Big__Al

My brother booked a cruise with RCL. The documents he received from RCL stated that to board he would need a birth certificate with a raised seal and a photo ID. They denied him boarding because they said they said they do not accept birth certificates from hospitals. They refused to issue a refund.

I would think that since RCL was negligent is properly informing my brother of the documents they require, they would be liable for the cost of his cruise plus his travel expenses from Indiana to Florida. Does anyone have any experience with this kind of problem?

bettyk

Had your brother checked the information provided on the cruise line's website (see below), he would see that they specifically require a government-issued birth certificate and that hospital certificates are NOT acceptable.

•United States citizens on cruises that begin and end at the same port in the United States can use a government-issued picture ID (i.e. driver's license) AND a government-issued birth certificate or original Naturalization Certificate.

Note: Baptismal papers and hospital certificates of birth are NOT acceptable. Military identification cards, voter registration cards or Social Security cards are NOT considered proof of citizenship.


They also warn of the following:

No refunds will be given to individuals who fail to bring proper documentation.

I'm afraid that your brother is solely to blame in this instance.

Big__Al

I appreciate your reply bettyk and I am aware of what my brother would have found had he checked their website. But since he received documents from NCL outlining what he needed, he felt no need to visit their website.

I therefore cannot agree that he is solely to blame. He followed the instructions given to him by NCL and they denied boarding. I'm pretty sure he has a valid legal claim. I'm just wondering if anyone has had experience with this type of situation.

bettyk

I'm sorry, but was it NCL or RCL?

Big__Al

Sorry, my bad. RCL.

jacketwatch

Did the BC from the hospital have a raised seal?

I think what they meant is they needed an official govt. BC. This is what they meant by a raised seal I think. R U sure he was not told he needed a govt. issued BC?

Sorry to hear this. I suggest ecsalating this as far up the ladder as you can. Be polite but also be firm. It seems it was a misunderstanding and the bottom line is cruise companies don't want to lose customers so I think he should be able to get something, esp. towards a future cruise like a free upgrade, discounted fare, OBC (on board credit.) BTW where was the hops. BC issued? Was it in the US?

Bottom line is get a passport. They you are safe. Good luck.

Big__Al

OK, update. It was Celebrity Cruises. Their documents state that you need an original birth certificate with a raised seal.
their own web site says;

In the absence of a passport, a birth certificate (original, notarized copy or certified copy), plus a picture ID card issued by a federal, state or local government agency is required.

The cruise line screwed up!

Big__Al

BTW, his BC has a raised seal. And it's from a hospital in Mississippi. He also had his old Air Force ID.

jacketwatch

Sorry Al but you are way off base here. I read X,s website for their requirements and they clearly say a govt. issued BC is required., I could C/P it but that's not necessary. It does say as Betty stated that a hosp. BC is not acceptable.

Big__Al

Jacket, I did C/P above. It says nothing about govt issue. The language I C/Ped is the same as the documents my brother received from the cruise line. There is no doubt the company failed to communicate the proper info. I was just wondering if any one else has a similar prob.

bettyk

Al, I don't know what you were looking at, but on Celebrity's website it DOES say that a govt issued BC is required.

http://www.celebritycruises.com/plan..._getting_ready

Big__Al

I read it here.

http://celebrity.royalcruisesonline....Documents.html

But this isnt really the issue. My brother relied on instructions that he received from the cruise line.

Dayenu

If he still has the instructions in writing sent to him (or if he thinks he had whatever posted on the website with him) he should talk to a lawyer.

jacketwatch

Sea Travel (for U.S. and Canadian citizens only)
For voyages that begin and end in the same U.S. Port, U.S. citizens may travel with both a Government-issued birth certificate** and Government-issued picture ID card, such as a driver's license.

**A 'birth certificate' is issued by a government agency (state, county, city, etc.). This document (with seal and signature) is legal proof of citizenship that can be used by U.S. citizens for certain international travel. A 'birth notice' is issued by a hospital or other type of medical facility but it is not an approved travel document. It is a courtesy document that merely indicates where a birth occurred. It has no legal status and cannot be used to prove citizenship for international travel purposes.

S

jacketwatch

I looked at the link Al and then looked at both the RCI and Celebrity official web sites and found nothing like that. Both say as above, that a govt. issued BC is needed. The question I have is where in the www did that link come from? I sure dont see it on either official website. Furhtermore the address box shows both Royal and Celebrity which neither do from their official websites so it seems this info came from other than either of them. Can U find it his on either the Royal or the Celebrity official websites? It may have come from a third party so to speak.

jacketwatch

OK I found it. Here's your problem Al. That website sells Royal/Celebrity cruises but is not their official websites. It's a booking agent like Expedia. Cruises.com etc. Therefore it's not from the horses mouth so to speak.

jacketwatch

Here is the website this came from. If you go down tot he bottom and click documents you will find the where your link came from but again this is not an official website for either company.
http://celebrity.royalcruisesonline.com/index.html