Cruises - A Few Disney Cruise Questions (Orlando)

It asks on the website for proof of citizen ship. So does that mean just bring your birth certificate and driver’s license? Some in the family going don’t have a passport.

When booking the Disney transportation from the Orlando airport to the port and back. When you get off the ship where or how do you find the transportation back from the airport?

Also the ship docks at 7:30AM. If I get a flight back at 12:50PM will that be adequate time to make it to the airport and get checked in? I know on the website it says 12:30PM but I would like to leave a little time in case something happens (traffic, etc.).

Hey - I actually just got back from a cruise that took off out of Orlando. I was on Carnival though. Same port. The Disney ship looked nice. You'll have a blast!

Proof of citizenship - For the people that don't have passports you have to bring a birth certificate, some other form of ID. (For the future, best to get everyone a passport. Simply easier.)

When you book the transportation to and from the airport, they will be waiting at the baggage carousal and once again when you get off the ship to go home. There will be people to direct you.

My ship got in at 0700 and I was able to get off the earliest at 0745. The wife and I had private transportation and we made it to the airport in about 45 minutes. Not sure how the Disney transportation will work. I would assume just around that time.

Caribbean, Bahamas, Bermuda, Alaska, Mexican Riviera, Or Canada & New England Cruises

For closed-loop sailings (cruises that depart from and return to the same U.S. port), you need a valid passport OR proof of citizenship and a valid government-issued photo I.D. (driver's license with a photo) or any other WHTI compliant document. Proof of Citizenship examples include: an original or state certified copy of a U.S. birth certificate, original certificate of U.S. naturalization, original certificate of U.S. citizenship, or a U.S. Consular report of your birth abroad. Baptismal paper and hospital certificates of birth are not acceptable. A U.S. citizen under the age of 16 do not require a government-issued photo ID.

For open-jaw sailings (cruises that depart from one U.S. port and return to a different U.S. port), you are required to carry a valid passport, U.S. passport card, U.S. or Canadian Enhanced Drivers License, as well as have in your possession all relative visas that pertain to your travel itinerary. Permanent residents of the U.S. are required to carry their valid ARC cards for boarding AND passport from their country of citizenship, if available.

Note: If you miss your ship at its scheduled U.S. departure port and need to travel outside the U.S. to meet your ship, or should you unexpectedly need to depart the ship from a foreign port prior to the end of sailing, a passport would be required to leave or re-enter the U.S. by air. To that end, NCL strongly recommends all guests to obtain a passport for their voyage on any NCL vessel.

Also the ship docks at 7:30AM. If I get a flight back at 12:50PM will that be adequate time to make it to the airport and get checked in? I know on the website it says 12:30PM but I would like to leave a little time in case something happens (traffic, etc.).

As part of the process of disembarking, folks with flights will be given priority for getting off the ship. You will be given a form the night before which you can use to let the cruise staff know of your flight. The drive from the port to the airport is around 45-60 minutes. If you're able to get off the ship by 8:30-9am or so, you should be able to make your flight. If your ship runs late or you get stuck with a later disembarkation time, you may end up cutting it close.

Personally, I'd pick a later flight. You might end up sitting around the airport a bit, but it will allow you to have a more leisurely time getting off the ship (and enjoy one last breakfast on board) and not be stressed about catching your flight.

When booking the Disney transportation from the Orlando airport to the port and back. When you get off the ship where or how do you find the transportation back from the airport?

Also the ship docks at 7:30AM. If I get a flight back at 12:50PM will that be adequate time to make it to the airport and get checked in? I know on the website it says 12:30PM but I would like to leave a little time in case something happens (traffic, etc.).

You can stop by guest services while you're on the ship and purchase an "airport transfer" for $35 per person. You can also catch a different bus to Disney World, if you are continuing your vacation there. They put a sticker on your KTTW. Once you exit the terminal, signs will direct you left to the bus stands. Disney folks with giant Mickey hands will get you on the right bus.

Alternatively you can go straight to the curb at the terminal and catch a taxi to the airport for about $120. It's also possible to book a shared van for $55. I usually book a shared van (Beachline Transportation) from MCO to my hotel the night before and the DCL bus to the airport. Beachline picks up on the lower level behind the rental car counters. The driver calls you directly, and you call him when you're ready to be picked up. I really like the direct-to-human nature of it.

All passengers are supposed to be off the ship by 9-9:30am or so per CBP. The drive is about an hour, so you should be able to make it there by 10:30. MCO is awful though. Because there are throngs of families / casual travelers all coming back from vacation and no elite lines (besides the new Clear), you are in for a loooong wait to get to the counter to check in, and another wait to get through security.

While 12:50 is possible, I'd also recommend a slightly later flight. I usually shoot for 2pm. There are tons of shops landside that make for an interesting stroll.

Disney is the best in the industry at moving people and their cruises are the same way. You vacate your cabin at 6:30 in the morning and go to breakfast at the dining room you ate dinner at the night before, then you simply walk off. Their terminal is set up so efficiently that I wonder why other cruiselines and terminals aren't done the same way. I love Disney cruises and have never gone with kids, husband and girlfriends only. The only thing I don't like is that there is no casino.