What do kids need to board a Disney cruise?

All Guests Ages 17 Years and Younger
  • Original valid passport, valid at least 6 months after sailing has ended OR.
  • Government-issued ID OR.
  • Original or copy of Government-issued birth certificate.




To board a Disney Cruise Line ship, children need specific identification and health documentation that varies by the ship's itinerary. For "closed-loop" cruises (those that start and end at the same U.S. port, like Port Canaveral), U.S. citizen children under 16 can technically use an original or certified copy of their birth certificate, though a valid passport is always "highly recommended" in case of an emergency that requires flying home from a foreign port. Children also need to be registered in the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app, where parents complete the "Online Check-in" 30 to 45 days prior to sailing. If a child is traveling with only one parent or a guardian, it is wise (and sometimes required) to bring a notarized "Minor Consent to Travel" form to avoid complications with customs. For the famous "Oceaneer Club" and "Oceaneer Lab," children will be issued a "MagicBand+" (or "Ocean Band") upon boarding, which serves as their secure check-in and tracking device while in the youth spaces. Parents should also ensure all digital "Sign-and-Sail" waivers are completed for activities like the AquaDuck or specialized kids' programming.

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If your child is a United States citizen, a passport is recommended, but not required. The itinerary on which you are sailing allows for your child to present an original or copy of their state-issued birth certificate to sail. Please keep in mind that hospital-issued birth certificates are not acceptable.

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Children aged 17 years and under will require a passport or Birth Certificate to travel or government issued photo ID. Children under 16 years of age, who do not have a passport or Photo ID, must have a copy of their birth certificate or their parents Medicare Card.

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At check-in, all Guests must present valid passports or other acceptable proof of citizenship. All travelers are required to have a valid passport to enter or re-enter the United States by air. In addition to a valid passport, many countries require an entry visa based on your nationality.

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During your designated Port Arrival Time, representatives will verify your citizenship documentation and complete your check in. Guests will then be called by Boarding Groups to embark the ship. Please note that Boarding Group times may vary from Port Arrival Times.

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For most cruises, you'll need a passport book that's valid for at least six months from the day your sailing ends. In some cases, you can use a passport card instead of a passport book, but that will only work if you plan to reenter the United States via your ship from Mexico, Canada, Bermuda or the Caribbean.

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Disney's Oceaneer Club and Lab are the two clubs for kids ages three to 12 on all four Disney cruise ships. Parents can drop off their kids anytime between roughly 9 a.m. and midnight or 1 a.m., and trained youth staff will watch the children and lead them in a wide variety of activities.

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Guests who have sailed with Disney before will receive a complimentary Castaway Club lanyard upon checking in at the port. The lanyards are based on club level, so you'll see many guests walking around the ship wearing Silver, Gold, or Platinum Castaway Club lanyards.

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Times Your Child Does Not Need a Passport to Cruise Children younger than 16 need only to carry their birth certificates (original or copy); children 16 and older, as well as adults, each need to show both a birth certificate and a government-issued photo I.D.

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The notarized letter from the child's parent must authorize the traveling adult to take the child on the specific cruise, must authorize guardian to sign legal documentation/waivers for participation in any activities requiring them (i.e. Rock Climbing, Flowrider, Bungee Trampoline, Inline Skating, or Ice Skating) and ...

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If the child does not have a photo ID, the following will be accepted: Original birth certificate. Certified copy of the birth certificate. Medicare card*

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Minors will never need to show ID; Mouseketeers under age three are considered guests of Mickey, so there is no need to purchase admission for them either. If you wish to purchase an alcoholic beverage at the Walt Disney World Resort theme parks, you may be asked to show identification.

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How many kids can sail for free? As noted above, Disney Cruise Line is not currently offering kids sail free.

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It's important to note that if you board very early, your cabin may not be ready yet as they're probably still cleaning from the last cruise. Once settled in, or if your cabin isn't ready, it's time to explore the ship and check out everything there will be to do throughout your trip.

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Most cruises operate as “closed loop” cruises, which begin and end at the same port. If you take a closed loop cruise, you are not required to have a passport to reenter the United States. Instead, you can return to the country with a government issued ID, such as a driver's license, and a birth certificate.

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Typically, the earliest port arrival time for a Disney Cruise Line sailing is 11:00 a.m., though this could vary slightly. Do note that you will select a port arrival time when you complete your online check in. You can do your online check in 30 days prior to your sailing.

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