NCL’s carrier form is primarily the non-parent/non-guardian scenario. Canada itineraries such as Alaska, Pacific Coastal, and Canada/New England add a separate, preferably notarized authorization layer.
Published and reviewed by iRemoteNotary
Last reviewed September 27, 2026
For a passenger under 18 traveling with an adult who is not the parent or legal guardian, Norwegian Cruise Line currently requires an original notarized parental/guardian consent authorization presented or delivered at the pier. Failure may result in denied boarding without refund.
NCL currently publishes a Parent / Guardian Consent & Release Form in Document Downloads, even though the form itself has an older revision date. Both living parents or legal guardians must sign, and government-issued ID copies are attached.
Canada itineraries, including Alaska, Pacific Coastal, and Canada/New England, add a separate letter that NCL prefers to be notarized. That letter is not a one-parent rule for every NCL sailing. NCL does not say whether it accepts remote online notarization.
This is a summary of the current published rule. Confirm it on the cruise line’s own page before you travel.
| Question | Current status |
|---|---|
| Core scenario | Under 18 with a non-parent/non-guardian adult |
| Requirement | Required |
| Official form | Yes — Parent / Guardian Consent & Release Form |
| Who must sign | Both living parents or legal guardians |
| Notarization | Required |
| Document format | Original required at the pier |
| RON acceptance | Not expressly stated |
| Canada itineraries | Additional preferably notarized letter; not a general one-parent rule |
| Last verified | 2026-09-14 |
Norwegian Cruise Line’s carrier form applies when a passenger under 18 is accompanied by an adult who is not the parent or legal guardian. Grandparents, stepparents who are not legal guardians, family friends, and another family are typical examples.
That form is for a child sailing with an adult who is not a parent or legal guardian. It is not a one-parent rule for every NCL itinerary.
The current NCL form requires both living parents or legal guardians to sign. Government-issued ID copies are attached. Minors with the same parent(s) or guardian(s) may be placed on the same form.
The form is presented at embarkation.
Use NCL’s current Parent / Guardian Consent & Release Form. The NCL website still lists it in Document Downloads. An older revision date on the form does not mean a different public form is current.
The form authorizes the child’s travel and emergency medical examination or treatment.
NCL requires an original notarized letter delivered at the pier. Remote online notarization is not expressly accepted.
NCL currently states that for Canada itineraries such as Alaska, Pacific Coastal, and Canada/New England, additional Canadian authorization guidance applies.
NCL describes a letter for a child under 18 traveling alone or with person(s) other than both parents, preferably notarized, containing authorization, a parent/guardian 24-hour contact number, destination, and duration of stay.
That is a Canada-linked layer. It is not NCL’s general one-parent rule for every itinerary. Compare Canadian ENTRY and outbound consent-letter guidance in Canada Child Travel Consent.
The authorization must cover the child’s travel and emergency medical treatment. Failure to produce it at embarkation may result in denied boarding without refund.
NCL currently requires an original notarized authorization delivered at the pier. An electronic or remotely notarized document may not satisfy that original-at-pier instruction. Confirm with NCL before relying on an electronic format.
NCL currently requires notarization. NCL does not expressly state that remote online notarization is accepted.
Because an original is required at the pier, do not assume a remote online notarization will board the guest.
NCL requires an original notarized letter at the pier. Remote online notarization acceptance is not expressly stated. Confirm whether an electronic notarization will be accepted before you sail.
Depending on your situation, a cruise terminal or border officer may ask for more than a consent letter. No family needs every item.
The country on your itinerary may still ask for its own permission, even when the cruise line does not. Check the cruise line’s rule and child travel consent requirements by country separately.
Already at the cruise terminal, leaving today, or holding a form the cruise line just handed you? Work the current official instruction first. If you need this at the terminal today, use the Cruise Port Emergency Minor Consent Guide.
Check the official page again before you travel.
NCL’s carrier form is primarily for a child traveling with an adult who is not the parent or legal guardian. Canada itineraries add a separate authorization layer for a child traveling with person(s) other than both parents. Do not convert that Canada layer into a general NCL one-parent rule.
The current NCL website still lists the Parent / Guardian Consent & Release Form in Document Downloads. Use the form NCL currently publishes. Do not invent a replacement PDF.
The following primary sources support the legal and procedural information in this guide. Requirements can change, so confirm current rules with the receiving organization before relying on a notarized document.
Norwegian Cruise Line Terms and Conditions — Minors(opens in a new tab)
Norwegian Cruise Line
Accessed September 14, 2026
Parent / Guardian Consent & Release Form(opens in a new tab)
Norwegian Cruise Line
Accessed September 14, 2026
Norwegian Cruise Line Document Downloads(opens in a new tab)
Norwegian Cruise Line
Accessed September 14, 2026
Age Requirements for Travel(opens in a new tab)
Norwegian Cruise Line
Accessed September 14, 2026
If you have the current unsigned official form, you can start a U.S. online notarization session. NCL still requires an original at the pier and does not expressly accept remote online notarization.