By Karla Sullivan
Once known as one of the most relaxing vacations where you can enjoy the best of food, entertainment and cocktails without worrying about how to plan the next day of your vacation since the open sea cruise had it all. But now the luxury voyage raises many consumer questions of concern.
Looking back over 2013, Carnival Cruise certainly did not experience one of its better years with the Triumph drifting through the Gulf of Mexico with over 4,000 passengers for five days. The Carnival Dream experienced technical problems in St. Marten while both the Carnival Legend and Carnival Elation reported technical issues as well. In July, Carnival announced that it had appointed a new Safety and Reliability board and invested millions in operational upgrades to improve.
If you are uncertain whether a cruise is for you, the Centers for Disease Control has a Vessel Sanitation Program that can evaluate cruise ship safety especially from illness and noroviruses. Inspection reports are available to view for the specific ship with score criteria.
Cruise Lines International Association is a nonprofit trade association that is comprised of 26 cruise lines and 10,500 travel agencies. It can also offer insight into the industry’s legal, legislative and technical positions. CLIA also offers what they call refreshments and revitalization’s that indicate individual ships renovation and new developments. You can learn the type of entertainment that is being offered on what line as well as new technology developments that includes new systems for fresh water production and those that introduce iPads in every stateroom.
Other policies define guest care practices, medical facilities available, shipboard workplace conduct and public health awareness. Detail concerning specific cruise line companies is also available for research. This is a great website to learn more about the industry and latest issues before making a decision
Once selecting a line and vacation agenda, you also want to investigate the need for travel insurance. Travel insurance may be a good option especially after the cruise events of 2013 as well as trips that include flights that connect you to the cruise ship; the flight is delayed and the ship sails without you, will your trip be lost or covered? If traveling internationally, you want to make sure your hospital bills are covered if in another country. You may want to check if your travel insurance has pre-existing coverage. If it also includes accidental death, and you do have a life insurance policy, be careful that policy benefits do not overlap. Sometimes if you own homeowners, renters or personal property insurance, you may have coverage on possessions lost or stolen wherever you travel throughout the world.
This is why you want to record the details of your trip and what your needs are before you buy a policy. Then talk to an insurance agent to make sure you get the right policy. By taking precautions and planning carefully on your part, you can assure smooth sailing regardless of what is out of your control.
