Stupid question...would have to be asked eventually anyway

[UrsulasDaBomb]

What documents do you need to get on a cruise ship?
I saw something..another postie down there..saying something about birth certificates.I don't have mine but I assume since I know the county in which I was born I can order another one,right?
Do you have to have a passport?
Where do you even GET passports anyway?The post office?The travel agency?The police station?

Sorry...more questions will come up I'm sure,as I am a first time cruiser..er..first time THINKING about being a cruiser,rather.

Gail(UDB)
***edited to add another question which is probably REALLY stupid to those experienced cruisers but........*sigh*Is there any way to get around the 'dressing' for dinner rule on DCL?DH just about threw a baby conipption fit last night when I said it was a good thing the cruise was 2 years away because it would give us time to buy the appropriate clothes to dress for dinner.He said he didn't want to go on a cruise that he was paying SO much money for and be told how to dress.I told him during the day it wouldn't be a problem..wear whatever you want as long as you ain't naked but that you HAVE to dress for dinner or else the CMs will make you walk the plank.DH argued that since he was paying good money to ride this boat,he could darn well dress however he pleased for dinner and I told him no way Jose'!He said he'd find a cruise that didn't require dressing for dinner and I said it's impossible!All cruises require you to dress for dinner,DCL or not.DH said that's not true and I told him it was.Ugh...men.
Can't live with them...can't live without them.****

 

[pal2pluto]

You will need your birth certificate and another form of ID like your drivers license OR use a passport (if I remember correctly). If you want a passport, AAA can help.

Dressing men.........well........that's one open for a lot of debate here. But essentially....no shorts at dinner. Khaki's and a polo shirt or button down short sleeve would be very appropriate most nights. Formal night, and the dinner at Lumiere's is something else. You will likely see SOME in tuxes and gowns, but even on that evening, I saw mainly long dresses/pantsuits on ladies and men with jackets and ties. If he still balks at that, then on those nights, you can opt for Topsiders, which is more relaxed and informal.

 

[Werner Weiss]

Originally posted by UrsulasDaBomb
What documents do you need to get on a cruise ship?
I saw something..another postie down there..saying something about birth certificates.I don't have mine but I assume since I know the county in which I was born I can order another one,right?
Do you have to have a passport?
Where do you even GET passports anyway?The post office?The travel agency?The police station?

Rather than giving you an imcomplete answer, here's that complete, official answer from http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/
<blockquote>What documentation do I need to bring?
All U.S. and Canadian citizens must travel with proof of citizenship, which is a valid passport, or certified birth certificate (with official raised seal) and picture identification, or a certified naturalization certificate with a picture identification. Acceptable forms of picture identification are state or provincial driver's license, or federal, state, province, or local government photo I.D. card. Guests age 17 and under who are U.S. or Canadian citizens are only required to have proof of citizenship, excluding picture identification. These guidelines are based on U.S. government regulations which are subject to change at any time. It is the Guest's responsibility to check with their Travel Agent, government agencies, embassies or consulates prior to their vacation to ensure that they have proper documentation. Any Guest traveling without proper documentation will not be allowed to board the vessel and no refund of cruise fare will be issued.
New security guidelines require all adult Guests to show a picture I.D. to embark and disembark the ship in all ports, excluding Castaway Cay. Please be advised that anyone under the age of 18 wishing to go ashore unaccompanied will be required to have a consenting parent, guardian or other responsible adult with them at the gangway, to provide their signature as authorization. </blockquote>
Now, having quoted that, allow me to add a few other thoughts about passports..

• The best documentation is a valid passport, although the other documentation listed above will work too.
• With a passport, check-in is a breeze.
• If you have an emergency, such as a medical emergency, while you're on the cruise that forces you to remain in a foreign country (rather than completing the cruise), you'll be very glad you have a passport.
• If you think you might take a vacation to Europe or another foreign destination in the next ten years, just get a passport now.
• If you think that there is any reason why they might question the validity of your birth certificate at check-in, you'd be better off with a passport. For example, I wasn't born in the US (nor in Germany as my name would suggest), and my official birth certificate is a strange little hand-written note in a language that I can't read. I could just imagine trying to use it to check in and being told, "sorry; we can't accept this." (Actually, I probably wouldn't have a problem if I brought my naturalization certificate.)
• If they don't accept your documentation at check-in, they won't let you on the ship, and you don't get your money back.

For the reasons above, I made sure that I had valid passports for all four or us. For details about getting a passport, see http://travel.state.gov/passport_services.html .

Whether or not you decide to get a passport, get a copy of your birth certificate as soon as possible -- because you'll also need to provide a birth certificate if you've never had a passport before.

