Growing Families and Cruising on X

[Viva_la_Vida]

Hi All,

 

I am an avid cruiser who is also trying to start a family. I am looking for any advice from women in a similar position and have cruised on X recently. I like to book in advance, but am concerned about cancellation policies if/when I become pregnant.

 

I should probably mention that I am a mom to an angel baby after giving birth at 22 weeks last year. For that reason, I would never cruise pregnant, not even in very early pregnancy. I know lots of people do it and Celebrity's policy is 24 weeks, but t's just too risky for me personally. If I had been on a ship when that happened, I probably wouldn't be here today writing this.

 

Are there any pregnancy caveats to Celebrity's cancellation policies? Does anyone have experience with special travel insurance one can purchase for a situation like this?

 

I may just have to give up on cruising, but I hate to give up something I love so much for something that could take months or years to happen. Maybe last minute cruising is the simple answer, sigh.

 

Thanks for any advice!

[Jane2357]

Hi All,

 

I am an avid cruiser who is also trying to start a family. I am looking for any advice from women in a similar position and have cruised on X recently. I like to book in advance, but am concerned about cancellation policies if/when I become pregnant.

 

I should probably mention that I am a mom to an angel baby after giving birth at 22 weeks last year.

 

Viva_la_Vida - first, my deepest condolences on the loss of your child last year.

 

Second - I have nothing to offer in the discussion on cancellations or insurance to help you in this situation but may I add, as someone who books very well in advance myself - give that up. Many people book closer to the cruise dates, often at big discounts. While cabin selection will be more limited - the lack of stress over the cancellation policies might well be worth the trade off.

 

May all your dreams come true!

[galensgrl]

Hi All,

 

I am an avid cruiser who is also trying to start a family. I am looking for any advice from women in a similar position and have cruised on X recently. I like to book in advance, but am concerned about cancellation policies if/when I become pregnant.

 

I should probably mention that I am a mom to an angel baby after giving birth at 22 weeks last year. For that reason, I would never cruise pregnant, not even in very early pregnancy. I know lots of people do it and Celebrity's policy is 24 weeks, but t's just too risky for me personally. If I had been on a ship when that happened, I probably wouldn't be here today writing this.

 

Are there any pregnancy caveats to Celebrity's cancellation policies? Does anyone have experience with special travel insurance one can purchase for a situation like this?

 

I may just have to give up on cruising, but I hate to give up something I love so much for something that could take months or years to happen. Maybe last minute cruising is the simple answer, sigh.

 

Thanks for any advice!

 

I am 54 and childless (just never happened for us :() but condolences on your loss. I hope everything works out for you. And I hope you get to take that cruise too!

[Fish Lover]

First, my deepest sympathies on the loss of your child. I too lost a child and it is a loss always felt.

 

Next, check with your credit cards and see if they will give you trip/cancellation insurance, if you purchase with their card. Investigate what is needed in order to cancel in the event you have full paid. Next, investigate the trip insurance offered by the cruise line or your travel agent. It may be as simple as a doctor's note saying that you are unexpectedly pregnant and at high-risk prohibiting travel.

 

I would not take anyone's assurances from these boards. You will only feel comfortable checking on the specifics yourself. Insurance policies change from time to time, and you want to be sure.

[the_dylaness]

This is (sort of) the reason we had a 5 year cruising hiatus.

We took our daughter at 8 months old (booked so far in advance that when the TA asked for her birth date, I said I didn't know. I could feel her confusion over the phone... I then explained she wasn't born yet!)

 

But, we lived in Florida at the time so it was an easy drive down and no big plans to rearrange, plus I figured that with only an 8 month old I wasn't going to be pregnant with a second.

 

After that, with as far in advance as I like to book vacations (and am somewhat required to based on my work schedule), cruising just didn't work because we never knew when #2 might come along.

 

Now that #2 is here (with no more planned) we are planning cruises like crazy!

