Pregnant cruiser

[Gina130284]

Hi- my friend is pregnant and having her first cruise with Thomson next month when she will be 27 weeks. Her terms & conditions say you cant sail after 24 weeks.

 

Does anyone know how much this is enforced and why its 24 weeks when she can fly to 28 weeks??

[k8ti]

I would think they will probably throw her overboard on the day at sea.

[6rugrats]

As already answered on the other forum, where you asked the same question; your friend will be denied boarding and will not be having her first cruise with Thomson. Unfortunately, she will lose her money. Did she not check on this before she booked?

 

9.1. Women can cruise onboard our ships up to the 24th week of pregnancy without restriction. If you will be more than 24 weeks pregnant at the end of your cruise then you will not be able to sail. The Carrier reserves the right to request a medical certificate at any stage of pregnancy and to refuse passage if the Carrier and/or the Master are not satisfied that the Passenger will be safe during the passage

[Wddeni]

Hi- my friend is pregnant and having her first cruise with Thomson next month when she will be 27 weeks. Her terms & conditions say you cant sail after 24 weeks.

 

Does anyone know how much this is enforced and why its 24 weeks when she can fly to 28 weeks??

 

As already answered on the other forum, where you asked the same question; your friend will be denied boarding and will not be having her first cruise with Thomson. Unfortunately, she will lose her money. Did she not check on this before she booked?

 

9.1. Women can cruise onboard our ships up to the 24th week of pregnancy without restriction. If you will be more than 24 weeks pregnant at the end of your cruise then you will not be able to sail. The Carrier reserves the right to request a medical certificate at any stage of pregnancy and to refuse passage if the Carrier and/or the Master are not satisfied that the Passenger will be safe during the passage

 

I can fully understand the reasons why

Hope your friend can have her holiday refunded or re arranged to land based:)

[geomagot]

there are a number of reasons why cruise ships have this policy:

 

they may not have adequate medical facilities onboard to care for pregnant women if something happens.....they could end up being admitted to a foreign hospital and they may not have adequate facilities either

 

it would be difficult/expensive to find travel insurance that covers this

 

there can be communicable illnesses onboard cruise ships which could affect the unborn child...norovrus, flu and sea sickness

 

the life jacket may not fit

[kruzseeka]

I really believe that your friend will not be allowed to board. The T&C are clear enough. Remember, unlike a plane, the ship can be many hours even days away from port depending on your itinerary and if additional or specialist medical help is needed this may not be available in time. Obviously the cruise line has weighed up the H&S issues and isn't prepared to accept the risk.

 

Has she got any travel insurance? This may cover cancellation although there could well be an exclusion regarding pregnancy. Did she book after she had become pregnant? If so, I'm sorry to say that can't see any chance of a refund.

 

As Wddeni says perhaps her best option is to investigate getting her holiday swapped to a land-based one and just pay the admin charge involved.

[Wddeni]

I can fully understand the reasons why

Hope your friend can have her holiday refunded or re arranged to land based:)

 

Just an additional thought

A premature baby requires specialised care as soon he/she is born

Being on a Cruise could have serious implications not only to the Mum to be but to a baby born too soon

For me that would be too high a risk

There are no guarantees with any pregnancy to be kept cosy for 40 weeks;)

[Langtoncouple]

Most of the cruise lines bar women who are 24 weeks pregnant. heres a good link.

 

http://www.********************/cruise-research/niche-cruises/family-family-cruising/pregnancy-policies-by-cruise-line/

[infoqueen]

My son arrived at 29 weeks 3lbs 10oz and thank goodness I was 10 minutes from hospital. He is now 34 and 6' 1" and healthy. My Daughter then arrived at 35 weeks 5LB 2oz she was fine but I lost 6 pints of blood again I was near to help thank god. Tell your friend to do herself a favour and stay at home and close to help.

[k8ti]

My middle was a premature. 32 weeks and I remember the fear I felt as they tried to convince me I was having this baby now. Yes he is also now a wonderful young man. 6'6" in his socks and a primary school teacher. However that day and the subsequent days were amongst my darkest.

[Gina130284]

Thanks for all your replies.

She called Thomson because the T&C's said 24 weeks, but the FAQ's said 28 weeks.

 

When she called they confirmed she can sail as she will by 27 weeks pregnant.

[Julessmiles]

Thanks for all your replies.

She called Thomson because the T&C's said 24 weeks, but the FAQ's said 28 weeks.

 

When she called they confirmed she can sail as she will by 27 weeks pregnant.

 

 

I would get them to put something in writing; it would be awful to be refused boarding due to discrepancies in brochures.....

[sodafountain]

Or, as a bare minimum, print out this page:

 

http://www.thomson.co.uk/cruise/life-onboard/got-a-question.html

 

Pregnancy

You can sail with us up to the 28th week of pregnancy. To be sure you can travel, it is wise to talk to your doctor. Please note: most insurance policies (including our insurance) cover only up to the 28th week.

 

Although it has either been changed in the brochure (and not on the website), or a typo in the brochure, as i have looked at the November 2012 - October 2013 and it says 28 weeks, whereas the newer brochure, October 2013 - October 2014 now says 24 weeks (both April editions of the brochure).

[kruzseeka]

Yes I would agree with jules and sodafountain i would be absolutely certain to get confirmation in writing. We know from experience that can get conflicting info over things which by comparison are quite minor e.g. luggage allowance but where your health, to say nothing of the baby's well being, is involved I dont think you can be too careful. And insurers sometimes are keen to find any loop hole!

[Gina130284]

She has got it in writing off them. x

[kruzseeka]

She has got it in writing off them. x

 

 

Good! And be sure to take it with you! ;) Enjoy your cruise!:)

[happy v]

Isn't it funny how wary we all are of Thomsons admin.;):D

[geomagot]

or otherwise known as thomsons badmin:D:p

[Julessmiles]

Isn't it funny how wary we all are of Thomsons admin.;):D

 

Quite! When we checked in at the airport this year, even though we had paid for extra luggage at the time of booking our pre-paid flight seats, it was not "stored" on our booking - it was only because I had the printout that I had printed off myself that they believed me ;)