Originally posted by UrsulasDaBomb
Is there any way to get around the 'dressing' for dinner rule on DCL?

The main rule is "no shorts or jeans, please." Would your husband object to wearing comfortable cotton Dockers and a collared shirt, such as a golf shirt or polo shirt? (In my opinion, the air conditioning is set to where it's too cold to wear shorts anyway.) Yes there's a formal night, a semi-formal night, and "jacket recommended" in Lumiere's/Triton's and Palo. Some people really get dressed up -- and some others just ignore these recommendations, and they generally get served anyway. But does your husband have a blazer or a suit? Bring it a along. It's actually not so bad.

People dress as they want to, although most people follow the requests from DCL.

If someone is genuinely turned off by the thought of dining in attire other than shorts and a t-shirt (or dining at a set time), the way to"get around it" on the 7-night cruise is have dinner at Topsiders. We never tried this, but I understand the food is just as good as in the main dining rooms.

 

[DreamsDoComeTrue]

If you think you would have other needs for passports, then just call your post office to see which branch does passports and the hours for that desk. Pick up the applications in advance, then you have time to read the directions and get your pictures done. We got ours done at Walgreens, fast Polaroid's. Or, just bring DL and birth certificates!

You husband is right! He did pay good money and does not have to dress up. That's what the wonderful food at Topsiders and room service is for. You could plan a nice romantic dinner for yourselves from room service on the formal nights, or go to Topsiders and think of all those poor DH's that were forced to dress up. rolleyes: It's kind-of a treat for us, so we won't mind.
Everyone paid good money for the cruise. So those who do wish to (or go to the trouble to) dress up are also entitled to have their designated restaurant be full people 'playing along', on that night. Nothing like dressing up your kids (big and small) and then eat with table mates that throw it in our face by disregarding the dress code. I've heard that Topsiders serves especially good food on that night, so it's really not a down grade on the enjoyment of good food, and it's in the relaxed environment of people who feel just the same way. Such a deal! Have fun!

 

[imgoingtodisney]

For us it was either give up on attempting to get DH in pants rather than shorts or he would not go on the cruise with us at all. DS and I will have the appropriate clothing. If DH shows up and DCL doesnt chase him away I now have the attitude too bad for our cruisemates. Be mad at him all you want, I cant anymore. If DCL sends him away DS and I will still dine. If it means going to Palos brunch, high tea, etc alone so be it. I am planning on reserving Palos dinner only for 1 of the formal nights. Hopefully DH will rent a tux. If not, then DS & I will show up on formal nights for dinner and photos ourselves.

 

["Ginger"]

Stop stressing the dress code. I have been on 4 Disney Cruises getting ready for #5. I have seen many people come into the dinning rooms dressed in shorts, jeans, evening gowns, Tuxs etc. Heck one night we saw this guy come in, in his work clothes, Yeah!!! It was our first night aboard and this guy must have come straight from work to the ship. I guess he was a mechanic because he still had grease on his arms and he was wearing a greasy dirty uniform. They didn't turn him away. We never saw him dressed to much better. You know what, it really did bother anyone. He looked like he was having a great time. So please don't wreck your marriages over how they want to dress, let them be themselves. Just go and have a great time.

 

[imgoingtodisney]

thank you ginger

 

[ncligs]

"Ginger",
Very well said!!!!!

 

[albiats]

If you're going on a 3 or 4 day cruise on the Wonder, the issue of 'dressing up' is not very much at all, since the formal and semi-formal nights only apply to the 7 day cruises on the Magic.

If you're on the Wonder, the only times a jacket for men are 'requested' are when dining in Triton's or in Palo's. All other dinner times are 'no shorts or jeans, please'. Many men wear a dress shirt and tie with slacks, or just the dress shirt and slacks.

I agree with Werner Weiss (once again) in that a Passport is the best identification method for travel. If you have a valid Passport, the person verifying your Identification mainly has to be certain that you are the person represented on the Passport. The burden of verifying your citizenship has already been done by the U.S. Department of State, the rest is easier for them, including the Customs people. I think it's just going to become the most accepted way to prove ID for travel.

hope that helps

 

[akasleepingbeauty]

Gail,

The Plano passport office is on the south side of Park Blvd just east of 75. There is also one in McKinney I believe but I don't know the exact details on that one.

You go in with your paperwork (you can print it off the internet and fill it out at home) or pick it up there and fill it out. You then give them your ID, your birth certificate (they have to send it in with your application but they will return it with your passport) and your $$$. I got one for dd recently and it didn't take more than 20 minutes once we got there.

