Pregnant and Cruising

Is it alright to cruise while pregnant? Has anyone done it before, and are there any risk to the baby? What is the latest you can go on a cruise while pregnant? Thank you

Consult your OB.

Is it alright to cruise while pregnant? Has anyone done it before, and are there any risk to the baby? What is the latest you can go on a cruise while pregnant? Thank you

Carnival's ticket contract reads in part:

5. FITNESS TO TRAVEL, SPECIAL NEEDS, PREGNANCY, INFANTS, DRINKING; DISEMBARKATION

(a) The Guest warrants that he and those traveling with him are physically fit to travel at the time of embarkation and is required to notify Carnival in writing at the time of booking the cruise of any physical disability or medical condition which may require special assistance during the voyage. Failure to do so will release Carnival from any liability for loss, damages or other compensation arising from or related in any way to such disability or condition. Upon booking the cruise, guests who have special needs are required to contact Carnival’s Special Needs Desk (305-599-2600 ext. 70025) to discuss the details of their special needs. Carnival reserves the right to require that any Guest, who is not self-sufficient, travel with a companion who shall take responsibility for any assistance needed during the voyage and in case of emergency.

(b) Carnival and the Master each reserves the right to refuse passage, disembark or confine to a stateroom any Guest whose physical or mental condition, or behavior would be considered in the sole opinion of the Captain and/or the ship's physician to constitute a risk to the Guest's own well-being or that of any other Guest or crew member. Guest understands and acknowledges that in addition to the limitations on medical care described in Clause 2 (a), prenatal and early infant care, in particular, may require specialized diagnostic facilities and/or treatment that are not obtainable during the cruise on board the ship and/or ashore in ports of call. Therefore, Guest agrees not to book a cruise or board the ship if she will enter her third trimester (twenty-seventh week) of pregnancy by the time of the voyage, nor for or with infants less than four months old. Carnival and the Master reserve the right to disembark any guest whose behavior affects the comfort, enjoyment, safety or well being of other guests or of any crew.

The only person that can answer these questions for you is your doctor. Of course people have done it before, but depending on your circumstances, it depends on you.

Is it alright to cruise while pregnant? Has anyone done it before, and are there any risk to the baby? What is the latest you can go on a cruise while pregnant? Thank you

I have a better question, who has gotten pregnant while cruising?

I saw a couple of women pregnant on our last cruise. They looked to be in the 5 to 7 month range.

I agree with the others tho, consult your doctor

My first pregnancy was uneventful and very routine. However, my second pregnancy, I went into preterm labor at 22 weeks. A trip to the ER, IV medications and bedrest resulted in my now 10yr old son that loves to cruise with me. :)

Up until the 22 week scare, all had been routine and without any problems. No way did I see that coming and neither did my doc. Had I been more than 30 minutes away from an ER with proper medications, things would have been a disaster. I was in and out of the hospital 4 more times before delivering at 38 weeks. My doctor never could find any reason. I had no other health issues and my son was born at 7 1/2 lbs and perfectly healthy.

I would urge you to consider carefully and realize that while there is a doctor on the ship and they are able to handle some emergencies, they certainly aren't equipped to handle everything.

There a lots of vacations you can take that are just as enjoyable and will keep you within a reasonable distance of neonatal emergency care should something go wrong.

It's a calculated risk, and odds are that all would be fine should you decide to cruise. I just wanted to give you something to consider when making your decision.

I have a better question, who has gotten pregnant while cruising?

LOOOOOOOLLLLL :p

I have a better question, who has gotten pregnant while cruising?

I would LOVE to get pregnant while on a cruise!

My sister-in-law cruised while pregnant. She was aprrox. 6 months pregnant and all was fine for her. She didn't even suffer from sea sickness like I did. She delivered a beautiful, healthy girl that was acutually past her due date. Of course you should have a chat with your OB to get a professional response. :)

Princess does not allow once you are in the 24th week...

