North Carolina Family Denied Cruise Boarding Due to ID Error

Shannon Nutting's planned family cruise turned into a heartbreaking ordeal when her 16-year-old son, who has special needs, was denied boarding at Port Canaveral due to a student ID issue. Despite Nutting confirming beforehand that the ID was acceptable, staff insisted it was not valid, leaving the family devastated as they watched the cruise ship depart without them. Royal Caribbean later acknowledged a 'human error' by the staff and offered options to make amends, including a full refund, though this did not cover the family's travel expenses to the port. Nutting expressed frustration over the situation, emphasizing that she had ensured all documentation was in order. After the incident, the family chose not to take up Royal Caribbean's offer to fly to Cozumel to meet the ship, instead opting to stay in Florida to salvage their vacation time. The incident highlights the challenges families with special needs members may face in travel situations.