Traveling and returning to Florida. Cruise goes to Mexico + Belize. Cruise line (R.C) says signed notarized statement from other parent is not necessary, and certainly not required. It would be if I travelled only by airplane to same countries.
Just need verification I do not need to obtain signed, notarized permission from other parent.

I have heard from some lines you need it and some you don't. If you are secure with RCCL telling you no, I would get that from them in writing. Or just get the permission, that way you can administer medical treatment and everything with full permission. I am just one of those safer than sorry people, but it's a judgement call, whatever you decide.

Wow, this is NOT true, assuming the person you are asking about is a minor.

As a TA and frequent cruiser, when I have someone with my under 18 who is travelling with either no parent or only one, a notarized permission document is absolutely required.

Having something in writing from a Res agent (which I sincerely doubt you will get anyway since the answer you were given was wrong) the port personnel make the decision. Same as any other documentation upon boarding, this is reviewed and accepted - nor not - at the pier. Period.

Took a cruise to Mexico on RC a couple of years ago - at the check in window next to us was a mother who was in a panic because she didn't have the notarized letter of permission for her son. Under no circumstances was RC going to let them on the cruise without it.

She was crying and extremely upset because apparently her husband was in the midst of a business trip (it was not hard to overhear, she was right next to us) and didn't know if she could contact him.

I later saw her in a waiting area, frantically trying to call her husband.

I saw them several days later on the ship, so luckily she was able to have the letter faxed in.

Well we called RC and told the letter is no longer needed. But we do not have there response in writing. The TA agreed with RC. Again not in writing.

Then it is up to you to do what feels comfortable.

Great if it goes well for you, but not so great if the personnel at the pier requires it.

Why do you ask if you are fine with RCI's response?

Unless there is some reason other parent would not provide - get the letter. Why risk talking to some corpoarate person on the phone and getting a different answer from the check-in person?

People who know very little about cruising policies are usually cruise lines reps who answer your questions. Therefore, read the policy instead of relying on their answers. Officially notarized consent from minor's parent is required but not always inforced. When my sister decided not go on cruise last minute, her husband took two kids and went without any problems. So all depends on how badly you want to take chances.

I agree with all, that is why I mentioned geting it from RCCL in writing because they won't do it. No one wants to take the responsibility. The key is just what several have mentioned: Required, but not always enforced, just like a random search at the airport, you never know but need to be ready.

you have two posts concerning the same topic. In this post you only say one parent is travelling with the child. In the other you mention that the parents are seperated but have joint custody. That may explain why you are getting conflicting information. Perhaps you did not explain your situation fully to the cruise line rep.

Generally speaking if you are seperated or divorced but have joint custody of a child with your Ex you will need a notarized letter from the other parent in order to leave the country with a minor child. You should also have a document granting you authority to make decision regarding medical treatment for the minor child.

Error on the side of caution - have the letter handy, if you are asked to produce then do so. If no one asks for it there's no harm done. Either way you'll be allowed to depart the country on your trip. If on the other hand you choose to ignore this advice and you are required to produce the letter prior to departure you may find yourself standing on the dock watching while the ship sails without you.

If your last name is different than your children's, then I would. We're leaving Sunday and my husband and I got one from my ex. My kids have their last name. It's possible no one would say anything, but wouldn't you be upset if they did, and it put a hitch into your trip?

Don't you have to take the letter to the local consulate? I seem to remember we had to do this when we took our neice to Mexico one time.

Just back from our wonderful cruise. As we checked in I was immmediately asked to produce the permission letter from my ex. My daughter + I do have different last names. Lucky I did not listen to the travelagent and I checked this board instead. Fantastic cruise!