We are taking our daughter and her friend on a cruise for their graduation. Her friend is 18. Will we need a letter from her parents for her to board? Don't want to get there and need it and not have one.

I just pulled up the parental consent form here where I work. It is a generic form accepted by all the cruise lines (so individual requirements for age mey vary between lines). It says for anyone under the age of 21.

The letter or form must not only be signed by a parent but must be signed by both birth parents listed on the birth cert. Even if one parent has sole custody. In the event of divorce both must sign allowing you to take the child out of the country. It must also be notorized. The only exception is in the event of the death of one of the parents and in that case a death cert must accompany the letter/form.

They have not been enforcing this rule as much lately as they did at one time. However if another high profile case hits the news about a parent (or anyone else) fleaing to another country with a child during a custody battle they'll be checking for it again for all children boarding.

Be on the safe side and get the letter or form.

Cheers, Neil

Also you need to get some kind of medical consent (heavin forbid) there is an accident and this young lady needs medical care.

These are fairly simple consent forms but can be most valuable if needed.

Have a wonderful cruise!

LHP is correct. The last thing you want is that kind of trouble or heartache. Especially when she's your responsibility for the week. Don't forget the parent's medical consent, in writing.
A'ndrea

Wow, I never even thought of that. We just went on the Miracle out of New York. We are from Canada. We took our 19 y/o niece (just turned 19), obviously over the border, and on the boat. No one asked for anything, border guards, cruise line etc.

Thanks for all the input. I will definetely get the consents before we go.