 

In the mean time, we did land-based trips which we could book closer to the time. SW has refundable fares if you need to rebook. Also, if you travel simply to say, Florida, medical care is close by so if you are pregnant and DO need care, you can get.

 

I was willing to travel shortish distances pregnant, so it was not a concern. For a big trip we took to Mexico when my daughter was 2, I just simply made sure for the few months prior that I didn't get pregnant and stopped my birth control the last day of the vacation :)

 

I would have been really stressed trying to plan pregnancies around cruising (er, I mean, cruising around pregnancy?!) We missed it but enjoyed our land trips and now a little bit of the magic of cruising is back (absence makes the heart grow fonder.)

 

Good luck with whatever you choose!

[Zeta3]

You can purchase insurance with a "cancel for any reason" clause. This will typically pay 75-100% depending on the policy. I don't know if celebrity offers this but several other insurance companies do. You can look at sites like InsureMyTrip to see some options.

 

 

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[jan-n-john]

Celebrity posts its rules under the trip cancellation insurance on its website. My read of it is that it will not help you in the case of a "normal" pregnancy, but you can check it out yourself. Independent policies may have different rules, tho in matters such as this they generally have very similar terms. Cancel for any reason such as mentioned above may be available to you but that could be expensive. Insurance companies don't stay in business by allowing themselves to be taken advantage of. If I were you I would book whatever I want to do, then make the final decision to go/no go just before the final payment date when normally you can get your deposit refunded. That's a few months before the sailing. Beyond that date your room to manoeuvre narrows considerably.

Edited December 29, 2016 by jan-n-john

[the_dylaness]

This is definitely an individual decision, but for me personally I would not want to have to cancel a cruise that has travel insurance reimbursement in the event of pregnancy... first of all if it is "cancel for any reason" but you only get 75%, then you will be out 25%. This would stress me out.

[hcat]

Sorry for your loss..and glad you will be trying again with a positive outlook.

 

Our dtr survived triple neg breast cancer...and had a miscarriage on her first pregnancy. They immediately went under specialist care for hi risk and put long distance travel on hold. Baby M is going to have his first birthday party soon.

 

You asked abt ins and can get cancel for any reason ins...but why not stick close to home while focusing on getting pregnant...why add stress at such an important time..Good luck !

[hcat]

Oops dbl post sorry

Edited December 29, 2016 by hcat

[cb at sea]

Your best bet is to buy insurance on your trip as soon as you book....so that "pre-existing" conditions are covered. Should you become pregnant, you should be able to cancel, and the only loss will be the cost of the insurance..they will cover the costs that you've already paid for your vacation. Make SURE the policy will cover pre-existing....not all will! You have to read the fine print!

Edited December 30, 2016 by cb at sea

[Redgte]

Definitely call and check with insurance companies directly. We had a land based vacation to St. Barth and Saba booked when I became unexpectedly pregnant with our first child. When we called to check on using insurance to cancel it wasn't possible. Apparently normal/healthy pregnancies were not covered as a reason for cancelation. Thankfully our villa agency worked with us to let us reschedule after our son was born though we were out our airfare for the trip.

Edited December 30, 2016 by Redgte

[Zeta3]

Your best bet is to buy insurance on your trip as soon as you book....so that "pre-existing" conditions are covered. Should you become pregnant, you should be able to cancel, and the only loss will be the cost of the insurance..they will cover the costs that you've already paid for your vacation. Make SURE the policy will cover pre-existing....not all will! You have to read the fine print!

 

 

Getting pregnant after you purchase the insurance is not a pre-existing condition...

 

 

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[Viva_la_Vida]

Thanks all, for the advice and kind words.

 

I love the credit card insurance suggestion, I'll definitely check into that. I've used insuremytrip before and found it overwhelming, even when not taking pregnancy into consideration but I'll give it a second look as well.

 

I know some people mentioned saving the stress and not booking cruises until things are certain. But honestly, cruising and even planning to cruise is one of the most relaxing things I could possibly do so I won't be giving it up unless I really can't find a solution. It sounds like I have some good research to go on, so thanks again for all of your suggestions.

