Cruise Documentation for Child

[nejjie]

Cruising on the Dream - 3 Day Bahamas.

I need to take birth certificate for my daughter, do I need a letter notarized from her father? He is listed on her birth certificate but we do not have any legal documents. We just aren't together and have kept things out of the courts, that's all.

TIA!

 

[kcashner]

While it is always a good idea to have documentation from a non-custodial parent, it is not required for the Bahamas cruise. The birth certificate and the fact that she is with one parent is sufficient for DCL.

 

[nejjie]

While it is always a good idea to have documentation from a non-custodial parent, it is not required for the Bahamas cruise. The birth certificate and the fact that she is with one parent is sufficient for DCL.

Thank you!!!!!! One weight lifted off my shoulders.. now I have to figure out how to pack lightly

 

[DISHoppy]

Beg to differ, but the DCL site states that a passport is required for children:

U.S. Citizens

All Guests claiming U.S. citizenship, including children, who board a cruise ship within the United States, travel only within the Western Hemisphere, and return to the same U.S. port on the same ship may present one of the following documents as proof of U.S. citizenship for each member of their party.

A valid, unexpired U.S. Passport
A valid, unexpired U.S. Passport Card
State Issued Enhanced Driver's License - this is a special type of license that provides proof of identity and US citizenship; not all states offer Enhanced Driver's Licenses please visitCenters for Disease Control and Prevention website.

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/planning-center/planning-library/travel-documentation-bahamian-caribbean/

We just dropped $200+ on passports for DDs 8 and 5 for the same cruise in December that will expire in 4 years.

Additionally, if both parents are not present, a notarized signature of the parent not present must be submitted. I just went through the process a month ago. I recommend calling DCL, but this is what we were told when we booked and I lifted the quote directly from the DCL page for Bahama/Caribbean cruises.

-Kevin

 

[mom2aidanNpiper]

While it is a good idea to have a passport, one is not required for closed loop cruises in/out of the US.

And while I would recommend a notarized letter from the other parent if possible (I have gotten questioned at airports), DCL has never asked for any documentation.

I always carry my paperwork with me (custody papers, and a notarized letter from child suppor services saying we cannot locate their father) just in case. But DCL doesn't ask for it (even if people think they should) as long as the child is traveling with one parent.

 

[msucooper]

Correct...I am taking my niece on the Dream in Feb and I was told by DCL all I needed was a notarized letter from one of her parents (a copy of this letter can be found on their website) and her birth certificate. Even though having your passport is better it is definitely not needed to go to the Bahamas and back.

While it is a good idea to have a passport, one is not required for closed loop cruises in/out of the US.

And while I would recommend a notarized letter from the other parent if possible (I have gotten questioned at airports), DCL has never asked for any documentation.

I always carry my paperwork with me (custody papers, and a notarized letter from child suppor services saying we cannot locate their father) just in case. But DCL doesn't ask for it (even if people think they should) as long as the child is traveling with one parent.

 

[ajsfamdisneyfan]

This is my take and just my own personal opinion....

This cruise is probably something you're gonna be planning for a while and will spend a good deal of money on. Even if Disney doesn't ever ask for documents pertaining to an approval from the other non-travelling parent for you to take the child, I would still gather all these documentation JUST IN CASE....

Sure, most cm's probably won't ask for it but WHAT IF...WHAT IF...you get a cm at check in who actually DOES ask for it!!! (it's a big if but still a possibility!). I would HHHHHHAAATTTTEEE to be DENIED BOARDING just because I do not have the proper documentation with me (that would just kill me!). Other cruise lines have denied boarding to guests because of this situation before....

 

[Henlady]

Hmmmm, the Minors Authorization for Travel form on Disney's website does not require that it be notorized. My DD is taking DGS with us on a 4 night Bahama cruise on the Dream. She has his birth certificate and the form from Disney's website signed by his father. Why would she now need it notarized if it is not "required"?

 

[gailg3horses]

I've taken my nephews twice on DCL. Once to Bahamas, once to E. Caribbean. Never have I been asked for the form from the website, even though I had it. They traveled with birth certificates, no problems. As long as it is a closed loop cruise, leaves from and arrives back to the same US port, you are not required to have a passport, minor or adult. While passport is preferred, it is not required. Adults need original birth certificate and drivers license. Minors need original birth certificate.

Don't stress about the form. Take it with you but don't stress. They don't seem to even ask for it. It required notarization the first time we cruised but did not this year when we cruised.

 

[Henlady]

When we cruised in May 2010, DD did have to have a statement signed by DGS father and notarized (it was never requested). The current form does not require notarization, just parents signatures.

This situation has been discussed several times and there are multiple opinions as to what is needed. Some are only comfortable with taking multiple documents proving custody, and that's OK. Some people have to deal with fathers/mothers who could be hostile and try to keep children from going on such trips just to be mean and they need definate proof.
DD takes whatever DCL site and/or TSA site states is required for a closed loop cruise. You could stress and take tons of documentation, but if all that is required is a birth certificate and a signed form, that is all that is needed.

 

[kcashner]

The minor authorization form is for when you are traveling with a child who is not YOUR child--as in when I took a group of teens on a graduation cruise and some were not legal adults.

I sailed on DCL with my daughter as a single parent at least 15 times before she became a legal adult. At no time were we ever asked for any documentation or authorization from anyone other than either the birth certificate or passport. I waited to get her a passport until she was old enough to not have the "father issues" on that application. We also had no issues on other cruise lines (prior to DCL!)

While DCL and many others recommend a passport, it is not required, nor is any documentation from an absent parent (regardless of reason for the absence) provided the child is with one legal parent.

 

[mom2brooke76]

I am also in a situation like you (single mom, dad listed on BC but we never went to court so no legal documents). I've taken my dd on 3 DCL cruises and I've only ever presented her BC with no issues.