Family Turned Away From Cruise After Bringing Wrong Birth Certificate

KEY POINTS

A Celebrity Summit cruise ship passenger was barred from entering the vessel
Her birth certificate was not considered valid as it was not state-issued
The woman and her mother returned home despite having already paid $3,000 for their trip
Celebrity Cruises promised to investigate the incident

A Celebrity Cruises passenger was barred from boarding her ship because one of her identification documents — a birth certificate — was considered invalid, according to reports.

Debbie Schwabe brought her original birth certificate, driver's license and COVID-19 test information to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, for her voyage on the Celebrity Summit cruise ship, WCPO 9 reported.

However, Schwabe was allegedly told that her original birth certificate from 1969 "wasn't the right one" and that it was not considered an acceptable ID as she and her mother, Blanche White, attempted to board the vessel.

"They said it was decorative, it wasn't state-issued," Schwabe said in an interview for the segment "Don't Waste Your Money."

Cruise lines typically require a state-issued birth certificate, according to travel agent Jerry Katz of First Discount Travel.

"That is a commemorative keepsake for mom and dad, but it has no significant relevance and no citizenship relevance for anyone traveling internationally," Katz explained.

In addition to hospital certificates, Celebrity Cruises also does not consider baptismal papers, voter cards and Social Security cards as acceptable forms of identification.

"If you do not possess the proper documentation, you may be prevented from boarding your flight or ship, or from entering a country, and you may be subject to fines. No refunds will be given to individuals who fail to bring proper documentation," the company wrote on its website.

While Schwabe and her mother already paid $3,000 for their trip, the two ended up sleeping at Fort Lauderdale's airport and going back home following the incident.

"They wouldn't help us. I know, I still can't talk about it," said Schwabe, who called the experience a "nightmare."

Celebrity Cruises reportedly promised to investigate the incident after the company was contacted and asked if Schwabe and her mother could get a refund.

The two were not the first to try to go on a cruise with their commemorative birth certificates, according to Katz.

"Absolutely, it happens every day," the travel agent said.

He also said that if a person changed their last name due to marriage, they will need a state marriage certificate as well.