Packfan

I am due in late August, and I'm trying to plan a vacation before the new arrival. <BR>I have thought about taking a cruise in April or May. <BR>I have heard lots about people getting sick on cruises, and this concerns me. <BR>Should I let this sway me away from taking a cruise? What kind of medical care is available on most cruises?<BR>Thanks!<BR>Debbie<BR>

cruisenboy2

Hi Debbie,<BR><BR>Having been on about 30 something cruises and with my pregnant wife. First of all April and May are our favorite time of year to cruise. Second..as far as getting sick on a cruise ship...the Norwalk virus is the most common virus know to man...its just the stomach virus...you can get it on a ship, resort or at home. So don't let that stop you from having a wonderful cruise. My wife and I have cruise while she was pregnant and she did just fine...just take the normal precautions as you would at home. You will love having all that food around....mercy my wife went crazy on the food. Have a nice relaxing cruise and have fun. Take advantage of it cuz when the baby gets arrives you are going to working really hard.<BR><BR>

BorderLady

First of all, pregnancy is NOT a disease. There is rarely a reason why an otherwise healthy woman can't travel (cruise or otherwise) up through 32 weeks.<BR><BR>Your ob-gyn is the one to talk with about this. <BR><BR>If you're worried about seasickness, the doc can tell you what's safe to use. Probably you won't be bothered, though -- most people aren't!!<BR><BR>&lt;This comes from a recently retired ob-gyn nurse practitioner.&gt; <BR><BR>Good luck -- and enjoy!

Lew

Consider this--the number of normal pregnancies and uneventful deliveries. The media, through coverage of everything including exceptional obstetrical events, makes us think that pregnancy is hazardous and dangerous.<BR><BR>Pregnancy is normal, not to be feared. Life and normal activities should continue.

TheDish

Hi Packfan-<BR>Congratulations on your pregnancy. Most cruise lines will not accept women on cruises who are more than 24 weeks gestation. They will also most likely require some sort of a written &quot;clearance&quot; from your OB that states how far along you are before they allow you to board.

Starfish

Since you are due late Aug, April, May should be ok. Cruise lines will not allow you to sail in your third trimester. <BR>Ships do have a doctor aboard, but they are not ob-gyn's and not equiped to handle everything. <BR>The Dish is correct about the paper work. You will be required to have something from your doctor. Your TA should be able to find out what is needed.<BR>I would highly recommend you buy Travel Insurance when you book, to qualify for the pre-existing clause.

BorderLady

Starfish is just plain wrong....I wonder how many years he/she have in OB/Gyn, and how many babies he/she has delivered.<BR><BR>The normal rule for a healthy woman is 32 weeks.<BR><BR>No written permission is required. Ship board medical staff has had the same training as all other medical staff, and this includes a rotation through OB.<BR>One does not have to be an OB to handle issues of pregnancies, just as one does not have to be a cardiologist to handle an MI.<BR><BR>If you and your OB feel comfortable about your going, go and enjoy. Do not rely on a bulletin board for technical information. [As an airplane pilot, I would not ask this group about my approach to JFK.] Have your TA get all the rules and regs about the line you want to cruise.

Cathie

This is what I found out for you..<BR>It appears that borderlady is not quite right either...Starfish's advice is closer....<BR>This information is from cruise.com<BR><BR>http://www.cruise.com/special_cruise...expectant.html

Cruiser

I think the expert here would be cruisenboy2.....30 cruises with his pregnant wife. I'd cruise too if I had 30 children at home!!!<BR>

cruisenboy2

Hey Cruiser...your funny...what I meant is that I have been on over 30 cruises and my wife has been pregnant on two ofk them. 30 kids are you nuts?!!! Two is enough. You like this but both of our kids are souveniers from a cruise. <BR><BR>Thanks,<BR>Cruisenboy2

BorderLady

Once again, you have an OB and a contact with the cruise line. It is their decision in concert with your wishes.<BR><BR>Another site has nothing to do with the issue.

Starfish

Border Lady,<BR><BR>I think the site that Cathie provided the link to has valuble information.<BR><BR>Just because it doesn't agree with what you think doesn't make it useful.<BR>A pregnant women needs to know the facts.<BR><BR>To back up my statement this is a quote from Holland America's brochure:<BR>Due to limited medical facilities on the ships, we will not accept reservations for women who will be 24 or more weeks pregnant at the time their cruise with Holland America concludes.<BR><BR>

MissAsh

My advice would be that if you are experiencing any morning sickness now, do not book a cruise with the expectation that it should go away by then. My sister went on a $10,000 cruise and paid another $4000 to get off the boat at the first port and buy one way tickets back home. She was so sick on the boat, that she would pay anything to get off it.

Collina

I too have read on different sites (which I'll come back &amp; post when I find them) that cruises limit your travel the later you are in your pregnancy...something about the liability issues if something major happened while they were at sea.<BR><BR>I would do your homework on the cruise line you're planning on booking with, then check with your OB to see how he/she feels.<BR><BR>Collina