Possibly when booking or checking in people are asked if they are pregnant ?
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Disney Parks Don't Have the Market on Entitled Guests...
- Thread starter Nemo14
- Start date
I wondered the same thing. Maybe she looked pregnant, so they asked - women carry differently and some look more pregnant than others? Or (and I really am making a judgement here, slap my wrist) she made an issue about it in her conversation at check-in? You know, wanting special treatment in some way? Then, because she hadn't read the terms of service, gave them the correct info, rather than hedging it by a couple of weeks. Because we know that no one has ever lied and answered "I'm only 22 or 23 weeks along" when she's really 24 or 25.
Also clearly stated in the booklet you receive before the cruise.
I find it interesting that if she didn't know DCL won't board anyone past 24 weeks of pregnancy, she obtained a doctor's statement saying it was okay to travel at 25 weeks...
I've only done small boat, coastal cruising, and I don't remember the health questions. We did have one full day at sea every cruise, and very limited medical facilities.
I noticed that too - She obviously knew the rules, but assumed that they don't apply to her. The Disney community is filled with those types.
Did her note specify how far along she was, or was it just a general "My pregnant patient is healthy enough to travel." But I agree - if she knew enough to get a doctor's note, she should have known enough to check the policy. Or, just as I do, bite the bullet and get travel insurance when laying out that kind of money. I don't get it for domestic trips, but ALWAYS purchase it when flying overseas. Or cruising outside of the US.
She says she didn't book the cruise (her parents did) and was too busy with her other two kids to look online to read the ToS. And, she's only 22, so doesn't have as much life experience as many of us.
Still,she must have mentioned the cruise to her doctor, so the smart thing to do would be to check the cruiseline policy. Personally, I would never consider a cruise while pregnant, just knowing all that can go wrong, but that's probably the voice of experience in my head guiding me.
Her personal experience did not include anything going wrong - she had 2 previous pregnancies so probably felt that since nothing went wrong with them, nothing could go wrong. Again, immaturity as far as life experience may have played a role. My life experience, even at her age, is that things can go from sweetness and light to tragedy in the blink of an eye. Sometimes there is nothing you can do to protect yourself, other times you learn that small things can help - such as wearing a seat belt or protective bike helmet. Or not going someplace, by choice, where obstetrical medical care is hours away when you're pregnant.
My life experience includes knowing that arguing with someone at an airport or port will not end well. Especially post 9/11!
In one article I read, she indicated it stated how far along she was. I always add travel insurance to our cruise, especially if we are cruising during hurricane season. It's well worth the few extra hundred dollars if something happens. Like a Michael or Irma.
DCL sends you a booklet about a month before you cruise. Their policy is stated in the booklet. Plus, like all Disney reservations, you get emails. Several of them before your departure date. Those emails include links to cruise policies.
That she showed up with that doctor's note, being one week past the cut-off, makes me think she knew. I can't imagine one of her parents not checking and telling her.
If it was her first pregnancy, I'd agree. We both know that each pregnancy is different. And this was her third. She had the presence of mind to get a doctor's note.
DCL also doesn't allow infants under 6 months to board.
I learned long ago never to ask a woman (a) if she's pregnant, and (b) how much longer she expects to be pregnant.
I check in next Monday for our DVC member cruise in July. I'll make sure to see if there's a statement as I go through all the documents about pregnancy and let y'all know. Someone in her party did that check in. And she signed both the cruise contract and the responsible for on board charges forms, both of which are handed in when you check-in at the port. And those documents are thoroughly scrutinized and compared to your passport or other documentation of citizenship. I mis-typed my SIL's passport number and the poor woman had to redo his portion, print it out and have him resign.
I told my kids to never ask a woman if she's pregnant unless they see the head coming out.
Figment82
Well-Known Member
I’m 21 weeks right now and at my very first check-up, my doctor advised against cruising in general. If I were in such a situation where it was a big group traveling together and someone else was making the arrangements, you can bet I would be reading and re-reading their pregnancy policy on my own to make sure I could go. So silly to think you can circumvent rules (that are in place for very good reasons!) just because you have a doctor’s note. 
I’m 21 weeks right now and at my very first check-up, my doctor advised against cruising in general. If I were in such a situation where it was a big group traveling together and someone else was making the arrangements, you can bet I would be reading and re-reading their pregnancy policy on my own to make sure I could go. So silly to think you can circumvent rules (that are in place for very good reasons!) just because you have a doctor’s note.
Running AND cruising while pregnant. Brave girl!
