21w pregnant + toddler + cruise??? relaxing?

[Sandbtwmytoes]

Hi
We are looking to book our second disney cruise, but I'll be 21w pregnant and have a 2.5y/o DD. DH will be with us too. I'm looking for any feedback. Does this sound relaxing or like a lot of work to you? I will definitely have trip insurance as I've had one great pregnancy and one not so great pregnancy. Any feedback on Disney vs other insurance for pregnancy issues is greatly appreciated! TIA

 

[darnheather]

Are you going to book time into the nursery for the DD? Otherwise I would say no way unless you are bringing a nanny.

 

[Sandbtwmytoes]

Probably not. She is rarely away from us and she seems so old for the nursery yet too young for the next level. Last time we brought family to help watch DD and they ended up hanging out at the adult pool all of the time lol.

 

[luvpooh]

Not sure where you are planning on cruising, but I thought that Disney was giving pregnant women extra opportunities to cancel due to Zika Virus. That could factor into your question regarding insurance.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Not sure where you are planning on cruising, but I thought that Disney was giving pregnant women extra opportunities to cancel due to Zika Virus. That could factor into your question regarding insurance.

I think the extra allowance for pregnant women was for those who had already booked cruises when the alert came out. Don't know that it would apply to someone booking now.

 

[Sandbtwmytoes]

Great point. I'm not too worried about Zika. I live in Texas right now and I can be exposed to Zika here. I'm looking at a cruise at the end of August to CC and Bahamas, so not too far south.

 

[Sandbtwmytoes]

I think the extra allowance for pregnant women was for those who had already booked cruises when the alert came out. Don't know that it would apply to someone booking now.

I think you mentioned something on a previous post about medical insurance and evacuating from a cruise. Do you know if this is part of trip insurance or a separate medical insurance? It is such a great suggestion so I will be sure I have this coverage!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I think you mentioned something on a previous post about medical insurance and evacuating from a cruise. Do you know if this is part of trip insurance or a separate medical insurance? It is such a great suggestion so I will be sure I have this coverage!

You can purchase travel insurance (covering cancellation/delay/baggage loss) that includes medical and evacuation coverage. Or you can just purchase medical and/or evacuation coverage. Whatever you want covered. Now, that's with 3rd party insurance. DCL insurance is a set policy, I believe.

 

[Chrisey]

I would make sure that God forbid your baby is born early that the baby is covered under medical insurance. There was a case here in Canada of a couple who went to Hawaii, their baby was born super premature and only the mother's healthcare was covered. The baby's wasn't because you cannot get insurance for an unborn child.

To me it sounds like a lot of work lol, but could also be a great time with your dd before the baby is born!

 

[Weedy]

I think it would be a great trip. You won't have to clean or cook. You will just be steps away from you cabin in case you need a nap. There will be lots of new things for your 2 year old to do. I say go for it

 

[Sandbtwmytoes]

I would make sure that God forbid your baby is born early that the baby is covered under medical insurance. There was a case here in Canada of a couple who went to Hawaii, their baby was born super premature and only the mother's healthcare was covered. The baby's wasn't because you cannot get insurance for an unborn child.

To me it sounds like a lot of work lol, but could also be a great time with your dd before the baby is born!

Unfortunately if I lost the baby before 23w, he/she wouldn't be viable so it would be all about taking care of me. Great point though. I really like that Disney doesn't want anyone over 24w on the cruise, likely for this reason.
And it does sound like a lot of work! That has me a little hesitant. I really want a relaxing beach vacation. What has me leaning towards the cruise is that the room is close by and food is always available. If we go somewhere else, the I have to worry about the 3 of us going out to eat all of the time. DD isn't a great eater so it's nice to have a variety of things to choose from.

 

[Sandbtwmytoes]

I think it would be a great trip. You won't have to clean or cook. You will just be steps away from you cabin in case you need a nap. There will be lots of new things for your 2 year old to do. I say go for it

Exactly! Not cooking and the room nearby are huge bonuses!!! Lots of activities too. But I'm not one of those mom's who makes traveling look easy lol. I have to pack everything and worry about everything. But I really want a vacation before baby #2.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I really like that Disney doesn't want anyone over 24w on the cruise

What it actually says is "can't have entered their 24th week or be entering their 24th week". So you can't be over 23 weeks pregnant.

 

[jahber]

I would make sure that God forbid your baby is born early that the baby is covered under medical insurance. There was a case here in Canada of a couple who went to Hawaii, their baby was born super premature and only the mother's healthcare was covered. The baby's wasn't because you cannot get insurance for an unborn child.

To me it sounds like a lot of work lol, but could also be a great time with your dd before the baby is born!

