Traveling with someone else's minor child

[JuliaMS]

We will be taking a 17 year old friend with us on our cruise in March. I know we need a notarized letter saying it's OK for us to take her on the specific cruise and authorize activities like flow rider and snorkeling.

 

I was wondering if anybody had any lessons learned to share so I can avoid any hold ups at check in or problems on the trip. I am not worried about her behavior on the ship and she is a seasoned traveler. Just the logistics of traveling with someone else's minor.

 

Thanks!

[bigboffs]

To be safe, it is suggested that the notarized letter be signed by both parents whose names are on the birth certificate. The letter should also spell out you have the authority to approve emergency medical care if it becomes needed.

[LittleMissMagic]

Also, whoever the letter grants permission to will need to be with her in order for her to get off the ship at port. As a minor, she will be unable to exit the ship without adult supervision.

[SJS]

We will also have a 17 year old with us on our June cruise. Can the letter give permission to either me (her grandmother) or her aunt? They may want to go on tours that I don't want to go on.

[cb at sea]

You don't need permission to go on excursions or ashore. The letter is simply for boarding purposes...and the "waivers"...that's all.

[MikeOhio]

Also, whoever the letter grants permission to will need to be with her in order for her to get off the ship at port. As a minor, she will be unable to exit the ship without adult supervision.

 

This is wrong.

[JuliaMS]

Do we need her birth certificate and her passport? And none of the teens, even the 18 year olds, will be getting of the ship without us.

[Langley Cruisers]

Do we need her birth certificate and her passport?

 

Does she have a passport? If yes, then that trumps any other kind of ID. You don't need to take BC and passport.

[Maybaybie10]

Regarding the waivers:

 

My nephew will be going on our crusie with us in April (he's 15). We're getting a letter from each of his parents (whom are divorced) notarized given us permission to take him (provide medical care, etc,etc), but does that letter have to include permission to use the flow rider, rock climbing wall, etc or do they need to sign the specific RCI waivers themselves for those things, or because we have the notarized permission letter, we can sign the waivers ourselves?

 

I know that was confusing...I hope I made sense. It's pretty early here!:p

 

Thanks!

[uksimonusa]

Regarding the waivers:

 

My nephew will be going on our crusie with us in April (he's 15). We're getting a letter from each of his parents (whom are divorced) notarized given us permission to take him (provide medical care, etc,etc), but does that letter have to include permission to use the flow rider, rock climbing wall, etc or do they need to sign the specific RCI waivers themselves for those things, or because we have the notarized permission letter, we can sign the waivers ourselves?

 

I know that was confusing...I hope I made sense. It's pretty early here!:p

 

Thanks!

 

Here is the letter I have used for years, you do sign waivers etc as the parent/guardian.

 

To Whom it May Concern

 

 

 

I, Mothers name, formally mothers maiden name (mother), do give permission for your name to take my daughter, childs name, whose date of birth is childs birthdate, on a cruise aboard Royal Caribbean’s Ship Name sailing from Departure Port on Sail Date.

 

The cruise is scheduled to go to itinerary but I understand that the itinerary is subject to change and agree to any changes the cruise line may make.

 

I also give your name permission to secure and authorize any medical treatment that childs name may need while in their care and to sign any waivers needed to authorize any activities childs name may want to partake in.

 

Signed this day of 2011 in Brevard County Florida

 

 

 

_________________________

Mothers name

 

 

 

STATE OF FLORIDA

COUNTY OF ________

Sworn to and subscribed before me this _____ day of _____, 2011, by

Signature Florida Notary Public ________________________________

 

Notary Stamp

Personally Known ______ OR Produced Identification _______

Type of Identification Produced_______________________________________________

 

 

 

I normally take 2 of these, one from the mother and one from the father, they can be combined, but I found it was easier for the parents to get them notarized separately.

[Maybaybie10]

Thank you!!!

[BillOh]

I was wondering if anybody had any lessons learned to share so I can avoid any hold ups at check in or problems on the trip

 

Thanks!

 

I normally read and don't comment on these kinds of threads as I have never done, this , but hope to begin to take Grandchildren in the future, but one story I read on here and it was verified on here, a minor got a whole family thrown off at a port because of a teens dangerous behavior.

