Thinking of taking a cruise while you’re expecting? It’s a great idea! This is the opportunity to relax and enjoy some time before your life is changed by a new bundle of joy. Be aware however, cruise lines do have pregnancy policies in place, and most do not allow passengers who are farther along than 23-24 weeks. Below, you can find a reference list of cruise line pregnancy policies. Be sure to confirm these with your cruise line at the time of booking, Restrictions are subject to change. This post contains affiliate links, if you click and buy a product, I may make a commission, at no cost to you. Please see my disclosure policy for details. Can you cruise while pregnant? If you have a healthy pregnancy, then going on a cruise vacation is a lovely way to celebrate the upcoming addition to your family. That being said, it’s always safer to talk to your doctor before traveling, especially if you’ve had any issues with your pregnancy in the past. Carnival Cruise Line – Pregnant women are only allowed to sail if pregnant for less than twenty-four completed weeks at time of cruise disembarkation. All pregnant women are required to produce a physician’s letter stating that mother and baby are in good health and fit to travel, and that the pregnancy is not high-risk. The letter must also include the estimated date of delivery (EDD). MSC Cruises – MSC and/or the Carriers do not have on board any of the cruise vessels adequate medical facilities or equipment for childbirth; therefore MSC cannot accept a Booking and the Carrier cannot carry any Passenger who will be 24 weeks pregnant or more by the end of the Cruise. Norwegian Cruise Line – NCL will not accept guests who will have entered their twenty-fourth week of pregnancy by the time their travel with NCL concludes. A statement from the expectant mother’s doctor (letterhead form required), stating her due date and fitness to travel, must be sent to NCL’s Access Desk (accessdesk@ncl.com). Royal Caribbean International – Royal Caribbean International cannot accept guests who will have entered their twenty-fourth week of pregnancy by the beginning of the cruise or cruise tour. All guests are required to sign a health questionnaire at check in to ensure they are aware of Royal Caribbean’s pregnancy policy. A physician’s “Fit to Travel” note is required prior to sailing, stating how far along (in weeks) a guest’s pregnancy will be at the beginning of the cruise and confirming that the guest is in good health and not experiencing a high-risk pregnancy. The “Fit to Travel” note should be faxed to the Access Department at 1-954-628-9622. Contact RCL at 1-866-592-7225 or at special_needs@rccl.com if you have already booked a cruise or cruise tour and do not meet this requirement.Celebrity Cruises – Celebrity Cruises cannot accept guests who will have entered their twenty-fourth week of pregnancy by the beginning of the cruise or cruise tour. All guests are required to sign a health questionnaire at check in to ensure they are aware of Celebrity’s pregnancy policy. A physician’s “Fit to Travel” note is required prior to sailing, stating how far along (in weeks) the passenger’s pregnancy will be at the beginning of the cruise and confirming that she is in good health and not experiencing a high-risk pregnancy. The “Fit to Travel” note should be faxed to the Access Department at 1-954-628-9622. Contact Celebrity at 1-866-592-7225 or at special_needs@celebrity.com if you have already booked a cruise or cruise tour and do not meet this requirement. Disney Cruise Line – Women who will enter their twenty-fourth week of pregnancy during the cruise 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. Holland America Line – Women cannot have begun their twenty-fourth week of pregnancy at any time before or during the cruise. Pregnant guests must provide a physician’s letter stating their expected due date and medical fitness to travel, and asserting that the pregnancy is not high-risk. You must also include your name, booking number, ship, and sailing date. Princess Cruises – Pregnant women are not allowed to sail if they are entering the twenty-fourth week of their pregnancy by the last day of the cruise. All pregnant women are required to produce a physician’s letter stating that mother and baby are in good health and fit to travel, and asserting that the pregnancy is not high-risk. The letter must also include the estimated date of delivery calculated from both last menstrual period and ultrasound (if performed), and may be faxed to the Fleet Medical Department’s confidential fax line at 1-661-753-0121. Azamara Cruises – Azamara Club Cruises cannot accept guests who will have entered their 24th week of pregnancy by the beginning of, or at any time during the cruise. All guests are required to sign a health questionnaire at check-in to ensure they are aware of our pregnancy policy. Once Onboard Be sure to request extra pillows and blankets, scout out exit routes and other walkways in the area around your cabin. Have a look at your bathroom facilities