This week has been a busy one for cruise lines. Hurricane Irene has disrupted many cruise itineraries and stranded some people trying to get to their cruise. You never know when an act of God or force of nature will interrupt of disrupt your vacation. So what do you do? Be Prepared.
Hurricane season is May through the end of November. Does this mean you shouldn't travel during this time? Of course not. It just means you travel prepared. It means purchase trip insurance. As we discussed in a previous blog, travel insurance doesn't cover fear or stupidity (said with a wink and a smile). If you are afraid a hurricane might crop up and you just don't want to go, it's not going to reimburse your cruise cancellation penalties. However, if you are in route to your trip and flights are delayed, or the ship has to leave port early (we'll talk about this later), it will cover hotel and food costs until you reach your destination. Insurance is insurance whether for your home, car or trip. There are restrictions so be sure to ask your travel agent exactly what is covered and how much.
Another way to be prepared is to check the weather a week before you travel. Be aware of where you are going and where any possible weather issues might be. If the weather map for Cozumel shows rain, take a rain poncho or umbrella. I carry a rain poncho in my suitcase at all times. $1.00 at Dollar General. When my trip is over, I throw it away.
As we saw this week, a cruise ship will get out of the way of a hurricane. The Captain and his crew have incredible radars and will be in constant contact with the National Weather Service for updates on any weather at sea. They WILL NOT, put you, their crew and staff, or their multi-million dollar ship in harms way. Please notice that YOU are first. They want you safe. That means in calm waters, sunny skies and warm beaches. You are safer at sea than on land. The ship can and will move out of the way of a hurricane. If you miss a port, at least you are safe. The Captain can and will change any itinerary without notice if they feel it is necessary, and they don't owe you compensation. Don't complain...say thank you.
I was on a 7 day cruise where we were supposed to go to St. Thomas, St. Maarten and Nassau. We were told when we boarded the ship that the Captain was watching the weather and a tropical storm was forming very near St. Thomas. On the second day, he announced the storm was picking up strength and was now classified as a hurricane. For our safety, we would be altering the course to Jamaica, Grand Cayman and Cozumel. One woman was supposed to get married on the beach in St. Thomas. She threw a fit like I have never seen. She screamed and yelled at every officer she saw. She even started a petition demanding the captain turn around and go to St. Thomas. Seriously? She thought in the middle of a hurricane she would still be able to get married on the beach? By the third day, several of us were ready to lower a lifeboat, put her in it and send her off to St. Thomas. The Captain knows what he's doing, so trust him to keep you safe.
Let's talk again about passports. This week as Hurricane Irene approached Puerto Rico, the port authorities in San Juan elected to close the port. The Carnival Victory was scheduled to leave at 10pm that evening. Because of the port closure, they had to leave earlier. About 300 people had not yet arrived (another reason to fly in the day before). Carnival had no choice but to leave without them. They did however leave a staff member behind to assist the guests when they did arrive. They put them up in a hotel and helped them arrange a flight to Barbados, the first port of call on the cruise. The hotel and flight was at the clients expense (it wasn't Carnival's fault they missed the ship), but travel insurance will reimburse them, if they purchased insurance. Around 100 of the people who missed the ship did not have passports. Guess what? They couldn't fly to Barbados without a passport. They had to fly home and forfeit their cruise. This is one of those 'what if' scenarios. You never know what might happen, so get your passport and don't scare the travel agent.
I never, ever travel without Bonine. It is my preventive sea sick medicine. When the seas are rough due to a tropical storm, or high winds, that ship can really rock. Taking one Bonine tablet every day helps me stay upright. I also carry Sea Bands for those really rough seas, which look like sweat bands with a knob that acts as a pressure point on your wrist. It works very well in keeping your equilibrium balanced. If you find yourself in rough seas, try to stay in the center of the ship, or the back. The front of the ship is the first to hit those waves and can be a little rougher than other places. Also, stay outside if you can look at the horizon. That helps ground you as well.
Part of being prepared is knowing where you're going. Get a map. Notice where St. Thomas, St. Maarten and Nassau are. How close is Jamaica to Grand Cayman? What other islands are close by that you might see on the way there? Be an informed traveler. Do some research on your own. Know what activities there are and what safety concerns. Common Sense. If you read that there are riots in Kingston, Jamaica, don't cancel your cruise that stops in Montego Bay. Look at a map and realize Mo'Bay is on the other side of the island. You wouldn't cancel a trip to Chicago because of the earthquake in Virginia would you? The cruise line will not go anywhere that is dangerous. Your travel agent will not sell a trip to a destination that isn't safe (unless you absolutely insist, and then you sign my "I told you so!" form.
Be smart, be prepared, and I'll SEA YA next week.
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