Can You Travel On A Cruise While Pregnant?

Cruises can be a fun and enjoyable experience for pregnant women, but it is important to consider the risks associated with being at sea. According to the CDC, cruise lines generally do not allow pregnant women to travel after 24-28 weeks of pregnancy and may require a doctor’s note approving the travel. Most cruise lines allow women who are less than 24 weeks pregnant to board, but some may have stricter policies due to potential complications.

To be allowed to travel, you should be well enough to travel and have not entered the third trimester of your pregnancy. Celebrity Cruises allows pregnant women to enjoy a cruise up until their 23rd week of pregnancy. However, it is always safer to talk to your doctor before booking a cruise while pregnant or planning to get pregnant.

All major cruise lines have the same pregnancy policy: Guests are allowed to cruise through their 23rd week of pregnancy. If you will enter the 24th week of estimated gestational age during the cruise, agree not to sail. However, with few exceptions, the lines will not accept passengers who have entered their 24th week of pregnancy at any point during the sailing.

Most cruise lines have restrictions for pregnant passengers, primarily for those in their third trimester (last three months), and some cruise lines may refuse to accommodate pregnant passengers. It is crucial to be aware of the potential risks associated with being at sea and to consult with your doctor before booking a cruise with a baby on the way.

How strict is the Carnival pregnancy policy?

Of course, pregnant women are welcome on board. Please note that for your own safety and the safety of your unborn child, you must not be beyond your 24th week of pregnancy by the end of the cruise to be allowed to sail.

In every case you need a confirmation by your attending physician. Please ask us for the appropriate form.

Please note the following information regarding the “ZIKA VIRUS”:

On January 15, 2016, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) upgraded their Zika virus travel health notice to “Alert Level 2”, (Practice Enhanced Precautions) with specific affected areas of the Caribbean and Central and South America. You may have received our previous communication providing this information. As of January 26th, the CDC notice now includes the Dominican Republic and the U.S. Virgin Islands in the affected areas. For the most up-to-date information on the Zika virus and countries affected, please visit the website: wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices.

Can you go on a Bahamas cruise while pregnant?

Royal Caribbean International cannot accept guests who will be more than 23 weeks pregnant at any time during the cruise or CruiseTour.

Royal Caribbean Internationalcannot accept guestswho will be more than23 weekspregnant at any time during the cruise or CruiseTour.

The Guest and treating physician should consider before any cruise that there is no Obstetrician/Gynecologist available on the ship, and that pregnancies, when unstable and poorly controlled, are potentially life-threatening, especially without back up. A Guest may be at sea for several days without any immediate hospital and/or specialist back up, and that since the proposed itinerary is not within the U.S., and the availability of specialized shore side facilities can be problematic.

All guests are required to fill out a Public Health Questionnaire prior to arrival or at the pier attesting that they are not more than 23 weeks pregnant. If you have already booked a cruise or cruise tour and do not meet this requirement, please contact your Travel Advisor or call us at 562-7625 and request a Resolution Agent.

Can you cancel a cruise if you find out you’re pregnant?

What If I Find Out I’m Pregnant After I’ve Booked My Sailing?. Since many people plan their cruise vacations well in advance, it’s entirely possible that an unexpected pregnancy might end up overlapping with your planned sailing dates. If you don’t wish to sail while pregnant and have not yet paid your final payment, it’s generally easy to cancel your sailing and get a refund of your deposit. However, as a matter of policy, most cruise lines don’t count pregnancy as just cause for a refund or travel credit, so if you cancel after final payment, you will be accountable to your cruise line’s cancellation policies and might not receive a full refund. As an added safeguard, purchasing travel insurance is highly recommended to protect your vacation investment. 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).

What If I Get Sick or Have Complications During My Cruise? Is There Medical Care Onboard?. Before you book your cruise or once you learn you’re pregnant if you’re already booked check in with your doctor and make sure that cruising (along with the destinations you’re planning to travel to) is indeed a good fit for you. If you have experienced any pregnancy complications at all, have delivered preterm in the past or are expecting twins (or more!), it might be advisable to rethink your cruise plans and stick to solid ground, close to well-equipped medical facilities.

Most cruise ships, especially the larger ones, do offer limited, doctor-helmed medical facilities for passengers and crew, which are prepared to handle routine medical procedures and minor emergencies. However, these centers do not offer technologically adequate facilities or doctors specialized in obstetrics and gynecology should critical childbirth, prenatal or early infant care be required.

