First Time Cruise - What to do before arrival?

[TiggerBouncy]

I highly recommend a passport and not using Birth Cert + Photo ID.

The reason is largely that if (Heaven Forbid) you have a medical emergency or other reason that you are not able to complete the cruise, a passport is necessary to re-enter the United States. A birth certificate or other documentation will not be sufficient for entry at an airport. You have to go to the embassy and wait for them to process a new passport for you.

I would rather have my passport and not need it then not have it and be stuck having to deal with the administrative nightmare at the embassy.

 

[WDWRook]

My wife's name on her birth certificate and her driver's license are different for her taking my last name. Will that be an issue, or do we just bring a copy of our marriage certificate?

 

[Dug720]

My wife's name on her birth certificate and her driver's license are different for her taking my last name. Will that be an issue, or do we just bring a copy of our marriage certificate?

Bring the marriage certificate if she doesn't have time to get them changed before you cruise.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

According to the DCL website copies are ok. They say for closed loop cruises to the bahamas: "Original or copy of their state-issued birth certificate AND Government-issued photo ID"

Link for more info: https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/guest-services/passport-travel-documentation/

That's exactly why I said it's ambiguous:
"Original... of their state issued birth certificate" (well, that's not going to happen, that stays on file at the registrar's office)
"...copy of their state-issued birth certificate" (the copy that you get when you request a copy of your birth certificate? The one with either a raised seal, printed on special paper, or with registrar's signature that it's an official copy of the birth certificate on file? OR a xeroxed/photocopied copy of the copy you got from the registrar?)

 

[DietCokeMommy]

That's exactly why I said it's ambiguous:
"Original... of their state issued birth certificate" (well, that's not going to happen, that stays on file at the registrar's office)
"...copy of their state-issued birth certificate" (the copy that you get when you request a copy of your birth certificate? The one with either a raised seal, printed on special paper, or with registrar's signature that it's an official copy of the birth certificate on file? OR a xeroxed/photocopied copy of the copy you got from the registrar?)

I don’t believe it’s ambiguous at all. As you point out, no one actually receives the true original certificate. So you can either provide the certified state issued one (aka “original”) or you can provide a copy. It doesn’t matter if it’s an official copy or a photocopy.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I don’t believe it’s ambiguous at all. As you point out, no one actually receives the true original certificate. So you can either provide the certified state issued one (aka “original”) or you can provide a copy. It doesn’t matter if it’s an official copy or a photocopy.

I can only say the "original" I got from the registrar for my kids says "This is a copy of the original birth certificate". So it's a copy. That's what makes the "copy of the state-issued birth certificate" wording ambiguous.

 

[DietCokeMommy]

I can only say the "original" I got from the registrar for my kids says "This is a copy of the original birth certificate". So it's a copy. That's what makes the "copy of the state-issued birth certificate" wording ambiguous.

Interesting. My kids’ just say “Record of birth”. And then all the pertinent details and the date issued. So to me, since it’s directlybisdued from our town it’s an original. But even so, Disney days a copy is acceptable so I don’t think it matters if it’s a copy of original or a copy of the copy.

 

[WDWRook]

My date to check in and start booking is November 14th. Does that mean when the clock turns to 12:00am on the night of the 13th? Or sometime in the morning?

 

[Dug720]

My date to check in and start booking is November 14th. Does that mean when the clock turns to 12:00am on the night of the 13th? Or sometime in the morning?

At 12:01am on 11/14.

 

[lanejudy]

My wife's name on her birth certificate and her driver's license are different for her taking my last name. Will that be an issue, or do we just bring a copy of our marriage certificate?

She may have a problem, depending on how strict is the Customs and Immigration agent. Is this for your honeymoon, or did she just never do a name change on the driver's license? Travel should be booked in her maiden name for a honeymoon. Technically, she should be booked on the cruise in the name shown on her legal ID. There is a grace period after marriage for her to change her driver's license without cost. If you are flying, she may have difficulty with TSA if her flights are booked under a name different than her ID. I'd suggest she work on getting that issue resolved. But if there isn't time to get new ID, yes bring the marriage certificate and hope she doesn't get an agent who is a stickler for the rules at either the airport or the cruise port.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[skullsplitter]

Is the Disboards welcome center still a thing in Cocoa Beach? If so stop by before your cruise. Helpful for last minute advice, a break, and a drink.

 

[clten]

My wife's name on her birth certificate and her driver's license are different for her taking my last name. Will that be an issue, or do we just bring a copy of our marriage certificate?

She may have a problem, depending on how strict is the Customs and Immigration agent. Is this for your honeymoon, or did she just never do a name change on the driver's license? Travel should be booked in her maiden name for a honeymoon. Technically, she should be booked on the cruise in the name shown on her legal ID. There is a grace period after marriage for her to change her driver's license without cost. If you are flying, she may have difficulty with TSA if her flights are booked under a name different than her ID. I'd suggest she work on getting that issue resolved. But if there isn't time to get new ID, yes bring the marriage certificate and hope she doesn't get an agent who is a stickler for the rules at either the airport or the cruise port.

Enjoy your cruise!

I took WDWRook's question to mean that his wife's birth certificate has her maiden name (obviously) but her driver's license has her married name. This is typical and isn't really a problem. I'd bring along a copy of the marriage certificate. Depending on who is checking your ID, they may not even ask for it. But if you get someone who is a stickler (or having a bad day), it's better to have it on hand to show the change in names.

 

[WDWRook]

Thanks again. We ended up applying for passports for the wife and I. I assume we don't need them for the kids when this is likely the only trip they will go on out of the country for the next five years.

