marco_polo11

To update everyone...I'm on the cruise now with my two grandkids. Check-in at Vancouver cruise terminal was smooth and easy. We just breezed through customs, no questions asked about the kids...though at 15 and 16, they look like young adults. I had the consent forms in my hand but wasn't asked for them. So, all the fretting and expenses were for nought. But I know it all comes down to the customs officer you get. And it's not worth the hassle to risk getting a picky one.

Thanks for everyone's comments and suggestions. I've decided not to risk getting hassled at customs and will get the two consent forms signed by both sets of parents. The notary will charge $40 for the first signature and $25 for the second on each form.

You should get a consent form from your cruise line. I'm in the same situation, cruising with 2 grandkids. I got a consent form in the confirmation email from Princess.

3 hours ago, Host Kat said:

 

@marco_polo11

 

Since the situation regarding notarized forms for consent for minor children to travel and medical treatment without parent or legal guardian are often discussed on the Family Cruises forum, I have moved your thread there. Hopefully others there that have been in your situation will be able to help you.

 

Also, you might try a new thread on the Canadian Cruisers forum where your fellow Canadians may be able to help with information.

 

Happy sails,

 

Host Kat

Thank you!

5 hours ago, GeezerCouple said:

 

Here in the USA, we can get properly notarized "Zoom"-type service.  One logs in, reads the T&C (of course, but it's nothing tricky), and then one is prompted to upload some required documents, including the document to be notarized.  These may vary a bit by state or purpose (?).  What we've needed to do is hold up the front and then the back of our drivers licenses (for the person whose signature is to be notarized).  Then one is connected to some person sitting in their pj's (just kidding, but could be!) who asks a few routine questions to document that you state you understand what the documents are for, etc., and that you are answering voluntarily.  (Er, that's sort of hard really to do, with only one person's face showing, but I digress.... It just seemed silly under the specific circumstances.)

 

Then you can download the notarized form and they also email a copy, so it's easy to retain a copy.

One of our financial vendors seems to have a dedicated arrangement, so something must display when the notary answers the call, as they always seem familiar with the specific docs we are using (to give a power of attorney or remove money, etc.).  But the same online notary service, using their general online link, can handle notary services for any docs.

The fee is $25, and it's not paid until the end, so if there are any questions or snafus, no charge.

 

Perhaps there's something like that available?  It may not be free, but it's less than $50 each, plus it's *very* convenient - to put it mildly!

 

GC

Thanks for your suggestion. I'll look into it. It may get a little complicated though in our case trying to coordinate two sets of divorced parents.

3 minutes ago, martincath said:

I think you need a new Notary! While the going rate in Vancouver can easily be $50, even $60 for the first signature, that includes the whole 'setup' - your appointment slot, time to print stuff if it's a soft copy, photocopying things (NB: usually an extra charge per page if they do the printing, so always better to print at home and bring paper to sign!), and (most importantly!) reading the docs carefully, explaining legal terminology etc. to ensure you the client fully understand what's being signed.

 

Since much of that does not need replicated even for multiple different docs - and especially not for identical documents where literally the only difference is name of child and parents - multiple signatures in a session have a significantly reduced cost. Both the notaries near me - David Watts on Hastings St and Dan Park on 2nd Ave - drop their fee to less than half per additional sig, even on totally different documents.

 

As Brits abroad, with UK and US based property and investments, we've had to deal with notarized copies of all sorts of documents over the years both here and Ontario - we have never found ANY notary who charged 'rack rate' for all signatures in a session. Almost every time either of us needs something, we both do - so we've been in a similar position to you with multiple names per doc and multiple docs. Mostly when it's both of us signing the same doc there is zero extra charge as there's still only one notary stamp and literally seconds of extra 'watch a signature be written' time. Whoever your current person is, they are screwing you over unless you intend to book four separate sessions with each parent visiting them individually!

