Cruise Early in Pregnancy

AshleighB1526 · March 2012

I was wondering if anyone might have any information or may have gone on a cruise very early in pregnancy? I am set to go on a cruise in a week and just found out I am pregnant, will be about 5-5.5 weeks at time of trip. I am a little nervous and looking for some advise

Vegasbb · March 2012

I went on a 2 week cruise during weeks 5 and 6. Overall I had a fantastic time. A few issues I had:

*Normally I have 0 sea sickness issues, but I did get sick one day on a particularly rough tender ride (the small boats that take you to shore). I did wear sea-bands 24/7 during the cruise. I think this helped.

*My m/s kicked in pretty badly during week 6, so often times the dinner in the dining room would sound gross and I'd have trouble finding something to eat. I often relied on granola bars in my room or ordering fruit or a grilled cheese from room service. I'm normally not a picky eater so this was pretty rough for me ! I'd pack a small amount of easy to digest foods you know you love (granola, saltines, etc) just in case nothing on the boat appeals to you and your m/s kicks in.

*Be sure to be careful about sun exposure - don't let your body temp get over 101 degrees and wear sun screen.

*Be careful about water and whatnot if you are going to any ports in the Caribbean/Mexico.

Good luck and have fun!

Doylesa · March 2012

You should be fine, the morning sickness usually doesn't kick in until at least six weeks. I would bring some Sea-bands along with your for motion sickness just in case though. Have lots and lots of fun!!!

MATSHLEY619 · March 2012

i cruised at 13 weeks last pregnancy and was fine... the cruise lines sometimes require a doctors depending on how pregnant you are when you go. it was fun and nice to relax and EAT

lisK0808 · March 2012

Hi! I just got back from a cruise today and I am 5.5 weeks. I talked to my doctor before I left and she recommended I take B6 vitamins and ginger tea to help if I had any sea sickness/morning sickness. Definitely call your doctor to see what he/she recommends. On the cruise my husband and I just took, we were able to bring on 12 cans/bottles of water or soda. We brought water and ginger ale. I would highly recommend the water. I couldn't get enough water. Other than the water, don't be afraid to ask what are in foods, just to make sure there isn't anything you should avoid (raw fish, fish with high amounts of mercury, unpasteurized cheeses, etc). I did stay away from caffeine, just because I felt like I couldn't drink enough water. I hope this helps!

Happy Cruising!

bellag8212 · March 2012

i went on a cruise in between wks 14-15... everything was fine. look into what "pregnancy policy" the cruise line has. they usually have you fill out a form and have the dr sign it with his/her info because you can't cruise after like 25wks with most cruise lines.

bellag8212 · March 2012

oh yeah, also i forgot... dramamine is ok to take if you get sick and everywhere i went had purified water and ice. just be sure to ask before hand.

LorMor · March 2012

Ha ha, I found out I was pregnant while on a cruise!

Enjoy the holiday!

ufsandra85 · March 2012

I went on a cruise st the beginning of my last pregnancy and had no issues. Can't drink and I was extra careful about washing my hands

meganflanary · March 2012

I'd say just be extra careful about hygiene...keep your hands really clean because cruises can be breeding grounds for some awful bugs.

Stay hydrated....and relax!!!! That's probably the most important

Mama_B · March 2012

I would go ahead and go. I went on one when I was abt 11 weeks and another when I was 7 1/2 months. Be sure to take SeaBands with you and if you can stay away from the virgin Pina Coladas. I thought I was being safe with them and they made my legs swell so bad I couldnt stand up. Take a spf of 35 or more. I got a sunburn so bad that one of the island men came over and took big strips of aloe leaf cut them open, wrapped my legs in towels and burried my legs in the sand. Amazingly the swelling and sunburn went down in 20 min (he got a huge tip$$).

Another thing to consider is the islands you are going to. Some of those islands are very poor and not very sanitary. Do not drink anything but bottled water while on the islands. When we went to Caracas, Venezuela the cruise ship wouldn't let me off the boat because of the sewage systems.

IBackBevo · March 2012

My DH got a horrible stomach virus from being on a cruise. Horrible. Several hundred people were sick from it as viruses spread very quickly and easily through the buffets and the mass number of people on the ships.. We were quarantined to our cabin. I was quarantined even though I wasn't sick. I thought my husband was going to die--and I am not exagerating. He was soooo sick and the cruise doctor was incompetent. I ended up having to pay $$$$ to fly us out of our next port of call and back to the US to get him medical care. Truly, the experience was terrifying. I wrote to the cruise company and never got a dime back of our money for the cruise or the plane ticket.

I'm not trying to scare you, but I just want to warn you about my horrible experience. And there were literally hundreds on board sick so we weren't the only ones. I was a huge cruise fan before that cruise, but I will never go on one again. I don't mean to put a damper on your cruise, but I personally would not go on one pregnant because these outbreaks are so frequent on cruise ships...way more common than listeria poisoning or the like that everyone warns against with respect to deli meats. I guess you can somewhat protect yourself by frequent handwashing and not eating food off the buffet and staying out of the swimming pool (the virus can be spread by dirty diapers in the pool), but not 100% because you don't know how your food is being handled by the employees and it is often the employees who spread the virus. Again, not trying to be a negative nelly and I know alot of people love cruises, but this experience was so bad that I would not want anyone to have to go through it.

Megaloo05 · March 2012

Thanks for asking this. Im going on a cruise in 11 days. Ill turn 8 weeks while we are on the cruise.

I asked my doc about it and he said as long as everything is going okay I should be fine.

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