Cruising While Pregnant: Everything You Need to Know
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Doctors initially told the mother that the baby was dead, but later discovered that he was, in fact, alive. The ship reached Puerto Rico 12 hours later, where the baby was rushed to the hospital, before being flown to Miami a few days later. From when you book to when you disembark, so long as you clearly communicate your desires and preferences, you can count on your cruise line to bend over backward to make sure that they cater to your every pregnant need.
Should I go on a cruise while pregnant?
It’s essential to listen to your body and take breaks when needed. Pace yourself and don’t overexert yourself with strenuous activities. Remember, your well-being and the safety of your baby are the top priorities. Check with your cruise line well before you sail to find out their specific policy, and what your doctor will need to include in the letter.
Cruise Line Policies on Pregnancy
Most airlines cite 36 weeks as a cutoff; however, a ten-hour flight to Europe may not be ideal (or comfortable) for some. The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has had a number of alerts related to Zika. The larger outbreak in the Americas has lessened but Zika is still a potential risk in many countries in the Americas, including the Caribbean. Your skin can be more sensitive during pregnancy and it can be easy to burn in the sun.
Cruise Lines’ Pregnancy Policies
And no, this isn’t a reference to rocky terrains or dangerous landscapes (although they are not ideal for pregnant women either). Rather, some destinations harbor communicable diseases such as Zika or malaria. Women who are pregnant can experience malaria more severely than non-pregnant women. This should be sent to our medical team who will place a note on the booking.
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. If you are experiencing pregnancy complications, your doctor may advise against going on a cruise. If this is the case, going on a cruise against your doctor’s recommendation can be potentially dangerous for you and your baby.
Pregnant and stuck on a ship in the middle of the virus pandemic - The Japan Times
Pregnant and stuck on a ship in the middle of the virus pandemic.
Posted: Thu, 09 Jul 2020 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Just because you are pregnant does not mean you have to miss out on fun activities while pregnant. There are many available activities/ pass times that pregnant women can do on a cruise. For instance, you can spend some relaxing time in the spa by treating yourself to a much-needed massage or relaxing facial.
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However, each cruise line has a minimum age requirement for guests traveling, which will be verified upon check-in at the pier. This minimum age requirement varies by cruise line and even itinerary. Always tell your Vacations To Go cruise counselor if you are pregnant or planning to cruise with an infant to insure you meet all required guidelines. But if you’re planning to cruise during pregnancy, making sure you have medical coverage for everywhere you’re traveling is a must. Most cruise lines require pregnant people to present a fit to travel letter from your physician at boarding.
What should I remember to pack for my cruise while pregnant?
If the baby was born while the ship was more than three nautical miles off of the coast (international waters), you might be able to apply for the country where the ship is registered. If your ship is docked in a foreign country during delivery, you may apply for citizenship for your baby there. If you or the baby are unwell, the captain may decide to enlist an air evacuation. If both parents are U.S. citizens, the baby will automatically be given the parent’s citizenship. However, the baby may also be eligible for dual citizenship, depending on the country.
In your cabin, go ahead and request extra pillows and blankets, as needed, from your cabin attendant. Your personal flotation device should be one size fits all, but if it's too small -- given your new dimensions -- or you need help adjusting it, your cabin steward can assist you ahead of the mandatory ship drill. Throughout the rest of the ship, take some time to scout out the locations of the public ladies' rooms, so that you'll know where to rush to when nature calls (as it so frequently does during pregnancy).
You’re probably wondering if you can even go on a cruise while you’re pregnant. Usually you can, as long as you take the cruise early enough in your pregnancy. Cruise Radio prioritizes well-balanced cruise news coverage and accurate reporting, paired with ship reviews and tips. While seasickness should always be considered as a possibility, keep in mind that some women are hyper-sensitive to motion, smells and certain situations. This underscores the importance of cruising within a safe timeframe during your pregnancy. The good news is that cruising while pregnant is fairly straightforward, as long as you know you know a few bits of important information.
And, to play it safe, implement good strategies for avoiding seasickness in general, like booking a cabin midship on a larger, more stabilized ship to ensure less motion, and cruising to locations that are known for smoother seas. While there are plenty of medications and remedies to help combat seasickness-related nausea and vomiting, you'll need to check in with your doctor to see what's safe for you to take during pregnancy. Homeopathic non-drug options, like ginger pills or acupressure wristbands, are a safe bet to help keep motion sickness at bay. 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.
Generally, symptoms are mild such as a rash, but more serious side effects have been reported. It has been estimated that nausea can affect up to 75% of pregnant mothers, which can be exacerbated by seasickness while cruising. Larger ships have a small medical facility with patient rooms, basic medical equipment, and a supply of various medications. They’ll also have lifesaving equipment, like defibrillators and external pacemakers. Do you have an upcoming cruise planned, and you recently learned that you’re pregnant?
For international travel, the cutoff date is usually around 28 weeks. Some river cruise operators also have different cutoff dates for cruising while pregnant. River cruises usually operate in a smaller area close to shore, making it easier to reach a hospital if labor starts or any complications occur.
After all, it’s always better to be safe than sorry, especially when you’re expecting and away from home. A cruise can be an incredible babymoon for you and your partner and even a future older sibling. Consult your doctor and evaluate the pros and cons before setting sail. She also explains that pregnancy puts you at higher risk for blood clots from sitting too long (such as on the flight to your cruise departure port). Additionally, spontaneous termination of a pregnancy is possible between six and 12 weeks, especially, if you pick up an infection while traveling. You'd then have to deal with the physical and emotional repercussions of a miscarriage while on vacation.
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