Can you cruise pregnant with Carnival?

Of course, pregnant women are welcome on board. Please note that for your own safety and the safety of your unborn child, you must not be beyond your 24th week of pregnancy by the end of the cruise to be allowed to sail.

In every case you need a confirmation by your attending physician. Please ask us for the appropriate form.

Please note the following information regarding the “ZIKA VIRUS”:

On January 15, 2016, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) upgraded their Zika virus travel health notice to “Alert Level 2”, (Practice Enhanced Precautions) with specific affected areas of the Caribbean and Central and South America. You may have received our previous communication providing this information. As of January 26th, the CDC notice now includes the Dominican Republic and the U.S. Virgin Islands in the affected areas. For the most up-to-date information on the Zika virus and countries affected, please visit the website: wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices.

Can I go on a Caribbean cruise while pregnant?

• MSC Cruises – MSC and/or the Carriers do not have on board any of the cruise vessels adequate medical facilities or equipment for childbirth
• therefore MSC cannot accept a Booking and the Carrier cannot carry any Passenger who will be 24 weeks pregnant or more by the end of the Cruise.
• Norwegian Cruise Line – NCL will not accept guests who will have entered their twenty-fourth week of pregnancy by the time their travel with NCL concludes. A statement from the expectant mother’s doctor (letterhead form required), stating her due date and fitness to travel, must be sent to NCL’s Access Desk ([email protected]).
• Royal Caribbean International – Royal Caribbean International cannot accept guests who will have entered their twenty-fourth week of pregnancy by the beginning of the cruise or cruise tour. All guests are required to sign a health questionnaire at check in to ensure they are aware of Royal Caribbean’s pregnancy policy. A physician’s “Fit to Travel” note is required prior to sailing, stating how far along (in weeks) a guest’s pregnancy will be at the beginning of the cruise and confirming that the guest is in good health and not experiencing a high-risk pregnancy. The “Fit to Travel” note should be faxed to the Access Department at 1-954-628-9622. Contact RCL at 1-866-592-7225 or at [email protected] if you have already booked a cruise or cruise tour and do not meet this requirement.

Premium Cruise Lines(Please be sure to confirm these with your agent/cruise line before booking, as they are subject to change.)

• Celebrity Cruises – Celebrity Cruises cannot accept guests who will have entered their twenty-fourth week of pregnancy by the beginning of the cruise or cruise tour. All guests are required to sign a health questionnaire at check in to ensure they are aware of Celebrity’s pregnancy policy. A physician’s “Fit to Travel” note is required prior to sailing, stating how far along (in weeks) the passenger’s pregnancy will be at the beginning of the cruise and confirming that she is in good health and not experiencing a high-risk pregnancy. The “Fit to Travel” note should be faxed to the Access Department at 1-954-628-9622. Contact Celebrity at 1-866-592-7225 or at [email protected] if you have already booked a cruise or cruise tour and do not meet this requirement.
• Disney Cruise Line – Women who will enter their twenty-fourth week of pregnancy during the cruise will be refused passage due to safety concerns. Neither a physician’s medical statement nor a waiver of liability will be accepted. In addition, Disney Cruise Line cannot be held responsible or liable for any complications relating to pregnancy at any stage.
• Holland America Line – Women cannot have begun their twenty-fourth week of pregnancy at any time before or during the cruise. Pregnant guests must provide a physician’s letter stating their expected due date and medical fitness to travel, and asserting that the pregnancy is not high-risk. You must also include your name, booking number, ship, and sailing date.

Do I have to tell the cruise line I am pregnant?

Pregnant guest under 24 weeks must provide written permission from their doctor prior to sailing that states that they are fit to travel by sea and air.

Pregnant Passenger Cruises. Expectant Mother Cruises. Before You Go. Most cruise lines have restrictions for pregnant passengers, primarily for those in their third trimester (last three months) and some cruise lines may refuse to book you if you are beyond a certain week of your pregnancy. Some cruise lines require a medical certificate or a letter from your doctor stating your term of pregnancy or due date, pre-existing physical or medical conditions, your fitness to travel, and any medications you require while onboard. Pack these in an easy-to-find place, preferably with all your other tickets and documentation.

