Friday, April 19, 2024

Cruising While Pregnant: Everything You Need To Know

cruise while pregnant

Head to family-friendly Aruba and spend your days swimming in its calm, transparent water. Our Caribbean cruises also visit ports in St. Lucia, the Virgin Islands, Bonaire, Curacao, Puerto Rico, and more. If you’re planning an upcoming babymoon or want to find out more about cruising while pregnant, here is a detailed guide on everything you need to know. If someone goes into labor on a cruise ship, the doctor notifies the ship’s captain (and potentially a rescue agency if necessary). The doctor and captain confer on the best course of action based on the parent and baby’s condition, and how far the ship is from the closest hospital. This could include changing course to the nearest port, or evacuation via boat or helicopter.

What to expect when cruising while pregnant

Experience even more of Alaska with a cruisetour and discover the state’s stunning interior. From there, you’ll journey to Anchorage, where you’ll begin your land-based adventure. Another great cruise destination to discover while pregnant is Alaska. Our Alaska cruises depart from a number of convenient ports of call such as Vancouver, British Columbia and Seattle, Washington. East Coast moms-to-be should consider a cruise to Bermuda, the island famous for its pink sand beaches and turquoise waters. Departing from Cape Liberty, New Jersey, our Bermuda cruises dock at Royal Naval Dockyard, where you’ll find pristine beaches, a number of historic attractions, plus five-star dining and bustling shopping centers.

cruise while pregnant

Pregnancy Travel: Road Trip

Breathtaking video shows pregnant Disney cruise passenger dangling over the ocean in Coast Guard rescue - New York Post

Breathtaking video shows pregnant Disney cruise passenger dangling over the ocean in Coast Guard rescue.

Posted: Wed, 17 Apr 2024 13:21:00 GMT [source]

And don't be shy to ask for virgin frothy drinks (a pina colada is almost as good without the rum!), which can be fun and refreshing. If your pregnancy has been classed as high risk, you should always talk to your OBGYN before engaging in any type of unusual activity — including boating. Describe what you are planning to do on your boating trip, and get the green light before you do it. If your doctor tells you that it’s safe to be on a boat but it’s better not to lift anything heavy, simply adjust your plans a little.

Precautions To Take While Cruising During Pregnancy

Pre-term deliveries prior to 24 weeks are predominantly miscarriages. A cruise ship's medical center is not equipped to care for an extremely premature baby, so the cruise lines make their policies to minimize the chances of a baby being born alive on board. 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.

This long stretch of coastline is famous for its rocky cliffs and rugged ocean beaches. During an Alaska cruisetour, you’ll explore the city of Anchorage and taste all kinds of delicious cuisine ranging from seafood bakes to gastropub goodies. Later, stop by Denali National Park, a sprawling national park full of rugged beauty and breathtaking scenery, where you’ll be able to see the highest peak in the U.S., Denali, and spot Alaskan wildlife in their natural habitat.

What Is The Best Itinerary For A Pregnant Woman?

In fact, most can safely enjoy boating without ever telling their doctors about it, but there are some exceptions. For this reason, it’s important to remain a passenger — don’t be an active part of the crew, as you would normally be, to avoid falls and slips. Stay seated while on the water, unless you are on a large and stable vessel. Yes, it’s always possible to see a doctor on-board a cruise ship. Be sure to pack any medication you might need such as paracetamol, heartburn relief and plasters as these can also be expensive to purchase on-board. Hot tubs are generally not recommended for pregnant women, although some of the hot tubs you’ll find on board are only slightly warmer than the swimming pool, so it’s up to you if you want to dip your toes in.

Choose Your Destination Carefully

"If you have been diagnosed with a blood clotting disorder, you may need special stockings to increase circulation and decrease your blood clot risk." "Discuss any travel with your doctor and see what he or she thinks," Chervenak says. "If your doctor is concerned, then you should be concerned and really weigh whether the travel is necessary."

Can You Go on a Cruise When You’re Pregnant?

There are often reports of a stomach virus spreading on cruises, she says, "These can be pretty bad in pregnancy because you are also putting your unborn baby at risk." The rules for pregnant cruise travelers measure in weeks, not in months, and draw the line at 24 weeks. You will need to provide documentation from a physician that states the progress of your pregnancy in gestational weeks. During a cruise, this might result in you giving birth on the ship.

cruise while pregnant

If you’re planning to go on a cruise, you will spend far longer than that away from the safety of your home, and the risk of you going into labor will increase incrementally. That’s exactly why many cruise operators won’t accept pregnant women past their 24th week. Costa Cruises will not accept a passenger if the fetus is in the 23rd week and 6 days of gestational age. In addition, a physician’s letter stating the estimated date of delivery, the mother and baby are in good health and fit to travel and the pregnancy is not at risk is required. One of the primary concerns when it comes to going on a cruise while pregnant is the risk of motion sickness. The rocking motion of a ship can be unsettling, and this may cause nausea and vomiting, which can be particularly challenging for pregnant women.

These itineraries also include stops in either Newport, Rhode Island or Charleston, South Carolina, while some itineraries include visits to both American cities. That being said, it’s always safer to talk to your doctor before traveling, especially if you’ve had any issues with your pregnancy in the past. Schedule massage treatments at the spa, unwind by the pool, and enjoy the never-ending food and non-alcoholic drinks on board that will leave you feeling completely relaxed and pampered by the end of your vacation. 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.

A notable outlier to this convention is small-ship expedition cruise line UnCruise Adventures with a cutoff date of 30 weeks. If you wish to or need to cancel the cruise, your next steps depend on whether you've paid in full or not. If you have only paid a deposit, you can cancel the cruise easily.

Opt for well-cooked meals, avoid raw or undercooked foods, and drink plenty of water. If you have any dietary restrictions or concerns, inform the cruise staff in advance. However, cruise lines take extensive measures to ensure the health and safety of their passengers, including rigorous sanitation protocols and mandatory health screenings before boarding. As long as you practice good hygiene and follow the cruise line’s recommended precautions, the risk of contracting an illness should be low. For pregnant women, shore excursions that do not require athleticism or strain the body are generally safe. So consider booking a sight-seeing bus tour, visiting the local museum or attractions, spending a day at the beach, or a local cuisine cooking class.

Meet Sophia Mitchell, a passionate traveler and cruise enthusiast. Air Force as an Arabic linguist, Sophia now explores the world as a freelance writer. She funds her four-year (and counting!) cruise adventure using points and miles.

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