Maybe it's different in Canada (?), but all of my children have been automatically covered by my insurance when they were born. You have to officially add them within 30 days, but the insurance company had to cover them until 30 days (at which point, if she hadn't been added, my claims would have been denied and I would have paid the doctors directly). The concern is more likely if you need medical care outside of the US, does your insurance cover it?
But the OP is right in that a baby born at 21 weeks isn't likely to make it anyway. And even if they survived birth or were resuscitated, they wouldn't live long, sadly.

 

[Sytrace]

Pros:
A lot of food variety included in the fare...so no worry about reservations, trying to find something to eat at any time of day and added cost.
Cabins that are roomy and where you and 2.5 year old can nap whenever you want
Nemos Reef splash area for your little kid and Aqua Duck for your big kid (er, husband)
Movies for those quiet days and nights...fantastic movies on Funnel vision as well as first run in the theater. Jungle Book, Finding Dory, etc. We love watching the new movies.
Beach day at Nassau and Castaway Cay. Although, I would honestly hit the beach on CC and stay on the ship for Nassau.
Did I mention no cooking or cleaning? I should have put that first.

Cons:
You have to disembark on the last day.

Seriously, I would definitely take this time to vacation before the 2nd one comes along. And a cruise seems to hold the best of all possibilities for the most potential relaxation.

 

[bumbershoot]

OP you sound incredibly level-headed and I truly appreciate that. So many (especially Americans) freak out over things and you aren't. I love it. Good for you.

The question is...do you want to sit around the house for a week with your toddler and your belly, or do you want to sit on a cruise ship and a beach for that time? Do you want to just watch the clock, cook, clean up, etc...or do you want to play, eat food that others have cooked, have someone cleaning up for you, and have things to do at all hours of the day? I'm sure your daily life isn't all that relaxing. So do you want your daily life at your home, or on a cruiseship?

How is your husband at taking care of you and of the toddler? Can he be relied upon to take her over to get food, to perhaps bring you back some food if you don't want to move off of your lounger? If so, GO. Some spouses aren't great at that sort of thing, and that makes it less loungey and less relaxing. (of course, it's not wildly relaxing to be the non-pregnant spouse in this situation, poor DH, but that's life) If it's ALL going to be up to you, that's a factor.

 

[Chrisey]

Sorry I should have been clearer, I was speaking specifically about travel insurance. From what I read you cannot buy travel insurance for an unborn child.

As well, travel insurance doesn't always cover preexisting conditions. So if you are out of the country and need medical attention, would the pregnancy be considered a preexisting condition?

I am not trying to scare you at all! And hope I'm not coming across as a Debbie Downer. Just things to double check

Maybe it's different in Canada (?), but all of my children have been automatically covered by my insurance when they were born. You have to officially add them within 30 days, but the insurance company had to cover them until 30 days (at which point, if she hadn't been added, my claims would have been denied and I would have paid the doctors directly). The concern is more likely if you need medical care outside of the US,of does your insurance cover it?
But the OP is right in that a baby born at 21 weeks isn't likely to make it anyway. And even if they survived birth or were resuscitated, they wouldn't live long, sadly.

 

[bethy]

I am a tired and overwhelmed mom of 3 children. I do Disney vacations because they are the only way I can get somewhat of a break on "vacation." And then now that I've tried DCL I am hooked - THE most relaxing vacation I have ever been on with kids!!

 

[myrtleturtle]

I would go for sure. So much to do for the little one on the ship and relaxing for parents. Does your daughter like characters? Daddy could easily take her for a bit to stand in line and meet characters while mommy gets a break before dinner. Or head up to Nemo's Reef. We didn't realize how warm that water was, very nice for mom and dad too. And if you get tired, relax in a lounger while daddy supervises. And the service on board is great with kids. Our main dining room servers last week bent over backwards to make sure our kids had what they needed. They even cut my daughters food while I sat there and ate my own dinner. I ate a hot meal every day last week on our cruise!

But I would say don't rule out the nursery because she is too old. At least go during the Open House and see if she likes it. If there's one thing Disney knows, it's how to entertain kids.

 

[travelgirl06]

We cruised when my ODD was 2 and I was about 19 weeks pregnant with my younger daughter. It was a nice, relaxing trip (the 5 days at WDW prior to the cruise less "relaxing" but still great . We love that on the cruise you can use the nursery and go have some adult time, they did keep our daughter entertained at 2 and she seemed to enjoy it. The whole no cooking, cleaning, chores, work, commuting thing - honestly, you can't go wrong.

Our daughter loves the open house activities in the kids club - there was something like "wake up with Disney junior" and they had the characters come out and dance with the the kids - she was over the moon. She loved meeting characters and we did relaxing beach days. Honestly it was a great way to spend some quality time as a family of 3 before our younger daughter joined the mix.

It will be hot if you cruise in August, but as a Texan, I assume you are used to hot summers (we currently live in Austin and the cruise weather was certainly no hotter than Texas summer).