Cruising While Pregnant: What to Know Before You Book

Table Of Content

• Complete Guide to Using Your Phone on a Cruise (Carnival, Royal Caribbean & More)
• Pregnancy Policy
• Why can't you go on a cruise after 24 weeks pregnant?
• Dietary Restrictions and Eating On A Cruise While Pregnant
• Travel Documentation and Online Check-in
• What If I Find Out I'm Pregnant After I've Booked My Sailing?
• Leave a Comment Cancel reply
• Boating During Pregnancy: Are Water Sports Safe?

"Get outside and see nature because that can help improve mood if you're having a hard time ... with the pregnancy." Cruising while pregnant might sound like a dream come true — or your worst nightmare. Imagine the 24/7 snack and meal offerings that cater to all your food cravings, plus onboard crew to do all the cooking and cleaning so you can rest and savor blissful alone time with your spouse before the baby comes. You'll probably want to avoid sailings that are heavy on formal nights, which might be demanding of formalwear (meaning a new dress to buy that you'll likely only wear once).

Complete Guide to Using Your Phone on a Cruise (Carnival, Royal Caribbean & More)

The ship’s doctor is only equipped to handle minor emergencies and procedures. There is some medicine onboard in the ship’s gift shop, but be prepared to pay big bucks. When planning a cruise during pregnancy, one crucial step is informing the cruise line about your condition. Most cruise lines require a doctor’s letter that not only states your estimated due date but also confirms that you are fit to travel. This documentation serves as a green light, assuring the cruise staff of your well-being during the journey.

Pregnancy Policy

If delayed in port for sickness or a missed ship, it would be far easier to return home with a passport rather than to deal with the complexities of international travel without one. 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.

Why can't you go on a cruise after 24 weeks pregnant?

You can easily buy policies that include medical coverage from most cruise lines or directly from the insurance companies themselves. Additionally, if you need to fly to or from your cruise port, remember that airlines have their own restrictions and requirements in place for pregnant passengers. Regardless of official policy in both arenas, if you're far enough along to be showing, it's advisable to have a doctor's note on hand to play it safe.

In the event that you have any medical complications during your cruise, your regular health insurance likely won’t cover any care you receive on board the ship or in foreign ports. With the health and safety of parents and newborns in mind, cruise lines have implemented strict policies to avoid risking both patients’ lives in case of a premature delivery. Although a plane can usually quickly divert to a nearby city during a medical emergency, a cruise ship might take hours to get to the nearest port—even at full speed. If you have a history of motion sickness, or you’re already experiencing morning sickness, ask your doctor for a recommendation on medications that are safe to take when pregnant. Yes, but do your research in advance as there are limitations for going on a cruise while pregnant. Look at the descriptions for shore excursions and try to find ones that are relaxing and don’t involve too many strenuous activities.

Travel Documentation and Online Check-in

Some of the activities that you’ll find on a cruise ship, such as water slides, zip-lining and ice skating are not suitable for pregnant women. Each activity will have a board outside listing the restrictions, so be sure to read it before you join the line. Most cruise lines require that you bring a doctor’s letter that states your estimated due date and that you are fit to travel. However, you’re unlikely to be asked to show the letter unless your bump is obvious. A woman who is in her 24th week of pregnancy or more is at a higher risk of having preterm contractions. The medical care provided on board cruise liners is limited; as a result, they are not fully equipped to deal with labor/birth and any complications that may take place.

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For many of these excursions, you can use common sense to know if they are good for those carrying. But if you have questions, there is a shore excursion desk on the ship. You can stop in and ask them any questions, get more details about the activity, and figure out what is best for you. One thing to know is that in addition to the shops on the ship, most ports of call will have a pharmacy or convenience store with all sorts of items. This blog helps over a million people to plan their cruises each month.

Having this documentation on hand can smooth out the boarding process and avoid any potential misunderstandings. If you’re in any doubt about whether cruising during pregnancy is safe for you, the best course of action is to contact your doctor for advice. They know your medical history and can provide personalized guidance. And in port, shore excursions are a great way to sightsee, have an adventure, or experience things that you simply can’t do back home. 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.

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Because of these concerns for the third trimester, the travel industry has adopted some precautionary rules. For instance, most airlines won’t let women fly after 36 weeks for domestic travel and after 28 to 35 weeks for international travel. Ultimately, if you want your child to have an additional passport, giving birth prematurely on a cruise is not the best way to go about that. However, that depends on each country's laws and how it chooses to extend citizenship. If you wish to or need to cancel the cruise, your next steps depend on whether you've paid in full or not.

You should always tell your travel insurance company that you’re pregnant to make sure that your pregnancy is covered. As each cruise line has different activities and entertainment facilities, it is challenging to determine the best itinerary for pregnant women. A general guideline is to choose an itinerary that has activities that are safe and friendly for pregnant women.

So, let’s set sail together as we explore the important aspects and guidelines for soon-to-be mothers. The good news is that cruises are good at offering a lot of variety and also meeting just about any diet. If there is something you can’t eat — or something that you crave — chances are that you can be accommodated. We’ve discussed cruising with babies and small children and always advise parents to pack anything they might even possibly need. There are stores on the ship that sell small sundries, but they are expensive, limited in brands, and may be closed when you need something.

If you are visibly pregnant you will also need a physician’s letter stating that you are fit to cruise while pregnant. When it comes to pregnancy and cruising, a common concern is the level of medical care available onboard. Yes, cruise ships are equipped with medical facilities, but it’s important to understand that these facilities are somewhat limited, especially in comparison to a full-scale hospital. For dedicated cruisers doubling as moms-to-be, what better way to celebrate your growing family than by taking a relaxing and fun-filled trip out to sea?

He heads up the content team at BoatingBeast and aims to share his many years experience of the marine world with our readers. As your body gears up for labor and birth, your hip joints loosen, and your risk of injuring yourself increases. Additionally, heavy lifting may increase the risk of preterm birth, especially if you use incorrect techniques to lift objects.

If you fall pregnant in between booking your cruise and sailing, you may find that you’re unable to cruise because you’ll be too far along in your pregnancy, or you’ll have a newborn baby. Now that you know everything you need to about cruising while pregnant, it’s time to book your next vacation. Browse through the itineraries on our website and pick the perfect cruise to celebrate your bundle of joy. If you have a healthy pregnancy, then going on a cruise vacation is a lovely way to celebrate the upcoming addition to your family. Pregnant women can enjoy a cruise on Celebrity Cruises up until their 23rd week of pregnancy. From delicious cuisine to show-stopping entertainment, our cruises have numerous activities and onboard venues that you’ll be able to enjoy, especially if you’re pregnant.

As long as you know what the recommendations are and listen to your body, you’ll have a great time on your cruise. If this happens, you should contact your cruise line (or travel agent) to let them know. The baby spent the next four months in the hospital before being allowed home. Doctors initially told the mother that the baby was dead, but later discovered that he was, in fact, alive.