Pregnancy on DCL

[Coconut8473]

Hi All,

I've read various older threads on the topic, but wondering if anyone has more recent experience with Pregnancy on DCL. I will be 22-23 weeks along on our upcoming August Bahamas cruise (that we booked pre-pregnancy). I'm aware of Disney's policy of sailing prior to the 24-week point, as well as the reasons for this policy. What I'm curious about is how this is enforced and what kind of documentation I will need. Older threads note that a doctor's note or medical form is necessary, however, I have also read that the more recent HIPPA guidelines restrict the cruiseline from asking outright about someone's medical condition. If this is the case, is it pretty much the honor system? I ask because I'm not sure how "large" I'll be carrying this time around, or if I'll look farther along than I am. I'd hate to get to port and be refused boarding.

Many thanks!

 

[Otimon]

Personally speaking here: Follow the Disney guidelines regarding this matter. If you are truly within its limits and have a doctor's ok, then that's fine.

If you are pushing the edge then please consider, for your sake and the the sake of the unborn child, delaying your cruise.

 

[MikeAndNick]

Here are a couple of links that will help you. The first one discusses cruising while you are pregnant and the other was someone posting the question about cruising with Disney. It was an old post but someone posted a reply a year ago that might help.

http://www.babycenter.com/0_traveling-by-cruise-ship-when-pregnant_6973.bc

http://community.babycenter.com/post/a2907075/has_anyone_traveled_on_dcl_while_pregnant

Posted 02/01/2012
Hi, I know this is late but I am going on the may 12 cruise, which was supposed to be for our first anniversary, but now has become the baby moon! I called DCL today once I had an approximate due date from my OB, and they told me over the phone that HIPPA laws prohibit them from asking for proof about your medical conditions, but that by signing the cruise contract at check-in, you are verifying that you are not entering or past your 24th week of pregnancy. I was greatly relieved, as this trip, as we all know, isn't a cheap getaway!

 

[Coconut8473]

Thank you!!

 

[lanejudy]

OP, if you are concerned about being denied boarding, by all means bring a note from your doctor indicating you are not beyond the restricted time and approved to travel.

There's actually a vast misunderstanding about HIPAA and how it pertains to such situations. HIPAA restricts your doctor's ability to communicate with any 3rd party without the patient's express consent. If YOU (the patient) bring a letter from your doctor to DCL (or anywhere else), you have therefore waived that restriction and you are authorizing the doctor to share your private medical information. HIPAA does NOT directly prevent DCL or anyone from requiring a letter from a medical professional to prove the patient is safe or authorized to travel if there is a legitimate concern - the patient has the right to waive their privacy or opt not to travel. Employers may still require a doctor's note to return to work after sick time, your child's school may require such a letter, etc. HIPAA cannot stop YOU from sharing such a letter; it only prevents the employer, school, DCL, etc. from contacting the physician directly.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Hi All,

I've read various older threads on the topic, but wondering if anyone has more recent experience with Pregnancy on DCL. I will be 22-23 weeks along on our upcoming August Bahamas cruise (that we booked pre-pregnancy). I'm aware of Disney's policy of sailing prior to the 24-week point, as well as the reasons for this policy. What I'm curious about is how this is enforced and what kind of documentation I will need. Older threads note that a doctor's note or medical form is necessary, however, I have also read that the more recent HIPPA guidelines restrict the cruiseline from asking outright about someone's medical condition. If this is the case, is it pretty much the honor system? I ask because I'm not sure how "large" I'll be carrying this time around, or if I'll look farther along than I am. I'd hate to get to port and be refused boarding.

Many thanks!

Here's what it says on the DCL website:

Question
Can I sail if I am pregnant?
Answer
Women who have entered their 24th week of pregnancy as of their embarkation date will be refused passage due to safety concerns. Neither a physician's medical statement nor a waiver of liability will be accepted. In addition, Disney Cruise Line cannot be held responsible or liable for any complications relating to pregnancy at any stage.

Yes, it's basically on the honor system that you travel prior to the time indicated.

But, DCL is covered if you don't and problems occur. It's on you then, if you didn't adhere to the stated policy.

 

[kjackson83]

I sailed at exactly 23 weeks and when we got off the ship I turned 24 weeks (talk about good timing). I was HUGE (IMO) and I brought a note from my Dr. with my due date and such but like everyone else mentioned, they did not ask to see it. I did, however, have an older lady (that was standing at the entrance ramp onto the ship) very kindly ask how far along I was and with a huge grin I said 23 weeks. She might or might not have believed me but I wanted to have some sort of paperwork claiming the truth just in case. By the way, it was best time I have ever had! I think I might have gained 10 lbs that cruise, 5 lbs were probably from all the ice cream

 

[sskem96]

It might be a good idea to have your doctor's office copy your prenatal and bring that along. It will be just a couple pages with results of your prenatal labs, due date, and any special history. It's always a good idea to carry that when you travel so if you land in the hospital for any reason they will know your background and not have to repeat those initial pregnancy labs.

