Need permission from absent parent on closed-loop cruise?

[Comicbookmommy]

Hi again. My eldest's father has been absent for 7 years, and despite searching for months, I cannot find where he is to obtain permission for the cruise, or to get a passport.

While I'm sure it's recommended, is it necessary to have the other parents permission on paper for a closed-loop cruise? Thank you!

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

The issue is - Only if a child has a different surname, or wants to get off without a parent there.

 

[Comicbookmommy]

Thank you for your reply. He has his absent bio. father's last name still. We were never married, but his name is on the BC.

Man... I researched the heck out of this situation and I can't believe I missed this. I knew you needed it for a passport or a one-way cruise out of the country, but thought closed loop was ok.

Already paid the deposit too. There's GOT to be a way around this. Cruise is Nov. 28th. I swear this whole experience has been cursed so far!

 

[TXTransplant]

I traveled with my son and did not bring a letter from his dad (although my son's passport is in my possession). The only foreign port where it could have possibly been an issue was Nassau, and we were not even asked about it (and my son's last name is different from mine). Odds are you will be fine.

However, my suggestion would be to start the process with the courts to document that the father has been gone for 7 years and after months of searching, cannot be found. The court can then provide court orders stating that you are the only parent that is present which will enable you to obtain a passport. There is a special form to fill out when applying for a passport and one parent is AWOL. Then, you can travel with the passport and the court order that states the other parent is not available.

Here is a link to the form http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/217450.pdf . It's called form DS-5525 Statement of Exigent/Special Family Circumstances. You will have to provide court documents in support of the form, which is why I suggested that you get this process moving in a family court.

There is no reason you can't cruise without a passport, so I wouldn't cancel the cruise. If you try to disembark and are questioned, then just stay on the ship. If you are stopping at Castaway Cay, I can't see that there would be any issue at all with disembarking.

 

[Comicbookmommy]

I traveled with my son and did not bring a letter from his dad (although my son's passport is in my possession). The only foreign port where it could have possibly been an issue was Nassau, and we were not even asked about it (and my son's last name is different from mine). Odds are you will be fine.

However, my suggestion would be to start the process with the courts to document that the father has been gone for 7 years and after months of searching, cannot be found. The court can then provide court orders stating that you are the only parent that is present which will enable you to obtain a passport. There is a special form to fill out when applying for a passport and one parent is AWOL. Then, you can travel with the passport and the court order that states the other parent is not available.

Here is a link to the form http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/217450.pdf . It's called form DS-5525 Statement of Exigent/Special Family Circumstances. You will have to provide court documents in support of the form, which is why I suggested that you get this process moving in a family court.

THANK YOU for your input. Is your son's last name different than yours too? We'd be stopping in Cozumel, Grand Caymans, and Castaway Cay.

I will definitely move forward with this. We're already speaking with an attorney to proceed with a stepparent adoption, but knew it wouldn't be resolved in time for the cruise, but now I suppose I should petition to ask for travel permission, or get a judge to declare the other parent unfit asap to go along with the form you suggested.

Aaaaargh

Thank you very much for your help!

 

[thumpie's mom]

Good luck and hope everything works our for you and your son!

 

[TXTransplant]

THANK YOU for your input. Is your son's last name different than yours too? We'd be stopping in Cozumel, Grand Caymans, and Castaway Cay.

I will definitely move forward with this. We're already speaking with an attorney to proceed with a stepparent adoption, but knew it wouldn't be resolved in time for the cruise, but now I suppose I should petition to ask for travel permission, or get a judge to declare the other parent unfit asap to go a;long with the form you suggested.

Aaaaargh

Thank you very much for your help!

Yep, my son's last name is different from mine. No one batted an eye at us when we disembarked in Nassau (although I did have his passport, just in case). Our other stops were Key West and Castaway Cay, so there were definitely no issues there.

The only potential issue I could see is if you book port excursions and then are denied entry because you don't have the letter. You would likely lose whatever you paid for the excursion. I really don't think they scrutinize when a child is with only one parent because you are not going to be able to STAY in the country - you have to get back on the ship before it leaves port. Compare that to if you were flying or driving in, then there could be the potential for a parental abduction (which is what all this documentation is trying to prevent). It just doesn't seem logical that a parent would use a cruise as a method for leaving the country with their child permanently...even more so since you DON'T have a passport at all for your son.

I definitely wouldn't cancel...if you are really worried, there is PLENTY of fun to be had on the ship, and not going into port will probably save you money in the long run

 

[Comicbookmommy]

Good luck and hope everything works our for you and your son!

Thank you. My husband just spoke to Disney Cruises and they said it's okay with just me, o consent needed from the other parent. But that goes again information I'm reading so we're calling back to speak with a manager to be certain.

