Cruising and Pregnant

Rachel Hanson · Jun 29, 2015

I just have a hypothetical I wanted to throw out to the group here.

Our family is planning a cruise for right after Thanksgiving (hooray!). This is going to be my first one and I am SO excited.

My question is this. If a woman experiences an unplanned pregnancy, but she will be under 24 weeks by the time of the cruise, will DCL accept a doctor/midwife note stating that the woman is less than 24 weeks along?

Thank you in advance for you answers!!

PrincessShmoo · Jun 29, 2015

Rachel Hanson said:
I just have a hypothetical I wanted to throw out to the group here.

Our family is planning a cruise for right after Thanksgiving (hooray!). This is going to be my first one and I am SO excited.

My question is this. If a woman experiences an unplanned pregnancy, but she will be under 24 weeks by the time of the cruise, will DCL accept a doctor/midwife note stating that the woman is less than 24 weeks along?

Thank you in advance for you answers!!

From the Terms & Conditions contract you agree to when you book a cruise:
Women who have entered their 24th week of pregnancy as of their embarkation date or who will enter their 24th week of pregnancy during the cruise 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.
http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/terms-and-conditions/?country=us

For the most part, they will accept what you say as to how far along you are. It's just that, if you lie, and there's a problem, it's on you and not DCL.

Rachel Hanson · Jun 29, 2015

Right - a physician's medical statement or waiver of liability will not be accepted if the woman is, or will enter, her 24th week of pregnancy during the cruise. My question is, if a woman is prior to that period and is questioned will DCL accept documentation from the primary care provider. There's nothing about that in the terms & conditions, or anywhere else on the website.

PrincessShmoo · Jun 29, 2015

Rachel Hanson said:
Right - a physician's medical statement or waiver of liability will not be accepted if the woman is, or will enter, her 24th week of pregnancy during the cruise. My question is, if a woman is prior to that period and is questioned will DCL accept documentation from the primary care provider. There's nothing about that in the terms & conditions, or anywhere else on the website.

No, as I said, they will accept whatever you say as to how far along you are. Can't recall if it's during the reservation process, or the online check-in process, they ask "will anyone in the party be 24 weeks pregnant?" And you check "yes" or "no". If you check "no" and that's not true, as I said, if anything goes wrong, it's on you, not DCL.

kamik86 · Jun 29, 2015

Rachel Hanson said:
Right - a physician's medical statement or waiver of liability will not be accepted if the woman is, or will enter, her 24th week of pregnancy during the cruise. My question is, if a woman is prior to that period and is questioned will DCL accept documentation from the primary care provider. There's nothing about that in the terms & conditions, or anywhere else on the website.

As the Previous poster said they are just going to ask you to tell them how far along you are. But ifyou lie and say your 23 weeks and really turn out to be 28 weeks and complications arise you can't sue DCL. They can point to where you stated your prior to 24 weeks.

I believe the point of 24 weeks is that is generally when a baby is considered viable and the whole idea of what they would do if you went into preterm labor comes up. Before 24 weeks even if you were on land there is likely nothing they could do.

Rachel Hanson · Jun 29, 2015

Fair enough - thanks guys.

bumbershoot · Jun 29, 2015

Just remember that the wording is "entering the 24th week" which means if you're 23 weeks you are too far along. Because that's entering the 24th week. (Like DS is 11 and has entered his 12th year)

MissMet · Jun 29, 2015

bumbershoot said:
Just remember that the wording is "entering the 24th week" which means if you're 23 weeks you are too far along. Because that's entering the 24th week. (Like DS is 11 and has entered his 12th year)

I don't think that's what it means. I cruised pregnant. Pregnancy is calculated down to the days. My doctor wrote a letter stating that I would be 23 weeks, 3 days by the conclusion of our cruise. Their wording means you cannot enter your 24th week while on your cruise. You can be 23 weeks, 6 days pregnant but not 24 weeks pregnant on ANY day of the cruise.

PandL · Jun 29, 2015

I am cruising in September and I will be 22 weeks. I plan on getting a doctors note because this is my second and I am anticipating having a larger belly than with my first. If I were you I would have a note just in case. I won't hurt to have it, but it would suck trying to get one faxed at the last minute on a Saturday from your doctor if you don't. I would err on the side of caution.

Imedley200 · Jun 29, 2015

I cruised pregnant last year to Alaska. Like others have said, you just check a "yes" or "no" box to the question of being 24 weeks pregnant. Our reservation agent also asked the same question. Just to calm my nerves, I took along a Dr's note stating my progression and a basic history just in case anything was to happen.

PrincessShmoo · Jun 29, 2015

MissMet said:
I don't think that's what it means. I cruised pregnant. Pregnancy is calculated down to the days. My doctor wrote a letter stating that I would be 23 weeks, 3 days by the conclusion of our cruise. Their wording means you cannot enter your 24th week while on your cruise. You can be 23 weeks, 6 days pregnant but not 24 weeks pregnant on ANY day of the cruise.

At 23 weeks, 6 days, you have "entered" your 24th week (well, actually, you entered it the day you are 23 weeks pregnant). You have completed your 24th week the next day (and entered your 25th week).

Tzbwilsonfam · Jun 29, 2015

Our travel agent said that they will ask you but not force you to prove. She said you could be 30 weeks prego and tell them you were 23 and they probably wouldn't question it. Like the others posters have said, if you check no....it is on you if something happens. Enjoy yourself!

MissMet · Jul 3, 2015

PrincessShmoo said:
At 23 weeks, 6 days, you have "entered" your 24th week (well, actually, you entered it the day you are 23 weeks pregnant). You have completed your 24th week the next day (and entered your 25th week).

I understand what you are saying, but what I am saying is that is not how the cruise lines look at it. I've cruised pregnant twice.

And I agree, get the note but you won't need it. I was never asked anything about my pregnancy by any CM, but it was good to have just in case. The only time is checking the box.

tvguy · Jul 3, 2015

This certainly has changed since DW and I cruised when she was 26 to 27 weeks along in 1986. Her Doctor had absolutely no issue with it, other than asking to be packed in our luggage! And when we had our travel agent call Royal Caribbean, they said they had no restrictions if the Doctor was okay with it.

VbChristy · Jul 3, 2015

I cruised a different line while pregnant and brought a note just in case. It wasn't necessary though.

SleepyDeb · Jul 3, 2015

Can't hurt to have that note. I have known women who appeared much further along than they really were. Much easier to just have a note than to have to have questions.

Note: I have never cruised pregnant and my only child is 32 years, 10 months, and 1 week old, so I have no idea what DCL may or may not do if you look 8 months along when you're only 20 weeks.

Cruising and Pregnant

Rachel Hanson

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PrincessShmoo

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Rachel Hanson

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PrincessShmoo

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kamik86

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Rachel Hanson

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MissMet

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PandL

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Imedley200

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PrincessShmoo

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Tzbwilsonfam

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MissMet

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