virginia dmv real ID ruse

so, 

"Virginians now have the option to upgrade to a REAL ID compliant driver’s license or identification card, or stick with DMV’s standard credential."   Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles 

so, that's what my wife and I do. we take all of our paperwork to the dmv. we get our real ID licenses back in the mail. great!

then, we go to use them. we book an alaska cruise on princess cruise lines.

we can't use them. it seems that virginia dmv isn't going to activate them until october 2020.

WTH!!!!