Having just returned from visiting my daughter in Alexandria, VA during Irene’s onslaught of the East Coast of America and then returning home to Lee’s attempt at being a copy-cat in our neck of the woods, I thought it time for me to assure all cruisers and would be cruises that it’s safe to be sailing the high seas during severe weather. Actually – it’s safer being on board ship than on land trying to batten down the hatches. According to the Cruise Line’s International Association, here’s why:
- Today’s cruise ships feature the most technologically advanced weather forecasting systems and equipment available, allowing officers and company officials to plan voyages to avoid weather-related disturbances in advance. Today’s cruise ships are completely mobile and able to alter, cancel, shorten or extend ship itineraries to provide the maximum comfort in instances of threatening weather.
- Ships are able to work around port closures caused by severe weather conditions. In the event that ports of embarkation and debarkation are closed, cruise lines coordinate provisioning of the ship as well as transporting guest to and from the original port.
- Cruise lines notify guests of all itinerary changes right up until the ship’s sailing date. Travelers should monitor cruise-line Web sites for itinerary changes prior to finalizing travel arrangements.
- While cruise companies are in the business of selling vacations, the safety and security of guests and crew members is their primary concern. In all circumstances, cruise lines take extraordinary efforts to provide a safe and fulfilling vacation experience.
- While today’s cruise guests purchase air transportation in a variety of ways, travelers who buy cruise-line air transportation receive premium protection and service in comparison with travelers who purchase air separately. Cruise-line air departments invariably stand by guests, working on their behalf to make all arrangements, efficiently reschedule flights and route guests to their ship in instances of travel disruptions caused by extraordinary weather.
- The purchase of travel insurance, always an important element of any cruise vacation, assumes additional significance in instances of severe weather. Airline flight delays, which are covered in policies available from several providers, are most often the critical factor when you experience problems reaching your ship. Guests can purchase insurance to cover these situations and related expenses. (I’ll write more about travel insurance in another article – it’s important…)
- In the rare instance a cruise is canceled due to weather-related circumstances, cruise lines, on a company-by-company basis, traditionally offer various solutions that extend to you the opportunity to enjoy a future cruise vacation within a reasonable time period and with your convenience in mind.
If you are planning to sail the ocean blue one day soon, keep your eyes peeled to the media for announcements for CLIA’S (Cruise Line International Association) National Cruise Vacation Week.
You’ve heard of the “World’s Longest Yard Sale”…get ready for the “World’s Largest Cruise Sale”. It runs October 17-23, 2011.
“Let’s Make a Deal” will be the name of the game. There will be savings of $1000 per person on select 2012 European departures with Avalon Waterways; Crystal Cruises is offering an additional $100 per person savings on most 2011-12 departures for bookings made Oct. 1 – 31; Cunard is offering “Feel Famous Fares” for the entire month of October – see Feel Famous Cunard for details; and not to be outdone, SeaDream Yacht Club will offer a $100 per staterooms spa credit on all 2011 and 2012 new bookings made Oct. 1-31.
These are but a tip of the iceberg. You’re bound to find something just right for you.
I’m here to help….
Thanks for your time – have a great day!
elaine
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