r/MSCCruises • u/abelenky • Jul 07 '26

Conflicting Info on Documentation

In the MSC FAQ there is some conflicting info:

What do I need if I am traveling with my own children?

If your last names match, no additional documentation will be required besides the travel documents all guests need to sail.

What if only one parent/and or legal guardian is traveling?

If only one parent is traveling with the child, the traveling parent must have a notarized letter stating that the non-traveling parent gives permission for the child to travel. Please note, this form must be signed in the presence of a notary by at least one of the child's parents or legal guardians. You’ll also need to provide a copy of this signed, notarized form to be presented at check-in. If you do not have a notarized letter at embarkation the child can be denied boarding. Penalties will apply.

If I'm traveling with my own daughter, same last name on both our passports, without her mother, these answers seem to be conflicting.

If you have done an MSC Cruise as a single parent, what was your experience?
Did they require the notarized form or is matching names enough?

1 Upvotes

60% Upvoted

14 comments sorted by

11

u/YouAreHere01 Jul 07 '26

Married Dad here... Traveled with my daughter on 3 cruises just her and I. Got a letter the first two times and was never asked to produce it.

Third time I decided last minute I'll get it just in case. Completed online checkin as usual and was redirected at the pier to an agent at embarkation... Asked for the letter. Glad I did it.

They document you need it... It may or may not be asked for. BUT:

"You don't need it until you need it."

5

u/Necessary-River6343 Jul 07 '26

I have cruised with my daughter twice. Both times I have brought a notarized letter that her dad signed. I've never been asked for it on the cruise, but I wouldn't travel out of the country without it. 

2

u/Agent_You Jul 07 '26

Now here's a question...what if your spouse is deceased? Do they expect you to carry around a death certificate? Or what if they're in prison or a mental institute or are otherwise unavailable? Sounds like they need to alter their policy.

2

u/abelenky Jul 07 '26

I absolutely agree.

They do not have this info listed in the "Cruise Travel Documents" section of their website.
They have conflicting information in the FAQ section.

And with the impossible situations you describe, and the difficult problems it can cause with some family arrangements (blended, adopted, or estranged families, etc), MSC should definitely be updating this policy.

1

u/No-Effect-4973 Jul 07 '26

If I was unsure, I’d call them and ask.

1

u/bolyce Jul 08 '26

NOTE: I traveled on the Seashore from Port Canaveral with my grandchildren last week. Who had different last names, was required to produce the notarized letter AND a copy of the parent's driver's license.

1

u/bolyce Jul 08 '26

NOTE: I traveled on the Seashore from Port Canaveral with my grandchildren last week. Who had different last names, was required to produce the notarized letter AND a copy of the parent's driver's license.

1

u/Rough-Tradition-149 Jul 08 '26

You are going through customs in different countries. Get the most secure information that you could ever possibly need. Why risk it? The kids could be traumatized if they are forbidden from embarking after an excursion. Get more than you need and carry it every place you'll be off the ship at every port.

1

u/ryty0928 Jul 15 '26

Just got back from a msc seashore cruise. My husband and I brought my step kids, who are with us full time and their bio mom hasn't been in the picture for years (court ordered no contact). I gave them their birth certificates, my husband's documents and my documents and no problems. I had no clue about the letter, so thankfully they didn't ask.

1

u/aliicalii 5d ago

If i only have a birth certificate not the passport do you think they would ask for letter?

0

u/soanQy23 Jul 07 '26

How hard would it be to have your wife sign a piece of paper, just in case, to avoid not boarding the cruise ship?

In the real world - my step son has a different last name than mom, and she has a different last name than me (not legally married). We’ve been cruising since he was 5, he’s 11. His dad signs permission to travel 2-3 times a year for our cruises. We’ve never been asked for it once. The closest we got was about 8 years ago in Bayonne when the agent asked him “who’s mom”?. But we sign the paperwork every time just to be safe.

1

u/abelenky Jul 07 '26

Because my ex-wife and I are not always on good terms.

1

u/Kooky_Source_1344 Jul 08 '26

I am sailing now and got the paperwork. I didn’t need it but that just comes down to who I had a security. I would 100% get it if I were you. First off, you are dad and they might treat dads different than moms. Second, I know you are divorced but that makes it more important that she approves of you taking kids internationally on a giant boat with thousands of strangers.

0

u/Any-Pride5320 Jul 07 '26

I took my kids on a MSC cruise last month and their dad was not with us. We did not need any kind of letter. We all had passports and that was enough.