Either way.... so aggravating!

 

[Flhokie]

Since this is a matter of international law, I'd check with the U.S. State Department.

I sailed alone with DD (4 and same last name) on Disney and was not asked for a letter. However, despite having her passport, I also had a notarized letter from my husband giving me permission to sail/take her outside the U.S. just in case. I carried this with us in St Maarten just in case we missed the ship, etc. This is what was recommended by the U.S. State Department.

Technically, permission could be asked for at the time of boarding (not as common on Disney as other lines from what I've read), in a foreign port or upon return to the U.S.

A few other travel boards have discussed this topic and experiences have been mixed. Those flying seem to be asked for proof of parental permission the most, but others have been asked when boarding ships (& even by US officials upon return).

 

[lanejudy]

Assuming you are U.S. residents and it is a closed loop cruise beginning and ending at the same U.S. port -- technically your son can travel with just his birth certificate (and photo ID if age 16+). There are a few Caribbean ports that require a Passport anyway, but I don't believe any of DCL's current itineraries include those ports. A passport is recommended but not required. It can help to have any documentation in the (unlikely) event you are questioned, but not required. I would suggest that you speak with an attorney about getting something formal that the father's whereabouts are unknown. You CAN get a Passport for your son without the father's signature, but you might need other documentation proving you've attempted to locate him. The State Department website has details about it.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[Comicbookmommy]

Thank you all for your advice and help. I contacted Disney Cruise Line again, this time speaking to a manager, and was told they do NOT need a letter of permission for this cruise. My travel agent also said "No, you don;t need that with a Disney closed-loop cruise". So I hope they're right.. I'll of course do what I can otherwise, but it' good to hear that others here haven't had issues traveling alone with their child.

Thanks once again for helping out this cruising newbie!

 

[Comicbookmommy]

Yep, my son's last name is different from mine. No one batted an eye at us when we disembarked in Nassau (although I did have his passport, just in case). Our other stops were Key West and Castaway Cay, so there were definitely no issues there.

The only potential issue I could see is if you book port excursions and then are denied entry because you don't have the letter. You would likely lose whatever you paid for the excursion. I really don't think they scrutinize when a child is with only one parent because you are not going to be able to STAY in the country - you have to get back on the ship before it leaves port. Compare that to if you were flying or driving in, then there could be the potential for a parental abduction (which is what all this documentation is trying to prevent). It just doesn't seem logical that a parent would use a cruise as a method for leaving the country with their child permanently...even more so since you DON'T have a passport at all for your son.

I definitely wouldn't cancel...if you are really worried, there is PLENTY of fun to be had on the ship, and not going into port will probably save you money in the long run

Ah, very good advice about the excursions!! Didn't consider that. Well, this time maybe we'll just do something fun on Castaway Cay and just walk around elsewhere. Thank you again for your help!

 

[bumbershoot]

You can get a passport. There are just more steps to take. Look at the minor passport info pages on State Department's website, and you'll see the "if this situation then this, if that situation then that" page.

If it's been 7 years, it's time to get this DONE. Stepparent adoption is a totally separate thing. Right NOW, regardless of this cruise, get this taken care of legally. He's not around, you can't find him, haven't heard from him in ages. Get yourself to the court and get sole custody zipped up legally. After that worry about the stepparent thing.

Different last names aren't an issue; sure sometimes they might ask questions, but plenty of other cultures don't have women taking their husbands' last names at all, so tend to be OK with it.

This is something I would be prepared for; some extra questions, etc, and I might bring any legal papers you have showing that you're the main parent, but it's not something I would *worry* about.

 

[kaseyC]

Thank you all for your advice and help. I contacted Disney Cruise Line again, this time speaking to a manager, and was told they do NOT need a letter of permission for this cruise. My travel agent also said "No, you don;t need that with a Disney closed-loop cruise". So I hope they're right.. I'll of course do what I can otherwise, but it' good to hear that others here haven't had issues traveling alone with their child.

Thanks once again for helping out this cruising newbie!

Disney told you that they (DCL) do not need the letter but the foreign ports you are visiting may request the letter. I travel alone with my girls often at least once a year, always carry a letter and have only been asked for the letter once. It was at passport control in the Munich airport when making a connection for a flight to Barcelona for a Disney transatlantic cruise. Fortunately, I had the letter or we could have been delayed and missed a very tight connection. So for me at least, I'd rather be safe than sorry. But let me repeat again in over 15 years of traveling alone with my girls, I've only been asked for the letter once.

 

[Comicbookmommy]

You can get a passport. There are just more steps to take. Look at the minor passport info pages on State Department's website, and you'll see the "if this situation then this, if that situation then that" page.

