Disney Parks Don't Have the Market on Entitled Guests...

[Figment82]

Running AND cruising while pregnant. Brave girl!

Oh, no cruises for me! Running is the limit of my craziness, lol! I haven’t been on a cruise in a long time, we had actually been talking about going on one before we found out we were expecting, but now we’ll just have to wait a bit more!

 

[21stamps]

I told my kids to never ask a woman if she's pregnant unless they see the head coming out.

I just laughed. That’s hilarious.. but probably good advice.

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 curious, why is it recommended to avoid cruising while pregnant? I understand the 24+ weeks.. but wondering why it could be risky before that point.

Oh, no cruises for me! Running is the limit of my craziness, lol! I haven’t been on a cruise in a long time, we had actually been talking about going on one before we found out we were expecting, but now we’ll just have to wait a bit more!

I know a girl who ran a half marathon while 22 weeks pregnant.. if you’re used to it, your body and the baby will be totally fine.

 

[Jedi Stitch]

This is one of those moments that really make you wonder if some peoples children are raised right? First off, she had the doctors note, so she must have some how contacted someone over the pregnancy issue. It clearly states it in the rules, but then to be honest I did not read all the rules before my first cruise either. Lets assume they planned this trip far enough out, that they also were planing to get pregnant too. Then at what point did they go, wait, should we check the pregnancy policy? Like other posters have said, why not just go "I'm 22 weeks along", and cast the typical white lie.
As far as the scene at the Port of Canaveral, well the story did say a Miami-Dade Deputy was on hand when the dad became angry and made a threat. Yes they are armed with rifles now, but just like many European countries now, due to acts of terrorism. Also, already mentioned, it is not a Disney owned facility. Being escorted outside does take a very real threat and to continuously break exiting rules, like photography is ground for expulsion. So, they made the situation and then made it worse. In the end the exploitative news that this story was, just make me sick. It also keep enforcing other entitles to do the same to get publicity to get the refund, they probably were going for.

 

[Figment82]

I’m curious, why is it recommended to avoid cruising while pregnant? I understand the 24+ weeks.. but wondering why it could be risky before that point.

I know a girl who ran a half marathon while 22 weeks pregnant.. if you’re used to it, your body and the baby will be totally fine.

I think my doctor’s reasoning was more towards the Zika virus scare. Obviously not an issue for Alaska, Med, Hawaii, etc. cruises, but since we’re in Florida, I’m guessing her mind immediately went to Bahamian/Caribbean destinations. I wasn’t considering one so I didn’t question it further, but that’s what I assumed. Although I don’t even know if I would have enjoyed going early on - probably would have ended up sleeping the whole time, haha!

This’ll be my 4th half while pregnant (24 weeks at that point - the upcoming Star Wars half) and probably 23rd or 24th total, so while I’ll definitely be more cautious than usual, I’m excited for it!

 

[Andrew C]

I think my doctor’s reasoning was more towards the Zika virus scare. Obviously not an issue for Alaska, Med, Hawaii, etc. cruises, but since we’re in Florida, I’m guessing her mind immediately went to Bahamian/Caribbean destinations. I wasn’t considering one so I didn’t question it further, but that’s what I assumed. Although I don’t even know if I would have enjoyed going early on - probably would have ended up sleeping the whole time, haha!

This’ll be my 4th half while pregnant (24 weeks at that point - the upcoming Star Wars half) and probably 23rd or 24th total, so while I’ll definitely be more cautious than usual, I’m excited for it!

The CDC still recommends that pregnant women do not travel to the Caribbean due to ongoing Zika risk. We cancelled a cruise we had scheduled in February because of this. I even emailed the CDC directly to confirm this recommendation on their site was still accurate. I believe the Bahamas is okay now according to their recommendation.

 

[21stamps]

I think my doctor’s reasoning was more towards the Zika virus scare. Obviously not an issue for Alaska, Med, Hawaii, etc. cruises, but since we’re in Florida, I’m guessing her mind immediately went to Bahamian/Caribbean destinations. I wasn’t considering one so I didn’t question it further, but that’s what I assumed. Although I don’t even know if I would have enjoyed going early on - probably would have ended up sleeping the whole time, haha!