before you really need to use them so you know how things work. You may also want to try on your personal flotation device (PFD) found in your cabin to ensure that it will fit you properly. If you find it is too small, ask your cabin steward for another. You may be more prone to nausea enhanced by the ship’s motion. To minimize problems associated with seasickness, try to book a larger ship (more than 1,000 passengers) and a mid-level, mid-ship cabin. These tend to be more stable and do better in rough weather should you encounter it. Ships will normally be staffed with both a doctor and nurse. (Note that ships’ medical personnel charge a fee for their services.) Make sure to discuss your cruise and related travel plans with your doctor. Ask about various seasickness medications orContinueContinue reading “Pregnancy and Cruising: Tips for Expectant Mothers”
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Explore Iconic Rivers with Celebrity River Cruises
NEW FLEET THAT WILL SAIL THE MOST ICONIC RIVERS BEGINNING 2027 Celebrity Cruises will usher in a new era in river cruising with Celebrity River Cruises, a premium river cruise vacation that will begin taking bookings this year. The brand has signed an initial order for 10 transformative ships that will take guests to historic cities on the world’s most iconic rivers, launching in Europe. Celebrity Cruises will bring the elevated design and sophistication of the Edge Series ocean ships to the river. When you combine that with the brand’s signature hospitality and unique itinerary offerings, Celebrity River Cruises will deliver unforgettable experiences – The Celebrity Way. “We’re thrilled to announce our entry into the river cruise market through our Celebrity Cruises premium travel brand. Our guests and travel partners should expect us to do what we do best – innovate and elevate the river cruise experience as we meet the growing demand for intimate, culturally enriching travel experiences,” said Jason Liberty, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean Group. “With about half of our guests having experienced or intending to vacation on a river cruise, we know they will enjoy Celebrity’s elevated offering on the river. By leveraging our valuable loyalty programs across our three brands, we will deepen customer engagement and further our ability to keep guests within our ecosystem of vacation offerings. We are the best in the world at delivering the vacation of a lifetime, and this is the latest example of how we are building the capabilities to deliver a lifetime of vacations.” Celebrity River Cruises is a natural extension of Celebrity’s premium offering that will bring its unique service-first approach to the river. Guests will get the keys to sail through the heart of culturally and historically significant cities, experience locally inspired cuisine and unique shore experiences – The Celebrity Way. With ships that will give guests 360 degrees of breathtaking views, every moment will be designed to immerse guests in the beauty of the journey. “Celebrity River Cruises will bring the quality and sophistication of our Edge Series ocean ships to the most iconic rivers, starting with Europe,” added Laura Hodges Bethge, President, Celebrity Cruises. “We’ve redefined travel on the ocean with our best-in-class hospitality, award-winning food and beverage experiences, and elevated design and style. We are thrilled to bring these experiences to the river and combine them with authentic, destination-rich itineraries that will give our guests an experience unlike any other.” By getting into river cruises, Celebrity wants to offer more culturally enriching travel experiences. Celebrity River Cruises will focus on offering premium experiences, local cuisine, interesting shore excursion opportunities, and 360-degree views of historic cities. Plus, the 10 new ships will incorporate design elements from Celebrity’s Edge Series ships. More information about Celebrity River Cruises, including booking opportunities, destinations, fleet size and ship details, excursions and more, will be announced in the coming months. Go to CelebrityCruises.com and sign up to receive information first and follow on social media @CelebrityCruises. Please join other cruisers at A Celebrity River Cruises Forum on Facebook. Updates will be shared there when available. BE SHARE THIS EXCITING NEW WAY TO RIVER WITH YOUR FRIENDS Let’s connect: Join me and other cruisers on Facebook at Zest4Cruising, A Celebrity Cruises Forum, A Celebrity Solstice Cruise Forum, A Celebrity Reflection Cruise Forum, A Celebrity RETREAT class forum and Alaska Cruise Lover Forum You can also follow me at: YouTube at Travels With Mickey Pinterest at Travels with Mickey Instagram at Travels with Mickey Please visit and follow my Amazon store for more helpful items to make your cruise even more enjoyable! P.S. If you found this helpful, please don’t keep it to yourself. Please share on Facebook or PIN to your favorite Pinterest board (share buttons are below). Thanks so much!
