depending on the situation, it may be required, or it may simply make travel easier. If you do not have a passport and you are a US citizen sailing from a US port, traveling within the Western Hemisphere, and embarking and debarking from the same US port on the same ship on a closed loop cruise, you may be able to travel using alternative documentation.
Alternatives for US adults who do not have a passport
Certified birth certificate. This must be used along with a valid driver’s license. It must be an original, state issued certified birth certificate with a raised seal. Copies are not accepted.
US Passport Card. This limited use document allows entry into the US by land or sea from within the Western Hemisphere. A new passport card costs $55 for adults ages 16 and older, compared to $135 for a first time US passport book.
Enhanced Driver’s License. An enhanced driver’s license provides proof of identity and citizenship and certifies you to drive. Only certain states issue these licenses.
While a passport is not required for closed loop cruises that begin and end in the United States, I always recommend traveling with one when possible. Passports provide added security and flexibility in the event of an emergency or unexpected travel disruption.
If you plan to use a birth certificate, please note:
It must be an original copy - no copies of birth certificates will be accepted
Puerto Rico birth certificates issued prior to July 1, 2010 are not acceptable
Hospital issued birth certificates are not acceptable
Children ages 15 and under do not need to present a government issued photo ID.
For full details, Disney Cruise Line maintains the most up to date requirements here
Traveling with Minors
Traveling with minors and parental consent
If you are traveling with your own child and the child’s other parent, you must present one of the following:
A valid US passport or passport card
An original or copy of a state issued birth certificate and a government issued photo ID
Original Consular Report of Birth Abroad issued by the Department of State and a government issued photo ID
Original Certificate of Naturalization issued by US Citizenship and Immigration Services and a government issued photo ID
Puerto Rico birth certificates issued prior to July 1, 2010 are not acceptable. Hospital issued birth certificates are not acceptable.
If you are cruising with your legal minor child but without the child’s other parent, US Customs and Border Protection strongly recommends bringing a signed, notarized permission letter from the other parent in addition to proof of the child’s citizenship.
If you are traveling with a minor child that you do not have legal custody of and you are age 21 or older, Disney Cruise Line requires written permission from the child’s parent or legal guardian. You must complete, print, and present Disney Cruise Line’s Minor Authorization Form. It is also recommended that you bring a signed, notarized permission letter in addition to proof of the child’s citizenship.
Children 15 years of age and younger
Children 15 years of age and younger are required to present one of the accepted citizenship documents listed above, but they do not need to present a government issued photo ID.
Specific Cruise Requirements
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Closed loop cruises begin and end in the same US port.
Guests ages 16 and older
Passport OR
State issued driver’s license AND a certified birth certificate
Guests ages 15 and under
Passport OR
Certified birth certificate
All guests
The QR code provided with your Port Arrival Form
I recommend printing a backup copy
Your Port Arrival Form and QR code will be available during online check in, which opens 30 days before sailing.
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These guidelines apply to Alaska sailings departing from Vancouver. Because these itineraries involve travel to and from Canada, documentation requirements are different than most US round trip cruises.
Important reminders
All documents must be valid for the entire length of the voyage
Guests without proper documentation will be denied boarding
Adults traveling with minors who are not their own children must carry a completed Minor Authorization Form signed by the child’s parent or legal guardian
US citizens traveling to or returning from Canada by air
Original valid US passport
US citizens ages 16 and older traveling to Canada by land or sea
Original valid US passport OR
Original valid US passport card OR
Original valid Trusted Traveler card such as NEXUS or FAST
US citizens ages 15 and younger traveling to Canada by land or sea
Original valid US passport OR
Original valid US passport card OR
Original valid Trusted Traveler card such as NEXUS or FAST OR
Original state issued birth certificate
Puerto Rico birth certificates issued prior to July 1, 2010 are not acceptable. Hospital issued birth certificates are not acceptable.
Social Security cards and Global Entry cards are not acceptable proof of US citizenship for travel outside the United States.
