Online check in questions

[Ethleea]

This is my first time on a Disney cruise as an adult, so my first time having to take care of all the logistics. I have a few questions about the check in process.
1) someone in my party is a major procrastinator and didn’t put in to get their passport card until recently. They will 100% have it by the time we cruise, but will most likely not have it by the time check in opens. Can I upload a picture of their birth certificate for the check in, but have them use the passport card when we actually sail? Or will this create a big mess.
2) we want to use Disney gift cards for our on cruise spending. I’ve heard you can go to guest services and they can link these to your onboard account, is this still the case? And if so would we need to enter credit card information into the online check in, or just put that we are using gift cards.

lastly I just want to say thank you, I’ve been lurking here for the past few months trying to get everything planned and everyone’s questions and responses have been so helpful.

 

[Ohmymonty]

Hey there!

I can't answer for 1...I'll keep my fingers crossed for you that someone can answer.

As for 2, I've used gift cards for our cruise. For use as onboard credit, I've added them ahead of time via the Onboard Gifts. The gift of onboard credit wasn't displayed by default, but was in one of the menus. It's really easy to use the gift cards like this especially when you know you're going to be spending more than you're putting on. I'm not sure what would happen if you didn't spend all the gift card money-maybe refunded back to the card? But in that case, all the easier to keep the cards at home to avoid the risk of losing them.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

someone in my party is a major procrastinator and didn’t put in to get their passport card until recently. They will 100% have it by the time we cruise, but will most likely not have it by the time check in opens. Can I upload a picture of their birth certificate for the check in, but have them use the passport card when we actually sail? Or will this create a big mess.

Assuming this is a closed-loop cruise and your friend is American, yes this will be fine. But they should still bring their birth certificate too.

 

[Ethleea]

Hey there!

I can't answer for 1...I'll keep my fingers crossed for you that someone can answer.

As for 2, I've used gift cards for our cruise. For use as onboard credit, I've added them ahead of time via the Onboard Gifts. The gift of onboard credit wasn't displayed by default, but was in one of the menus. It's really easy to use the gift cards like this especially when you know you're going to be spending more than you're putting on. I'm not sure what would happen if you didn't spend all the gift card money-maybe refunded back to the card? But in that case, all the easier to keep the cards at home to avoid the risk of losing them.

Thanks so much. I was able to add the gift cards. I didn’t even know that the onboard gift was a thing. I’ll have to look through it to see what else there is.

 

[n2mm]

I believe when you use your BC you also need a picture ID too. I’m pretty sure that also gets uploaded. I remember someone in our last group having to do this. Yes, you can go in and modify and add the PP.

 

[Ethleea]

I believe when you use your BC you also need a picture ID too. I’m pretty sure that also gets uploaded. I remember someone in our last group having to do this. Yes, you can go in and modify and add the PP.

Thank you. I’ll have to make sure I have pictures of all of those to upload

 

[MomOTwins]

I believe when you use your BC you also need a picture ID too. I’m pretty sure that also gets uploaded. I remember someone in our last group having to do this. Yes, you can go in and modify and add the PP.

Yes, you need both BC and a gocernmet issued picture ID, or else a passport BOOK. Passport card us not by itself sufficient but can be used as a picture ID combined with the BC.

 

[lanejudy]

Yes, you need both BC and a gocernmet issued picture ID, or else a passport BOOK. Passport card us not by itself sufficient but can be used as a picture ID combined with the BC.

Does SafePassage not accept the passport cards? Because they are valid for closed loop cruises in the western hemisphere. I agree that without the book, a passport doesn't have a lot of value for cruising because you can't use it to get home in an emergency. But is is valid and we've used cards.

 

[MomOTwins]

Does SafePassage not accept the passport cards? Because they are valid for closed loop cruises in the western hemisphere. I agree that without the book, a passport doesn't have a lot of value for cruising because you can't use it to get home in an emergency. But is is valid and we've used cards.

Gosh, your quite right, i could have sworn it was just the passport but i see it now that the card is acceptable. Thanks for the correction