In most states, you can get a driver's license the same day. It sounds like Florida is one of them. Most driver’s licenses expire on your birthday around 5 years after you get it. It’s 8 years in Tennessee. So, she probably got notices about it back in November & is just now getting around to it, since all her ID is expired. She doesn’t drive but could use her passport for ID. She could just get a state ID card (not a driver’s license) but if she really wanted to drive in the future, she would have to retake all the tests. In most states, you just have you do a vision test identifying signs when you renew.
With the passport, even if they drove to Miami & paid to get it expedited it would take a week or so. Driving the 4 hours would only save the cost of a stamp & a night on a mail truck to Miami. They would still have to do a background check & a few other things before they mail it back to you. They couldn’t drive back down to Miami to pick it up. I did PSA precheck a few weeks ago. They said it would take 2 weeks & it came back 3 days later but it still takes time to process anything through the government.
For most cruises, you don’t need a passport. Only if you get hurt & will not be able to get back on the boat. It’s good to have. Disney owns Castaway Key, it’s not another country or anything like that. So, you shouldn’t need a passport to get on or off the boat. They will just scan your magic band or room key. Either of those will pull up your information, including a picture. Just in case someone may have your info & is just trying to get on the boat.