It is important to verify the issues in question with the cruise line at the time of booking to ensure you don’t face difficulties when you arrive at the port.

Once Onboard. Make sure you book a cabin with a large enough bed for your needs, since some cabins may only come equipped with bunk beds or single beds. Be sure to request extra pillows and blankets from the cabin steward, and scout out exit routes and other walkways in the area around your cabin. You should also have a look at your bathroom facilities before you really need to use them, in order to spot any potential problems. You may also want to try on your personal flotation device (PFD) found in your cabin to ensure that it will fit you properly. If you find it is too small then ask the cabin steward for another.

Is a cruise OK for a babymoon?

You’re pregnant and yearning for a relaxing getaway with your spouse before baby arrives. Have you considered a babymoon cruise?

Cruises make ideal babymoons. There’s food everywhere, including room service for those late-night cravings. Plus they make planning easy; the cruise ship serves as hotel, restaurant, entertainment venue, spa and transportation. You can do as little or much as you want, and there’s a doctor onboard… just in case.

Moms-to-be should note that you can’t cruise in your third trimester, so cruise babymoons are best taken in the second trimester. Also, while Zika outbreaks have decreased, there’s still some potential risk to cruising the popular destinations of the Caribbean and Mexico.

If you’re excited about sailing while pregnant, here are our six favorite babymoon cruise itineraries.

What are the rules for Babymoon?

Babymoon do’s and don’tsDon’t: Overdo it. You’re growing a person – so don’t feel obligated to keep up your pre-pregnancy pace. … Don’t: Assume a babymoon has to be fancy. A babymoon can be whatever you want it to be! … Do: Think about what you’ll eat at your destination.

Lounge on a tropical beach or spend quality time at a faraway friend’s house. Whatever you end up doing, you won’t regret taking a babymoon.

Taking a vacation before your baby arrives can be a relaxing, adventurous, or romantic way to connect with your partner. Here’s how to plan a safe and comfortable babymoon.

What is a babymoon?. A babymoon is basically a last hurrah before your baby comes. The name is a play on honeymoon, but instead of a vacation you take after getting married, a babymoon is a vacation you take before your little one arrives. It’s both an homage to your life pre-baby and a way to celebrate the onesie-filled road ahead.

How pregnant can you be on a Carnival cruise?

Of course, pregnant women are welcome on board. Please note that for your own safety and the safety of your unborn child, you must not be beyond your 24th week of pregnancy by the end of the cruise to be allowed to sail.

In every case you need a confirmation by your attending physician. Please ask us for the appropriate form.

Please note the following information regarding the “ZIKA VIRUS”:

On January 15, 2016, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) upgraded their Zika virus travel health notice to “Alert Level 2”, (Practice Enhanced Precautions) with specific affected areas of the Caribbean and Central and South America. You may have received our previous communication providing this information. As of January 26th, the CDC notice now includes the Dominican Republic and the U.S. Virgin Islands in the affected areas. For the most up-to-date information on the Zika virus and countries affected, please visit the website: wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices.

Do you need a doctor’s note to travel when pregnant?

Before Travel. Before you book a cruise or air travel, check the airlines or cruise operator policies for pregnant women. Some airlines will let you fly until 36 weeks, but others may have an earlier cutoff. Cruises may not allow you to travel after 24–28 weeks of pregnancy, and you may need to have a note from your doctor stating you are fit to travel.

Zika and Malaria. Zika can cause severe birth defects. The Zika virus is spread through mosquito bites and sex. If you are pregnant, do not travel toareas with risk of Zika. If you must travel to an area with Zika, useinsect repellentand take other steps to avoid bug bites. If you have a sex partner who lives in or has traveled to an area with Zika, you should use condoms for the rest of your pregnancy.

Pregnant travelers should avoid travel to areas with malaria, as it can be more severe in pregnant women. Malariaincreases the risk for serious pregnancy problems, including premature birth, miscarriage, and stillbirth.If you must travel to an area with malaria, talk to your doctor about taking malaria prevention medicine. Malaria is spread by mosquitoes, so useinsect repellent and take other steps to avoid bug bites.

How many months pregnant can you go on a cruise?

Are Guests who are pregnant permitted to sail? A: Women who have entered their 24th week of pregnancy as of their embarkation date or who will enter their 24th week of pregnancy during the cruise will be refused passage due to safety concerns.