 

[Dug720]

Thanks again. We ended up applying for passports for the wife and I. I assume we don't need them for the kids when this is likely the only trip they will go on out of the country for the next five years.

As long as you don't miss the ship or have to be evacuated for some reason (medical, etc.) then your assumption is correct.

However, if you do miss the ship or have to be evacuated for some reason (medical, etc.), then you're going to be spending extra time and a lot of extra money (as in a LOT more than getting a regular passport ahead of time) getting them emergency passports at the consulate in whatever country you get stuck in.

 

[WDWRook]

Okay, we are now just over three weeks away for our Cruise. We got passports for everyone (received wife and mine and kids should be here next week). Here are our plans and a few questions.

1. I think we are just going to Uber from MCO to the hotel, and then from the hotel to SSR for our last two nights at Disney, and take the DME back to MCO. Mostly just for the ease of having a car ready when we are.

2. The first day (day before the cruise) we will go to Kennedy Space center for a few hours, and then check out Fishlips for dinner. Have not decided between the Radisson or the Marriott Club yet.

3. The itinerary is Day 1 Port, Day 2 Nassau, Day 3 Castaway Cay and Pirate Night, Day 4 at Sea.

4. Right now, we are planning to stay on ship for Nassau. We might venture off and hit the nearby shopping for an hour, but that is likely it. I think the kids will want to be on the ship more than shop.

5. I looked at a recent Navigator and it appears all the shows are played twice? Is that typical? We picked the 8:15 dinner seating so we want to make sure we can watch the show before hand. The only item we booked was a tiara princess thing for DD8 but it's at 7:00 pm and might conflict with the shows.

6. Thinking about trying the Castaway Cay 5K with me and DS12. I assume that can't be more than an hour? Thoughts on the 5K?

7. It looks like they have little Hobbie Cats or similar small sailboats for rental. Any idea about that? I don't see any advanced reservation for that. I'd love to get an hour or so with the kids.

8. We didn't schedule any character meets (they were sold out). I assume there are some that don't need to be signed up for?

9. Anything we should bring out of the ordinary? Like, to help the kids when they are off on their own at kids clubs? I know they have a Key Card so we though about a lanyard for them. They also get a little phone thing right? DD8 won't be without us other than in the kids club, but DS12 might be allowed to wander a little bit.

I feel like I'm missing something compared to the planning for a Disney trip.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Okay, we are now just over three weeks away for our Cruise. We got passports for everyone (received wife and mine and kids should be here next week). Here are our plans and a few questions.

1. I think we are just going to Uber from MCO to the hotel, and then from the hotel to SSR for our last two nights at Disney, and take the DME back to MCO. Mostly just for the ease of having a car ready when we are.Do you mean the Disney transportation from SSR to MCO? Or after the cruise back to MCO?

2. The first day (day before the cruise) we will go to Kennedy Space center for a few hours, and then check out Fishlips for dinner. Have not decided between the Radisson or the Marriott Club yet.

3. The itinerary is Day 1 Port, Day 2 Nassau, Day 3 Castaway Cay and Pirate Night, Day 4 at Sea.

4. Right now, we are planning to stay on ship for Nassau. We might venture off and hit the nearby shopping for an hour, but that is likely it. I think the kids will want to be on the ship more than shop.

5. I looked at a recent Navigator and it appears all the shows are played twice? Is that typical? We picked the 8:15 dinner seating so we want to make sure we can watch the show before hand. The only item we booked was a tiara princess thing for DD8 but it's at 7:00 pm and might conflict with the shows. Yes, the production shows are twice a night. After dinner for early seating, and before dinner for late seating. You can also catch them on the TV in your room the same day they play that evening.

6. Thinking about trying the Castaway Cay 5K with me and DS12. I assume that can't be more than an hour? Thoughts on the 5K?

7. It looks like they have little Hobbie Cats or similar small sailboats for rental. Any idea about that? I don't see any advanced reservation for that. I'd love to get an hour or so with the kids.

8. We didn't schedule any character meets (they were sold out). I assume there are some that don't need to be signed up for? Yes, check the Navigator for who's going to be where and when.

9. Anything we should bring out of the ordinary? Like, to help the kids when they are off on their own at kids clubs? I know they have a Key Card so we though about a lanyard for them. They also get a little phone thing right? DD8 won't be without us other than in the kids club, but DS12 might be allowed to wander a little bit. The "little phone thing" is actually a phone. I'm not sure there's a clip on it, be sure you kids have a pocket to put it in, if they are going to carry it.

I feel like I'm missing something compared to the planning for a Disney trip.

My answers in red.

 

[WDWRook]

Thanks.

We will Uber from MCO to the hotel in Port Canaveral; Uber from hotel to Kennedy Space Center and back; Uber from Port to SSR after the cruise, and then take MDE from SSR to MCO. I think; and I assume I can setup MDE for one way only.

We don't get a navigator until we board, right?

 

[NAB]

That wave phone you are talking about will cost you big time if lost. $250 ? We just had our kids tell us we’re they were going or leave a note in the cabin .

Also had a rule of no friends in our cabin . We set rules before we left.

The 12 year old will be around the boat with others if he joins the Edge . Mine spent a lot of time getting ice cream.

You will see all the characters out , in different dress, pirate wear on that day etc. They list times in the navigator or on the app. Don’t forget to get that before you get on. It gives you a count down too right to the second..lol
Yes you get your first navigator when your in the terminal, then a single page every night for the next day on your bed at night.
Enjoy your cruise !