Imagine planning a joyful getaway, only to have your world shattered days before departure.
That’s what happened to Monique McChristian, a 25-year-old from Roseville, California, who was preparing for an Alaskan cruise with her family.
But tragedy struck when she suffered a miscarriage just days before the trip — and now she’s caught in a heartbreaking battle with the cruise line over a refund.
Booking a Dream Vacation While Hoping for a Baby
Last year, Monique and her husband Alfonso, along with her parents, booked a 10-day Carnival cruise to Alaska scheduled for May 2025.
They paid around $4,400 for two staterooms and hoped the trip would help ease the stress they felt while trying to start a family.
Then came the good news.
In February 2025, three months before the cruise, Monique found out she was pregnant.
“We were over the moon,” she shared.
“I took about 15 pregnancy tests, no joke — every single one was positive.”
Feeling optimistic, they decided to keep their vacation plans, figuring it would be safe since Monique would be about 14 weeks pregnant when they sailed.
Carnival’s guidelines say you shouldn’t travel past 24 weeks, so they thought they were in the clear.
In fact, to celebrate, they even upgraded their rooms to have private balconies.
A Devastating Diagnosis Days Before Departure
But just three days before leaving, Monique went in for one last ultrasound to make sure everything was okay.
The news was crushing.
The technician immediately told her to see a doctor urgently.
“The baby had no visible heartbeat and was measuring behind at about 11 to 12 weeks,” Monique recalled. After hours in the ER, she learned she had lost the baby at 11 weeks and 4 days.
Because she hadn’t miscarried naturally yet, doctors warned her of risks like hemorrhaging and recommended a procedure to remove the fetus.
However, the procedure couldn’t be scheduled before the cruise, and the doctor strongly advised against traveling, especially since the ship’s medical staff wouldn’t be prepared for emergency complications.
Seeking Compassion, But Facing Cruise Line Refusal
Heartbroken and in mourning, Monique contacted Carnival to cancel the trip and request a refund.
But instead of support, she was told she wouldn’t get any money back.
“The agent said because I didn’t buy vacation protection, I would lose about $2,800 per room,” Monique said. Despite explaining her tragic situation and even sending a doctor’s note, she was initially denied.
The cruise line did suggest she could email and plead her case, so Monique sent a heartfelt message explaining the medical emergency.
She hoped Carnival would understand — after all, who plans for something so devastating?
Cruelly Insensitive and Left Without a Vacation
When no immediate response came, Monique’s parents decided to go on the cruise without her and Alfonso to avoid losing the money.
“It was a weekend filled with heartbreak and tough decisions,” she said.
Finally, a cold email arrived from Carnival saying they couldn’t offer compensation because it’s a business and she hadn’t purchased vacation protection.
When she called again, the same answer was given — followed by a call offer for a discounted future cruise, which felt tone-deaf in such a painful moment.
Now, Monique is left without her baby, without a vacation, and out thousands of dollars.
A Turnaround Brings Some Relief with Cruise Credits
After the story gained attention, Monique received a call from a different Carnival representative who had reviewed her case more thoroughly.
She apologized for the earlier dismissive responses and offered Monique cruise credits to use within the next year.
“It was such a relief,” Monique said.
“Now I can mourn without worrying about the money and still look forward to the trip I was so excited about.”
What’s Next for Monique?
Though the pain of loss remains, Monique’s story ended on a somewhat hopeful note — a reminder that behind travel plans and policies are real people facing unimaginable situations.