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.
Your main discomfort may be with nausea enhanced by the ship’s
motion. To minimize problems associated with seasickness, try to
book one of the larger ships (more than 1,000 passengers). These
tend to be more stable and do better in rough weather. They will
also tend to have the best range of health facilities and services.
Ships with more than 100 passengers will normally be staffed with
both a doctor and nurse, but some may only have a nurse. (Note that
ships' medical personnel generally charge a fee for their services.)
Make sure to discuss your cruise and related travel plans with your
doctor. Before you travel about various seasickness medications
and remedies, and which are best to use during pregnancy.
If you take any kind of medication, be sure to have an ample supply
for the duration of your cruise. Keep in mind that while most cruise
ships carry a reasonable supply of the most widely used drugs, they
may not have the particular items you need. Also, in many cases
the cruise line policy may discourage dispensing medications to
pregnant women.
To avoid border complications you may wish to have a note from your
doctor describing your prescription (Generally this will not be
an issue.). Passengers with special or exceptional medical needs
should contact the cruise line well ahead of time to learn whether
the necessary facilities exist on board.
You may also want to check your health insurance coverage and how
it will cover you during and after the cruise. If you are uncertain
of your coverage, consider purchasing additional travel medical
insurance as well. Most cruise lines offer insurance packages that
include medical coverage.
Cruiselines' Policies
Carnival - For safety reasons,
any guest entering her third trimester (24 weeks or more) of pregnancy
will not be permitted to sail, as their ship infirmaries are only
equipped for minor emergencies. Infants must be at least four months
old to be eligible to travel.
Celebrity will not accept guests
who have entered their third trimester (24th week) of pregnancy
by the beginning of, or at any time during, their cruise vacation.
Costa - Less than 6 months requires
a note from doctor. More than 6 months are not permitted to sail.
Crystal is unable to accommodate
children under six (6) months of age and reserves the right to restrict
the number of those under three (3) years of age aboard the ship.
Crystal Cruises is unable to accommodate women past their sixth
(6th) month of pregnancy.
Disney Cruise Line - Women who have entered
their 24th week of pregnancy as of their embarkation date 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. Infants under
12 weeks old will not be allowed to travel aboard Disney Cruise
Lline ships.
Holland America - Due to the limited
medical facilities on the ships, Holland America will not accept
reservations for infants 12 weeks or younger and women who will
be more than 24 or more weeks pregnant at the time their cruise
with Holland America concludes.
NCL - Pregnancy must be regarded
as a medical condition. An expectant mother's application for passage
must be accompanied by a medical certificate establishing her due
date and fitness to travel, and acceptance is subject to the following
conditions:
- NCL will not be responsible or liable for any complications of
pregnancy which arise or occur during the cruise.
- NCL will not accept passengers who will have entered their 24th
week of pregnancy by the time their travel with NCL concludes.
Royal Caribbean welcomes pregnant
guests but will not accept guests who will enter their 24th week
of pregnancy by the end of the cruise or Cruisetour.
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