What are the rules for Royal Caribbean pregnancy?

May I board a Royal Caribbean ship if I am pregnant? Royal Caribbean International cannot accept guests who will be more than 23 weeks pregnant at any time during the cruise or CruiseTour.



Royal Caribbean International has a strict safety policy regarding pregnancy in 2026: they cannot accept guests who will be more than 23 weeks pregnant at any time during the cruise or "CruiseTour." This rule is strictly enforced because cruise ships do not have a dedicated Obstetrician/Gynecologist on board, and specialized neonatal equipment is not available for premature births at sea. If you are pregnant, you are required to fill out a Public Health Questionnaire at the pier attesting that you are under the 23-week limit. If you have already booked a cruise and find you will exceed this limit, you should contact the cruise line immediately to discuss cancellation or rebooking options, as they will deny boarding without a refund if the policy is violated. It is also highly recommended to carry a letter from your doctor stating your "due date" and that you are "fit to travel," especially if you are close to the cutoff, as port officials have the final authority to determine if a guest is safe to board.

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All guests are required to fill out a Public Health Questionnaire prior to arrival or at the pier attesting that they are not more than 23 weeks pregnant.

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Infants sailing on a cruise must be at least 6 months old as of the first day of the cruise and/or CruiseTour. HOWEVER: For transatlantic, transpacific, Hawaii, select South American and other selected cruises and/or CruiseTours, the infant must be at least 12 months old as of the first day of the cruise/CruiseTour.

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Under the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness, for the purposes of determining the obligations under the convention, a birth on a ship or aircraft in international waters or airspace shall be treated as a birth in the country of the ship or aircraft's registration.

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However, as a matter of policy, most cruise lines don't count pregnancy as just cause for a refund or travel credit, so if you cancel after final payment, you will be accountable to your cruise line's cancellation policies and might not receive a full refund.

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Generally, women are not allowed to travel by air after 36 weeks for domestic travel, and after 28 to 35 weeks for international travel. The decision on whether to travel and how far to travel at any time during pregnancy should be a joint decision between you and your healthcare provider or midwife.

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However, if you are in a hurry or can't take the time off work to see your GP, you can order a certificate online. With ZoomDoc, you can access a verifiable fit-to-fly certificate signed by a medical professional on the day of contact. Simply complete the online form and upload your most recent maternity notes.

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In most cases, the cruise line will allow you to cancel the cruise and receive a credit which you can use to either bring your cruise forward to earlier in your pregnancy, or to book another cruise after your baby is born.

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Royal Caribbean and MSC passengers do have access to condoms, pregnancy kits and lubrication, while P&O, Cunard and Princess have the morning after pill. News of the poll findings sparked s furious debate among cruisers, and anger at suggestions that it might not be true among the older demographic.

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All the major cruise lines have the same pregnancy policy: Guests are allowed to cruise through their 23rd week of pregnancy. If you will enter your 24th week before or any time during your cruise, you are not allowed to sail.

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Cruises make ideal babymoons. There's food everywhere, including room service for those late-night cravings. Plus they make planning easy; the cruise ship serves as hotel, restaurant, entertainment venue, spa and transportation. You can do as little or much as you want, and there's a doctor onboard ... just in case.

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During a healthy pregnancy, occasional air travel is almost always safe. Most airlines allow you to fly domestically until about 36 weeks of pregnancy. Your ob-gyn can provide proof of your due date if you need it. If you are planning an international flight, the cut-off for traveling may be earlier.

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