Wanting to get away prior to your baby arriving can be great, but pregnant guests need to consider the fact that no Obstetrician/Gynecologist are available on the ship. As a matter of fact, many ships have no doctor aboard at all. In most cases, guests can sail prior to reaching their 24th week. They must keep in mind that attending the cruise can pose some risks, and may be at sea for several days without an immediate hospital or specialist. Cruise lines will not be held responsible should you experience any complications. Please check with your doctor prior to making any travel plans.
Please also consider purchasing travel insurance. Health care coverage often does not work once you are outside of the U.S.
Most policies are similar, and subject to change, so we recommend checking current policies prior to booking, but here is an overview of the pregnancy policy for several cruise lines.
Carnival Cruise Line: Pregnant women who have entered their 24 week trimester will be denied boarding or disembarkation without compensation or refund. Before booking the cruise, guests understand and acknowledge prenatal requirements of the cruise ticket contract.
Royal Caribbean: According to Royal Caribbean Cruises policy, pregnant guests who have entered their 24th week of pregnancy or greater will be denied sailing. If you have already booked a cruise and do not meet the 24th week requirement, contact your travel agent or a Resolution Agent from Royal Caribbean. You will need to present a letter from your doctor confirming the due date. Celebrity Cruises has the same policy as Royal Caribbean. For both cruise lines you must fax proof to the Access Department at 954-628-9622.
Norwegian Cruise Line: Expectant mothers who have entered their 24th week of pregnancy will not be allowed to board. Their booking must appear with a medical certificate from a physician establishing her due date and her eligibility to travel.
Princess Cruise Line: Pregnant women are not allowed to sail if they have reached the 24th week of their pregnancy. “All pregnant women are required to bring a physician’s letter stating that the mother and baby are in good health, eligible to travel, the estimated date of delivery and that the pregnancy is not at high risk.”
Holland America: Women cannot sail if they have begun their 24th week of pregnancy. All pregnant guests who are sailing must provide a physician’s letter stating expected due date, ability to travel and include basic information such as name, booking number, ship and sailing date. Holland America urges you to have the letter faxed as soon as the reservation is made. Send letters to Holland America’s access and compliance department at 800-577-1731.
Disney Cruises, Cunard, Avalon Waterways river cruises, Oceania Cruises, Paul Gaugin, Regent Seven Seas, Seabourn, Silversea, Windstar and Uniworld, all have similar policies in places for denying boarding once you being your 24th week, as well as requiring documentation from your doctor prior to travel.
Viking river cruises and AMA Waterways river cruises currently do not have a pregnancy policy, which means you can cruise at any time. They do however caution that it is at your own risk and that no doctors are aboard should you have an emergency.
