WHAT IF A HURRICANE HITS WHILE ON A CRUISE SHIP?

As you know, Hurricane Irene is now storming through the eastern Caribbean on it's way to becoming a possible catagory 3 or (yikes!) 4 force of destruction. No joking, right now even worse than 'driving to the airport to pick up your in-laws for a two month visit' is being on the 3rd or 4th day of your Bahamian cruise.

But it doesn't necessarily mean that Irene is saying 'Goodnight' to your long planned vacation.

As we speak, more than a dozen ships are sailing the Caribbean. Question: Guess how many are canceling the cruise & 'pedal to the metaling' it back to homeport? Answer: None.

Instead they'll sidestep the storm in a few different ways.

Some are 'changing the order' of stops (you might be in Cozumel on Tuesday instead of Friday etal). Others are 'reversing the order' ( instead of visiting Labadee, Jamaica, Grand Cayman & Cozumel you'll visit Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Jamaica & Labadee. Oh, what a sacrifice!).

Some will 'switch itineraries' (instead of sailing the Eastern Caribbean, say 'hello' to the Western). Still others will drop a stop (did you REALLY want to see Coco Cay?).

But, as of this second, they ALL are going to complete the previously planned cruise length.

Ok, it might be just a wee bit bumpier than normal (you are sailing in hurricane stirred water, after all) & you might see some damage that wasn't included in the brochure pics (see the previous parenthesis).

But some cruise lines might give you a 'ship credit' (a few 'on board' bucks good for drinks, souveniers, chiropractic adjustments, etc.) as 'good will' compensation for the extra jostling. And actual cash back for the 'port charges' that were collected (but not paid) for the skipped port.

However,  as long as your cruise lasts as long as it was originally planned - you probably won't be getting any other refund.

So, how do you avoid having your trip disrupted by hurricanes? One good answer would be - 'Don't book a cruise during hurricane season!' ('Oh, so that's the reason it was so much cheaper than going Christmas week').

Although Caribbean 'Hurricane Season' runs from June through November  - August, September & October  are the usually super storm months. You don't have to be Einstein's half brother to avoid booking during these 'blow me down' days.

But, if the offer of low prices is one that you just can't refuse, a good trip insurance policy isn't a bad idea.

However, since all travel policies AREN'T created equal, make sure it (and even its finest print) covers all of your needs.