Cruising During Pregnancy

[nkochrn]

I am NOT pregnant and I know that you can't cruise after 24 wks of pregnancy. We have however been considering it. Our cruise isn't until January 2013 and if we did start trying before, we'd make sure I was around 12-16 weeks at the time of the cruise. I think it'd be really cool to announce to the kids while we're on the ship that we're having a baby.

I'm wondering if anyone else has any experience with cruising during pregnancy. Did you get more seasick because of it? I know it'd be really hard to know how sick I'd be, with DD I couldn't eat after noon for the first 16 weeks b/c I'd vomit. With DS I never even felt sick.

Any one think it's a HORRIBLE idea to even try before the cruise???

 

[jilljill]

I did a search and found many threads on this subject. Here are just a few:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=36099450&highlight=cruising+during+pregnancy#post36099450

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=12274955&highlight=cruising+during+pregnancy#post12274955

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=31530737&highlight=cruising+during+pregnancy#post31530737

 

[Four Bears]

I sailed around 23 weeks (the upper limit). I personally had no issues with sea sickness and I not the best sailor! The hardest part of the trip was having to haul around 3 suitcases, a bunch of carry-ons, a stroller, and a 21 month old!

Also all of the frozen drinks can be made in virgin. I personally think all the food on board helped with any of the pregnancy queasies!

 

[Gdes1]

We had the same question a few years back and ultimately decided to wait until after the cruise. I had already had one child and was sick from about 8 weeks to 16 weeks, but it was "all day" sickness. I figured it was still safe to cruise, but DH pointed out that I would most likely be miserable. He was right! Once I did get pregnant again, I was sick from 5 weeks to 25 weeks (eek!) and was so tired I could barely move. So, yes, I *could* have cruised, but it would have been a total waste of money.

It sounds like, from your past pregnancies, you have a 50/50 chance of being sick, so I would just use that to base your decision. Also, being too warm makes things like morning sickness worse (just something to keep in mind).

 

[jdb in AZ]

Our niece cruised when she was preggers, and the only time she stuck her nose outside the stateroom was for dinner. She was quite miserable.

Obviously, we can't predict how well you'll do.

 

[mdvlprof]

It all depends on 'morning sickness'. If you have it, cruise will make symptoms worse - no fun. If you don't have it, cruise will be a lot of fun.

 

[spiiffy]

On our first Disney crusie I was 22 weeks pregnant. It kinda sucked not being able to have drinks and I really had a hard time with the summer humidity in Florida and the Bahamas. I also tend to get very big quickly when I am pregnant and I looked way further along then 22 weeks and because of that I had many people staring at me during the cruise. In terms of sea sickness, I did not having any issues! Overall being pregnant just made the whole cruise a little less relaxing and a little tougher. If I had a choice I don't think I would cruise pregnant again.

 

[jlwhitney]

Im going at 23 weeks this september, doing the california coastal cruise. I am 12 weeks now and have had zero morning sickness, so I am not worried at all. Since this is my first no one thinks I will even be that big yet, I can still wear all my normal clothes.

I don't drink much at all so that won't bother me, it won't be hot like the caribbean and over all I can't wait. I am not worried at all.

 

[nkochrn]

Thanks for sharing all your experiences with me. I'm not too worried about not being able to drink, it'll probably save me a lot of money! LOL

The morning sickness I did have with my first pregnancy was only if I ate something in the evening. It wasn't that I felt bad when I didn't eat, I just didn't have much of an appetite towards the afternoon and evening. I think it sounds like I'd probably be fine IF I'm actually even pregnant at the time, I'll talk to my doc about some zofran to take with me just in case

I'm also not worried about the weather, since we're going in January and the temperatures won't be bad. 80 sounds pretty awesome compared to these 100's in Kansas this week!

 

[LLOC33]

I have been pregnant twice on a cruise. The first time I found out I was pregnant while on the cruise so I was only 4-5 weeks. The second time I was at the limit at 22 weeks with twins. Both times it was great because I could eat and eat and eat I am going on my third cruise and I get to actually drink on this one (which means we spend more money this time). I didn't get sick either time but then I wasn't sick during my pregnancy at all. I think that is the key. If you don't get sick in general during your pregnancy you should be fine, but if you do then I would not go.

 

[flexsmom]

Cruised at 14 weeks - it was great because I was past the first trimester of "weird" feelings and felt great the whole cruise.

 

[mpetersen]

Recently cruised in April at 23 weeks preg, no one ever asked how far along I was. After emailing dcl I basically got a "cruise at your own risk" response
As for the trip itself..
cons: no booze, but could get virgin drinks even konk coolers, our waiter at palo went out of his way to give me something non alcoholic and yet special at brunch and dinner
- horrible smell in our toilet area that our host tried to resolve, bring spray air freshener
-felt more motion of the boat especially on night one at dinner
- couldn't always digest all the awesome food
-slightly sun sensitive so not as much lounging as I'd like
- no rainforest room or aqua duck for me
Pros: any food you basically want at any time, so cravings/aversions are no issue
-floating in serenity bay=HEAVEN!
-lots to do inside out of the heat
-Our FE group gave us so many baby gifts it was like having a mini shower

Overall I don't regret cruising preggo one bit, it just is a different experience than doing it not preg but nonetheless enjoyable. I made sure to do certain things I didn't do the first time bc I was running around ( order room service, midship detective agency, see a movie)

 

[leahmichl]

Never on DCL, but I've cruised twice before while pregnant. No issues whatsoever either time - would definitely do again.

 

[nkochrn]

I hadn't thought about the aquaduck, I really want to do that (although probably not as bad as I want a baby), do they actually tell you that you can't go on it if you're pregnant???

 

[wendydarling78]

It's a rollercoaster, so that would be a "no-no" during pregnancy, even if Disney doesn't tell you no. Although I'm sure they have that posted somewhere. When I was pregnant with my DD, the safari ride at AK had a "no pregnancy" disclaimer because the trail was a little bumpy. I can't imagine them encouraging pregnant women to ride a water roller coaster.

Good luck with your planning/decision!

Wendy