You can also get a copy of your birth certificate in the same building area - a bunch of the county offices are right there in the same complex. You can just go in and they will look up your information and print it out as you wait (as long as you were born in TX of course!).

The best place in the area for passport pictures is Costco (if you have a membership) right up 75 - only $4.99 for 2 pictures and they're done in just a few minutes.

The cruise is soooo fun and I am sure you and dh will have a great time!

 

[UrsulasDaBomb]

Ok...I'm going to TRY not to stress out over DH not wanting to dress up..but this being our first cruise(and keeping in mind it is 2 years from now..hopefully..cross your fingers)I know I'm going to want to do all the stuff that seems like 'fun'(i.e...dressing for dinner,high tea,etc,etc,etc).Dh doesn't own a blazer..or even a suit!Well...I take that back.He owns ONE suit which I NEVER EVER EVER let him wear because it is referred to as 'the zoot suit'.I think it's HIDEOUS but DH seems to like it.It's dark gray with pale gray pinstripes and these HUGE shoulder pads and the jacket is the double-breasted type and I swear every time he wears it,it makes me think of Al Capone! Anyway....he does own quite a few pair of just plain ole' khakis(he wears them to work)and a few nice polo shirts and button downs,so maybe..maybe I can convince him to split it with me if we decide on doing the seven day.A couple of nights at Topsiders,a couple of nights of dressup...we'll work it out.Don't worry...if I have to make a ressie for Palo's or whatever for a singleton..oh well.His loss right?
Ok..no passports but will work on getting them..maybe.Seems like so much trouble for something we'll NEVER EVER use,since we don't plan on going out of the country other than the cruise.
I'll let you guys know what happens as more updates are available.

Gail(UDB)

 

["Ginger"]

Gail, Sounds like a nice Sports jacket may be the perfect gift from Santa to complete DH's wardrobe. A bottom down polo and Khakis are fine for dinner in Palo and in all the other dining rooms. High Tea is resort casual, shorts are fine. Brunch is also casual.


Hey gals have you all told your DH's about the Surial Bath. The best DH DW Spa treatment on board. It's only you and him with some fun mud, lotions and 60 minutes of privacy. Read about it from Dave From the Frozen North. My Dh will do anything I ask if I promise him this Spa treatment.

 

[UrsulasDaBomb]

Just ME,DH and some mud?Alone?For a whole HOUR????? That could be fun...I'll look into it.Thanks for the idea,Ginger!

Gail(UDB)

 

[UrsulasDaBomb]

I was looking at a site that had the menus for some of the different resteraunts and I'm seeing things like mahi-mahi,sirloin steak..all these things that sound SOOOO extravagant that I would never order at home because they are so expensive.Am I correct in assuming that you can order ANYTHING off the menu when you go to dine on DCL and not get charged an outrageous price for it?
Forgive the stupid questions.I don't know what actually goes on on a cruise...other than you are on a boat in the middle of the ocean.

Gail(UDB)

 

[alexandrew]

Anything on the menu at the various restaurants, sans alcoholic deverages, are included in the cost of your cruise. Please note that you may order multiple appetizers, entrees, or desserts if you simply cannot make up your mind.

 

[UrsulasDaBomb]

Really? Holy Fifteenpound weight gain,Batman!I didn't know that...
again sorry for all the stupid questions.

Gail(UDB)

 

[FantasticDisFamily]

When we cruised the first time we decided to go ahead and get the passports for all 4 of us, even though we had no idea when (if ever we would use them again). Although we haven't used them on a daily basis we have used them more than we thought. Even going through Canada on a recent trip to New York was MUCH easier (and this was before 9/11) with the passports.

Couldn't tell if there are kids in the picture or their ages, but if there are and they are in anything at school, Scouts, etc. where they might be headed out of the country they are well worth having.

Third reason, every now and then some outrageously low priced special pops up for Europe - with passports in hand you can take advantage of it!

Deb

 

[UrsulasDaBomb]

Ok...guess this means I need to convince DH sometime in the next two years,prior to the cruise,we need to go down and get the passports.
And and just FYI,Deb..No kids for me!Wheee!
***update***I talked to DH about some of the interesting and exciting on-deck activities and the one he seemed most interested in was the Surial spa..whoohoo!

Gail(UDB)

 

[Samsma]

You might also request LAP as your rotation. This would put Lumiere's on your first night and they say it is casual due to some not receiving their suitcases before dinner. Also, I think this puts Lumiere's back on Tropical night so again more casual. That's my plan, DH sounds just like mine!

 

[UrsulasDaBomb]

LAP?
I've read through some of the dining rotations but what is LAP?

Gail(UDB)