What happens if your baby is born on a cruise ship?

Under the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness, for the purposes of determining the obligations under the convention, a birth on a ship or aircraft in international waters or airspace shall be treated as a birth in the country of the ship or aircraft's registration.



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Officials say an expectant mother cruising onboard Royal Caribbean International's Jewel of the Seas visited the medical facility after experiencing discomfort. The medical team determined she was in active labor. The premature baby was successfully delivered aboard the Jewel.

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This all depends on the cruise line. Some lines don't charge for infants sharing a cabin with two adults. Others lines may charge a discounted rate for third and fourth passengers in a cabin (e.g., babies and children).

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The birth certificate must be one issued by a local or state government. If you have a hospital birth certificate (so-called “baby feet” certificate), it will not work. Remember — you want something that's officially issued by the city, county, or state as this will be used to prove your citizenship.

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Infants sailing on a cruise must be at least 6 months old as of the first day of the cruise and/or CruiseTour. HOWEVER: For transatlantic, transpacific, Hawaii, select South American and other selected cruises and/or CruiseTours, the infant must be at least 12 months old as of the first day of the cruise/CruiseTour.

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Why do Some Cruise Lines Charge the Same Rate for Babies as Adults? Though babies and toddlers clearly do not consume nearly as much food and drink, nor partake in the same activities as their parents, babies still create extra cleanup and housekeeping work that the ship's crew ultimately must take care of.

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We strongly recommend that all guests present a passport as their form of ID on boarding day. Technically, yes – U.S. citizens can present a state-certified birth certificate and government-issued photo ID to sail on most cruises departing from the U.S. But a passport is the more efficient, secure option.

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And in fact, a cruise vacation is one of the best trips you can take with a small child. No matter where you go on the ship, you are only a few minutes from your room. That makes it perfect for midday naps, means you don't have to carry around a ton of baby supplies, and there is plenty to see and do without going far.

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If the child is a newborn and the actual birth certificate has not arrived from the Vital Records Department, we will accept a hospital issued birth certificate. The United States does not require you to have a passport.

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Cribs (including sheets) are available for stateroom-use. When making your booking reservation, please indicate that a crib will be needed in your stateroom.

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The overboard deaths of a 7-year-old boy and his mother show the most likely scenario when people fall off cruise ships. A young boy and his mother both died after going overboard a passenger ferry earlier this month.

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It will always be a constant nightmare every day and every night for the rest of my life. Anello entered his guilty plea in October. In agreeing to the plea deal, he avoided jail time and agreed to serve probation in South Bend, Indiana, where he lives.

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Carnival offers many Caribbean cruise options including sailings that depart and return to U.S. ports like Baltimore, Norfolk and New Orleans. These don't require a passport as they are closed-loop sailings.

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Royal Caribbean International strongly recommends that all guests travel with a valid passport during their cruise.

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There are only two ways to get on board any curise line: a passport will do the trick. (the best form of identification) a valid government issued ID (drivers license) and a original copy of your birth certificate with the blue stamp (no photo copies).

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Unless your short form includes the name of at least one parent, it may not be acceptable to cruise.

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If you are a US citizen, you can take a “closed-loop cruise” (one that begins and ends at the same port) to The Bahamas without a passport. Instead, you'll need to present another proof of citizenship such as a birth certificate and a government-issued photo ID.

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Minimum Age to Sail Babies must be six months old to cruise. For Atlantic and Pacific crossings, world cruise segments and many of the exotic itineraries, children must be at least one year old. Children younger than two who sail as the third or fourth passenger in a cabin generally cruise for free.

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Kids Cruise Free Offer: Guests ages 18 and under (“children”) are eligible to travel free (Taxes, Fees & Port Expenses are additional) when booked as a 3rd and/or 4th guest on select cruises. Limit up to two free children per eligible booking. Offer excludes Alaska cruisetours; other exclusions may apply.

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