picture ID for teens?????

[crissyp]

another question from a first time cruiser since u guys have been so helpful with other questions, here goes:
traveling with 9 teens who I know have to have their original birth certificate to originally board the ship, and I was told they DO NOT need picture on the day we board.. but when we go to CC and Nassau, what will they need to have with them to board back on, do they have to carry their original birth certificates with them??
Thanks

 

[hsteacher]

in the past, my teens (not driving age yet) only needed their Key to the World card (you get this at check in) -- once my teens could drive, they carried that along with them though I don't remember if they were checked for it other then at check in. Being totally worried about this on my first cruise, I had my kids get state ID's anyways -- even for checking in at the airport. No you will not have to carry the birth certificates around with you.

I am assuming that all 9 teens aren't yours -- haha. You may already know this but you will need a letter from any parents of children that aren't yours (under 18) that it is OK for you to take them out of the country and it has to be notarized!!! IF any of the teens are from divorced parents, you will need a letter notarized from both parents. My first cruise, my husband couldn't go with due to his job, and I needed a notarized, signed letter that stated it was ok for me to take the kids out of the country.

 

[kcashner]

Disney considers you an adult at 18 for "cruise" purposes. People under 18 require a certified birth certificate ONLY to cruise. THat's it. When they get on and off the ship, they need only their KTTW card... People over 18 need a certified birth certificate AND a photo ID. When they get on and off the ship, they need their KTTW and a photo ID.

I do not take my birth certificate off the ship. The only time you will need to birth certificate after you board will be IF you are requested by customs to show it. Depending on various security levels, we have sometimes never needed it again, sometimes had to show it at a document check before St. Thomas and again before disembarkation.

Normally, US citizens don't have these "repeat" checks, but with the security alerts, things seem to change on a regular basis.

If your teens have driver's licenses, it's always a good idea to carry them, but it is not REQUIRED until age 18.

hsteacher gave you good info regarding teens who are not your children. I've never done this personally, but did research it at one point. And, YES, the official permission form needs to be notarized. It seems that you can use a letter, but DCL sends you a form with your documents.

 

[crissyp]

WOW!! thanks for all the great info....No one before has told me that I will need notarized letters for teens traveling with me.
They are my niece and nephew, but I will make sure that I get those letters, like I said before....WOW! and thanks

 

[NAT&MAGSMOM]

Crissy..

I don't know how old your "teens" are.....and like everyone has said...they don't need an ID if they are under 18. But, our 11yo
going on 18 yo....decided that she had to have an ID.

So, I took her tiny school picture...plus all the pertinent info....a DCL logo...ran it through the laminator...and instant ID..... She was thrilled to death. And it makes her feel grown up and she
knows she is responsible for keeping up with it and her KTTW and arcarde cards.

As we were up "shoveling" out her room last night....she had it, along with her KTTW card, in the lanyard, hanging on the lamp shade!! It was too cute.....

Just a thought if you want to do something a little extra for the kids....

Phyllis