Important Note concerning traveling with non-immediate family minors

We’ve taken our three nephews on several cruises and ran into an experience on our August cruise involving Customs & Border Patrol that we’ve never experienced or honestly, even heard of. I think it’s very important for anyone who travels with minors who are not part of their immediate family (or who may have a different last name) to be aware of this.

Two of my nephews are no longer minors, but the 3rd is 15 years old. As usual, we had notarized documentation indicating that my 15 yo nephew was allowed to travel with us out of the country. Upon check-in at the Port Everglades terminal, we handed over 2 copies of the signed, notarized documentation and we were on our way. I don’t know that they needed 2 copies, but since we had 2 copies, they took both of them. BIG MISTAKE….

On the morning of disembarkation in Port Everglades, we were notified that we were being pulled into a “special area” of Customs & Border Patrol. Apparently, people are randomly selected to go through this additional screening and there is no “rhyme or reason” for this selection. Anyhow, our family group of 12 (including my mother, 7 kids, my husband, sister, and brother-in-law) was escorted by Royal Caribbean staff to a special line.

When we arrived in the special CBP section, we were split into our immediate family groups: my immediate family, my sister & her family, my mom, and then my 3 nephews. All of us had passports, but we were missing one VERY IMPORTANT document – a copy of the notarized letter indicating that my nephew was able to travel with us out of the country. As noted earlier, while we originally had 2 copies, we had given both to Royal Caribbean upon check-in. According to CBP, we needed this document to bring my nephew back into the country. Despite the fact that my other nephews (with the same last name) were with us, despite the fact that we had surrendered this form to RC upon embarkation, CBP was unyielding.

My 15yo nephew was in tears and RC port agents came to see if they could assist, but were unable to. We asked the RC port agent if they could provide CBP with a copy of the notarized letter since we had submitted both of our copies to them, but they told us that they don’t keep them! (Actually, several phone calls were made by the port agent to confirm this…she seemed to be a bit astonished to learn this). CBP told us that we should have kept one of the copies of the notarized documents and I have to be honest, this NEVER dawned on me. We thought we needed that document to embark, never considered that we’d need it when we got back to Ft Lauderdale.

Ultimately, CBP was able to get in touch with my nephew’s dad and they asked him a number of questions and then had my nephew confirm the answers that were given. They were originally very hesitant to do this, but I think that the fact that my other 2 nephews (with the same last name) were there, helped. I don’t really know. The entire process took about 90 mins, it was a very serious situation, and it really was a rough ending to our vacation. Lots of tears and worry.

While the odds of being selected for this extra screening process are pretty low, reality is that it does happen. I wanted to post this information so that others are aware and can take the appropriate steps to avoid this situation.

In summary...to anyone traveling with minors that are not part of their immediate family, MAKE SURE that you have an extra copy of the document with you and be prepared to show that document upon disembarkation.

I have never heard of RCL actually keeping the authorization letter at check-in. When did they start keeping them? I have heard of people being turned away at check-in but never this situation before. Your poor nephew must have been a wreck.

I always worry about this. I have a passport my 15 year son has a passport and all the information should be contained in there BUT...now my last name is different because I remarried (I've been told I'm supposed to bring "something" showing my old last name). My first husband is deceased and I'm the sole parent. It's so exhausting have to bring all sorts of documentation to attempt to PROVE he's my son and I can take him where I want to. It's so sad where this world has gone.:(

I don't know when they started keeping them, or if this is even a consistent practice. To be honest, it was a little chaotic because 12 of us were checking in and I was so focused and pumped up to get onto the ship, that I didn't even question it or think twice about it.

So, I don't know if this is standard, but when I spoke w/ the port agent during this whole ordeal, she certainly didn't seem surprised that they kept the letter, but she was actually surprised that they didn't still have it.

