Cruising in Unsettled Times

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 Unpredictable weather, civil unrest, and military actions can disrupt a cruise vacation. And, these disruptors have become more widespread at a time when more people than ever before are planning cruise vacations. If you’re planning to cruise in a region where there may be conflict, here are some things you can do to be aware and prepared.

Begin by talking with Anita, your professional travel advisor, about your plans. Adding their expertise to your own knowledge can help you decide whether to proceed with a planned cruise or look at other destinations. And, talk about more than the ports on the cruise itinerary; check on what’s happening in areas you’ll need to travel through to get to the ship and back home again.

Regularly check your email for any updates from your cruise line, as well as airlines and hotels involved in your plans. Better yet, download the apps for each of these travel providers on your mobile device. This will help ensure you receive all updates they issue instantly, whether they involve changes due to unrest or are just general updates (those are important, too).

Remember that even in unsettled times, complete cruise cancellations are rare. Cruise lines always put the safety of their passengers, crews, and ships first, but unrest is more likely to result in a missed port call than a cancelled cruise. If you’re on a cruise that’s seriously disrupted or simply can’t proceed, contact your professional travel advisor right away for help making arrangements to get home.

In addition, you can safeguard your financial investment in your cruise by purchasing travel insurance. Any losses associated with missed port calls and interrupted or canceled cruises can be covered by this insurance; plus, you can be covered for things like mechanical problems or medical situations. Some policies specifically cover incidents related to war or terrorism, but it’s important to read coverage descriptions carefully; no two policies are the same. Again, your travel advisor is a terrific resource for ensuring that you’re buying the coverage you want.

It’s usually best to buy travel insurance when you purchase your cruise, but you can buy coverage later – often until the day before departure. But, some coverage options – such as the ability to cancel the cruise for any reason – may not be available closer to the embarkation date. For more information and advice, talk with Anita, your travel advisor.

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