Cruising While Pregnant: Top Tips for Safety and Comfort

Whether you planned a cruise before you found out you were pregnant or are planning a much-needed babymoon to celebrate, the short answer is yes, you can go on a cruise while pregnant with some stipulations. Doing so can depend on a few factors like what trimester you’re in, your overall health and the policy of the cruise line. You should also consult your doctor before your trip to get documentation of your expected due date and overall health to bring with you on your cruise. 

On most cruise lines pregnant travelers can set sail up until 24 weeks into their pregnancy. After which, the cruise ship may prevent you from boarding. Typically, this includes pregnant travelers who will reach 24 weeks of pregnancy during their time onboard the ship, but the policies are set in place to protect you and the baby since cruise ships aren’t equipped to handle complications that can occur with premature births or delivery complications.

Yes, you should tell the cruise line you’re sailing with that you’re pregnant. Every cruise company is different, and the exact steps to notify the cruise line can vary. But it’s important to let the cruise line know about your pregnancy no matter how far along you are, since certain medications and treatments aren’t safe for pregnant people. Having this information on file will help medical staff treat you if you end up going to the onboard clinic for any reason.

Most cruise lines will have a form or waiver for you to sign that indicates you understand the risks that come with cruising while pregnant, such as the lack of medical staff and equipment to handle a birth. Be prepared with a doctor’s note detailing the health of your pregnancy and your expected due date. Letting the cruise line know about your pregnancy is for your own safety and the safety of your unborn child. While it might feel strange to share your pregnancy news with strangers, it will help with any care the ship provides you throughout your cruise.

Not all pregnancies are the same and some have different risk factors. Still, there are certain risks that should be noted for any pregnant cruise goer:

While it’s not common to give birth at sea, if you do experience complications while on board, your cruise ship will have protocols in place on how to get you the medical treatment needed. If you’re concerned about the health of your pregnancy during your cruise, you should seek immediate medical attention from the physicians on board the ship. The medical staff will be able to assess your situation and determine whether they can provide you with appropriate medical care or if you should be transferred to a hospital.

If you need further medical treatment, the cruise ship will usually head towards the next scheduled port where you’ll be medically evacuated to a hospital that is better suited to take care of you and your baby.

Giving birth at sea is very rare due to the rules and regulations set in place by cruise lines. However, there have been a few cases where someone has given birth on a cruise ship.  Most recently a baby was born onboard a Royal Caribbean cruise. Doctors onboard were able to safely deliver the baby with direction from a Neonatologist. The team onboard managed to stabilize the mother and baby until they could be transferred to medical care onshore.

While very few babies are born on cruise ships, it does beg the question – what nationality do those babies have? Typically, that babies’ nationality would be that of the country where the ship is registered, not necessarily where the ship was located at the time of birth. However, depending on a country’s laws and the nationality of the parents, the baby may take the same nationality as their parents.

Pregnancy takes a toll on your energy, especially during the first and second trimester. The first trimester is notorious for being the worst in terms of symptoms like nausea, fatigue and morning sickness. And in the second trimester you may experience more physical symptoms like swelling, heartburn or even starting to show with a baby bump. Your cruise should be a time to enjoy yourself to the fullest, so we’ve put together some tips that can help your comfort and safety while you’re cruising:

Travel is an amazing opportunity to experience one more adventure before starting a new chapter of your life and welcoming a new traveler to your family. Whether you made travel plans before your pregnancy or you’re planning a babymoon, the memories you make on your trip will last for a lifetime. As you pack your getaway bag, remember to bring a travel insurance plan from Travel Guard to help you with unexpected events along the way.