Family vacation planning
Sources checked . Final review by Sean Williams pending.
Egretline connects you with advisors who plan family vacations around your children's ages, school calendar and budget, then handle the paperwork that trips families up. Children under 16 need both parents' consent for a passport, and CBP strongly recommends a consent note when a child travels abroad with only one parent.
| Child passport book (under 16) | $100 application fee plus $35 acceptance fee (State Department) |
|---|---|
| Child passport consent | Both parents or guardians, or Form DS-3053 from the absent parent (State Department) |
| Child passport validity | 5 years for children under 16 (State Department) |
| One parent traveling abroad | CBP strongly recommends a note of consent from the other parent |
| Children on domestic flights | TSA does not require children under 18 to show ID when traveling with a companion in the U.S. |
What kind of family trip fits our kids' ages?
Match the trip to the youngest traveler's needs and the oldest traveler's patience. Toddlers do best with short travel days and a pool, while teens often want more independence and activities.
Choose a cruise if you want several places and kids' clubs. Choose an all-inclusive resort if you want one base and no port schedules.
What documents do children need?
Children need a passport book to fly internationally. For children under 16, both parents or guardians must consent, either in person or by Form DS-3053, and the passport is valid for 5 years, according to the State Department. Our passport guide covers fees and timing.
What if only one parent is traveling?
CBP strongly recommends carrying a note from the other parent that says the child may travel with you, preferably notarized. If you have sole custody, bring the documents that show it.
How does an Egretline advisor help families?
Your advisor checks room and cabin configurations for your family size, compares what kids' clubs and meals include, lines up flights and transfers that fit nap times and school breaks, and checks every traveler's documents. See our cruise packing list for what to bring.
Frequently asked questions
- Do kids need a passport for a cruise?
- On a closed-loop cruise, U.S. citizen children under 16 can re-enter by sea with a birth certificate, according to CBP. A passport is safer, because a child would need one to fly home from a foreign port in an emergency.
- Do children need REAL ID to fly?
- TSA does not require children under 18 to provide identification when traveling with a companion within the United States. The adult traveling with them needs acceptable ID.
- What should a parental consent letter say?
- CBP suggests a note stating that the other parent permits the child to travel with you, ideally notarized. Include the travel dates, destinations and the absent parent's contact details.
- Is a cruise or an all-inclusive better for young kids?
- Both work well. A cruise adds variety and kids' clubs at sea, while an all-inclusive avoids daily port schedules and repacking. Your advisor can compare options for your kids' ages.
- How long is a child's passport valid?
- Passports issued to children under 16 are valid for 5 years, not 10. Check the expiration date well before any trip.
Sources
Founder, Egretline Travel ยท Tampa, Florida
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