Since the cruise lines are not equipped with major medical facilities onboard, they have established very strict policies with regard to expectant mothers and infants. Each cruise line requires expectant mothers to provide a physician's letter (faxed in advance or hand delivered at the time of check-in) stating that the guest is in good health, fit to travel, and that the pregnancy is not high risk. The letter must also include the expected date of the child's birth.
Typically, a letter is not required for infants to travel. However, each cruise line has a minimum age requirement for guests traveling, which will be verified upon check-in at the pier. This minimum age requirement varies by cruise line and even itinerary. Always tell your Vacations To Go cruise counselor if you are pregnant or planning to cruise with an infant to insure you meet all required guidelines.
Azamara
Pregnant Women: Permitted to board if pregnant for 23 weeks or less on day of embarkation. A physician's letter must be faxed to the Access Department (800-882-8292) for women in any stage of pregnancy.
Infants: Infants sailing on a cruise must be at least 6 months old as of the first day of the cruise/cruisetour. However, for trans-Atlantic and trans-Pacific cruises/cruisetours and other selected cruises/cruisetours, the infant (as of the first day of the cruise/cruisetour) must be at least 12 months old. Any cruise that has three or more consecutive days at sea will require infants to be 12 months old on the first day of the cruise/cruisetour.
Disney Cruise Line
Pregnant Women: Women who have entered their 24th week of pregnancy as of their embarkation date, or who will enter their 24th week of pregnancy during their cruise will be refused passage due to safety concerns. Neither a physician’s medical statement nor a waiver of liability will be accepted.
Infants: Minimum age is 6 months on most itineraries. The minimum age for Transatlantic and Panama Canal itineraries is 1 year.
Holland America Cruise Line
Pregnant Women: Women cannot have begun their 24th week of pregnancy at any time before or during the cruise. If you are pregnant or sailing with a guest who is pregnant they must provide a physician’s letter stating the expected due date, medical fitness to travel and the pregnancy is not high risk. Please also include your name, booking number, ship and sailing date.
Please fax your letters to our Access & Compliance Department at 800-577-1731.
Infants: Minimum age is 12 months of age for trans-Atlantic sailings or any other itinerary which in the opinion of the Medical Department present a significant risk to infants between 6 and 12 months of age; minimum age is 6 months for all other sailings.
Hurtigruten Cruises
Pregnant Women: Women who are more than 28 weeks pregnant are required to notify Hurtigruten at least 14 days before departure and produce a medical certificate confirming fitness to travel. Each case is considered individually. It is recommended that the passenger consult her doctor.
Infants: The minimum age for Antarctica sailings is 5 years old. There is no age restriction for all other destinations.
Oceania Cruise Line
Pregnant Women: Permitted to board if pregnant for 24 weeks or less on day of disembarkation. Doctor's note required.*
Infants: Infants must be at least 12 months of age on the day of boarding.
Royal Caribbean Cruise Line
Pregnant Women: Royal Caribbean International cannot accept guests who will have entered their 24th week of pregnancy at any point before or during the cruise or cruise tour.
Infants: Infants sailing on a cruise must be at least 6 months old as of the first day of the cruise/cruisetour. However, for trans-Atlantic, trans-Pacific, Hawaii, select South American cruises/cruisetours and other selected cruises/cruisetours, the infant (as of the first day of the cruise/cruisetour) must be at least 12 months old. For the purposes of this policy, any cruise that has 3 or more days consecutive at sea will require infants to be 12 months old on the first day of the cruise/CruiseTour.