You Booked a Cruise – Now What?
Travels with Mickey Cruises Disney Planning & Packing About Cruises Disney Planning & Packing About More than 2 results are available in the PRO version (This notice is only visible to admin users) You Booked a Cruise—Now What? 15 Things to Do After Booking Your Cruise This post may contain affiliate links. This means I may earn a small commission if you purchase through these links, at no additional cost to you. I only share products I personally use, genuinely recommend, or believe will help make your cruise travel easier and more enjoyable. Thank you for supporting Travels With Mickey! You booked the cruise! 🎉 The countdown is officially on, and now comes the fun part—planning everything that will make your cruise vacation even better.But if this is your first cruise, you may be wondering, “What am I supposed to do now?”Booking your cruise is just the beginning. From checking your travel documents and completing online check-in to researching your ports, making dining and excursion reservations, and figuring out what to pack, there are several things you’ll want to take care of before embarkation day.And trust me, you don’t want to wait until the last minute. Some of the most popular shore excursions, specialty restaurants, spa appointments, and onboard activities can fill up quickly.Whether this is your first cruise or you’re a seasoned cruiser, having a plan after you book can make the entire experience smoother—and a lot less stressful.So grab your calendar, start that cruise countdown, and let’s go through 15 things you should do after booking your cruise so you can spend less time worrying about the details and more time looking forward to setting sail! 🚢 Double-Check Your Cruise Booking Information One of the first things you should do after booking your cruise is carefully review all of your reservation details. Make sure your name, date of birth, cruise dates, ship, itinerary, cabin category, and stateroom number are correct.Pay close attention to your name and date of birth, especially if you’re traveling internationally. Your cruise reservation should match your passport or other required travel documents exactly. It’s much easier to correct an error now than when you arrive at the cruise terminal.Also check your departure port, number of guests, dining preferences, and any special requests included with your reservation.If you notice a mistake, contact your cruise line or travel advisor as soon as possible. Don’t assume that an incorrect detail can simply be fixed when you arrive.A few minutes spent reviewing your cruise booking now can save you a lot of stress later! Check Your Passport and Cruise Travel Documents Make sure your passport and other required cruise boarding documents are current and valid for your upcoming cruise. Passport requirements can vary depending on your itinerary and cruise line, so don’t wait until the last minute to check.Pay particular attention to your passport’s expiration date. Some international destinations require your passport to be valid for several months beyond your travel dates, and some cruises may have additional documentation requirements.It’s also a good idea to review your cruise line’s specific documentation requirements and make copies or secure digital backups of important travel documents.For a complete guide to the documents you may need, check out What Cruise Documents Do You Need to Board?before you set sail. Mark Your Calendar With Important Cruise Planning Reminders Once your cruise is booked, add important cruise planning deadlines and reminders to your calendar. This is one of the easiest ways to stay organized and make sure you don’t miss anything important before embarkation day.”Mark your calendar with your online check-in date, final payment deadline, shore excursion booking window, specialty dining reservations, spa appointments, and any cruise line-specific deadlines.It’s also helpful to set reminders for things like booking flights and hotels, arranging transportation to the cruise port, checking passport expiration dates, and completing any required travel forms.Don’t rely on trying to remember everything as your cruise gets closer. A few calendar reminders now can save you from scrambling at the last minute—and help make your cruise vacation much more stress-free! Download the Cruise Line’s App and Join the Loyalty Program One of the first things you should do after booking a cruise is download your cruise line’s mobile app. The app will often become your go-to resource before and during your cruise, giving