Headshot Photo Questions

[Princesca]

A couple of questions about the headshot photos required for check-in:

1) Are these used for anything that we need to be concerned about being photogenic?
2) I wrangled my toddler into a photo (finally!) but forgot I think I had a mild beauty filter on. Does this matter?
3) Can you be smiling?
4) If someone gets a drastic haircut between now and then, will it matter?

Thank you!

 

[RedHead0186]

This photo is used to ID you, like when you get on/off the ship. It's similar to a passport photo (but cannot be the same as your passport photo). So no, you don't need to worry about it being photogenic (only cast members will see it, it doesn't go on your Key to the World card or anything. It does say no filters are allowed. If it's mild, it might pass, but ideally it should be a realistic photo. Yes, I believe smiling is allowed. A haircut shouldn't matter, it's more about the face of the person.

All photos uploaded during online check-in get reviewed by a human (but not immediately), so if you do do something wrong they will let you know and you can re-upload.

If you haven't seen it yet, this thread is super helpful (it's about online check in in general, but also includes discussion about the ID photos): https://www.disboards.com/threads/what-do-i-need-to-have-prepared-for-online-check-in.3885775/

 

[PrincessShmoo]

All photos uploaded during online check-in get reviewed by a human (but not immediately), so if you do do something wrong they will let you know and you can re-upload.

Also, if the photo you download gets rejected during the online check in process (or at anytime before you actually board), don't worry about it. When you check in at the terminal they will take their own photo to be used. At least that's what happened for my husband's photo.

 

[kiford]

When you check in at the terminal they will take their own photo to be used.

That's why I didn't stress about the fact that our check-in wasn't approved until 3 days prior to the cruise. I figured that if there were any issues with our Nexus cards or photos, it would be fixed at the port. I think this check-in methodology is simply to expedite everything. If they have to re-do or fix even 25% (it's probably much much lower), it's still faster than doing everybody. They're not going to prevent someone from boarding if they don't like your photo.

The photo comes up when you scan on and off the ship, when you swipe your card at muster drill, and basically anytime you swipe your card like when making purchases in the shops. It's so that they know it's you and not someone using your card. As long as it's clear it's you it's probably sufficient.

 

[emmybee]

Let's just say that I was not at all pretty in that photo! Embarrassing, but not the end of the world. I reassured staff that I was indeed happy to be sailing

 

[OpieDoodle]

I'm not sure about Disney but I know a lot of cruise lines are moving to facial recognition software which helps speed things up when coming back from ports. I'd assume you wouldn't want a filter at all.

 

[auntlynne]

 

[Paige Adams]

Also, if the photo you download gets rejected during the online check in process (or at anytime before you actually board), don't worry about it. When you check in at the terminal they will take their own photo to be used. At least that's what happened for my husband's photo.

Hi Princess Shmoo,
I realize it's been awhile since this post, but I found it on search. I was wondering if my photo gets rejected will I lose my port arrival time if I wait to have the photo done at the port. Sorry for the double post. I am not sure how that happened.

 

[Paige Adams]

Hi Princess Shmoo,
I realize it's been awhile since this post, but I found it on search. I was wondering if my photo gets rejected will I lose my port arrival time if I wait to have the photo done at the port.

 

[erionm]

I realize it's been awhile since this post, but I found it on search. I was wondering if my photo gets rejected will I lose my port arrival time if I wait to have the photo done at the port.

Your port arrival time will not change.

 

[Mommb]

Your photo is not used until you're boarding the ship so needing a new photo won't affect PAT. My guess is that a photo will be taking during check-in at the desk, as it used to be.

Be aware that it can take weeks to receive the "your check-in is complete" message after doing online check-in, even if everything is fine. As long as you have a port arrival form printed or on a digital device, you should be fine.

 

[Dug720]

Just make sure you're not using the picture used in your passport. OR wearing the same shirt. I'm pretty sure my dad had a different picture, but he tends to have the same expression on his face in ID pictures and he was wearing the same shirt as in his passport pic, so it got rejected. I told him to put on a shirt that was NOT that one and my mom took another and sent it to me and that one took. I figure better to be safe than sorry and just make sure the shirt is different.

 

[mmouse37]

I recently did online check in for our cruise next month and took a screenshot of the do’s and don'ts of the ID pic. I have used the same ID pic for the last 6 cruises with no issue. But I did run into an issue this time with uploading documents for my family members. I didn't have their actual passports with me when I did the check in but I had color copies of the passports/BC that I took pics of and uploaded. I received an email a few days later that the pic must be of the original passport/BC and not a pic of the color copy. I then got the actual passports from them and uploaded those and its still Pending Review which I know can be approved a day or 2 before sailing so I am not worried.

And when I went back in to edit the traveler info and upload the new document pics my PAT did not change so don't worry about that.

MJ

 

[gatordoc]

It’s a really wonky process. I’ve used the same photo for a number of cruises but last time it was rejected. I went back in and resubmitted the same photo and it was accepted. So who knows?

 

[RedHead0186]

It’s a really wonky process. I’ve used the same photo for a number of cruises but last time it was rejected. I went back in and resubmitted the same photo and it was accepted. So who knows?

I've had the same thing happen to me. That's the human element. Humans by nature have variability, both 'within' themselves and also across different people. Two different people could look at the same photo and apply/interpret guidelines differently.