[Grandma Dazzles]

Along with a signed authorization for treatment of any medical concerns I would also suggest having a copy of their insurance information. If the insurance is not valid outside of the U.S. would make sure they had independent travel health insurance coverage. Also, a list of any medications taken (realize this is a child, and probably don't take any - but you never know). Also brief medical history of any major health issues, plus any medical type allergies e.g. Penicillin.

[jamesr3939]

Here is what my cruise contract states for our upcoming Oasis trip. Also, if it's not a closed loop cruise a passport is needed. Closed loop leaves/returns from the same US port.

 

"Adults who are not the parent or legal guardian of a minor traveling with them must present an original notarized letter signed by the child's

parent(s), authorizing the adult to take the child on the specific cruise, supervise the child and allow emergency medical treatment to be

administered."

[JuliaMS]

Does she have a passport? If yes, then that trumps any other kind of ID. You don't need to take BC and passport.

 

Yes, she has a passport. I just wasn't sure because the passport does not have parents names for them to match to the notarized letter.

Edited February 13, 2015 by JuliaMS

[Langley Cruisers]

"Adults who are not the parent or legal guardian of a minor traveling with them must present an original notarized letter signed by the child's parent(s), authorizing the adult to take the child on the specific cruise, supervise the child and allow emergency medical treatment to be administered."

 

Additionally, an original notarized letter is a letter that has had your signature witnessed and a seal/stamp applied by a licensed notary. I, personally, have never taken someone else's minor child on a cruise so I don't have any first-hand experience about what is required at the pier at check-in, but I did want to mention this.

[LittleMissMagic]

You don't need permission to go on excursions or ashore. The letter is simply for boarding purposes...and the "waivers"...that's all.

 

I must have not worded that clearly...

 

Anyone under 18 cannot go ashore without an adult. It doesn't matter if they are traveling with a parent/legal guardian or not. Minors must be supervised by an adult to leave the ship. We ran into this problem in the past.

[Duddy]

uksimonusa, awesome sample! We are taking our daughter's 16 year old friend with us for a 7 day cruise next year. We will definitely use this.

 

Thanks!

 

~Bob~

[uksimonusa]

Thank you!!!

 

uksimonusa, awesome sample! We are taking our daughter's 16 year old friend with us for a 7 day cruise next year. We will definitely use this.

 

Thanks!

 

~Bob~

 

You're both welcome!

[reallyitsmema]

Yes, she has a passport. I just wasn't sure because the passport does not have parents names for them to match to the notarized letter.

 

Here is what the cruise line's website states:

 

Family Legal Documents x

 

 

 

Should the last names of the parent and minor child traveling with them differ, the parent is required to present the child’s valid passport and visa (if required) and the child’s birth certificate (original, a notarized copy or a certified copy). The name of the parent(s) and the child must be linked through legal documentation. Adults who are not the parent or Legal Guardian of any minor child traveling with them are required to present the child’s valid passport and visa or the child’s birth certificate (original, a notarized copy or a certified copy) and an original notarized letter signed by at least one of the child’s parents. 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 must authorize the traveling adult to supervise the child and permit any medical treatment that must be administered to the child. If a non-parent adult is a Legal Guardian, the adult must present a certified certificate of Guardianship with respect to the child.

 

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/beforeyouboard/travelDocumentation.do?cS=NAVBAR&pnav=3&snav=5

[w&k]

Thanks so much for sharing your letter...

 

I have a friend sending her daughter on the Enchantment with grandparents this summer, and this is just what she needed.

 

Cruise Critic folks are the best!

 

Wendy

[JuliaMS]

Just wanted to let everyone know that I just called Royal Caribbean and they said we will need the notarized for the 19 year old coming with us also. Anyone under 21.

[Robinhill]

To be safe, it is suggested that the notarized letter be signed by both parents whose names are on the birth certificate. The letter should also spell out you have the authority to approve emergency medical care if it becomes needed.

 

Actually, the letter only has to be signed by one parent. I have done this on five previous cruises with my grandsons

[Robinhill]

Email from RCI about minors traveling with someone other than their parents

I just wanted to share the email I got from RCI about minors traveling with someone other than their parents. I was always under the impression that if a minor was traveling with just one parent then the other parent had to sign a notarized letter saying they give their permission. I also thought that if a minor was traveling with someone other than their parents, then both parents had to give permission. Apparently that isn't the case. I know it says so in their FAQs, but I wanted it directly from RCI to me so I could print it and take it with me. I thought the info might be useful to someone else as well. Their email to me is at the beginning and my original email to them is at the end.