There are lots of things besides preterm labor that could lead to you needing medical treatment. Nobody knows when they will get sick, have an accident, have a kidney infection, or any number of possibilities. Even if unrelated to the pregnancy, since you will be right at the cusp of viability they would also have to evaluate the baby's health status. Having documentation with you showing that you've been getting routine prenatal care and aren't high risk would be very helpful for anyone taking care of you.

 

[bumbershoot]

Women who have entered their 24th week of pregnancy as of their embarkation date will be refused passage due to safety concerns. Neither a physician's medical statement nor a waiver of liability will be accepted.

But in that quote, the statement and waiver being referred to, IMO, are referring to a statement saying "the person is in/beyond their 24th week but I think they are fine to travel".

Which just leaves the question of "will they believe me if I'm carrying big"?


Now, what does entering the 24th week mean? You count weeks once you're done with them. Like saying "I'm 30 years old" means you have completed 30 years and you have started 31. Which means being 23 weeks = having entered your 24th week, which IMO means not allowed.

Luckily, pregnancy math is just complicated enough that people get confused. I mean, come on, a person with a textbook 28 day cycle is 2 weeks pregnant at conception? How silly is that? But that part is the fault of the cruiseline, LOL.

 

[TLSnell1981]

Here's what it says on the DCL website:

Question
Can I sail if I am pregnant?
Answer
Women who have entered their 24th week of pregnancy as of their embarkation date will be refused passage due to safety concerns. Neither a physician's medical statement nor a waiver of liability will be accepted. In addition, Disney Cruise Line cannot be held responsible or liable for any complications relating to pregnancy at any stage.

Yes, it's basically on the honor system that you travel prior to the time indicated.

But, DCL is covered if you don't and problems occur. It's on you then, if you didn't adhere to the stated policy.

I was shocked to see several women, who were VERY pregnant on our last cruise. There were two, that had to be at least seven months. Unbelievable!

 

[justhat]

I was shocked to see several women, who were VERY pregnant on our last cruise. There were two, that had to be at least seven months. Unbelievable!

You must have sailed with us cause we saw a woman who totally looked ready to deliver!

I sailed once at 14 weeks, 18 weeks, and will be 13-16 weeks on our next cruises (back to back). I brought a note the past 2 trips and will this time as well. 3rd baby I didn't look huge, but this time I already have something of a belly at 9 weeks so I can imagine another month. I wasn't asked for proof last cruises, but I wasn't very big at all so I am sure that is why.

 

[SapphireMind]

I've said this before, and I'll say it again If your child is past viability (22-23 weeks) or really past 20 weeks when they can start doing medications and treatments to save a mother/pregnancy, I would not travel anywhere where you are not willing to stay for the rest of the pregnancy (and past if the infant needed to be hospitalized.) Prior to 20 weeks, there is very little/nothing that can be done to save a pregnancy btw.

It sounds overdramatic, but while pregnancy complications are rare, when they occur, they are very serious and can threaten the life of the mother and/or the child. If you go into labor and goodness forbid deliver onboard, there will be no one to save your child. There are no medications for a preterm infant onboard and the time it would take to get the baby to a facility, if the child survives, it would likely have severe neurological damage.

The rules are not made to be mean or without good reason or to screw over people who get pregnant unexpectedly. I am a neonatal nurse practitioner and I see people frequently who travel late in pregnancy and end up stranded because their child is born early or with problems and then they are stuck.

Having had pregnancy complications myself, the question I would ask is: is it worth it? If there is a chance it could mean the death of your child, would you want to risk it? Most likely, nothing bad will happen; but if it does, are you willing to accept those consequences? And the guilt?

I kinda view it like I view drunk driving. Most of the time when people drive drunk, nothing happens and they make it home safely. But the times when it doesn't happen that way, are you willing to live with those consequences? I'm not, and because of that, am very anal about alcohol and driving. I couldn't live with myself any other way.

This is my little soapbox, please forgive me.

 

[bats]

I've said this before, and I'll say it again If your child is past viability (22-23 weeks) or really past 20 weeks when they can start doing medications and treatments to save a mother/pregnancy, I would not travel anywhere where you are not willing to stay for the rest of the pregnancy (and past if the infant needed to be hospitalized.) Prior to 20 weeks, there is very little/nothing that can be done to save a pregnancy btw.

It sounds overdramatic, but while pregnancy complications are rare, when they occur, they are very serious and can threaten the life of the mother and/or the child. If you go into labor and goodness forbid deliver onboard, there will be no one to save your child. There are no medications for a preterm infant onboard and the time it would take to get the baby to a facility, if the child survives, it would likely have severe neurological damage.

The rules are not made to be mean or without good reason or to screw over people who get pregnant unexpectedly. I am a neonatal nurse practitioner and I see people frequently who travel late in pregnancy and end up stranded because their child is born early or with problems and then they are stuck.

Having had pregnancy complications myself, the question I would ask is: is it worth it? If there is a chance it could mean the death of your child, would you want to risk it? Most likely, nothing bad will happen; but if it does, are you willing to accept those consequences? And the guilt?

