has anyone heard of any restrictions...

[MrsMar]

with regard to travelling on ferries during late pregnancy as per the airlines? I'm due to travel from Dover to Boulogne when I'm 32 weeks and it just occured to me the ferry company might expect a doctors note as the airlines do.

May be - have a look on the company's web site under travellers with special needs. The post office used to do travel insurance up to 34-36 weeks

Just lie about your due date if they ask! They won't though. BTW if you give birth in France your child gets free automatic pension rights!

I'm on speed ferries, and they don't seem to say anything about restrictions, so I was going to assume that there weren't any, but then I'd hate to be turned away at Dover!

Cool news about the French thing whomoved... however my poor cousin had a French passport (long story) and he spent years trying to get out of national service. He didn't speak French, didn't want to spend 2 years in the army. Eventually had to give up his French nationality. As I'm carrying a boy I'd hate to put him through the same trauma! Having said that, my uncle did French national service and did at least learn a trade (a carpenter)

We travelled on condor ferries, part of Brittany Ferries (poole to cherbourg) last week and it said on my ticket they won't take you if 28 or more weeks pregnant, not sure why - am only 14 weeks so never even thought about it, worth checking although lying is also an option as can't see how they would ever know

Unless you get out of the car you are on board before they would have a clue anyway. Although it's not v. sensible to travel too late because if you do go into labour you don't want some salty sea dog encouraging you to hope onto ropes and heave ho!

haul on ropes obviously (not awake yet).

definitely check with the ferry company before you book/travel, many won't take you after 28weeks (some will with Dr's note, others won't full stop )

Personally I don't understand why the restriction is worse than airlines....

eg

Brittany Ferries

Can pregnant women travel?
We cannot accept ferry bookings for women who will be 32 weeks pregnant or more at time of travel. For travel on the Poole to Cherbourg fast craft, we cannot accept women over 28 weeks pregnant

Irish Ferries

Pregnant Women
For safety reasons the following travel restrictions apply to pregnant women:
Up to 28 weeks - No restrictions
28 to 32 weeks - Doctors certificate needed confirming that Mother-to be is fit to travel
32 weeks and over - Travel not allowed.

phew! just called speed ferries... no restrictions at all, not even a doctors note needed.