Taking a teen that is not yours

[SL6827]

How much trouble is it to take a kid who is not yours on DCL?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

How much trouble is it to take a kid who is not yours on DCL?

Not addressing the actual issues that may come up "parenting" a child that isn't yours on a cruise ship, I'll just point out you'll need a permission letter (plus a medical release for you to make medical decisions for the child) permitting you to take the child out of the country.

I'm not sure what DCL's stance is on this, but some cruise lines will not let a minor board a cruise without a parent/legal guardian unless the child has a passport.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

How much trouble is it to take a kid who is not yours on DCL?

Depends on how much trouble the kid is. j/k.

The legal/logistical answer is that it isn't difficult at all. There is a form that DCL has for the parents to fill out. In addition, I'd recommend getting a signed and notarized letter from the parents stating that you have permission to take this child out of the country and that you have permission to seek emergency medical care for the child. I took my niece on a cruise with us. I insisted her parents get her a passport. They'd cruised before just using birth certificates, but I'd gotten a passport for my DD and I didn't feel comfortable taking my niece using just the birth certificate, just in case something happened and we had to return to the US by plane due to an emergency.

But addressing my first, mostly joking, comment, make sure you know the kid really, really well. I thought I knew my niece really well, and she showed a side of herself on that cruise that I was not happy about. Not anything horrible, but I was very disappointed in some of her choices and had to put my foot down far more often than I'd anticipated.

 

[SL6827]

Ya I am just referring to getting her on the ship. I think she does have a passport. I just wouldn't want to get down there and get turned away.

 

[Rob1872]

How much trouble is it to take a kid who is not yours on DCL?

Depends on how closely their parents are watching them. If they are not paying attention you can grab one and 'take' them without too much trouble. However, having 2 of my own, I wouldn't want a 3rd...….

 

[SL6827]

Depends on how closely their parents are watching them. If they are not paying attention you can grab one and 'take' them without too much trouble. However, having 2 of my own, I wouldn't want a 3rd...….

Ya, well my teen needs a "play mate" so I am hoping her parents will foot the bill, because we can not. If they don't my teen will have to make do with family.

 

[FigmentSpark]

Ya, well my teen needs a "play mate" so I am hoping her parents will foot the bill, because we can not. If they don't my teen will have to make do with family.

My son always makes friends in the Vibe. Even my introverted son made a couple of friends on both our cruises.

 

[MomOTwins]

Ya, well my teen needs a "play mate" so I am hoping her parents will foot the bill, because we can not. If they don't my teen will have to make do with family.

That's what the teen club is for! I absolutely would not worry about your teen having a good time if she doesn't have a friend from home: there are tons of social activities on the ship.

I also would be worried that an offer to invite a friend would be seen as an implicit offer to pay. I can't think there are too many parents who want to pay for a vacation for their kid that they don't get to go on themselves, but maybe if they have money to burn they don't mind paying for their own family vacays plus a separate vacay for their kiddo.

 

[SL6827]

That's what the teen club is for! I absolutely would not worry about your teen having a good time if she doesn't have a friend from home: there are tons of social activities on the ship.

I also would be worried that an offer to invite a friend would be seen as an implicit offer to pay. I can't think there are too many parents who want to pay for a vacation for their kid that they don't get to go on themselves, but maybe if they have money to burn they don't mind paying for their own family vacays plus a separate vacay for their kiddo.

This, they have the money to burn, believe me! And they had rather us take her than them. I could write ten pages on this, but I will just stop at that. This girl is her only friend that have parents that can pay for her to go.

 

[MomOTwins]

This, they have the money to burn, believe me! And they had rather us take her than them. I could write ten pages on this, but I will just stop at that. This girl is her only friend that have parents that can pay for her to go.

Well if they are up for it go ahead! Aside from the forms others mentioned and a valid passport, you shouldn’t need anything else.

 

[Travel60]

Agree with above. Two more thoughts: (1)The "ask" to the parents should include the words "Her cost for the cruise will be $$$ and you should send her with a couple hundred dollars for anything she might want to buy." (2) There should be a sit down face-to-face with both sets of parents and girls to set expectations - dress, activities, curfew, etc.

 

[SL6827]

Agree with above. Two more thoughts: (1)The "ask" to the parents should include the words "Her cost for the cruise will be $$$ and you should send her with a couple hundred dollars for anything she might want to buy." (2) There should be a sit down face-to-face with both sets of parents and girls to set expectations - dress, activities, curfew, etc.

Oh, ya, I would be on that like white on rice. No doubt, lol.

 

[heggy]

Lots of serious and humorous answers\suggestions to your question.
Here is the link to the document you need.
https://wdpromedia.disney.go.com/media/wdpro-assets/dcl/forms/MinorAuthorization_2017_en.pdfMight i suggest that the teen that is not yours bring insurance card also. Just to be safe.
Best of Luck and let us know how it goes.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Might i suggest that the teen that is not yours bring insurance card also. Just to be safe.

While it won't hurt to bring it, chances are it won't be usable onboard, or in foreign countries.

 

[gotomu212]

While it won't hurt to bring it, chances are it won't be usable onboard, or in foreign countries.

Our experience on Disney is that we had to pay out of pocket through shipboard account for the medical service on board and submit an insurance claim for reimbursement once back home. They do not deal with medical insurance on board (And the cost of our situation was high but nowhere near out of pocket costs in the US).

 

[lklgoodman]

Our experience on Disney is that we had to pay out of pocket through shipboard account for the medical service on board and submit an insurance claim for reimbursement once back home. They do not deal with medical insurance on board (And the cost of our situation was high but nowhere near out of pocket costs in the US).

This is what we also had to do.(Fantasy cruise 2019)

 

[SL6827]

Got the go ahead today for her to be able to go. Its really bittersweet because I am so glad she can go and that her parents are able to throw the cash out there (like its pocket change) but somewhat sad that I get such a strong feeling that they are just glad they aren't the ones having to take her.

 

[SL6827]

The teen is so over the top excited to a point I was a bit surprised. I kinda felt bad for her, but thought about how this experience will be a great one for her and even though we are not paying for her, we are making this happen for her too. She has never been out of the country, seen the clear waters and this makes it even more exciting for me. And to think of it, she never has really gone on any vacations except with us, even though her parents have money coming out the yang. She will be one to want to hug and take pics with every character out there, as where my teen is not into that really because she is almost grown, you know? But I feel I will get a lot more pics with her now because her friend will be so into it. Here is two pics of my youngest on our cruises. It's been a while.

 

[Rob1872]

Its really bittersweet because I am so glad she can go and that her parents are able to throw the cash out there (like its pocket change) but somewhat sad that I get such a strong feeling that they are just glad they aren't the ones having to take her.

And to think of it, she never has really gone on any vacations except with us, even though her parents have money coming out the yang.

@SL6827 , you might want to think about the things that you are posting, especially now that you are posting pictures of your kids that can associate you with your screen name to people who know you. I understand that you are saying these things from the perspective of talking to us; however, it might become awkward if this girl's family were to read what you are posting. Social media is forever!

 

[SL6827]

@SL6827 , you might want to think about the things that you are posting, especially now that you are posting pictures of your kids that can associate you with your screen name to people who know you. I understand that you are saying these things from the perspective of talking to us; however, it might become awkward if this girl's family were to read what you are posting. Social media is forever!

Ya, ok. You are right. Good point.