I always worry about this. I have a passport my 15 year son has a passport and all the information should be contained in there BUT...now my last name is different because I remarried (I've been told I'm supposed to bring "something" showing my old last name). My first husband is deceased and I'm the sole parent. It's so exhausting have to bring all sorts of documentation to attempt to PROVE he's my son and I can take him where I want to. It's so sad where this world has gone.:(

Don't you just need to bring a death certificate, your son's birth certificate and your most recent marriage license? That should connect everything to your passport.

I wish they would refuse me entry, just :force" me to go back on the ship until RCCL straightens it out. Kind if like that Tom Hanks movie.

This is such an important message.

There are so many know-it-alls on Cruise Critic who insist that this document is not needed, and they never ask for it.

Your experience is proof that sometimes it is needed and asked for.

(We were also asked for documentation from my husband, who was not traveling with us, allowing me to take our young children on a cruise from NY to the Bahamas).

What a horrific situation! I'm glad it ended well. Thank you for warning everybody.

We are taking my daughter's friend who will be 21 however she was adopted when she was a minor. As an adult would she still need adoption papers with her besides the passport. I believe her birth cert which allowed her to get her passport has her adopted name on it which then her passport would have it too.

We are taking my daughter's friend who will be 21 however she was adopted when she was a minor. As an adult would she still need adoption papers with her besides the passport. I believe her birth cert which allowed her to get her passport has her adopted name on it which then her passport would have it too.

All of those other documents were probably required to obtain the passport. Her passport proves her identification and her citizenship. That is the only document she will need.

I always worry about this. I have a passport my 15 year son has a passport and all the information should be contained in there BUT...now my last name is different because I remarried (I've been told I'm supposed to bring "something" showing my old last name). My first husband is deceased and I'm the sole parent. It's so exhausting have to bring all sorts of documentation to attempt to PROVE he's my son and I can take him where I want to. It's so sad where this world has gone.:(

I have close to the same situation. My children have a different last name due to my remarriage after a divorce. My ex did have to sign a form when we got their passports. When we cruise I bring the childrens birth certificates as well as their passports. The BC connect them to me and that is the only additional documentation that we have ever needed. It is not a big deal they usually make a copy of their BC at check-in and we board the ship.

So sorry to hear of your troubles! Thank you for taking the time to write this out and explain the situation.

Upon check-in at the Port Everglades terminal, we handed over 2 copies of the signed, notarized documentation and we were on our way. I don’t know that they needed 2 copies, but since we had 2 copies, they took both of them. BIG MISTAKE….

I think this was where it went wrong. The agent at check-in certainly should not have taken both copies. One was sufficient, obviously. Perhaps you should write a letter to Head Office and explain this; sounds like their agents need re-training on this so others can avoid this hassle and frustration. It certainly couldn't hurt. :)

Last spring we brought our son and his 16-year old friend with us on Radiance. We had two original notarized documents signed by his parents, and RCCL kept one of them. I don't recall if they asked for both of them, but I remember saying that I wanted to keep the other one with me, and they didn't have a problem with it.

I had something similar happen too. I took my counsin with me, who was 7 at the time. I had the required notarized letters, but when I checked in, it was no big deal. HOWEVER, when we came back, you would have thought that a was some kind of criminal! Luckily I had the notarized letters with me and it ended up not being a problem, but had I not had the letter with me, it would have been a nightmare so I know what you are talking about. I couldn't understand why it was so easy to take her onboard but to not be able to bring her home! Since then she's cruised with me twice and I haven't had any problems, but you just never know, do you?

I will be cruising with my family, I booked 3 cabins. My daughter and her husband will be in one. I will be in one with my 2 yr old grandson, (their son) and my daughter and her boyfriend will be in the third. Will I need anything for my 2 yr old grandson? His parents will be with me when we check in, but we are in different cabins with different reservation numbers.

I will be cruising with my family, I booked 3 cabins. My daughter and her husband will be in one. I will be in one with my 2 yr old grandson, (their son) and my daughter and her boyfriend will be in the third. Will I need anything for my 2 yr old grandson? His parents will be with me when we check in, but we are in different cabins with different reservation numbers.

