Adding My Niece to Our Currently Booked Cruise

[moremouse]

I was wondering how much of a hassle it would be to bring my niece along. She would be traveling without her Mother. Just my husband and me. Is there paperwork or certified documents I’d need? She would be 7 at sailing. TIA

 

[_auroraborealis_]

You'd need a bunch of documents, yeah. There would also have to be availability to add her (as just because your room can sleep 3 doesn't mean they'd let you add her. involves kid's clubs capacity and lifeboat.)

 

[lanejudy]

As far as documents -- the only extra document DCL requires is the "Authorization for Minor to Travel without a Parent or Guardian" form. Of course, she would need either a Passport or birth certificate like any other passenger.

Recommended documents would include a copy of her medical insurance card and authorization from her parents for you to act in an emergency for medical decisions.

As mentioned, there will need to be 1) space in your stateroom, 2) space in your muster station, and 3) space available in the Club/Lab. And she will be added at today's fare.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[pearljammer]

Hi there, so if your room is suited to add 1 more there will no need to change rooms, just add a person so you merely need to call and inquire/add. If not, you'll need to change rooms and I believe have to pay the costs as though you are a new booking (today's fare). As mentioned above, normal documents for any traveler as well as the Authorization. LadyJane pretty much summed it up.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Hi there, so if your room is suited to add 1 more there will no need to change rooms, just add a person so you merely need to call and inquire/add. If not, you'll need to change rooms and I believe have to pay the costs as though you are a new booking (today's fare). As mentioned above, normal documents for any traveler as well as the Authorization. LadyJane pretty much summed it up.

As noted, if you want to add another person to any reservation DCL will look at 3 critieria:

1) is there space in your room? (can't put 4 people in a 3 person room)
2) is there space in the lifeboat that room is assigned to? (it's possible for all the space in that lifeboat to be filled, even if there's space in your room)
3) is there space in the appropriate kid's club (if applicable. DCL has maximum numbers for each age level, even if you promise to not use the clubs).

Also, as noted, anyone added later pays the prevailing price for that person, not the price it would have been had they been on the reservation to start with.

I'd also suggest making sure that a passport is not required. I know there are cruise lines that require a minor not traveling with a parent or guardian must have a passport, regardless if the cruise requires one or not.

 

[lanejudy]

If not, you'll need to change rooms and I believe have to pay the costs as though you are a new booking (today's fare).

If needing to change staterooms (either too few berths or muster station full), it would be treated as any other category/stateroom change -- fare for those on the original reservation will be the same as if the new category were booked initially (pricing same as original booking date). Any passenger(s) added -- whether to the original stateroom or a new stateroom -- will be charged current fare.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[HRHMKH]

Um, you’d forever be remembered by her as the best aunt ever! Totally worth any hassle!

 

[chrisnb]

Just added my daughters best friend to our cruise that is 2.5 weeks out , took 5 minutes they gave me cost, had to pay immediately with credit card , printed out minor authorization form, updated online check in.
chris

 

[moremouse]

Ok, let me ask this. What happens if she can't go at some point? We know we'd lose her fare, but how would that affect the rest of our reservation?

We don't sail until Sept of 2019 on a back to back.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Ok, let me ask this. What happens if she can't go at some point? We know we'd lose her fare, but how would that affect the rest of our reservation?

We don't sail until Sept of 2019 on a back to back.

It shouldn't affect the reservation at all. Were you thinking that DCL would move you to a room that holds fewer people? DCL doesn't do that. I know that there are other cruiselines that would, but they don't have the same flexibility as DCL in how many people can be berthed in a room. They have fewer 3 & 4 person rooms, so if a party of 4 cancels one of them, they could be moved to a 3 person room, if necessary.

 

[lanejudy]

Ok, let me ask this. What happens if she can't go at some point? We know we'd lose her fare, but how would that affect the rest of our reservation?

We don't sail until Sept of 2019 on a back to back.

That passenger's fare is dropped from the reservation but nothing else is impacted. If the cancellation occurs before the PIF date, no problem - just cancel the one person. If you are past the PIF date and into the penalty phase, how much of a penalty for dropping a passenger will depend how close it is to the sail date. It's almost always easier/better to include all possible passengers from the beginning, and then drop someone. It can be hard or impossible to add an extra person later, plus the fare increase.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[scgustafson]

Per US Customs and Border Protection, you will need a notarized letter signed by both of her parents authorizing you take her out of the country: https://www.cbp.gov/travel/us-citizens/know-before-you-go/your-trip

Also, make sure you have notarized medical power of attorney just in case of a medical emergency.

 

[moremouse]

Will my deposit increase when I add her?

 

[lanejudy]

Will my deposit increase when I add her?

Yes, unless you have already paid more than just the deposit for those passengers already booked.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[moremouse]

You guys have been very helpful. I’ll let you know how it works out. Planning a far off cruise for a six year old is iffy. We’re going to go ahead and get her in now then. Get a little lower price then waiting until to the last minute. I think we’ll be safe until around PIF. ‍‍

 

[3monkeys4me]

You guys have been very helpful. I’ll let you know how it works out. Planning a far off cruise for a six year old is iffy. We’re going to go ahead and get her in now then. Get a little lower price then waiting until to the last minute. I think we’ll be safe until around PIF. ‍‍

This is a good plan. It is easier to drop her later than to try to add her last minute.

Enjoy!