you access to important booking information, online check-in, daily schedules, dining options, shore excursions, onboard activities, and more.Once you’ve downloaded the app, take a few minutes to explore it and make sure your cruise reservation is linked correctly. Some cruise lines also allow you to make dining, excursion, entertainment, and other reservations directly through the app.While you’re at it, join the cruise line’s loyalty program if you haven’t already. Most cruise lines offer free loyalty programs that allow you to earn points or cruise credits and receive benefits as you sail more often. Even if this is your first cruise, joining before you sail can ensure your account is set up and ready to track your cruise.It’s never too early to start earning those cruise loyalty perks! Read more: Celebrity Cruises Captain’s Club Consider Purchasing Cruise Travel Insurance Once your cruise is booked, it’s a good idea to consider purchasing travel insurance for your cruise. While no one wants to think about something going wrong before or during their vacation, unexpected situations can happen—and a cruise is often a significant investment.Depending on the policy you choose, cruise travel insurance may provide coverage for things such as trip cancellation or interruption, travel delays, lost or delayed luggage, medical emergencies, and other unexpected expenses.If you’re considering travel insurance, don’t wait until the week before your cruise to look into it. Some policies have time-sensitive benefits or coverage requirements, so purchasing a policy soon after making your initial trip payment may give you more options.Be sure to read the policy carefully and understand what is—and isn’t—covered before you purchase. Your cruise line may offer travel insurance, but it’s also worth comparing it withContinueContinue reading “You Booked a Cruise – Now What?”
Top Packing and Planning Hacks for Travelers
Seasoned travelers have developed strategies and adopted habits after years of travel to make their journeys easier. This post contains affiliate links which means if you click and buy that I may make a commission, at no cost to you. Please see my disclosure policy for details. Planning & Packing Make a calendar of your travel days. I find this very useful when planning any trip. Make sure to note the dates and times of each reservation. I also include prices and locations of hotels, ports, car rentals and/or train schedules. After the trip is over, I keep this calendar in a file with receipts and tourist information I gathered during our vacation. I can’t tell you how many times I have referred back to my files when planning future trips….or just to remember what we did! Make a checklist. This will make packing soooo much easier. Don’t forget items like sunglasses, passports, sunscreen, any medications you may need, or special items you want to take. Start brain storming as early as possible prior to departing…think about the activities you are planning, possible weather and what types of clothing you will need. Check off the items as you pack them. Nothing is more frustrating than arriving at your destination and realizing you have forgotten something! Tip: A good packing list is essential: Caribbean, Norway, British Isles, Alaska and Cruise Packing 101 Take a photo of your passport and email it to yourself. Even if something happens to your phone, you will be able to access your email on a public computer. Use a travel wallet/passport holder. I have found this to be one of the most useful items in my carryon. I keep boarding passes, passports, money, pen and my credit cards here. Travel wallet Contact your financial institutions and inform them you are traveling. If you are planning to use your ATM and/or credit cards, your bank needs to know you will be making purchases outside your home area. If you don’t, they may put a “hold” on your account and you will not be able to access your funds until you contact them. If you are traveling out of the country, this can be difficult and expensive….not to mention frustrating. Use credit cards for purchases. Many countries are becoming cashless societies since Covid. Even small purchases like an ice cream in the park can only be done with a credit card….we experienced this in London’s Hyde Park. When using a credit card, always let your bank handle the conversion by purchasing in the local currency. If you feel the need for actual cash, use your debit card at a local ATM. You can withdraw smaller amounts and get a better exchange rate. Protect your credit cards and