Cruising With Kids: The Permission Letter

Multi-generational cruises are increasingly popular with families, as are single-parent and grandparent cruises with children. It's also not uncommon for parents to invite a teenager's friend to sail along.

For single (divorced, widowed, or simply married, but solo) parents, grandparents, or family friends taking children on a cruise, there is an often overlooked planning step that can end a vacation before it begins—the permission letter.

Airlines, cruise lines, and immigration agents can deny minor children initial boarding or entry to foreign countries without proper proof of identification and citizenship and a permission letter from absent or non-custodial parents.

Cruise Diva explains what you need (and why you need it) and even shares a sample parental permission letter to insure smooth sailing in the Cruising With Kids article series.