One of the biggest threats to a cruise vacation is the weather. Whether it’s hurricane season, which is May through November or another weather condition that affects your flight, it’s imperative that you have a plan to weather the storm, pun intended.
WHY BOOK SHORE EXCURSIONS AND FLIGHTS WITH THE CRUISE LINE?
While there are some pluses to booking independent shore excursions, if you book them through the cruise line, they will protect your arrangements and handle any adjustments that need to be made.
Just as with shore excursions, if you book your flights with the cruise line, they will take the responsibility of canceled or changed flights as they relate to your cruise.
THE CASE FOR INDEPENDENT TRAVELERS INSURANCE!
If you have cancellation insurance with the airline or cruise line, you are only covered for that airline and cruise line vs. having an independent policy that will cover both amongst other aspects and elements of your trip.
Don’t rely on the airline or cruise line for favors either. While the airline and/or cruise line will more than likely allow you to rebook at no charge, they may not allow you to cancel without penalty. Typically, the cruise line and the airline will relax policies for cancellation and change in adverse weather conditions but there may be some other expenses incurred that only traveler’s insurance would cover. With independent traveler’s insurance, you can make your own decisions that best fit your situation for cancellation or change. What do I mean by this? If there are weather conditions that affect the cruise itself, the cruise line may redirect the ship and go to other ports instead of canceling. This decision could be made in advance of the cruise and if it isn’t canceled, your right to refund is limited, however, with traveler’s insurance you may be able to go through your insurance company instead for options. And, if you booked your own flight and it was not affected by the weather conditions, this won’t be covered by the policy you purchased for your cruise. The same is true with the airline if you have the airlines insurance you’re only covered for the airline ticket.
An independent and comprehensive travelers insurance policy that covers the cost of your total trip will take care of costs incurred by you regarding your cruise and airline cancellation, changes and delays along with anything else you have booked, plus luggage and medical evacuation.
AN EARLY ARRIVAL AND DELAYED DEPARTURE!
When you’re flying into and out of the cruise port book a flight to arrive a day earlier than the cruise departure and depart a day later than cruise arrival. Here’s why, if there are weather delays you won’t risk missing the cruise on the front end and your flight after the cruise. Sure, you have to add the extra nights at a hotel but that expense can save you time, money and overall stress and hassle. Afterall, you want to start and finish your cruise vacation with peace of mind.
Happy cruising!