No, he's travelling with his parents even if he's rooming with you. ( which is very sweet of you to do for your kids- give them a little rest and romance!):D

Have never had RCI keep our notorized permission letters, they have always taken a copy and returned the originals

Good to know- thanks for posting. We frequently cruise with our grandson and always bring just one notarized letter. Will be sure to bring a second one just in case!

I don't know when they started keeping them, or if this is even a consistent practice. .

With no real idea, I suspect this was one gate agent acting on their own, or a new one who misunderstood their training. I've even run into (very rarely) RC personnel who will swear up and down something has always been policy, when I know to the contrary. Still there is some absurdity to think that they would give you grief bringing a kid back into his home country after he was already allowed to be taken out. I can rationalize it, but still seems absurd. At the very least, someone will read this and be prepared for when they might be in a similar situation.

It sounds like a nightmare ending to your cruise.

But I have a dumb question. If they won't let you disembark, what in the world do they do with you? :confused: I'm with the majority here - I can understand checking thoroughly when you embark, but giving you grief when you come back doesn't make a lot of sense to me.

wow, what a story. Thanks for posting.

Is he a US citizen or a foreign national? If US, honestly, I do not understand what CBP was trying to accomplish. Did he have a passport? If so that proves his identity and citizenship. If not, did he have his birth certificate and some kind of photo ID (school ID maybe?). Either way, that is all he would have if he were with his parents. Did they doubt his identity? Were they concerned about allowing you or his young adult brothers escorting him (doesn't sound like child trafficking to me, and he is old enough to speak were he a victim of any crime or abuse). If you had still had the notarized letter, it would have shown that you had permission to take the named teen out of the country. The letter would not have proven the boy's identity if that was CBP's concern (as if we were going to transport one boy out, swap him in a foreign port, bring a different boy home!). The letter might have shown you had permission to fly or drive the teen home (well, he is going home, and airlines would allow him to fly alone at 15). I am glad in the end they allow a citizen to return to his country.

The CBP agent was ridiculously out of line. I hope you reported this incident. If you haven't, please do.

A parental letter is recommended, not required. If there is no letter, CBP is allowed to detail the child for the purpose of determining whether or not the child is being removed illegally. There is no other justification for the detention. The kids was 15, could clready speak for himself, was traveling with extended family and most important, was trying to exit a closed loop cruise... a cruise for which a parental letter was presented to get on the cruise. There is no possible worry that the child is being moved illegally.

Seriously, please report the incident. You are owed an appology. The agent is owed - at a minimum - training. Future passengers are owed goverment agents that act within their proper scope of authority.

We have traveled with our grandchildren several times. We have always had the notorized letters but no one has ever asked to even see them. I guess we have been really lucky.

We have traveled with our grandchildren several times. We have always had the notorized letters but no one has ever asked to even see them. I guess we have been really lucky.

Same here. In fact last cruise with RCCL, I tried giving her the notorized letter at check in and she told me it wasn't needed, this was traveling with my 3 year old granddaugther.

I've had her on 4 cruises now and have never been asked for it, but you can be sure I'm always going to travel with one because the time I don't is the time they'll ask for it.

I guess I'm the odd one out on this situation. I think all the cruiselines should be obligated to obtain the notarized document and to keep it readily available. The number of children that disappear is alarming. We have traveled for several years with non-family members who are minors. We were on FOS in July and took my Grandson's friend (17 year old). I had multiple notarized documents and we had a desk agent who should have been in an assisted living community, not working this desk. He was upset that we wouldn't agree to be in separate lines, since the 17 year old was not in our cabin. He ranted on and on about it delaying us and everyone in line if he had to link all these different credit cards (total of three). He never once mentioned the notarized document I had folded in my hand. I sent a letter to RCCL stating this was irresponsible and could result in some serious consequences if someone meant harm to a minor or was violating a court document on guardianship. I feel they have to be more careful. I received a call from RCCL asking for the name of the agent and explaining that these jobs (at Port Canaveral) are held by employees of an outside vendor and are not RCCL employees...which, to me is irrelevant if an incident occurs. Better safe than sorry.