Why Traveling In The Fall Is Okay
We know hurricane season runs from June through November, but the odds of you traveling during a crazy storm are pretty slim. And taking chances during the times when weather can be unpredictable can net you some nice discounts or cruise fares. So if you are willing to follow a bit of good advice and consider some key points, you can have an amazing vacation when Mother Nature can be moody.
Consider a cruise for 2 reasons. You can get some great fares and if the weather does get crazy, you are better off at sea than on land. Why? Because cruise lines will adjust their routes to call on other ports to avoid the storm. If you’re on land, you are a bit stuck. Unless you can change your flight in time and get out, cutting your vacation short. If you were on a cruise ship, you might not visit the port you wanted to, but you more than likely will get your full weeks vacation. Either way you go, an important thing to remember is to pick a destination or cruise itinerary that is less like to be in harms way. And the same for your return home. Make sure nothing important is planned for the day after your vacation ends. If something happens on your return flight, you don’t want to miss an important event. Or a day at work. Add an extra day off to your vacation request.
Okay, you’ve decided what you want to do and where you are going. Wonderful! Now, let’s talk about getting there. I highly recommend flying in the day before a cruise, just in case. If you live close enough to the cruise port and think you have several hours of wiggle room, it may be okay flying in the day of departure. ALWAYS take the first flight out. If your flight gets delayed, you have extra time. I prefer to arrive early and wait if I have to, not worth the panic of rushing in at the last minute. Being prepared is vital to the start of a good vacation. And take the insurance offered by your Travel Advisor. If you are delayed, their is an available concierge service that can help get you to your destination. And please make sure you have packed all of your important documents, passport, jewelry, money, electronics and medication in your carry-on. You do not want to be without any of those should your luggage get separated from you.
Yay! You arrive in time and you’re checked in and have boarded your cruise ship. Go grab a snack and cold beverage and relax! Soon it will be time for your Muster Drill followed by the Sail Away party. Yippee, you’re on your way! Unpack your bags and get ready for a great vacation! What a cut towel animal you find on your bed when you return from dinner. Grab the newsletter and see what’s happening onboard tomorrow. Oh man! On the front page is a message from The Captain. There is a big storm right in your current path and he is going to divert the ship to sail around it. Which means you will not be going to the first scheduled port of call, but somewhere else. You know it is all about the safety of the passengers, but darn it, you are super disappointed. My biggest piece of advice is this: Be prepared for change, go with the flow and do not let it ruin your cruise. I will also add that this is a perfect reason why you should book your excursions with the cruise line and not over the internet. The cruise line will refund your money if they miss the port. You may not get that lucky if you have booked your excursion on your own.
Okay, you got around the storm and are back on track. The rest of your cruise runs as smooth as silk and you have a fabulous time! Even the hick-up of getting re-routed wasn’t so bad. All in all, cruising during hurricane season wasn’t as bad as you expected. Really it wasn’t that bad at all! And you saved some money upfront when you booked your cruise. Hum…..maybe with a little planning, you might consider vacationing this time of year again. Most kids are in school so the cruise ship wasn’t as crowded as it would have been in during summer vacation. By being flexible you had a great vacation. All of this, by the way, is better when you book your cruise with a great Travel Advisor that can help prepare you for last minute changes. Maybe even make some suggestions on where you might be diverted to, if there is a possibility of a storm, and you can do a little research. Just in case. Better to be prepared than upset, in my opinion.