passport from thieves. Simply place your credit/debit cards or any other RFID-enabled contactless Smart Cards near a RFID Blocking Card and you’re safe and ready to go. Use packing cubes. We started using these a few years ago and boy….we are so much more organized. If staying in one place for several days, it is easy to unpack…just place the packing cube in a drawer! Get travel insurance. Travel is expensive. Protect your investment with a good travel plan. Make sure it covers medical, loss of use, hospital stays and travel home if your trip is cut short. Flying Carry on luggage. Having a good carry on bag with plenty of storage is a game changer. I like to use one that fits into the overhead bin and also a tote bag that fits over the handle. That way, I can keep items I want/need during the flight under the seat in front of me. Tag your bags. There are many fun, easily recognizable luggage tags available. When it’s time to purchase new luggage, find suitcases that are not just black or blue….find some that are a little different….maybe a bright color or a fun pattern. Even then….attach something to your luggage that helps you locate them easily. Use Air Tags. We always put an AirTag in our carry on and in our checked bags. If something happens and it gets lost or stolen, you can quickly locate it and retrieve if possible (if stolen, get police assistant to retrieve). Luggage gets delayed or put on the wrong plane all the time. These will assist in tracking your bags. I use a fun, colorful AirTag holder and attach them to the inside of my bags. Bring Air Pods . Air travel is noisy. If you are trying to watch a movie, read or sleep, Air Pods are invaluable. It will also help to discourage a talkative neighbor! Get access to an airport lounge. If you have a long layover, this is a quiet place to wait and they offer complimentary food, beverages, magazines, newspapers and Wi-Fi. Some even have showers or rooms where you can catch a few ZZZs. Check out https://thepointsguy.com for excellent information on credit cards that offer lounge access. And remember, if you are flying first or business class overseas, you automatically get free access! Another option is to join Priority Pass. With over 1,700+ airport lounges and experiences, it will help make your airport time more enjoyable. Use locks for your luggage! We always lock ours when flying or boarding a ship. These luggage locks are designed to keep thieves out but still allow TSA or other airport security to check bags. And because the TSA can’t take their key out without relocking, you can be assured your luggage will stay locked . Weigh your luggage! Overweight luggage can be very expensive. Make sure your bags are under the weight limit of your airline. This luggage scale is easy to use. Just hook your suitcase for instant weight. Cruising Don’t overpack. Make your packing checklist….and then cut it in half! Well….maybe not in half, but don’t take ALL of it. 🙂 I have found that I NEVER wear all the clothes I take. One or two nice dresses, skirts or slacks are fine for evenings. Dress up your outfits with jewelry, shoes or sweaters/wraps for more formal evenings. Same with shoes….a good pair for walking,ContinueContinue reading “Top Packing and Planning Hacks for Travelers”
14 Things You Should Do Before You Leave for a Vacation
Vacation time is finally here! You’ve researched what you want to do and where to stay. Made list upon list of things you need take. But have you really thought of everything? 1. Contact your credit or debit card company There is nothing worse than being on vacation and having problems with your credit or debit card. Believe me….I’ve had it happen. And in a foreign country too. UGH! Most credit card companies need to know your travel plans. Some are no longer requiring you to do this, but make sure to check before leaving. And make sure you have enough available credit on your credit cards! If you are going to be gone when a payment will be due, be sure to schedule it! Also….make sure to use a card that does not charge a foreign transaction fee if you are going abroad! 2. Contact your cell phone company. Are you traveling abroad or going on a ship? Talk to your service provider to find out cheapest plan for making calls, sending text messages and accessing Internet from your smartphone. Many cell phone companies offer affordable day passes to U.S. customers for International talk, text, and data plans. Most cruise lines have internet access, so it is easy to stay in touch with people at home using FaceTime or WhatsAp. 