Man ‘treated like criminal’ and booted off cruise ship without a refund

A regular cruiser who has been using his birth certificate ‘for almost 60 years’ claims he was recently turned away at the terminal.

Brian, from Louisiana, explained on TikTok (@briankeithw) that he and his partner weren’t allowed on board their pre-paid seven-day trip on Carnival Cruise Line.

“I started off with a great morning, woke up next to my baby girl because I love her so much. We got ready for the cruise, having a good time, getting ready, got to the port, stood outside in line, happy as we could be, got inside and it all went 'eugh' after that,” he explained.

“Didn't get to go on the cruise. Everything just collapsed and fell apart. My birth certificate that I've had for almost 60 years and used for everything, my entire life, is no good for a cruise.”

He claimed that he’d used his birth certificate as recent as last year but wasn’t allowed on.

Why was Brian’s birth certificate was refused?

Brian went on to explain in the comments that he was told that there was a problem with the seal on his documents.

“I had my [driver’s license] and BC. This cruise left out of New Orleans and was going to West Caribbean,” he added.

“Passport was not required, but an acceptable documentation. They stated my BC was not acceptable this year that I’ve used 10+ years. This year stated about the seal on the BC.”

What are the official rules on traveling with birth certificates?

Carnival’s official policy states that they accept ‘an original or copy of a birth certificate issued by a government agency (state/county/city) or the Department of Health and Vital Statistics’.

“A clear, legible printed copy (photocopy) of a birth certificate that was originally issued by a government agency… The copy does not need to be notarized or certified,” it adds.

But things got even worse, as Brian explained that they waited ‘four hours’ to retrieve their luggage but received only one suitcase containing their shoes.

'Escorted out like a couple of common criminals'

Brian said he felt embarrassed by the way they were treated, claiming they were ‘escorted... out like a couple of common criminals’.

After leaving the port, Brian joked that he ‘looked like a big fat fish in a fishbowl’ after squeezing into a tiny Uber.

He said their bad luck continued when the first hotel room they were given was dirty with an unmade bed.

Despite the disappointing start to the trip, Brian said he decided to make the best of it by heading to Bourbon Street for food and drinks.

He ended on a lighter note, joking that while they waited for Carnival to return the rest of their belongings: "My clothes got to go on the cruise. I hope they take pictures."

LADbible Group has contacted Carnival Cruise Line for comment.