TRAVEL TIPS

What You Can Do to Ensure Smooth Sailing on Your Next Cruise

There are many things that can go wrong on a cruise and purchasing travel insurance can relieve some of the anxiety connected to traveling out of the country. There could be cancelled flights, emergency medical needs, unexpected weather, lost luggage, etc. While some things cannot be foreseen, there are several preventative measures you can take to give yourself a better chance at smooth sailing on your next cruise vacation:

1. Your flight has been delayed or cancelled and you couldn't get to the cruise port in time.
   
   While you can't do much about a delayed or cancelled flight, there are a few things to consider when booking your next flight. For example, is this a less than popular route that could be cut? Do you really need to fly to get there? Is it a short enough distance that you could drive or can you take the cruise line's transportation? If you must fly, book the flight the night before the cruise departs to allow for unforeseen travel delays. Also, if you book through the cruise line, they'll help you get onto the ship should your flight be delayed and they will provide shuttle service to and from the airport. If you book apart from them, you're on your own.
   
   

2. Your bags are lost and your medication is in it. You need to have an emergency prescription filled.
   
   Always keep your prescriptions in your carry-on luggage.
   
   

3. Your passport and wallet are stolen.
   
   Photo copy your passport and put one in each of the suitcases you regularly use (serves double-duty in case you lose your passport OR your luggage), tucked in an internal pocket, then forget about it. For good measure, scan your passport and keep a copy in a web-accessible email account, with someone you trust, or on the portable media holder you'll be carrying.
   
   

4. You get sick on the first night of your cruise, and want to fly home.
   
   Noroviruses are a group of viruses that cause gastroenteritis that have been getting a lot of attention in recent years. Getting a flu shot will not prevent contracting a norovirus, and can be found almost anyplace with lots of people in close proximity, not just cruise ships. Schools and businesses are also norovirus hotbeds. You can decrease your chance of coming in contact with the Norwalk Virus or norovirus on a cruise ship by washing your hands frequently.
   
   

5. A hurricane forces your ship to be cut short or rerouted on a different itinerary.
   
   Hurricane season in the ever-popular cruise destination of the Caribbean from June 1^st through November 30. You lessen your chances of your cruise being affected by a hurricane if you avoid cruising during those months. You can save money by cruising during those months, but then you take the risk of your cruise being affected by a hurricane.

Bon Voyage!