Whether you need a passport for a Disney Cruise depends on your itinerary and where the cruise begins and ends. Many Disney cruises that sail from and return to the same United States port are considered closed loop cruises, and these have more flexible documentation rules.
For a closed loop Disney cruise that starts and ends in the same US port, US citizens do not need a passport. Instead, you can travel with an original birth certificate and a government issued photo ID such as a driver’s license. This applies to many popular itineraries to the Bahamas, Caribbean, and Mexico.
That said, having a passport is still strongly recommended. If an emergency occurs and you need to fly home from a foreign port, a passport makes that process much easier. Without one, getting home can be complicated and time consuming.
If your Disney cruise does not start and end at the same US port, a passport is required. This includes cruises that begin in one country and end in another, as well as certain international itineraries.
Children also follow the same rules. On closed loop cruises, children can sail with a birth certificate. On cruises where a passport is required, each child must have their own passport.
The safest approach is to bring a passport if you have one. While Disney Cruise Line allows alternatives on some sailings, a passport provides the most flexibility and peace of mind while traveling.
