Anything besides Authorization form for traveling with grandparents?

[sydneymorganmom]

My two daughters will be with grandparents and my sister-in-law. I have read online that I only need to fill out the minor authorization form for them but I just wanted to be sure that's it. Did anyone have any problems not having a parent there?

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

You need to get that, and ensure you have permission to take them off if the ship. also check ports do not have any policy issues, IE like Canada.

https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/guest-services/passport-travel-documentation/

https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/faq/kids-teens/minor-authorization-form/

https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/...ions/parental-debarkation-authorization-form/

 

[jne7043]

The Disney minor authorization form may already cover medical, but I can't tell. When we leave our kids with grandparents to go out of town we also sign a medical authorization form for them. It just gives the grandparents authority to get medical care for the kids in our absence. It may already be covered with this form, but it's easy to find one specifically for medical online to sign just in case.

 

[Richard Howren]

We are taking our two granddaughters with us on the Wonder to Alaska on July 25th. We have filled out Disney's minor authorization form and had it signed by both birth parents. The welcome aboard booklet states that the form needs to be notarized, however there is no place on the form for notarization. And that is according to the notary public. A call to Disney states that it isn't necessary. Since we are crossing international borders (Canada) I contacted my travel agent and they gave me an affidavit form (one for each child) that is a legal document with the notary public section at the bottom for them to fill out and apply the seal. It also has a medical section giving you authorization to make medical decisions on the parents behalf. The notary public charged us $10 per form. So, now I am covered both ways. One to satisfy Disney and two to satisfy the border patrol so that they won't think that we are attempting to kidnap the kids. Also, as an added measure of security, I am also including photo copies of both birth parents drivers licenses and each child has their own passport books. That in itself got quite expensive.

 

[sydneymorganmom]

We are taking our two granddaughters with us on the Wonder to Alaska on July 25th. We have filled out Disney's minor authorization form and had it signed by both birth parents. The welcome aboard booklet states that the form needs to be notarized, however there is no place on the form for notarization. And that is according to the notary public. A call to Disney states that it isn't necessary. Since we are crossing international borders (Canada) I contacted my travel agent and they gave me an affidavit form (one for each child) that is a legal document with the notary public section at the bottom for them to fill out and apply the seal. It also has a medical section giving you authorization to make medical decisions on the parents behalf. The notary public charged us $10 per form. So, now I am covered both ways. One to satisfy Disney and two to satisfy the border patrol so that they won't think that we are attempting to kidnap the kids. Also, as an added measure of security, I am also including photo copies of both birth parents drivers licenses and each child has their own passport books. That in itself got quite expensive.

THat's strange. Perhaps it's because they are doing a Caribbean sailing, but their booklet has the minor authorization form but it only has room for one parent to sign and it says nothing about notarization.

 

[sydneymorganmom]

The Disney minor authorization form may already cover medical, but I can't tell. When we leave our kids with grandparents to go out of town we also sign a medical authorization form for them. It just gives the grandparents authority to get medical care for the kids in our absence. It may already be covered with this form, but it's easy to find one specifically for medical online to sign just in case.

Great idea! Thanks!

 

[Richard Howren]

Yes, you are somewhat correct. The minor authorization form has but one space to print the name of the parent however, as an added measure I included both birth parents in the "print name" section. Legally that is the case. In our welcome aboard booklet under the"Embarkation Information" section on page 7, in the second paragraph it specifically states, and I quote, "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 medical treatment to be administered." So, in light of that statement I made sure that both parents were included and I had my daughter confer with a notary public to ensure that all of the i's were dotted and the t's were crossed. My daughter and I are separated by 2200 miles and it is difficult for me to complete everything. It was done through emails and phone calls. With a little over three weeks to go, all should be done and ready when we get to Seattle. So, if Disney's form was inadequate, I made sure that I had one that meet their stated requirements.

 

[sydneymorganmom]

Yes, you are somewhat correct. The minor authorization form has but one space to print the name of the parent however, as an added measure I included both birth parents in the "print name" section. Legally that is the case. In our welcome aboard booklet under the"Embarkation Information" section on page 7, in the second paragraph it specifically states, and I quote, "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 medical treatment to be administered." So, in light of that statement I made sure that both parents were included and I had my daughter confer with a notary public to ensure that all of the i's were dotted and the t's were crossed. My daughter and I are separated by 2200 miles and it is difficult for me to complete everything. It was done through emails and phone calls. With a little over three weeks to go, all should be done and ready when we get to Seattle. So, if Disney's form was inadequate, I made sure that I had one that meet their stated requirements.

Wow! I just called and she said notary was unnecessary! I'll be doing it just in case! Thanks

 

[Richard Howren]

That's what said. The booklet says one thing, but a phone call to Disney they say another. Since we are crossing international borders, I just wanted to be safe. Too much money invested in this cruise to have a technicality mess it up. Better safe than sorry, I say.

 

[sydneymorganmom]

Ugh. My mother-in-law told me not to bother but now I am worried! I just posted another thread to see if those who have already gone can give me some direction though now I feel like I need to do it so I can sleep tonight!

 

[FigmentSpark]

I always think it's better to have too much paperwork than to be missing something that turns out to be important.

 

[sydneymorganmom]

I agree. Better safe than sorry.

 

[MinnieMouse64]

We have been cruising on DCL with my grandson the past three years, and going again in November. And all we needed was minor authorization form. We have NEVER had it notarized. We called DCL for our first cruise and they told us all we needed was the form. If I was you, I would call and ask them. They are the experts and know exactly what you need.

 

[GrannyDee]

We travel with our granddaughter (we're in Canada) on vacation out-of-country and always get the notarized form, copies of all health care coverage, etc. I'm in the better-safe-than-sorry camp. A couple of times we've had the documents scrutinized pretty closely.

 

[bumbershoot]

They are the experts and know exactly what you need.

The people at the borders are the experts. The people on the phones at DCL call centers are absolutely NOT the experts.


Banks almost always have notary publics on staff, and if it's your bank it's almost always free in the US to use them. Be sure to check your bank before paying a NP.

 

[polynor]

We were just on the wonder with extended family. We filled out the minor authorization form but only one parent had to sign it (the one listed in the room with them). There are different forms for Alaska and the carribbean. I only had the link to the carribbean and I had to refill everything for Alaska. You turn it in at guest services.

From your post, it's not clear to me that you're going on the trip with them. If not, that might be more complicated, and suggest you have them turn it first while they can still easily call you should something be wrong.

We authorized my parents and they were able to bring them back on board with no issues.

 

[dhardawa]

When my son was still a foster child, I had the embarkation people give me the side eye and I had all his paperwork including a court order stating I could take him. They eventually let us be n the boat, but I was scared for awhile.

 

[CrockettTraveler]

We have taken our granddaughters on five cruises and always had a notarized authorization signed by both parents. We found that the cruise line gave it a quick glance while the US customs/immigration agent asked to see it and examined it very closely. On a few trips they even asked the girls questions about our family relationships. Pay the $10 per signature fee and get it notarized.