Cruise secrets that DCL doesn't tell you

[rescuetink]

Originally Posted by DeejP

Thanks for all these tips - I'm nearly done reading all 72 pages of them!!! My husband and 8yr old DD have booked 2 weeks at WDW (Port Orleans) followed by a week on the Dream - all to celebrate my 40th birthday, which was last month. I can't wait, although my DD is now very excited, now she has been allowed to let the secret out - it's a long time for the excitement to grow too ;-)

Partially consolidated: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1...TnQeDYrkA/edit

[DeejP]

Thanks SO much :-)

[Gillett]

Gracias, Rescuetink!

[COASTIEandMATE]

Originally Posted by Momma2Jax

They also asked me, and noted it on my form

Hi! where did you get your form? I have never seen this... Thanks, Aloha, Karen

[tessa67]

Originally Posted by COASTIEandMATE

Hi! where did you get your form? I have never seen this... Thanks, Aloha, Karen

They have you fill it out when you drop off your item.

[Momma2Jax]

Originally Posted by COASTIEandMATE

Hi! where did you get your form? I have never seen this... Thanks, Aloha, Karen

They fill it out for you at GS when you drop it off.

[rescuetink]

Originally Posted by DeejP

Thanks SO much :-)

Originally Posted by Gillett

Gracias, Rescuetink!

[tita155]

I am traveling in February , this is our first cruise and we don't have passports. Should we consider getting them or are they totally not necessary?

[cruisecrasher]

Originally Posted by tita155

I am traveling in February , this is our first cruise and we don't have passports. Should we consider getting them or are they totally not necessary?

They're really nice just in case. Much like trip insurance, it depends on your comfort level with risk.

[jhowell08]

Originally Posted by tita155

I am traveling in February , this is our first cruise and we don't have passports. Should we consider getting them or are they totally not necessary?

If you do not think you will cruise or travel outside of the country much, then you may not need them. However, if you do plan on going on more cruises, it is well worth it. Much easier than carrying original birth certificates. We took my mother on her first cruise to see if she would like it before I got her a passport.

[goofystitchfan]

The past 4 years we have been Disney cruising. Fyi when we got off Wednesday and went thru customs when we were disembarking they did request our passports.

[tita155]

Originally Posted by cruisecrasher

They're really nice just in case. Much like trip insurance, it depends on your comfort level with risk.

Thanks so much for your feedback.

[tita155]

Originally Posted by goofystitchfan

The past 4 years we have been Disney cruising. Fyi when we got off Wednesday and went thru customs when we were disembarking they did request our passports.

Thanks so much

[tita155]

Originally Posted by jhowell08

If you do not think you will cruise or travel outside of the country much, then you may not need them. However, if you do plan on going on more cruises, it is well worth it. Much easier than carrying original birth certificates. We took my mother on her first cruise to see if she would like it before I got her a passport.

Thanks so much! This so our first and I think I agree with you. Let's see how this goes first.

[DizDragonfly]

Originally Posted by tita155

Thanks so much! This so our first and I think I agree with you. Let's see how this goes first.

Just be aware that if an emergency occurs (sickness, injury or death of someone in your traveling party or someone at home, etc.) and you need to fly home from outside the US, you have to go through the US Embassy. In an emergency situation, you want to be able to book a flight and go, not spin your wheels while dealing with paperwork and bureaucrats.

Personally, we don't cruise without passports or travel insurance. Yeah, it costs a little upfront, but it more than pays for itself in piece of mind. And if you do end up needing one or the other or both, you'll be SO glad you have them.