"We have recently reviewed our pregnancy policy in light of current medical research on gestation risks and infant mortality outside of specialised neonatal intensive care units. As a result, effective immediately (Nov 6, 2006) we will no longer be permitting passengers who will have entered the 24th week of pregnancy by the last day of the cruise to travel with us."

http://www.princess.com/answer/ready.html

Whichever line you are thinking of, just type "pregnancy" in their search box to find their policy. That, and check with your own doctor. His/her concern may also be based upon itinerary/locations you will visit.

Is it safe to get pregnant on a cruise?

There a lots of vacations you can take that are just as enjoyable and will keep you within a reasonable distance of neonatal emergency care should something go wrong.

I prefer to go on another safe vacation, but cannot for the life of me think of one. I have a six year old son already who would be traveling with us. Any suggestions...Please.:)

A trip to DisneyWorld is always fun and safe. (great for children) We stay in the cabins in Fort Wilderness. They are like small houses on Disney property. You can go to marshmellow roasts at night and watch fun movies in their campfire ring. The cabins come with maid service, so you're not exactly roughing it..LOL Also, they have fully equipped kitchens so that you can make breakfast if you like in the morning. You rent a golf cart for transportation and park it where the boats come in or the buses, as they have special parking for them. Your cart is waiting for you when you return from one of the parks. You just park it in front of the cabin at night. We have a ball driving the golf cart all over the place exploring Ft. Wilderness. We've also used the grill and had delicious burgers. I know this isn't cruise related, but since you asked.. :)

It depends on what your family likes for a vacation. People cruise for different reasons. If you give us some ideas of what you love about cruises and what you don't like so much, you'll probably get some good ideas.

What time of year are you looking to travel and how many weeks along will you be at the time?

Our family had a really good time in San Antonio. Sea World, the Alamo, Schitterbahn water park, Six Flags Fiesta Texas........Lots of great resorts in the area to stay at. Some with golf and spas as well.

Also, the tex mex food is some of the best in Texas. :)

There are also lots of wonderful beaches along the east coast and all sorts of things to do there as well.

I have a better question, who has gotten pregnant while cruising?

I did! :D We call this little peanut Catalina.

I will be 19 weeks along on my next cruise in October. I am a high risk pregnancy due to diabetes and my Dr didn't even bat an eye. I asked for a letter from him statng how far along I am and that it's ok to cruise.

:) I will be 20 weeks pregnant on our Legend cruise 10/7/2007. It has beeen an uneventful pregnancy, but I know at any moment, this could change. My husband and I talked thoroughly about what we should do (booked before we knew) as well as talked with our obgyn. I think it is a personal choice that you make with all the information you have.

I think the scariest part is being away from home if something happens, although the chances are slim. But you make the decision, think positive and go from there. That is my two-cents.

I just came off the Glory yesterday and I am 6 months pregnant. I did everything I would have done if I hadn't been pregnant. All the excursions specifically say whether or not you can participate, which is nice. I even went Kayaking!

My only problem is that I kept over-eating :) So then, I would feel sick at the end of the night. My fault completely. All the food was so good!

We had a fabulous time and assuming I was healthy, I would cruise again while pregnant in a heartbeat.

I have a better question, who has gotten pregnant while cruising?

I hope to in three short weeks!!!

Is it safe to get pregnant on a cruise?

Why wouldn't it be?

I can't immagine anywhere it isn't safe to get pregnant except maybe that opium den in shrilanka :lol:

As for going on a cruise while pg, I think that decision really comes down to the individual and their doctor.

I agree it is between your doctor and you. But I am a neonatal ICU nurse and we see people all the time here on vacation walking around and it is hot here, they get dehydrated, go into labor and then we have their baby in our ICU. They are away from home and support people. Babies are viable at 23 - 24 weeks and like someone posted if you are somewhere that can not handle an OB/neonatal crisis, you are out of luck. Sure there are lots of people who have traveled and who doctors have said it is OK and who have done fine but I have seen plently who have not done OK. Also like someone posted, sometimes you have a high risk pregnancy and you know if but sometimes women deliver early and you never find out the reason. It is a personal decision but I would not want to risk it.

