My family is taking a cruise and I want to take a friend. How do we do this without an attorney?

Question

Here is the deal! My friend's parents agree she can come but our travel agent said that we might have to get an attorney. If thats the case then she can't come cause we don't want to pay for that! Is there anyways we can do this without an attorney? PLease I am crying cause the cruise will not be fun without her?

Answer 1

You don't need an attorney.  All you need is a notarized letter signed by both of your friend's parents authorizing your friend to travel with you.  

I also recommend that you chance travel agents, as your current agent does not seem very knowledgeable.

Click on the link below for some additional information from someone who is a little more knowledgeable on the subject ...

An attorney could prepare a formal affidavit, but a simple letter-style document is adequate as long as it is signed before a notary duly authorized to administer oaths. To be acceptable, it should include specific details about the trip, the custodial adult(s), and the child(ren). While no one wants to think about medical emergencies while on vacation, it is also wise to include consent for the adult to authorize emergency treatment for the child in case the need should arise.

http://www.cruisediva.com/parental_permi...

And here is a link to a sample letter ...

http://cruisediva.com/permission_ltr.htm

Answer 2

This is true you need a note from the parents giving your parents permission and signed in front of an notary. The only thing that I have to offer in addition is that when the letter is drawn up make sure her parents also include any medicine she is taking and ALSO any medicine that she is allergic to. This is mandatory as we found out the hard way and had all the papers signed and notarized and my son's Friend got an ear infection and needed to be seen by a Dr. and the Dr. wouldn't write a prescription because the boy ( Age  12) wasn't sure what he could and couldn't take. We needed to get to a telephone and call the parents so they could talk to the doctor( that took about 4 hours ) because the mother was teaching and couldn't be disturbed.

Make sure as the Doctor told us that they now enforce this. The Dr's. aren't to give any prescriptions until they know of any allergies.

Answer 3

You do not need an attorney. Your parents need a letter of permission from the other girl's parent...signed by both parents  and notarized.  They should have 3 copies of this...all notarized, and keepthem in 3 different places.  She should also bring her certified birth certificate.  Ask you rparents to read the website below.  This info is for crossing the Canadan border, but is is the same for going anywhere outside the United States.

Answer 4

If you want you friend to go  with you, there is a form that her parents can sign and that will give your parents the right to take her.  Look on the web site of the cruise you are going on and you should be albe to find the paper work you need.  Call the  cruise line yourself.  I am a cruise agent and I am also taking  friend with my son and we have already got the paper work done.

Answer 5

You  do  not  give  enough  information !

So  you're  a  cry  baby ; how  old  are  you  and  your  friend ; I  get  the  impression  that  you  are  both  very  young .

I  note  that  your  friends  parents  say  their  daughter  can  go  with  you .

I  am  not  a  U.S.  citizen , but  as  I  see  it , your  friend's  parents  may  need  to  give  a  legal  permission  and  waiver  of  responsibilty  to  cover  your  parents .   I  cannot  imagine  that  it  is  more  than  a  formality , involving  a  signed  piece  of  paper .   I  appreciate  that  you  are  probably  in  the  U.S. !!!   Surely  an  attorney  isn't  going  to  charge " An  Arm  and  a  Leg ", for  so  small  a  matter ?  Or  are  they ?  

The  travel  agent  say's " You  May  Have  to  Have  an  Attorney "; that  is  not  a  certainty .   I  suggest  both  parents  look  into  it  together .   Ask  the  Cruise  Line !

I  expect  they  may  not  like  to  take  unaccompanied    children  for  whom  they  would  be  responsible ; your  parents  would  have  to  legally  take  full  responsibilty  for  your  friend .