US legal permanent residents
Guests who are legal permanent residents of the United States must present:
A valid original passport AND
A Permanent Resident Card
Photocopies are not acceptable.
Canadian citizens
Canadian citizens, including children, must present:
Original valid Canadian passport OR
Original valid Trusted Traveler card such as NEXUS or FAST
Canadian permanent residents must present a valid passport and a Permanent Resident Card.
Canadian citizens ages 15 and younger may sail with either an original valid Canadian passport or an original Canadian birth certificate.
Citizens of all other countries
Guests of other nationalities must present:
Original valid passport
These itineraries call at ports in both Canada and the United States. Guests may be required to obtain multi entry visas for Canada, the United States, or both. It is the guest’s responsibility to obtain all required visas before sailing.
If your country participates in the Visa Waiver Program, you must have a valid machine readable passport and obtain advance travel authorization through ESTA prior to travel. A copy of the approved ESTA authorization should be brought with you.
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These guidelines apply to cruises sailing round trip from Port Canaveral, Fort Lauderdale, Galveston, San Diego, or San Juan.
US citizens
Guests may present one of the following:
Original valid US passport
Original valid US passport card
Original valid Trusted Traveler card such as NEXUS or FAST
OR
Original state issued birth certificate AND a physical government issued photo ID
Original Consular Report of Birth Abroad issued by the US Department of State AND a physical government issued photo ID
Original Certificate of Naturalization issued by US Citizenship and Immigration Services AND a physical government issued photo ID
Digital or mobile state issued IDs are not accepted for cruising.
Puerto Rico birth certificates issued prior to July 1, 2010 are not acceptable. Hospital issued birth certificates are not acceptable.
Children ages 15 and younger do not need to present a government issued photo ID.
Social Security cards and Global Entry cards are not acceptable proof of US citizenship for travel outside the United States.
US legal permanent residents
Guests who are legal permanent residents of the United States must present a valid original Permanent Resident Card. Photocopies are not acceptable.
Canadian citizens
Canadian citizens, including children, must present:
Original valid Canadian passport OR
Original valid Trusted Traveler card such as NEXUS or FAST
Citizens of all other countries
Guests must present an original valid passport. Some nationalities require an entry visa. It is the guest’s responsibility to obtain all required visas prior to sailing.
Guests should be prepared to present a copy of their I 94 arrival record upon request. A digital copy can be obtained through US Customs and Border Protection.
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These guidelines apply to one way sailings between Galveston and San Juan or Fort Lauderdale and San Juan.
Documentation requirements largely mirror round trip itineraries, but because these cruises do not return to the same port, I strongly recommend traveling with a passport for all guests.
US citizens
Guests may present:
Original valid US passport
Original valid US passport card
Original valid Trusted Traveler card such as NEXUS or FAST
OR
Original state issued birth certificate AND a physical government issued photo ID
Original Consular Report of Birth Abroad AND a physical government issued photo ID
Original Certificate of Naturalization AND a physical government issued photo ID
Children ages 15 and younger do not need to present a government issued photo ID.
Social Security cards and Global Entry cards are not acceptable proof of US citizenship.
US legal permanent residents
Guests must present a valid original Permanent Resident Card.
Canadian citizens
Guests must present an original valid Canadian passport or Trusted Traveler card.
Citizens of all other countries
Guests must present an original valid passport and any required visas.
If traveling under the Visa Waiver Program, guests must obtain ESTA authorization prior to travel and bring a copy of the approval.
Adults traveling with minors who are not their own children must carry a completed Minor Authorization Form signed by the child’s parent or legal guardian. This form authorizes the adult to supervise the child and approve emergency medical treatment if necessary.
Because documentation requirements can change, I recommend reviewing Disney Cruise Line’s official travel documentation page closer to your sailing.
If you have questions about your specific situation or itinerary, please reach out. I am always happy to help you double check before travel day.