 

Dear Melissa:

 

Thank you for your email. We apologize for the delay in our response.

 

Adults who are not the parent or legal guardian of any minor child traveling with them must bring an original, notarized letter signed by at least one of the child's parents, as well as a copy of the signed notarized letter. The notarized letter must authorize the traveling adult to take the child on the specific cruise and must authorize the traveling adult to supervise the child and permit any emergency medical treatment that must be administered to the child. The copy of the notarized letter will be submitted during check-in. The original notarized letter will need to be kept by the guests onboard and may be requested by shipboard personnel for verification purposes during the sailing.

 

The adult authorized by the parent in the notarized letter will be able to take the child on shore excursions and sign any activity or shore excursion waivers. The letter does not have to list specific activities the child can participate in, but may indicate that the parent does not want their child to participate in a specific activity or shore excursion. If a non-parent adult is a legal guardian, the adult must present a certified certificate of guardianship with respect to the child.

 

Additionally, traveling adults are required to present either the child's valid passport and necessary visas or the child's birth certificate (the original or a certified copy). For minors 16 and 17 years of age on a United States closed-loop sailing, a form of photo identification issued by a government agency, such as a public school identification card or a driver's license, will also be required along with the birth certificate. Kindly note, it is the guests’ responsibility to identify and to obtain the necessary travel documentation before commencing their cruise vacation. As documentation requirements are subject to change, please refer to the “Before You Board” section of our website (http://www.royalcaribbean.com) for the most current documentation information.

 

We would like to invite the children you are traveling with to enjoy Adventure Ocean, one of the most comprehensive youth activity programs at sea. Run by an exceptional, energetic and educated staff, the program is tailored to fit four separate age groups. Adventure Ocean is included in the price of your cruise vacation and all activities are free! Also, you can rest assured your little ones are in good hands. Every member of our Adventure Ocean staff holds a college degree in education, recreation, or a related field and has experience working with children ages 3-17.

 

The Freedom of the Seas represents an absolute marvel of maritime engineering. The minute you step aboard you will witness the innovations available to you. Catch a first-run movie in the 3D movie theater, give Shrek a high-five as part of the DreamWorks Experience, or have an intimate evening full of delicious wine and decadent appetizers at the Vintages wine bar. No matter how you choose to spend your time, your cruise vacation on the Freedom of the Seas will be an unforgettable experience.

 

We would like to take the opportunity to welcome you back on Royal Caribbean International as a Gold member of our Crown & Anchor Society. Your membership level gives you access to exclusive onboard savings through our Ultimate Value Booklet, an invitation to our Welcome Back Party, Crown & Anchor savings on cruises, and much more. Visit http://www.royalcaribbean.com/cas/benefitsLoggedout.do for a full list of your benefits.

 

Melissa, thank you for choosing Royal Caribbean International. We look forward to welcoming you aboard the Freedom of the Seas in April.

 

Sincerely,

 

 

 

 

Martha Langner

Customer Service Representative

To be safe, it is suggested that the notarized letter be signed by both parents whose names are on the birth certificate. The letter should also spell out you have the authority to approve emergency medical care if it becomes needed.

[griffy116]

The example from an above poster is exactly what we have used in the past when friends have traveled with us on RCI cruises. We found it, many years ago, here on CC. They have, at check-in, looked at the letter and we have never encountered a problem. We were aware that the minors would need to be accompanied by us when leaving the ship at ports. We saw numerous teens rushing back to get an adult to escort them from the ship because they scan their card, see the age and will not let them exist without an adult from their party. It doesn't mean you have to stay with them the entire time, but you MUST accompany them until they exit the ship. They can, however, return to the ship unaccompanied. Ours have gone on excursions without us, as long as the excursion doesn't have an age limit (anyone under age X must be accompanied by an adult, or no one under X age can take part in this excursion). Just remember that some ports, especially in Europe, will legally allow your 16 year old to order a drink(s). You need to know you can trust them or you need to accompany them. They also need to know they MUST be back at the ship ON TIME.