Pregnant cruisers?

[pdolan]

We are considering a Disney cruise and have never been on a cruise before. I thought I read on the Disney Cruise site about restrictions for pregnant women on cruises (i.e. what weeks during pregnancy they would not be allowed to cruise). This may sound naive, but how can I plan a cruise 8-10 months in advance if I don't know if I will be pregnant or not? Should I just give up even trying to plan? Is there anyone out there who had to cancel due to an unexpected pregnancy or anyone who cruised pregnant and thought it was good/bad or otherwise? Any hints, suggestions, info. would be great.

 

[jel0511]

The rule is that you're not to cruise, once you've entered your 24th week of pregnancy. I have read posts of people who have had to cancel due to an unexpected suprise. Disney had a very good cancelation policy, all deposits are fully refundable up until 60 days prior to sailing. So, make a reservation, knowing your deposit will be refunded to you!!! If you find out that you can't sail, I can't think of a better reason!!! Good luck!!

 

[i12go2wdw]

We cruised Oct. 01 and booked a 7 day for Oct 02 while we were still on the cruise to receive the discount. I became pregnant in Jan 02 due Sept 02 so we rescheduled with very little trouble to April 03 (76 days). As I type this I am holding my beautiful 4 month old and have no regrets.

 

[Euphscott]

My wife and I sailed when she was about 20 weeks along.

It was a nice experience and one we would do again if it were to occur (no more kiddos thank you!) and would recommend it to others.

We really did not suffer one bit as far as what we coudl or could not do. Only alcohol was restricted (sorry DCL for the lost profits), but we don't drink too much anyhow.

We sailed on the Eastern route and took the Island tour in St. Maarten and went and snorkeled at Trunk Bay on St. John. Of course we had to shop along the way!

My wife got some of the best sleep of her pregnancy on board (that rocking to sleep is something else) and it was a real good rest for us. It gave us a week from planning, nursery construction, and the like. Plus it was nice for us to have a week of just us one more time before it all changed.

I'd say don't worry. Plan what you can and deal with the rest.
(FYI - we changed our vacation plans from Disneyland to the cruise after our surprise)

 

[MartyP]

We booked our first Disney Cruise only to find out a couple of months later that I was unexpectedly pregnant. We canceled as our cruise was scheduled for March and my due date was the first week of April. As it turned out I had the baby the week our cruise was scheduled. We eventually went on the cruise when the baby was about 14 mo. and we've since done a second one the week she turned three. Everything will turn out great. I'd say book your cruise and see what happens you have until sixty days before the sail date to cancel or change something.

 

[reveric]

We also cruised pregnant. I was in my 20th week. Like Euphscott it was a wonderful break from everything and a great chance to rest and relax. I slept like a log and nothing felt as good as snorkeling in Castaway Cay.

I agree with the other posters - book your cruise and if you end up pregnant and you aren't past the 24 week mark then go for it!

One other huge advantage - you can eat as much as you want and not feel an ounce of guilt about it because you are eating for two!

 

[SueEllen]

We had originally planned our first cruise for late 2001. SURPRISE! 3 weeks after planning it, I found out I was pregnant (and that was a HUGE surprise!) Since he was due at the end of Sept/beginning of October there was no way we could cruise on our original dates. We ended up changing our dates, and I cruised right at 24 weeks. It was wonderful!! Since Disney has the 60 day policy to cancel without losing your deposit, you have plenty of time if something comes up.

Go and have a great time. It will be the vacation of your life!

Sue Ellen

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

We also had a cruise scheduled, then had to change it due to a surprise. We cruised in Jan. when I was 21 weeks. No problem with changing the cruise date at all, as others have said. Now would I do it again...the short answer is, no. However, your circumstances may be different. I get motion sick even when I'm not pregnant, and when I am pregnant, I get sick the whole time. So, I knew this going into it, but we promised the older two we'd go. Also, I could only take regular Dramamine, no Bonine or patches or anything. I also bought Sea Bands. Well, the only day I actually threw up we had 10-12 foot swells and couldn't dock at Grand Cayman, so the sea was pretty rough, but I did actually hurl at breakfast (and I had taken Dramamine). I spent that entire day miserable, but things did improve for the rest of the cruise. I also found that certain foods, no matter how appetizingly presented, just didn't sit right, and actually had my waiter "yell" at me for not eating! (I know he was kidding!) Also, I was so tired, we never made it to any of the nightclubs or shows--I was in bed before the kids! So anyway, I just wanted to present the other side of the coin. I'm not suggesting you couldn't have a lovely time, but if our cruise hadn't been a gift, I would have been cursing the $$ spent for the privilege of being sick. If you've never been pregnant before, you may not know how you'll be--even if you have, it could be different this time around. But again, you can cancel prior to 60 days, so if you don't feel comfortable, for any reason, up until that point, you can change your mind. Sorry to be such a stick in the mud, just trying to be honest.