This is kind of confusing, although I think I understand

[Disney1fan2002]

I was completing my online check-in. I got the kids info, and it was checked off that they were minors traveling with parent/guardian. When I clicked "continue", I got this message:

Is this minor traveling with a parent/legal guardian? Yes

You must fill out the Minors Authorization Form, have it notarized, and bring it with you to the port terminal. Select the "Go to My Online Check-In" button below to go to the page where you can easily download the form.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I was surprised, because in the 4 previous cruises we have taken, I never had to bring a notarized form to check-in. So, I go to the forms, and find that the notarized form is only for adults traveling with children who are NOT their wards.

If the question is answered yes, why do they have that notice?? Very confusing.

 

[Dr.Girlfriend]

I think this falls under the category for those of us who have split households.

Though, I do have a question about this.

In the past, my DD has gone on cruises with us and we have gotten the paper signed and notorized by my ex husband. Whenever we would check in, no one would ask to see the form, just her birth certificate (her last name is no longer the same as mine since I remarried).

However this time, I won't see him before our trip and I'm not sure if they'll ask for the document or not. Does anyone know if I absolutely MUST have the document since she is biologically/legally my daughter?

 

[Lissame]

I'd say it must be a glitch. I clicked yes and didn't get that message.

ETA: or it popped up for the reason above and I just didn't notice it because it didn't apply to me...

 

[amylia403]

We have uesd the form before. It's meant for families where the parents are seperated/divorced and only one parent is taking the kids. The other parent just has to sign stating that they are aware that one parent is taking the kids on this cruise and that they are not doing it without permission. We had to have my husbands ex-wife sign one when we took my step kids on a cruise several years ago

Hope that helps!

 

[jetskigrl]

I was completing my online check-in. I got the kids info, and it was checked off that they were minors traveling with parent/guardian. When I clicked "continue", I got this message:

Is this minor traveling with a parent/legal guardian? Yes

You must fill out the Minors Authorization Form, have it notarized, and bring it with you to the port terminal. Select the "Go to My Online Check-In" button below to go to the page where you can easily download the form.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I was surprised, because in the 4 previous cruises we have taken, I never had to bring a notarized form to check-in. So, I go to the forms, and find that the notarized form is only for adults traveling with children who are NOT their wards.

If the question is answered yes, why do they have that notice?? Very confusing.

I received the same thing and I just ignored it. I figured it was a glitch too. That message should only pop up if you say "No."

 

[dopeyfanatic]

I think this falls under the category for those of us who have split households.

Though, I do have a question about this.

In the past, my DD has gone on cruises with us and we have gotten the paper signed and notorized by my ex husband. Whenever we would check in, no one would ask to see the form, just her birth certificate (her last name is no longer the same as mine since I remarried).

However this time, I won't see him before our trip and I'm not sure if they'll ask for the document or not. Does anyone know if I absolutely MUST have the document since she is biologically/legally my daughter?

Technically, YES you must have it. Will they ask for it? Maybe not. But if they do, and I have heard reports will they have, and you don't have it...you won't be let on (also read reports of that). Do you both have to sign it? If only he needs to maybe you can mail it?

 

[OlivesMom]

We have uesd the form before. It's meant for families where the parents are seperated/divorced and only one parent is taking the kids. The other parent just has to sign stating that they are aware that one parent is taking the kids on this cruise and that they are not doing it without permission. We had to have my husbands ex-wife sign one when we took my step kids on a cruise several years ago

Hope that helps!

What if I have sole custody? We were not married when my daughter was born, and have never been to court to establish parenting time, so I have sole custody of my daughter (he doesn't pay child support and has no documented rights to her). We rarely see him and I'm sure he'd be an jerk and not sign. Best to ask a lawyer I suppose?

 

[hgon76]

I specifically asked DCL if my ex needed to sign that form because my DS has a different last name than me & was told "no. That's only if you're taking a child other than your own on the cruise". I do have a passport for him though. Which I wouldn't have been able to obtain without his permission so I suppose that's proof of something if they did ask.

 

[clten]

What if I have sole custody? We were not married when my daughter was born, and have never been to court to establish parenting time, so I have sole custody of my daughter (he doesn't pay child support and has no documented rights to her). We rarely see him and I'm sure he'd be an jerk and not sign. Best to ask a lawyer I suppose?

Is his name on her birth certificate? If so, you may have a problem because while you have sole custody, you do not have legal sole custody.

As a pp stated, you are supposed to have a notorized statement from the non-traveling parent. Do they always ask for it? No. But if they do and you don't have it, you'll have a problem. It's kind of an insurance policy that you will be able to get on the ship. The destination also plays a part in whether they ask for it. Ships going to Mexico are going to be more stringent than those going to the Bahamas because Mexican customs is a bit tighter on single parents. Just know if you don't have the letter, you may be taking a chance.

 

[OlivesMom]

Is his name on her birth certificate? If so, you may have a problem because while you have sole custody, you do not have legal sole custody.