I agree it is between your doctor and you. But I am a neonatal ICU nurse and we see people all the time here on vacation walking around and it is hot here, they get dehydrated, go into labor and then we have their baby in our ICU. They are away from home and support people. Babies are viable at 23 - 24 weeks and like someone posted if you are somewhere that can not handle an OB/neonatal crisis, you are out of luck. Sure there are lots of people who have traveled and who doctors have said it is OK and who have done fine but I have seen plently who have not done OK. Also like someone posted, sometimes you have a high risk pregnancy and you know if but sometimes women deliver early and you never find out the reason. It is a personal decision but I would not want to risk it.

I was about to post almost EXACTLY the same thing. I'm an NICU nurse as well! I have had MANY patients born HUNDREDS of miles away from home because of lots of different reasons. ALL of them "had a completely normal pregnancy"...until they went into preterm labor. And a cruise ship is NOT equipped with the equipment or expertise to resuscitate an extremely premature (or not so extremely premature) baby. They don't have the specialized ventilators, isolettes, medication, and most importantly neonatologists and NICU nurses.

It is a personal decision. No one can make it for you. But this NICU nurse's advice - don't travel on a cruise ship after your first trimester. Just in case.

I did! :D We call this little peanut Catalina.

 

I will be 19 weeks along on my next cruise in October. I am a high risk pregnancy due to diabetes and my Dr didn't even bat an eye. I asked for a letter from him statng how far along I am and that it's ok to cruise.

I would question the fact that your Dr. says it's ok. Especially being a high risk pregnancy. You folks have to realize, that though there is a Dr. on board, there is nursing staff on board and there's a medical center on board, it's not an OB dept. That Dr. may not have actually treated a pregnant woman in years. Nor the staff.

When I was on the Caribbean Princess in 2005, I went for a tour of the medical center. They are ICU, ER, Trauma trained. And when they found I was an Labor & delivery nurse, they were going to come get me if a pregnant woman came in. It's not their area of expertise nor comfortability. They are not L & D nurses or NICU nurses or staff. I still say/recommend no one cruise after 15 weeks of pregnancy. Once viability is possible, it's too risky.... Not that babies are viable at 15 weeks, they aren't. But to think that someone may go into preterm labor, deliver a 15 week fetus and think that had they been in a real hospital with a L & D unit, they might still be pregnant.

Or to deliver a 26 week baby, which is viable, and hope the staff can resuscitate a baby.... And your away from home! Not worth it. You might be fine.... Then again, you might not. And then, why did you deliver. Was there a massive medical problem that requires a c-section? Are they capable of that? What if your water breaks and the cord prolapses? That's an emergency c-section.... just my opinion........

I agree it is between your doctor and you. But I am a neonatal ICU nurse and we see people all the time here on vacation walking around and it is hot here, they get dehydrated, go into labor and then we have their baby in our ICU. They are away from home and support people. Babies are viable at 23 - 24 weeks and like someone posted if you are somewhere that can not handle an OB/neonatal crisis, you are out of luck. Sure there are lots of people who have traveled and who doctors have said it is OK and who have done fine but I have seen plently who have not done OK. Also like someone posted, sometimes you have a high risk pregnancy and you know if but sometimes women deliver early and you never find out the reason. It is a personal decision but I would not want to risk it.

That's why we go during the cooler months to DisneyWorld. Also, as a guest of Disney, you can go back to your cabin or room at any time and go back out when it's cooler. During the summer, you can have heat and dehydration anywhere. (From Florida, too) You just have to be careful and follow your Dr's advice.

You must be 27 weeks or less to travel on a Carnival ship, and should bring a letter from the doctor.

If someone cruises pregnant and something goes would you sue the Doctor?