Advising Cruise Company of Pregnancy

[sailingkiwi]

Hello,

 

I get to post on this board for the first time ever!:D

 

We are going on a cruise to Alaska with NCL at the end of September. I will be 12 weeks pregnant at that time. My question is when do I have to advise the cruise company of my pregnancy.

 

I asked my doctor and she said that she would be prepared to write a letter no earlier than a week before we cruised. Is this too late? I have tried emailing NCL and haven't had a reply.

 

Also, exactly what info does the letter have to contain - just your EDD and that you are healthy to travel? Also, for anyone in the UK, do you think a letter from my midwife would be acceptable (most care in the UK is provided by midwives rather than specialists).

 

Thanks for your help.

[uppitycats]

Hello,

 

I get to post on this board for the first time ever!:D

 

We are going on a cruise to Alaska with NCL at the end of September. I will be 12 weeks pregnant at that time. My question is when do I have to advise the cruise company of my pregnancy.

 

I asked my doctor and she said that she would be prepared to write a letter no earlier than a week before we cruised. Is this too late? I have tried emailing NCL and haven't had a reply.

 

Also, exactly what info does the letter have to contain - just your EDD and that you are healthy to travel? Also, for anyone in the UK, do you think a letter from my midwife would be acceptable (most care in the UK is provided by midwives rather than specialists).

 

Thanks for your help.

 

If you go to the NCL cruise site and click on FAQs (facts) you'll find their policy

 

http://www2.ncl.com/faq#n19259

 

-- they only start getting concerned about pregnancy at the 26 week mark -- so you don't have to do anything. You might still want to go to your doctor or midwife right before your cruise for your own peace of mind..but you don't have to otherwise notify the cruise company.

 

Congratulations on your pregnancy!

[sailingkiwi]

If you go to the NCL cruise site and click on FAQs (facts) you'll find their policy

 

http://www2.ncl.com/faq#n19259

 

-- they only start getting concerned about pregnancy at the 26 week mark -- so you don't have to do anything. You might still want to go to your doctor or midwife right before your cruise for your own peace of mind..but you don't have to otherwise notify the cruise company.

 

Congratulations on your pregnancy!

 

Thanks, but I did read that section as it seems to suggest that I do have to let them know my due date.

 

What if I'm pregnant?

NCL will make every effort to accommodate you, providing you have not entered the 24th week of pregnancy when the cruise ends. Please include your cruise details in an email to the Access Desk with a medical certificate establishing your due date prior to your cruise.

[Punchie]

I sailed on Princess last Fall at 14 wks. I was still required to fax a letter from my OB indicating my EDD and that I was physically capable of going on the cruise. My OB did the letter ab 2 wks out from the cruise. I know ppl don't do this, but what if something happened to you, they didn't know you were pregnant, and administered a medication, etc... that wasn't compatible with pregnancy?

 

Does NCL have an online system where you pre-register for the cruise? I did this w/Princss, and one of the questions asks if you are pregnant. It flagged my booking and then I received an email from their medical office.

[mcfam5]

Hello,

 

I get to post on this board for the first time ever!:D

 

We are going on a cruise to Alaska with NCL at the end of September. I will be 12 weeks pregnant at that time. My question is when do I have to advise the cruise company of my pregnancy.

 

I asked my doctor and she said that she would be prepared to write a letter no earlier than a week before we cruised. Is this too late? I have tried emailing NCL and haven't had a reply.

 

Also, exactly what info does the letter have to contain - just your EDD and that you are healthy to travel? Also, for anyone in the UK, do you think a letter from my midwife would be acceptable (most care in the UK is provided by midwives rather than specialists).

 

Thanks for your help.

 

Congratulations on your pregnancy and welcome to the Family Cruises board! :)

[RoadTripFanatic]

Thanks, but I did read that section as it seems to suggest that I do have to let them know my due date.

 

What if I'm pregnant?

NCL will make every effort to accommodate you, providing you have not entered the 24th week of pregnancy when the cruise ends. Please include your cruise details in an email to the Access Desk with a medical certificate establishing your due date prior to your cruise.

 

You do have to let them know your due date. If you don't they don't have to let you board the ship. I would call NCL and ask them if a note from your midwife is acceptable.

[Prinycesa07]

Thanks for this question.

 

I found out last week i'm pregnant. I will be 17 weeks on our cruise at the end of October. I was told it was fine and i didnt need a letter from the doctor. I guess i will still get one in case. Even though they probably wont even be able to tell at 17 weeks.

 

My sister was 20 weeks when she came on the cruise for my wedding, they didnt ask her for documentation or anything.

[Keith1010]

Thanks for this question.

 

I found out last week i'm pregnant. I will be 17 weeks on our cruise at the end of October. I was told it was fine and i didnt need a letter from the doctor. I guess i will still get one in case. Even though they probably wont even be able to tell at 17 weeks.

 

My sister was 20 weeks when she came on the cruise for my wedding, they didnt ask her for documentation or anything.

 

I always recommend contacting the cruise line directly for items such as this. If you have a travel agent ask them to followup for you. That way there are no surprises.

 

Keith

[Prinycesa07]

Thanks Keith. That I will do :)

[crusinmama06]

sailingkiwi, it just says "prior to your cruise" -- so email a copy of the letter with your cruise details to: accessdesk@ncl.com

 

They may call you back. And they will flag your booking. When you go to check in, chances are they will ask to see the letter from the doctor. This doesn't always happen. But just take a deep breath if it does. ;) You will be totally prepared and fine.

 

Congrats and welcome to the Family Cruising Board!!!!!

[mjkacmom]

I sailed on Princess last Fall at 14 wks. I was still required to fax a letter from my OB indicating my EDD and that I was physically capable of going on the cruise. My OB did the letter ab 2 wks out from the cruise. I know ppl don't do this, but what if something happened to you, they didn't know you were pregnant, and administered a medication, etc... that wasn't compatible with pregnancy?

.

 

I doubt anyone would administer any medication to someone that might be dangerous to a pregnancy unless they signed a waiver - there are many out there who don't even know they're pregnant.

 

I'd probably not even tell them - I'd be afraid I'd forget the letter!

[sailingkiwi]

Thanks for your responses. I heard back from NCL and they said to email them a copy of the letter from my doctor as soon as possible. However, my doctor wont sign anything until 2 weeks before the cruise (which I totally understand), so they will just have to wait until then. I think that they should be a bit more explicit as to when they will require the letter.

 

I am really looking forward to a week of relaxing and also to seeing Alaska.