If it's been 7 years, it's time to get this DONE. Stepparent adoption is a totally separate thing. Right NOW, regardless of this cruise, get this taken care of legally. He's not around, you can't find him, haven't heard from him in ages. Get yourself to the court and get sole custody zipped up legally. After that worry about the stepparent thing.

Different last names aren't an issue; sure sometimes they might ask questions, but plenty of other cultures don't have women taking their husbands' last names at all, so tend to be OK with it.

This is something I would be prepared for; some extra questions, etc, and I might bring any legal papers you have showing that you're the main parent, but it's not something I would *worry* about.

Thank you for your post. I will be attempting to get his passport, but from what I've read all I can do is send in a "special circumstances" form and hope for the best. As of right now I have no legal papers of any kind, just his birth certificate showing I'm his mother. I could get testimonies from his close family backing up his absence, but I'm not sure they'd accept something like that.

We are definitely starting the process to at least free my son from any rights his bio. father may have to begin with. For a few very strong reasons I've had to stay clear of pursuing anything legally (of which I don't want to burden a Disney Board with), but am finally in the position where I feel safe to pursue things. Believe me, I've wanted it DONE for 5 years now. Cannot WAIT to have it over with! We want to travel the world with him, and my husband can't wait to legally be his dad!

 

[Comicbookmommy]

Disney told you that they (DCL) do not need the letter but the foreign ports you are visiting may request the letter. I travel alone with my girls often at least once a year, always carry a letter and have only been asked for the letter once. It was at passport control in the Munich airport when making a connection for a flight to Barcelona for a Disney transatlantic cruise. Fortunately, I had the letter or we could have been delayed and missed a very tight connection. So for me at least, I'd rather be safe than sorry. But let me repeat again in over 15 years of traveling alone with my girls, I've only been asked for the letter once.

Very good point. I'll definitely start researching the two ports aside from Castaway Cay we're stopping in. I actually have no interest in going to either place (and I have a feeling my kids would prefer to stay on ship) so maybe we'll just stay onboard for this trip.

Thanks for the advice!

 

["Got Disney"]

when I was in Mexico last July I could not take my friends son off the ship without a letter from her stating that I was not stealing him I agree ask for a manager and start there....we had to square all the details on the ship with customer service...

 

[Maggie'sMom]

when I was in Mexico last July I could not take my friends son off the ship without a letter from her stating that I was not stealing him I agree ask for a manager and start there....we had to square all the details on the ship with customer service...

DCL will not allow a minor off the ship without an adult from the stateroom they are staying in regardless of whether it is the minor's parent or not. That's a separate issue from what the OP was asking about. A child can be staying in a grandparent's stateroom and the parents in a different stateroom and the grandparents would be able to take the child off the ship but the parents could not unless an additional form was signed.

As previously mentioned, DCL does not require permission from the absent parent to go on the cruise but some ports may. I took my DD and my niece on a cruise in June. I had the form required by DCL for taking a child who is not your own for my niece and was never even asked for it. I wouldn't dare try going without that form. In addition, I had notarized letters from both my ex and my brother giving me permission to travel out of the country with my DD and niece. I took these with me any time we got off the ship. They are not required but they are recommended by US Customs and Border Control in case there are any questions as to whether I had permission to travel with the kids.

I don't believe the Bahamas and Caribbean ports DCL visits require those letters. The OP will most likely be fine. But I do agree with the PPs who recommend the OP start the proceedings to get it declared that she has full legal custody.

 

[Ashley Nickerson]

Hi again. My eldest's father has been absent for 7 years, and despite searching for months, I cannot find where he is to obtain permission for the cruise, or to get a passport.

While I'm sure it's recommended, is it necessary to have the other parents permission on paper for a closed-loop cruise? Thank you!

Hi I’m new to this thread and I’ve been following it. I’m in the exact same situation as you. My sons father has been absent for 11 years. I currently have an active probate case but it won’t give me enough time to obtain a passport in time for our cruise May 4. I can file a passport without his “fathers consent” but it looks that those are only for emergency situations. I’m wondering if you were questioned on your cruise or did it go smoothly for you with just the BC.

 

[clten]

Welcome to the Disboards.

Just a tip - This is an old thread and it appears Comicbookmommy hasn't been on the boards since 2016 so you are unlikely to get a response. (If you click on the user name, it gives you some information; which can be helpful when looking at old threads.) While it is great to search old threads to see if your question is answered, sometimes if you still have questions, it is best to start a new thread. That way your question won't get lost and you can get current information that answers your question. Many people will jump in and not realize it's an older thread and respond to other posts and miss your question entirely.