This’ll be my 4th half while pregnant (24 weeks at that point - the upcoming Star Wars half) and probably 23rd or 24th total, so while I’ll definitely be more cautious than usual, I’m excited for it!

Ah ok, the Zika worry makes total sense.

I love hearing pregnant women talk like this. Great job on the marathons!!! Especially the Star Wars half..they look so fun!

 

[LSLS]

Ah ok, the Zika worry makes total sense.

I love hearing pregnant women talk like this. Great job on the marathons!!! Especially the Star Wars half..they look so fun!

My old tennis pro went to the US Open tryouts for tennis at 5.5 months pregnant. She destroyed a bunch of people, lost to the person who won the regional to go to nationals (win nationals, you got into the US Open draw). Some can do it, some get stuck on bed rest starting at 20 weeks, it's amazing how different people's bodies react.

 

[21stamps]

My old tennis pro went to the US Open tryouts for tennis at 5.5 months pregnant. She destroyed a bunch of people, lost to the person who won the regional to go to nationals (win nationals, you got into the US Open draw). Some can do it, some get stuck on bed rest starting at 20 weeks, it's amazing how different people's bodies react.

That’s so neat!

For sure women can have different problems, or lack of, during pregnancy. I just love it when pregnancy isn’t treated as a debilitating condition in and of itself like it once was.

 

[The Mom]

Ah ok, the Zika worry makes total sense.

I love hearing pregnant women talk like this. Great job on the marathons!!! Especially the Star Wars half..they look so fun!

I would think that norovirus and Legionaire's disease, along with being in a close quarters with a large group of people who might have contagious disease, would be of concern - it's basically a floating town without any individual houses, etc.

 

[LAKid53]

I think my doctor’s reasoning was more towards the Zika virus scare. Obviously not an issue for Alaska, Med, Hawaii, etc. cruises, but since we’re in Florida, I’m guessing her mind immediately went to Bahamian/Caribbean destinations. I wasn’t considering one so I didn’t question it further, but that’s what I assumed. Although I don’t even know if I would have enjoyed going early on - probably would have ended up sleeping the whole time, haha!

This’ll be my 4th half while pregnant (24 weeks at that point - the upcoming Star Wars half) and probably 23rd or 24th total, so while I’ll definitely be more cautious than usual, I’m excited for it!

Let's hope the weather in 3 weeks is cooler than the Princess Half. Of thread topic - what's your corral?

 

[21stamps]

I would think that norovirus and Legionaire's disease, along with being in a close quarters with a large group of people who might have contagious disease, would be of concern - it's basically a floating town without any individual houses, etc.

I wouldn’t eat in the buffet, but beyond that it sounds like a heavenly pregnancy vacay imo. Wake up to room service and eat on your balcony, walk to the spa, lounge and read a book with the view of the sea and ocean breeze..attend a show.. all within walking/elevator distance. Rinse and repeat daily. Sounds like a great way to relax before the coming days of no relaxation

 

[Figment82]

Ah ok, the Zika worry makes total sense.

I love hearing pregnant women talk like this. Great job on the marathons!!! Especially the Star Wars half..they look so fun!

Thank you!

 

[Figment82]

Let's hope the weather in 3 weeks is cooler than the Princess Half. Of thread topic - what's your corral?

I’m in F - I’m pretty slow under “normal” conditions, haha! And yes, here’s hoping for some nice weather - the last two years have been crazy humid.

 

[ScoutN]

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.

On the Guest Information page of Online Check-In is asks if anyone in the part is 24+ weeks pregnant or will be during the sailing. The booklets that they mail out also state it clearly.


I also fault the parents as they either failed to read or ignore the ToS. The entitled mentality came from somewhere. The reports of the father being irate speaks just as loud as anything else.

Here are some of the manners in which they ensure the policy is known.

 

[winstongator]

She's a very typical American under the age of 40 nowadays. The rules simply don't apply to her, she is very special, her children are even more special than she is, and everyone should know that.

To be fair, her dad seemed to think himself pretty special too.

