Bringing a kid that's not ours?

[pjpoppins]

I know that sounds funny. And this time we used a travel agent to get a deal so hopefully she will know but I always put the Dis above all...
My DD made a best friend on our first cruise 3 years ago. She lives in CO, we live in CT. We met her and her family as a surprise this last March at Seaworld but otherwise its tough to try and get them together (they had this instant bond right away that I believe could be lifelong even if it's long distance). We just booked a cruise for 6/2018 and told her family "Hey if you guys want to come..." Her mother said half jokingly "can I send my daughter?"
Long story short we may be bringing our DD's (who is an only child) on this cruise with us. What, if any, documentation would we need? Also, we would both fly into MCO separately, I assume one of her parents would fly with her. I guess we would wait for them at MCO but for some reason if her mother wanted to go to port with her could she use ME (I know not called that for DCL) and then take it back to MCO?
Thanks!

 

[Westcoastwild]

You don't mention destination of cruise? I think for
border patrol you'd need notarized letter, signed by both guardians, giving permission specifically for this trip. And then some kind of authorization to give permission of medical treatment. I could see it looking a little odd to border patrol but I'm assuming the kid is the confident, responsible sort, and you have all the paperwork in order, I don't see why not.

 

[pjpoppins]

5 night Bahamanian. 2 stops and CC and we don't plan on getting off at Nassau. (I know CC is still Bahamanian). I know she has a passport already as we all do too. And yes both her and my DD are very responsible and mature (but not a duck-faced selfie, twerking on Facetime mature that some people think is cute) girls. Friend will be 12 and DD will be days away from 12.

 

[LSUfan4444]

What, if any, documentation would we need?

There are forms DCL provides during online check in that will allow smooth transitions boarding and at each port. That, along with her passport and a notarized letter signed by her parents and guardians will be enough.

Something simple like

"I acknowledge my daughter (enter passport #, DOB, place of birth, passport expiration date, etc) will be traveling on a Disney Cruise (have dates of cruise and dates of ports of call if known) with Port Destinations at ______ and ______. She has our permission to enter disembark the ship and enter all ports with ________ and/or ________."

for some reason if her mother wanted to go to port with her could she use ME (I know not called that for DCL) and then take it back to MCO?

Her best bet would be to rent a car from MCO and drive her daughter to the port. It would be cheaper and faster but to answer, no. You need a reservation number to add a DCL transfer.

 

[Mikeb1892]

Good luck to you taking two 12yo girls on a 5 night trip!

 

[princessmommyx3]

We took my niece on a cruise with us. We had the DCL form, which is not required to be notarized (at least it wasn't then), as well as a separate notarized form just in case. No on ever asked to see it. This was a 3 night on the Dream. I was surprised no one asked for it.

 

[samily]

We have taken my DD's best friend with us many times. DCL had a permission form online that needed to be signed by her parents. We also created our own form which gave permission for her to travel with us including flights, the ports of call etc. It also gave permission for us to make any medical decisions. Her parents signed that and got it notarized.

However, in all of our cruises with her (not just DCL) we were never asked for any documentation which always seemed rather odd to me. Even though they never asked for it, we were still prepared for it just in case.

 

[truck1]

This is the form that you need to have just in case. https://wdpromedia.disney.go.com/media/wdpro-assets/dcl/forms/MinorAuthorization.pdf

You would also need a notarized form authorizing you to care for the child in emergency situations. Have someone draw the paper up so there is no question because of the way something is worded or missed. Also, as a suggestion a copy of the parents insurance cards just in case. Most of the time DCL wont ask for it, but if something does happen, it clears a lot of red tape quick. This would be in addition to the usual passport or birth certificate with a raised seal.

As far as the flying goes, theres a couple of ways airlines handle it, assuming that 1 parent cant fly in. In 1 case its called an unaccompanied minor, in which the child basically flies as a regular passenger but the flight crew is aware that the minor is by herself. That one is age specific. The 2nd unaccompanied minor, and it varies from airline to airline, you can have a flight attendant look after the child while onboard, and they will escort the child from the family, onto the plane, watch them on the plane then take them to the meeting family at the destination. Some airlines charge, others don't.

This is Deltas unaccompanied minor program.

http://www.delta.com/content/www/en_US/traveling-with-us/special-travel-needs/children.html

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I know that sounds funny. And this time we used a travel agent to get a deal so hopefully she will know but I always put the Dis above all...
My DD made a best friend on our first cruise 3 years ago. She lives in CO, we live in CT. We met her and her family as a surprise this last March at Seaworld but otherwise its tough to try and get them together (they had this instant bond right away that I believe could be lifelong even if it's long distance). We just booked a cruise for 6/2018 and told her family "Hey if you guys want to come..." Her mother said half jokingly "can I send my daughter?"
Long story short we may be bringing our DD's (who is an only child) on this cruise with us. What, if any, documentation would we need? Also, we would both fly into MCO separately, I assume one of her parents would fly with her. I guess we would wait for them at MCO but for some reason if her mother wanted to go to port with her could she use ME (I know not called that for DCL) and then take it back to MCO?
Thanks!

I don't know if she would be able to book the DCL transfers, if she wasn't taking the cruise, but I'll point out it's $35.00 each way for the DCL transfers.