[Viva_la_Vida]

This is (sort of) the reason we had a 5 year cruising hiatus.

We took our daughter at 8 months old (booked so far in advance that when the TA asked for her birth date, I said I didn't know. I could feel her confusion over the phone... I then explained she wasn't born yet!)

 

But, we lived in Florida at the time so it was an easy drive down and no big plans to rearrange, plus I figured that with only an 8 month old I wasn't going to be pregnant with a second.

 

After that, with as far in advance as I like to book vacations (and am somewhat required to based on my work schedule), cruising just didn't work because we never knew when #2 might come along.

 

Now that #2 is here (with no more planned) we are planning cruises like crazy!

 

In the mean time, we did land-based trips which we could book closer to the time. SW has refundable fares if you need to rebook. Also, if you travel simply to say, Florida, medical care is close by so if you are pregnant and DO need care, you can get.

 

I was willing to travel shortish distances pregnant, so it was not a concern. For a big trip we took to Mexico when my daughter was 2, I just simply made sure for the few months prior that I didn't get pregnant and stopped my birth control the last day of the vacation :)

 

I would have been really stressed trying to plan pregnancies around cruising (er, I mean, cruising around pregnancy?!) We missed it but enjoyed our land trips and now a little bit of the magic of cruising is back (absence makes the heart grow fonder.)

 

Good luck with whatever you choose!

 

I can't imagine a 5 year hiatus, but sounds like it was an adventurous five years!! Love those stories!

[Viva_la_Vida]

Viva_la_Vida - first, my deepest condolences on the loss of your child last year.

 

Second - I have nothing to offer in the discussion on cancellations or insurance to help you in this situation but may I add, as someone who books very well in advance myself - give that up. Many people book closer to the cruise dates, often at big discounts. While cabin selection will be more limited - the lack of stress over the cancellation policies might well be worth the trade off.

 

May all your dreams come true!

 

Thank you!

[Algebralovr]

Thanks all, for the advice and kind words.

 

I love the credit card insurance suggestion, I'll definitely check into that. I've used insuremytrip before and found it overwhelming, even when not taking pregnancy into consideration but I'll give it a second look as well.

 

I know some people mentioned saving the stress and not booking cruises until things are certain. But honestly, cruising and even planning to cruise is one of the most relaxing things I could possibly do so I won't be giving it up unless I really can't find a solution. It sounds like I have some good research to go on, so thanks again for all of your suggestions.

Don't just look at their website. Call them to discuss your options.

 

Also, remember that you get a full refund on the cruise up to 90 days out.

 

Before 10 weeks, some people don't even know they are pregnant!

 

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[dkjretired]

I can't imagine a 5 year hiatus, but sounds like it was an adventurous five years!! Love those stories!

 

I know it's far off but when you cruise with the kids put their cards away and save them. When they turn 18, they will be credited with all cruises and achieve whatever status goes with it.

[Zeta3]

Thanks all, for the advice and kind words.

 

I love the credit card insurance suggestion, I'll definitely check into that. I've used insuremytrip before and found it overwhelming, even when not taking pregnancy into consideration but I'll give it a second look as well.

 

I know some people mentioned saving the stress and not booking cruises until things are certain. But honestly, cruising and even planning to cruise is one of the most relaxing things I could possibly do so I won't be giving it up unless I really can't find a solution. It sounds like I have some good research to go on, so thanks again for all of your suggestions.

 

Insuremytrip has come a long way. they have online chat agents that are very helpful at answering questions and helping to find policies. Good luck with everything!

[Viva_la_Vida]

I know it's far off but when you cruise with the kids put their cards away and save them. When they turn 18, they will be credited with all cruises and achieve whatever status goes with it.

 

That is awesome to know :D

[darylsgirlfriend]

My sister had to cancel after becoming pregnant. She was given cruise credits to use within 12 months. She was advised not to go because we cruised to Zika affected areas. I hop that helps and good luck!

 

 

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