When you head out on a cruise, you expect to return with tan lines, a few extra pounds, and lifelong memories — not a newborn baby.
However, one couple's vacation took an unforgettable turn when they learned they were expecting a baby just hours before setting sail.
Gary "David" Glenn and Lauren Siwinski, of Rhode Island, arrived in Tampa, Florida, ahead of a five-night Royal Caribbean cruise to Mexico.
However, Siwinski told Tampa Bay News that she began experiencing severe stomach pain before the cruise and went to an urgent care clinic in Apollo Beach, Florida, where she learned she was pregnant and in labor.
(Credit: Tampa Bay News)
An ultrasound later revealed that Siwinski was about 33 weeks pregnant and already having contractions.
"I had no symptoms at all, nothing whatsoever. I had no idea there was a human inside of me," Siwinski said.
She later added that she did feel some flutters but didn't think anything of it, claiming she thought it was her stomach settling from something she had eaten.
(Credit: Tampa Bay News)
"I had her working out and stuff in the gym with me, and she's sitting there pregnant. I had no idea. She's like bouncing this bar off her chest. I'm surprised the baby didn't shoot out right there, you know what I mean?" Glenn shared.
Due to the surprising news, their cruise was put on hold. The couple, who recently got engaged in May, traveled to HCA Florida Brandon Hospital, where Siwinski delivered their son, Sebastian, on Monday, July 13 — less than 12 hours after learning they were expecting.
While uncommon, hospital staff said pregnancies that remain unnoticed until the later stages do occasionally occur.
(Credit: Tampa Bay News)
"They were absolutely amazing," OB Coordinator Elyse Fahey said.
"Being outside their element, not knowing anybody here, and just with such grace — they’re both happy, excited, a little nervous, I’m sure, but just [an] amazing couple."
Now, the couple gets to go home and begin this new chapter of their lives, including heading to the courthouse to get married, which is vastly different than returning home after the Royal Caribbean cruise they didn't get to take.
(Credit: Tampa Bay News)
According to CruiseMapper, Radiance of the Seas was the only Royal Caribbean ship scheduled to depart on July 13.
The five-night cruise visited Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico, and is expected to return to Tampa on Saturday, July 18.
Can you go on a cruise while pregnant?
While Siwinski’s situation was highly unusual, many expecting parents do take cruises while pregnant. However, cruise lines, including Royal Caribbean, have strict policies regarding how far along a passenger can be during the sailing.
According to the cruise line's website, "Royal Caribbean International cannot accept guests who will be more than 23 weeks pregnant at any time during the cruise or CruiseTour."
"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."
This means pregnant travelers must be 23 weeks pregnant or earlier for the entirety of their voyage, and guests who reach their 24th week of pregnancy during the cruise won't be permitted to sail.
Moreover, pregnant cruisers are typically required to bring a doctor's note confirming that they're fit to travel.
Expectant guests should understand that ships do not have obstetricians onboard, and complications may be difficult to manage at sea without access to specialized medical care or hospitals.
For example, although every cruise ship has medical facilities, they are not properly equipped to handle premature births. As such, without a NICU onboard, a premature baby born at sea could face serious risks without immediate access to specialized care.