I kinda view it like I view drunk driving. Most of the time when people drive drunk, nothing happens and they make it home safely. But the times when it doesn't happen that way, are you willing to live with those consequences? I'm not, and because of that, am very anal about alcohol and driving. I couldn't live with myself any other way.

This is my little soapbox, please forgive me.

I think it's a fair and understandable soapbox to be on.

 

[wiigirl]

Here are a couple of links that will help you. The first one discusses cruising while you are pregnant and the other was someone posting the question about cruising with Disney. It was an old post but someone posted a reply a year ago that might help.

http://www.babycenter.com/0_traveling-by-cruise-ship-when-pregnant_6973.bc

http://community.babycenter.com/post/a2907075/has_anyone_traveled_on_dcl_while_pregnant

Thanks for these links!

 

[traylork]

Just bring the doctor's note; the airlines may have a similar policy. I've flown even in my 8th month (with a doctors note) and never had any airline employee ever have the guts to ask me how pregnant I was. If you are within DCL's policy and have the doctors note to prove it, no worries.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Just bring the doctor's note; the airlines may have a similar policy. I've flown even in my 8th month (with a doctors note) and never had any airline employee ever have the guts to ask me how pregnant I was. If you are within DCL's policy and have the doctors note to prove it, no worries.

That seems to be the sticking point for some.

 

[jlwhitney]

You will be fine, you won't be asked anything, and won't need to prove anything.

I cruised last september at 23 weeks and turned 24 weeks during the cruise.

I discussed the cruise with my doc and she gave me clearance to go as long as no red flags came up before the cruise. I was lucky and had a super duper easy pregnancy.

 

[mbrocker]

I just sailed the Magic on 4/26. I was 21 weeks pregnant at boarding. I brought a doctors note (scribbled on a prescription pad) noting the week of my pregnancy. I also visited the doctor the week prior to boarding for a final AOK.

On boarding, I mentioned to the check in CM that I was pregnant and had a doctors note. Her exact words "Did you fill out the question on the online boarding?" I said "Yes" she then waved her hand at me at said "Don't worry about it then, you're fine."

So, as long as you can honestly answer the question for them on the registration that you are <24weeks then they don't even care. Total honor system. That said, I am on my 3rd pregnancy and every one has gone normally and I have no complications thus far in this one. I feel totally comfortable (with insurance) traveling at this point.

 

[justhat]

I've said this before, and I'll say it again If your child is past viability (22-23 weeks) or really past 20 weeks when they can start doing medications and treatments to save a mother/pregnancy, I would not travel anywhere where you are not willing to stay for the rest of the pregnancy (and past if the infant needed to be hospitalized.) Prior to 20 weeks, there is very little/nothing that can be done to save a pregnancy btw.

It sounds overdramatic, but while pregnancy complications are rare, when they occur, they are very serious and can threaten the life of the mother and/or the child. If you go into labor and goodness forbid deliver onboard, there will be no one to save your child. There are no medications for a preterm infant onboard and the time it would take to get the baby to a facility, if the child survives, it would likely have severe neurological damage.

The rules are not made to be mean or without good reason or to screw over people who get pregnant unexpectedly. I am a neonatal nurse practitioner and I see people frequently who travel late in pregnancy and end up stranded because their child is born early or with problems and then they are stuck.

Having had pregnancy complications myself, the question I would ask is: is it worth it? If there is a chance it could mean the death of your child, would you want to risk it? Most likely, nothing bad will happen; but if it does, are you willing to accept those consequences? And the guilt?

I kinda view it like I view drunk driving. Most of the time when people drive drunk, nothing happens and they make it home safely. But the times when it doesn't happen that way, are you willing to live with those consequences? I'm not, and because of that, am very anal about alcohol and driving. I couldn't live with myself any other way.

This is my little soapbox, please forgive me.

I hear this, but alternatively, after 3 pregnancies and live births, I had a ruptured ectopic pregnancy in September at almost 9 weeks. I lost half my blood volume, a Fallopian tube, got 3 transfusions, and a 3 night hospital stay. So I'm pregnant again, and my criteria this time was to be at least 12 weeks cause if that were ever to happen again, I most certainly would not want to be on a cruise ship or out of the country. I was scheduled to fly to visit my inlaws along with my oldest child the day my tube ruptured, and had i been on that plane i likely would have died and/or needed an emergency landing. So we conveived this baby, it was during the last month I was willing to try cause I'll be 13 weeks on the cruise.

So I think it's all risky, I am super nervous about being out of the country nearly a month for this cruise, but hopefully it's all fine. You really just never know. My first 3 kids were pretty uneventful (my 2nd was preterm, but otherwise all were routine pregnancies). I never in my life expected an ectopic, and it had been like every other pregnancy until the moment of rupture.

 

[Lilbunnyk]

Even though pregnany complications are rare after 12 weeks, there never really is a safe point. I lost my first and only child at 40 weeks after a normal pregnancy. I never thought something like this could happen to me but it did and I am now a mom to an angel. I am glad DCL has restrictions for pregnant passengers because they really are looking out for the best interst of mom and baby. I wish you a healthy and happy nine months and hope you have a safe and wonderful cruise.