trabucocruiser Posted September 3, 2006 #1 Share Posted September 3, 2006 I know this has been on the boards before but my wife and I have not taken our kids to the Caribbean (Only west coast cruises) so I never paid attention to the thread before. Now we are taking our 16 year old daughter and a friend on a Western crusie in the spring and need some advice.What documents, releases, etc. do you recommend we go with? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cgc33a Posted September 3, 2006 #2 Share Posted September 3, 2006 first, they need their ID. Passport is best, but until Late Dec 06, an OFFICIAL Birth Certificate (usualy the type with the raised seal, though this can vary by issuing state) Second: A notarized letter signed by both parents allowing you (named) to take their child on this trip. It should also include a power of attorney (permission) to make medical decisions in case of illness or accident. Some people have found forms to fill out for this, but I have not seen them in a while (& I searched recently b/c we will be doing the same next month). I wouldn't be too specific on stating which cruise etc in case of an itinerary change beyond your control. Someone else with more experience might be able to address that aspect of the letter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rotty2 Posted September 3, 2006 #3 Share Posted September 3, 2006 Family Legal Documents: Adults who are not the parent or Legal Guardian of any minor child traveling with them are required to present the child's valid passport and visa (if required) or the child's birth certificate (original, a notarized copy or a certified copy) and an original notarized letter signed by at least one of the child's parents. The notarized letter from the child's parent must authorize the traveling adult to take the child on the specific cruise and must authorize the traveling adult to supervise the child and permit any medical treatment that must be administered to the child. If a non-parent adult is a Legal Guardian, the adult must present a certified certificate of Guardianship with respect to the child. Our daughter has brought a friend the last two years . This year they actually checked to see if we had a notarized letter from her parents, the first year they didn't. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jkloni Posted September 3, 2006 #4 Share Posted September 3, 2006 My travel agent gave me the form to complete and get notarized when we took our daughter's friend with us. And no one asked for it, but I think it was important to have in case of a problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trabucocruiser Posted September 3, 2006 Author #5 Share Posted September 3, 2006 Thanks for the information. I have found that you can alway count on your fellow cruisers to help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy ks Posted September 3, 2006 #6 Share Posted September 3, 2006 As mentioned in the first response, make sure everyone has passports. It's probably best to get them started before the end of the year, if they have not obtained them yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MercedMike Posted September 3, 2006 #7 Share Posted September 3, 2006 WOW -- it is a BIG responsibility taking someone else's kid on a cruise. As others have said, you need to be sure you have the proper documents. But you must also give consideration to the awesome task of keeping up with one teen, much less two! There have been a few horror stories posted of parents who thought they knew their kid's friends, and found out that they did NOT! One of our regulars on the AOL boards took a friend with them, and learned too late that the friend's parents had failed to tell her he was on anti-psychotic meds. On board the kid promptly stopped taking them, and the ship had to be stopped in the middle of the night while the Captain talked the kid out of jumping overboard. They were all put off the ship at the next stop, and the capper is that the kid's parents refused to pay for the airfare home! I am sure you think you know this child and her parents well. But give serious SERIOUS thought to the responsibility you are taking on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elizanessie Posted September 3, 2006 #8 Share Posted September 3, 2006 This site might help you with what is needed :D http://www.lawdepot.com/contracts/consent/ Liz WYWH Cruiser Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pmshirl Posted September 3, 2006 #9 Share Posted September 3, 2006 I was asked to see the notarized form on the AOS in August when boarding with my granddaughters 14 yr old friend. I was NOT asked to show the form on my July Princess Cruise! When we disembarked in San Juan in August, while going threw Customs I was asked to show all Id's and the notarized letter to the Custom's Officer. The Customs Officer read threw the notarized letter word for word, and also questioned the child along with me! I didn't feel offended because I felt this was very good since anyone could leave a ship with someone elses child and most likely get away with it. Be prepared, take all required documentation to avoid problems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trabucocruiser Posted September 3, 2006 Author #10 Share Posted September 3, 2006 Thanks Elizanesse for the form site, will use them. Merced Mike, we have traveled with our kids friends (2 boys, 1 girl) in the past and they with their friends families. I understand the responsiblity incurred and know this 16 year to be a bright kid whose family is in no financial shape ot give her any kind of travel experience.Frankly, one of the reasons we invitied her was that she and our dauther make a great pair of kids and completment each others strenghts.But I understand what you are saying. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emdia43 Posted September 3, 2006 #11 Share Posted September 3, 2006 The Law Depot charges for their forms. Go to Cruise Diva and scroll down to search- enter 'Permission Letter' and you will see the form I use. This form is free. You can also get the same form at AAA if you are a member. I have been asked a couple of times if I have the form with me and once I had to show the form when checking in. It covers the permission to travel and medical consent. Don't forget to bring the teen's Health Insurance card or a copy of it also. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SNAFL Posted September 4, 2006 #12 Share Posted September 4, 2006 Wow - that one posting about the child who quit taking his meds was something no one should have to go through. That's terrible! But, don't let that scare you out of taking your daughter's friend. We have taken others people's kids with us on cruises before and have had no problems. It is always a good idea to have a letter acknowledging the parent(s) permission to take the child with you as well as to obtain medical care for them should that become necessary. Whenever we have someone else's kids visit us at our home in Florida, I always get a letter giving us authorization to obtain medical care. And, as stated abvoe, sometimes you will be asked for it and sometimes you won't. HAVE A WONDERFUL CRUISE. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leslie K Posted September 4, 2006 #13 Share Posted September 4, 2006 I took my daughter's friends with the forms mentioned and we had no problem. Before the trip, I spoke with the parents about my expectations of the teens (curfews, need to be with me whenever we were on shore, behavior, etc.) so that there would be no surprises - if they couldn't go along with it, then she wouldn't be joining us. She didn't agree with one decision I made, but she did go along with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billylen Posted September 4, 2006 #14 Share Posted September 4, 2006 I took my daughter's friends with the forms mentioned and we had no problem. Before the trip, I spoke with the parents about my expectations of the teens (curfews, need to be with me whenever we were on shore, behavior, etc.) so that there would be no surprises - if they couldn't go along with it, then she wouldn't be joining us. She didn't agree with one decision I made, but she did go along with it. Yes, do secure copies of permission forms (notorized if possible), insurance cards, passports, medications, behavioral issues prior to the trip, but after taking my son's friends on several trips I learned that the meeting before hand is probably the most important component. I would always get them together (our recent trip included two of his buddies) and we woult discuss expectations and limits and fun and also expectations...mine and theirs... Did it all go according to plan, no! They are kids afterall, but when it came to the important stuff...we were in agreement...or at least they bit their tongues and complied... There was one who travled with us who is ADHD...that is another story... (but he is still a good kid) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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