Anyone ever cruise while pregnant?

[DallasLady]

I want to plan a cruise for June, but I may be pregnant (hopefully!). Has anyone ever cruised while pregnant? How did it go?

[boilermaker]

Dallaslady, I lurk in the TTC area...and saw your thread and thought, Oh she's PG!!! Yeah. So I'm crossing my fingers for you.

I can't answer your question though :)

[eb23sheree]

I've never cruised while pregnant, but have heard of others who have and they didn't have a problem. I guess it depends on your pregnancy. My DH and I are planning on TTC sometime this year but we'd also love to book a cruise since we've cancelled our last 2 cruises (one of which leaves tomorrow) :(

There is a time period though when cruises won't allow you to sail when you're pregnant. I think it's after 5 months, but I could be mistaken.

[Ohana]

I haven't cruised while pg, but we did take a family cruise last year when my sister was about 24 weeks. She didn't seem to have any problems, even though she was not allowed to go on many of the excursions.

A number of cruiselines have restrictions on pregnant passengers, so when you book your cruise, I'd definitely get insurance that would help you recoup your costs if you have to cancel.

Otherwise, stock up pn sunscreen and have a great time!

[kristin9903]

I haven't yet, but I'm leaving in January for our cruise and I'll be 23 weeks pg. There are limits most cruise lines set for how far along you can be. Carnival (the one I'm cruising on) sets a limit of 27 weeks. There are others that have 24 week limits. Some cruise lines also require a letter from your doctor with your EDD on it so they can confirm how far along you are.

Also, be aware that you can't do a lot of the excursions. Things like scuba, horseback riding, and ATV rides on the beach are prohibited. So is swimming with the dolphins (which made me very sad!). You can still snorkel, though.

[BTB]

Before my niece was born, our whole family went on one last cruise together and my sister just barely was under the deadline. We did Carnival because they have the latest limit in terms of how far along the mom can be - 27 weeks as a pp said. Be aware that this limit means you can't have begun your 27th week the day the cruise ends - i.e. you can be 26w 6d returning to port. That's exactly what she was, so we just made it. :)

Honestly, it is not as much fun to cruise while pg as it is when non-pg (so she said, and it was evident watching her.) She gets motion-sickness, so that was a big part of it, as well as being limited on what activities she could do and fighting dehydration in the sun and hot temps. But cruising while pg is infinitely more fun than sitting around home while pg. :D

Be sure to buy travel insurance. DH and I booked an awesome cruise for when I was 20-22 weeks but I had pregnancy complications and was not allowed to travel. Odds are you'll be just fine and have a great time but it's a lot of money to lose if you end up home-bound.

[heather 8^)]

Ditto everyone else. You could definitely cruise pregnant, but you would have to make some concessions (assuming the cruise line and the airline would allow you to travel). As mentioned, scuba, horseback riding, even some of the milder activites are "off-limits" to pregnant women, I guess because they don't want to deal with the liability. You also need to remember to be careful about what you eat while on excursions because some fruits/veggies may not be washed enough for a pregnant woman's sensitive immune system. The casino would probably be no fun as well because it's all smoky all of the time, and you also couldn't partake of the hot tubs, free alcohol, and some of the food they serve (deli sandwiches, pate, etc.).

All that said, the cool thing about a cruise is that there are lots of fun things to do on and off the ship! Shopping is A-OK, most gym and spa activities are ok or easy to modify for pregnancy, and a lot of the activities are fine as well (such as crafts, bingo, art auctions, dancing, etc.). And you will definitely have PLENTY of good food to eat and enjoy, not to mention the shows in the evenings. So I say go for it! :D

[ShelbyMay]

Does anyone know what kind of medical care is available on the larger cruise ships? DH and I were toying with the idea of taking a cruise around 20 weeks, but 3 friends of mine have all had preterm labor complications. I know it's unlikely, but I am afraid that might happen to me and don't know if I'd want to be stuck in the middle of the ocean if it did. :(

[kiki61872]

i went to vegas while pregnant. i had it all planned before we found out. i was 15 weeks when we went. i enjoyed those buffets :p

[beachlvr]

I went on an Alaskan cruise when I was 7 months pregnant. I didn't have any problems with it, and no one ever asked me when I was due, nor did I have to get a doctors note. I went on Princess.

The only limitation I had was that the spa wouldn't do any type of massage on me. I went on the excursions without a problems, although scuba diving wasn't an option in Alaska :) And I fully partook of the buffets and all the meals. I just didn't drink, and I don't eat lunch meat anyway.

I might have been a bit more laid back because I went while pregnant with my second baby, but I think you should do it. You'll have a wonderful time.

[Ohana]

ShelbyMay On the cruises I've been on, there's a "doctor" on board who has regular office hours, though I imagine he/she can always be contacted in a pinch. On the really big ships, there was also a nurse and even a small sick bay type place. I really don't know the credentials/background of the doctors, though, and since the ships are usually not registered in the US, I don't know if there are any guidelines for doctors on cruise ships.

I think your best bet would be to purchase travel insurance that would cover having you transported off the ship to a nearby hospital, just in case.

[jennylou]

My sil went on a cruise when she was about 13 weeks pregnant. She really enjoyed herself. Then again, they have taken several cruises before and know what they like to do, she doesn't drink a lot to begin with, etc.

I've also read 27 weeks is the maximum and then they won't let you go.