 

Given that you're not just cruising with the kids, but taking them one-way over the border I also feel that even if not required, notarized signatures is going to alleviate much of the concern CBP might have - having a print-out of their return tickets to bring them home from SF will also help! We have divorced and widowed friends, resident both sides of the border, and it's been a crapshoot for them regardless of which direction as to how much hassle they get - both CBP and CBSA almost always ask for the relevant documentation, and in the case of the divorcees even call the ex-spouse to verify permission sometimes... so be sure to include a contact number and remind your kids that if an unknown number calls them the day you're embarking to pick the darn phone up!!!

 

I would also try your bank first in case you can score a freebie though - given that this is a cut & dried situation, standard forms provided, you don't need things explained, copied, etc., you just need the 'rubber stamp' to minimise risk of friction at the border, all the extra stuff that a good full-time notary offers really isn't required.

Thank you. This is valuable information. Yes, I will check with my banks first.

Unfortunately both sets of parents are divorced. So it will take 4 separate visits to the notary to get their signatures witnessed. I guess that's why the fee is so high. I will talk to the notary again to try to negotiate a discount, especially since it is a cut and dried situation.

1 minute ago, Ashland said:

You'll need something like this notarized for each child.

 

https://www.royalcaribbean.com/content/dam/royal/resources/pdf/minor-traveling-without-parent-or-guardian-form.pdf

Yes, I do have a similar form from Princess already. Thanks.

6 minutes ago, LHT28 said:

We used  our bank Manager  to notarize  a document  

see if your bank is authorized to do so

Yes, I will check with my banks as suggested. Thanks.

I've pretty well decided to bite the bullet and pay for the notary. I don't want to risk any hassle at customs. I was just hoping someone who was in this situation before would tell me an unnotarized form is fine.

3 hours ago, evandbob said:

Notary Publics in the US only charge a small fee - a few dollars at most - for their services.  Are the costs different in Canada?

 

If the g-kids live far from you, I'm thinking you can have the forms signed by their parents where ever they live. The notarization will indeed make it easier to pass through international borders.

I wish it was only a few dollars. I wouldn't bother with this topic then. No, the NP that has done previous work for me has quoted me $50 per signature,  ie $200. I'm afraid this might be standard but I will check around. 

51 minutes ago, Markanddonna said:

Our bank does notary services for free.

This is worth a try. Thanks.

I have booked a short 3 day cruise with Princess from Vancouver to San Francisco. I will be taking two grandkids, a 15 and a 16 year old, with me. One child is from my son, and one is from my daughter. We are Canadians who will be traveling to the US. I read in the confirmation email that I will need consent forms signed by both sets of parents of each child and have them notarized. The four signatures witnessed by a notary public will add a lot to the cost of this short cruise.

Does anyone know from experience if US customs is sticky about having notarized consent forms for each child? The info that I have read in the CBP site is that it's not compulsory to have the consent form notarized. But getting it notarized is recommended 'as border officials may be less likely to question it's authenticity'.

7 hours ago, harryfat1 said:

Haha, special request, eh?

 

Sorry to disapppoint you, we only went up to the sports court once and they didn't have anything set up so I don't have pickleball pictures for you.  

 

Only thing I have are we walking around but nothing was there.

 

Are the orange lines the pickle ball court area?

 

 

 

Harry, thanks for doing that for me. Have a pickle on me! Lol. Pickleball is played on a badminton court. So it looks like it could be the green lines. There's enough space there for two courts. Very excited about that. I guess there are designated times for pickleball using portable nets, since this is a multi sports court.

Hi, pickleball nut here. I heard there were 2 pickleball courts on this ship. I would appreciate you posting a few pics of them. Thank you!

Ah, not much we can do about that. Hopefully it's a rare occasion. 

1 minute ago, jwattle said:

It isn't; it is only allowed in a few select areas.

Great to know. So I wonder where the 'wiffs' were coming from that Nini mentioned?