3. Notify your home security system operator. This is especially important if you are not going to be available by phone. Give them a secondary phone number if possible, in case they need to contact you. 4. Confirm all reservations. Double-check all your reservations: flight, hotel, car rental, restaurants, attractions and any other services or experiences you’ve planned. Flights can change at the last minute….you don’t want any surprises at a check-in counter. Our son once showed up for a hotel reservation, not realizing he made it for the wrong month! Advance preparation helps avoid disaster. Keep a record of your reservations either in paper form or on your phone. I like to make a master itinerary if going on a longer, more involved vacation. I’ve also been known to take photos of my confirmations. It’s always good to have a backup. 5. Make advance payments on bills that have due dates during your trip. You don’t want to get hit with late fees! Make sure all credit cards, housing expenses (e.g., rent, utilities), and other monthly bills will be paid on time. You’re going on vacation…why worry about missing a payment! 6. Check the weather. This may seem like an obvious one, but many travelers forget to do it. Check the forecast for your destination and pack appropriately. You can also join a Facebook group if going on a cruise or to a popular location….people love to share their knowledge! 7. Eat, throw out or give away any perishable food. Who wants to return home to a stinky fridge! Run the dishwasher, take out the trash and clean the sink. Make sure there’s no food in the drain that could rot or attract bugs while you’re away. Yuck! 8. Leave an itinerary with a friend or family member. Your emergency contact should have a copy of your travel plans and locations. 9. Clean out your wallet. Remove any items you don’t need while on your trip. Remove loyalty cards, gift cards, extra credit cards, and leave any other unnecessary contents at home. Only take what you will absolutely use or need while traveling. 10. Place a hold on your mail delivery. This is very important if you’re going away for more than a couple days. You could also arrange for a neighbor or family member to collect your mail until you get home. 11. Bring in outdoor furniture, water plants, stop the paper if you get one. Don’t leave any outdoor patio chairs, cushions, toys, etc. outside….especially lightweight items that are easy to blow away or be taken. I’ve also heard people say to turn off the water to appliances…like the dishwasher and clothes washer. I don’t recommend this….the one time we did it, it caused our dishwasher to short circuit, resulting in a large repair bill. That was an unwelcome expense to return home to. 12. Close curtains, leave lights on a timer and change your thermostat. Uncovered windows make it easy for people to look in and see if there is anyone home. Having lights go on and off at different times also provides the illusion that someone is home. Set your thermostat to keep the house cool or warm, depending on when you are traveling. No one wants to come home to frozen pipes in the winter! And high energy bills to cool the house in the summer aren’t necessary if you’re not home! 13. DON’T….post on social media that you are going to be gone! This is the NUMBER ONE thing the police tell people not to do before leaving for vacation. Yes, it’s exciting to share your plans, but you never know who is lurking around, looking for an empty home. You can always share those photos when you return. 14. Arrange for someone to stop by and check on the house. If possible, have a neighbor, friend or family member check on the house. Leaks happen….we had one that our housekeeper discovered and saved us thousands of dollars in damages by finding it early! Better yet….have someone house sit for you. This is also a great option if you have pets. Saves boarding costs! 15. Unplug anything that uses a lithium battery. Before you leave, UNPLUG your rechargeable batteries and power banks! A Lithium-ion battery can not absorb overcharge. Fires can happen from the overcharging, and thus overheating, of these batteries. This includes cars, golf carts, scooters, drills, etc. Most importantly….relax and enjoy your vacation. You’ve earned it! Let’s connect: Join me and other cruisers on Facebook at Zest4Cruising, A Celebrity Cruises Forum, A Celebrity Solstice Cruise Forum, A Celebrity Reflection Cruise Forum, A Celebrity RETREAT class forum, A Celebrity River Cruises Forum, A CelebrityContinueContinue reading “14 Things You Should Do Before You Leave for a Vacation”