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TPG does not condone rule-breaking, and as I stated above, the cruise lines have good reasons for banning pregnant women from cruising in their third trimester. Even if your cruise line does not specifically ask for a doctor's note, it's a good idea to bring one with you. This is especially true if you're close to your 24th week, rocking a baby bump and need to assure crew members that you are permitted to sail. It could also be of use to the onboard doctors and nurses should you have a medical issue during your cruise.
Can I Go on a Cruise While Pregnant
Choose a three-day cruise to the Bahamas, where you’ll visit the port of Nassau and its pristine white beaches. Head to family-friendly Aruba and spend your days swimming in its calm, transparent water. Our Caribbean cruises also visit ports in St. Lucia, the Virgin Islands, Bonaire, Curacao, Puerto Rico, and more.
Should you get Travel Insurance while Cruising Pregnant?
Additionally, the physical exertion involved in embarking and disembarking the ship and participating in shore excursions may also be challenging for some expectant mothers. You may be wondering how would cruise lines know how many weeks pregnant you are? If you are before 24 weeks, cruise liners require letters stating that you are not at risk for pregnancy complications and that you and your baby are healthy and fit to travel. In summary, most cruise lines have policies in place regarding traveling while pregnant, and it is important to check with the specific cruise line before booking. By being aware of these policies and taking appropriate precautions, pregnant women can enjoy a safe and enjoyable cruise vacation. Many cruise lines require pregnant travelers to provide a doctor’s letter stating their due date and fitness to travel.
Cruising While Pregnant: What to Know Before You Book
Just because you are pregnant does not mean you have to miss out on fun activities while pregnant. There are many available activities/ pass times that pregnant women can do on a cruise. For instance, you can spend some relaxing time in the spa by treating yourself to a much-needed massage or relaxing facial. If you’re planning to travel on one of the popular major cruise lines, the cut-off point is 24 weeks. And no, this isn’t a reference to rocky terrains or dangerous landscapes (although they are not ideal for pregnant women either). Rather, some destinations harbor communicable diseases such as Zika or malaria.
What happens if a baby is born on a cruise?
Finally, as bathroom access is of heightened concern for pregnant women, be sure that wherever you go, bathrooms are within easy reach. This is of special concern when ports might require long bathroom-less bus transfers to major attractions (like to Rome from Civitavecchia, for instance). Also, be aware of other viruses that spread via mosquitoes such as dengue and malaria. Currently, the CDC has listed an advisory for Jamaica as it relates to dengue. Bug repellent, long sleeves, and pants can be effective in preventing bites or guests may decide to stay onboard and enjoy the quiet of the ship. It’s a good idea to identify appropriate medications for morning sickness and ensure enough is brought onboard.
Princess Cruises
Depending on the coverage you choose, you should be able to cancel or reschedule your sailing if you find out that you're pregnant after booking (see more travel insurance advice below). "...any pregnant woman who tries to board the vessel, who has or will enter her 24th week of estimated fetal gestational age at any time during the cruise, risks denial of boarding and/or disembarkation without compensation or refund." Imagine that you're on a cruise with multiple days at sea away from a major hospital. While all cruise ships have medical facilities onboard, they lack adequate prenatal or infant care facilities onboard.
Bringing along favorite snack foods from home can be helpful if they are not readily available on the ship or in port. Check out Romper's new video series, Bearing The Motherload, where disagreeing parents from different sides of an issue sit down with a mediator and talk about how to support (and not judge) each other’s parenting perspectives. Whether it is an official ‘babymoon’ or a cruise that you’ve had booked for quite a while, there’s plenty of spots to relax and unwind before your new baby arrives. Additionally, shouldbecruising.com participates in various other affiliate programs, and we sometimes receive a commission from purchases made through our links. The good news is that cruises are good at offering a lot of variety and also meeting just about any diet.
Why buying travel insurance before your cruise is especially important
If you’re pregnant and considering a cruise, you may have wondered what would happen if your baby was born while you’re on board. While the chances of this happening are extremely rare, it’s essential to understand the implications and potential challenges if such a situation were to occur. While it’s important to take precautions and rest when needed during your cruise, it’s also advisable to engage in light exercise to stay active. Walking around the ship and participating in gentle activities or prenatal exercise classes can help improve circulation and alleviate discomfort.
As well, you can opt for “cancel for any reason” travel insurance, which will let you cancel your trip and receive some compensation. The good news is that cruising while pregnant is fairly straightforward, as long as you know you know a few bits of important information. When you’re pregnant, even simple things can take on a new level of complexity. You have to change what you eat, what you drink, and even a number of activities you otherwise would do.
That means if a mother delivers a baby at 24 weeks, it has enough of a chance of survival (due to organ development and medical technology) that doctors will intervene to save it. A cruise ship's medical center is not equipped to care for an extremely premature baby, so the cruise lines make their policies to minimize the chances of a baby being born alive on board. Pregnant travelers can generally travel safely with appropriate preparation, and this includes cruise travel. Experts advise avoiding destinations where viruses such as malaria are more frequent. You should confirm that a doctor or nurse will be on the ship, and that you visit ports with modern medical facilities in case medical attention is needed. If you’re wondering why cruise lines impose a restriction on traveling after the 23rd week of pregnancy, it all comes down to your health and safety, as well as that of your baby.
I Almost Missed My Arctic Cruise: Don't Make the Same Boneheaded Mistake I Did - Cruise Critic
I Almost Missed My Arctic Cruise: Don't Make the Same Boneheaded Mistake I Did.
Posted: Mon, 26 Jun 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
So, take advantage of these lovely nap spots and send your older kids off for some fun at the kids’ club while you savor precious moments of rest during your cruise vacation. When it comes to cruising while pregnant, finding the right balance between relaxation and exploration is essential. The idea of daily sightseeing may seem thrilling, it can quickly become exhausting for expecting mothers.
Getting away from it all on a cruise vacation might be just what you need! You’ll just need to be sure that you have your doctor’s OK, and that you time your cruise right so you’ll be allowed to board. In other words, it’s possible that if you don’t meet the cruise line’s pregnancy cut-off, you won’t be allowed to sail and you could lose your cruise fare. Even if you can make it ashore in time to deliver your baby, you may find yourself trapped in another country for months until your baby is well enough to come home.
Also, keep in mind that walking in the heat on unstable surfaces may also become uncomfortable for you, so with stamina in mind – walking tours may also be out. A relaxing beach escape or shopping tour may be more accessible for pregnant women. For example, stay away from jet skis, paddleboarding, scuba diving, boat rides (especially if you are prone to motion sickness), climbing and more. While seasickness should always be considered as a possibility, keep in mind that some women are hyper-sensitive to motion, smells and certain situations. If your cruise travel falls after the cruise line’s cutoff point (or soon after you’re due to give birth), ask your travel agent or the cruise line if you can cancel or reschedule your cruise.