On 5/11/2022 at 2:41 PM, nini said:

We are currently on the Emerald in a corner aft balcony on the Baja deck. Guess what we smell and get wiffs of? You got it. Princess has been very disappointing.

My wife and I will be sailing on the Majestic soon, staying in a corner aft balcony, deck 10. We're afraid we'll get the smoke from the balconies in front of us all along the ship! We're both allergic to smoke. It would drive us inside! Is smoking on the balconies allowed? (Sorry if this question has been answered)

Is it possible for 2 couples to share the 4 device plan? Can one passenger order it and all 4 people use the same login info to connect?

Also, does it mean only the 4 devices that are registered can be used at the same time? Or is it 4 connections at the same time regardless of which device? The 4 of us have 2 devices each so we hope to be able to use 8 devices at various times of the cruise.

On 7/31/2022 at 9:13 AM, SiliconCruiser said:

Yes

I would appreciate you explaining how it is done. Is it simply a matter of each user logging in with the same user name and password?

It is half price for platinum and elite passengers if purchased prior to sailing...whether for one or four devices.

What I want to know is can the 4 devices plan be shared by 4 different people,  eg. 2 couples? 

I just got a notice from HAL that my cruise will now end in San Antonio instead of Valparaiso. I'm disappointed as I was planning to spend the day in Valparaiso before heading to the airport in Santiago on the same day. Can anyone tell me whether there is a bus service from San Antonio to downtown Santiago? I plan to spend the day there now.

not to be a Debbie Downer, but it's not just the Caribbean ports - there's Mexico being affected and who knows how long it will take to repair Port Everglades if what is expected comes.

 

Let's just pray for everyone affected. The dedication of some too - the curator of the Hemingway House in Key West is NOT leaving. He is going to take care of the museum.

Yes, I was thinking the earthquake would impact the South American cruises that dock at Huatulco, Puerto Chiapas, and Puerto Quetzal. The epicenter was near Chiapas and it was hit hard. I guess there will be some changes in the itinerary.

The activity I love most on sea days is to find a quiet area on the ship with my wife, curl up and read a good book. And we love a great lecture. But I wouldn't denigrate what you call "organized silliness." On our transpacific cruise in May across the Bering Sea, with 7 sea days in a row, that "organized silliness" was a fun, entertaining way to occasionally pass the time. Of course it's a little silly, but for heaven's sake you're on vacation! You might actually enjoy it. It might even give you more opportunities to interact and converse with other guests.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Haha, ok, I should qualify that I don't think of all organized activities as 'silly'. There are plenty that I do enjoy taking part in... like bingo, choir, ping pong tournaments. I was referring specifically to the literally silly ones like those tired old marriage games, battle of the sexes, pool games, and others. Not for me, but I realize that others may like them.

Yes, the times are a changing. But don't think twice, it's alright. Personally, I don't depend on or expect the ship to entertain me all the time. I think there are enough organized activities for passengers as it is on any cruise line. But there's also plenty that I can do to occupy myself without needing to join the organized silliness. There's reading, photography, listening to the music that's throughout the ship, board games with companions, plain ole conversation with other guests, swimming, napping by the pool (after all, I'm also there for r & r), drop-in pingpong or shuffleboard. And with any spare time left, I can eat myself silly!

I'll be on the Diamond Princess sailing from Kobe on June 13. Does anyone know if this ship has a pickleball/paddleball court? Also, are the pingpong tables in a sheltered area?

Well, to answer my own questions ... no pickleball court and yes, pingpong tables are sheltered.

I don't get it.

 

Why over analyze why someone wants casual and another wants to dress up? It does not matter.....the choice is personal.

 

Differences are what make the world go round. What is good is that we have a choice. What the naysayers on either side say does not matter. Just choose and be happy with your choice.

My sentiments exactly. Thank you. I get a kick out of all the psychoanalysis of the issue. Bottom line is it is a personal choice. Dress how you like. What does it matter what anyone else is doing as long as the guidelines are being followed?