 

[pezgirlroy]

This whole story just makes me so angry ... at her and her family. Yes it is a question on the on-line check in form. So many things wrong here. The attitude that it seems she and her family had is just horrible. (I have read accounts of people who witnessed it). This 24 week rule is there for a reason and a very good one. You honestly just never know what is going to happen with a pregnancy. I am the mom of three. My second was a still born daughter that was delivered at 23 weeks. My first pregnancy was picture perfect. My third I had to go on berest starting at 24 weeks. This is just not the type of thing you play around with. If something were to happen on board you are not online putting the pregnancy at risk, your health at risk but also causing potential problems for everyone on board. Okay off of my soap box now. Sorry this really ticked me off.

 

[newhorizons1]

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.

I cruised when I was 20 weeks pregnant (and amazingly since I was pregnant had enough common sense to look at the guidelines), and I went to my doctor for a note. Honestly, I did it more as a precaution, and so I wouldn't be questioned about how far along I was. My paperwork stated that I was 20 weeks along. It wasn't written out "Patient is 20 weeks along..." but just stated how far along I was in the chart. Interestingly I was never asked when we checked in (but it wasn't Disney). Anyways...


I think this is a publicity stunt, which is sadly working. I am going on a Disney cruise next week. When I went to do my online check in one of the first questions that popped up (I had to click on it to confirm or deny) was asking if myself or anyone in my immediate party was pregnant. If her parents did her check in they would have known too.

 

[tribbleorlfl]

I think my doctor’s reasoning was more towards the Zika virus scare. Obviously not an issue for Alaska, Med, Hawaii, etc. cruises, but since we’re in Florida, I’m guessing her mind immediately went to Bahamian/Caribbean destinations. I wasn’t considering one so I didn’t question it further, but that’s what I assumed. Although I don’t even know if I would have enjoyed going early on - probably would have ended up sleeping the whole time, haha!

This’ll be my 4th half while pregnant (24 weeks at that point - the upcoming Star Wars half) and probably 23rd or 24th total, so while I’ll definitely be more cautious than usual, I’m excited for it!

Ah ok, the Zika worry makes total sense.

I love hearing pregnant women talk like this. Great job on the marathons!!! Especially the Star Wars half..they look so fun!

I don't believe the 24 week cutoff has anything to do with Zika; Zika-related birth defects have been observed based on infections through the whole course of pregnancy, not just at or after 24 months. In fact, evidence shown shies a much higher risk of birth defects if infection ocuured in the first trimester.

No, I think it has everything to do with fetuses typically being considered viable at 24 weeks and that cruise ships are not equipped with OB and neonatal units.

 

[Figment82]

I don't believe the 24 week cutoff has anything to do with Zika; Zika-related birth defects have been observed based on infections through the whole course of pregnancy, not just at or after 24 months. In fact, evidence shown shies a much higher risk of birth defects if infection ocuured in the first trimester.

No, I think it has everything to do with fetuses typically being considered viable at 24 weeks and that cruise ships are not equipped with OB and neonatal units.

The Zika reasoning was in response to my doctor advising me against cruising in general throughout the entire term - it wasn’t related to the cruise industry’s 24-week policy (which I totally understand!).

 

[tribbleorlfl]

I cruised when I was 20 weeks pregnant (and amazingly since I was pregnant had enough common sense to look at the guidelines), and I went to my doctor for a note. Honestly, I did it more as a precaution, and so I wouldn't be questioned about how far along I was. My paperwork stated that I was 20 weeks along. It wasn't written out "Patient is 20 weeks along..." but just stated how far along I was in the chart. Interestingly I was never asked when we checked in (but it wasn't Disney). Anyways...


I think this is a publicity stunt, which is sadly working. I am going on a Disney cruise next week. When I went to do my online check in one of the first questions that popped up (I had to click on it to confirm or deny) was asking if myself or anyone in my immediate party was pregnant. If her parents did her check in they would have known too.

I wouldn't go so far as to say this was an intentional publicity stunt. I think it's far more likely a lot of money was invested into this trip (airfare and cruise tickets for 10 certainly has to be close to 20k, right?), everyone was looking forward to it, subsequently found out she was pregnant and would not make it based on how far along she would be at embarkation, they all decided to go anyway with the hopes the doctor letter, a sympathetic CM and a little pressure would get her on board.