As a pp stated, you are supposed to have a notorized statement from the non-traveling parent. Do they always ask for it? No. But if they do and you don't have it, you'll have a problem. It's kind of an insurance policy that you will be able to get on the ship. The destination also plays a part in whether they ask for it. Ships going to Mexico are going to be more stringent than those going to the Bahamas because Mexican customs is a bit tighter on single parents. Just know if you don't have the letter, you may be taking a chance.

Thank you! Sorry for being confused, my lawyer told me that he had no legal rights to her. Well dang, I think I'll pay for another consultation or have to skip all the ports or pick a different vacation. I know he won't get a letter notarized, he can't be bothered to call her on her birthday! Thanks again for your reply!

 

[travelwith2]

We called about this very same issue and were told by the Disney CM that the form only pertains to those traveling with minors that they are not a parent or legal guardian to. He said that the different name would not matter either. So, who knows?

 

[dopeyfanatic]

I have read numerous threads here and other places regarding numerous lines and even airlines that have denied boarding when a single parent brought the kid without a notarized letter giving permission. It doesn't even matter if you're divorced or single. A lady posted that an airline wouldn't let her board her RETURN flight without the letter and finally called her husband to confirm she had permission. The concern is someone, even a parent, kidnapping the child. It's not just for a child that isn't your own. Not worth the risk to be denied boarding, especially since they wouldn't have to refund you. Now don't get me wrong, this is the minority. Most people never ask for it. But they CAN and it's your responsibility to have it.

 

[OlivesMom]

I have read numerous threads here and other places regarding numerous lines and even airlines that have denied boarding when a single parent brought the kid without a notarized letter giving permission. It doesn't even matter if you're divorced or single. A lady posted that an airline wouldn't let her board her RETURN flight without the letter and finally called her husband to confirm she had permission. The concern is someone, even a parent, kidnapping the child. It's not just for a child that isn't your own. Not worth the risk to be denied boarding, especially since they wouldn't have to refund you. Now don't get me wrong, this is the minority. Most people never ask for it. But they CAN and it's your responsibility to have it.

I took my daughter's best friend (7 years old) on a flight last summer. I called the airline before the flight to see what we needed to have notarized, they said nothing. They didn't ask to talk with the Mom, didn't ask for a letter, didn't want anything at all. We still brought a letter but at checkin and boarding, they didn't care that she wasn't my daughter. I was (still am) more flipped out that they didn't care who was taking children on airplanes.

Unless my daughter's father will sign something before I book/pay (and it can be used 1+ years later), we won't book our cruise now. Crappy ending to the day

 

[Super*Mum]

Mexico is much stricter with single parents. (Spain was actually a huge pain for me, personally, but I played dumb and pretended not to understand Spanish and got lucky, otherwise we may have been stuck... the guy eventually got so frustrated with me, he mumbled something "not nice," gave up and let us through).

My close friends, who are not married but are together and have a child had the following happen to them a couple years back (I got a phone call from the airport):

The mom and son were going on vacation (out of the country) and the dad dropped them off at the airport and drove away (he was heading to another destination). When they went to check in they would not let the mother and son board. They would not accept a phone call to dad as an option (could not prove it was him over the phone) and the father could not turn around in time so they could make their flight. The mother and son never went on their vacation and were furious to say the least. It was definitely (and admitted) ignorance on their part and they share this story with every parent they know, single or married, who may be taking the child out of the country without the other parent. I think we are often bombarded with "small print" (I mean who reads those ridiculous 10 page "Terms and Conditions" that pop up on your computer frequently?) and it has become, for worse, a part of our culture to blindly skip over these things.

I would say, if it is possible, better safe than sorry and have the notarized letter signed, even if married. If it is not possible, and I know for many it is not, try to create a back up plan. Do you have a birth certificate with only one parent listed? If so, bring that (must be original, stamped, non-hospital). Other option... bring a letter from a lawyer or a legal court paper that states the custody agreement. Anything to save your trip! Perhaps others will have another idea.

There are plenty of sites that have sample letters for these situations. First I would check with the specific airline/cruise line/etc. to see if they have a specific information they would like in the letter. Many I have seen want the dates the child will be gone and the date they will return, who the child is traveling with and their relation to them, each destination (including layover/stops) the child will be at, etc. Also a medical release is handy to have notarized, if possible.

 

[mhl1414]

As a single parent, I have never been asked for anything on a cruise that has started and ended in the US. We are going again next month and I am not at all concerned that I will have any problems. I have called my travel agent and DCL to make sure that we are ok without any kind of letter. However, I am unable to take my son to Mexico anymore (on a flight to get their, not a cruise visiting) without a passport. We use to be able to. Unfortunatly, that is just a big pain to try to get from the ex. My son wants to do a European cruise so bad, so eventually I will have to try and obtain passports. For now the closed curcuit cruises that start and end in the US have worked just fine for us. Never have had any kind of issue.

 

[hgon76]

We called about this very same issue and were told by the Disney CM that the form only pertains to those traveling with minors that they are not a parent or legal guardian to. He said that the different name would not matter either. So, who knows?

Thisis exactly what I was told by DCL. And my friend, as well as my aunt in the same situation were all told the same. And none of us were ever questioned otherwise. I wouldn't worry.