Questions-Taking Grandchildren on cruise

[zoey9220]

Hi:

I am thinking about taking my three grandchildren on a short cruise soon.

Can anybody tell me what kind of requirments there are to do this?

Is there any problem with a parent not being present?

What kind of identification do they need? None have passports and there is no time to get one. Will a certified copy of birth certificate suffice? Do

they need some type of picture ID?

Thanks for your help.

Zoey

[rebeccalouise]

As far as I know- passports are required for travel outside the US, which all cruises are outside the US except for NCL's Hawaiian ship.

Check with a TA or cruise line.

All cruise lines are now requiring a certified letter from both parents. The cruise line will have a form that they can mail to you.

[2Cruise4Ever]

You can still cruise to the Caribbean and Bermuda without a passport until January of 2008. BUT, if there is an emergency and you have to fly back you'll be in hot water because they are required for flying in/out of the U.S.

 

And, you'll need a notarized letter from both parents giving you permission to take the children out of the country. Like rebeccalouise posted, you can get the form from the cruiseline.

[purplefrogs]

The state department has actually changed the rules again on children and passports. Children do not need them and can still travel with a birth certificate only. The way I see it though is that I know that and the US State Dept knows that but the border agents might not, so I got my daughter a passport.

 

Like other posters said you will need a signed, notarized letter from mom and dad allowing the children to travel with you. Also get a letter from them stating that you are allowed to make any medical decisions should the need arise.

[merela]

You can get a passport in 2 weeks (otherwise it's 8-10 weeks), but they charge $60 extra per passport application (on top of the standard passport fee). It'll get very expensive with 3 kids. Plus the passport application process is very strict now. Both parents need to be present at the submission of the application (unless the absentee parent provides a notarized letter stating permission was giving to apply for a passport).

 

http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html

 

I would suggest that you wait until your grandkids have passports before you take them on a cruise. Unless you go to Alaska via Seattle, and maybe then you won't need a passport. I would consult individual cruiselines for their passport requirement.