If you are planning a vacation in any of the areas that are vulnerable to hurricanes within the next few months, researching your options in advance can literally mean the difference between life and death.

Hedonism III Photo Courtesy SuperClubs

Plan Your Transportation

Most airlines, when it is known that a hurricane may be imminent, will allow you to keep your tickets and change your plans at no charge. American Airlines, for example, even sets up a team to call YOU when it looks like your flight will be cancelled or delayed. For this reason, it is extremely important that your home phone and "downline" phone numbers be in your reservation. Too many travel agents do not include these numbers when they book for you, so insist that all contact numbers go in your record, and that the phone number to the front desk of your hotel or resort is in it too. (A 1-800- reservation number won't help).

Inform Yourself About the Hotel, Resort, or Cruise Line

Here is a list of questions to ask your resort, cruise line, tour operator, or travel agent:

Does the resort have escape contingency plans?

Does the resort have its own generator?

What is the cancellation policy in case of a hurricane? (We have actually heard of resorts charging the guests for their stay even though the property was forced to close).

How is fresh water delivered to the resort?

Does the resort have a "safe" area for guests?

Travel Insurance?

Most tour operators and travel agents try to sell you a cancellation insurance policy. In some cases it's a good idea, but it often will not protect you from weather-related (or Act of God) incidents, especially if you choose to cancel before you get into trouble. Read it carefully before you purchase; it usually refers to the illness or death of a specific passenger, and occasionally that of an immediate family member.

Travel Guard™ does offer weather protection, but only in the event of an actual occurrence that interrupts your trip, and not in anticipation of the event.

Keep in mind that resorts, cruise lines and airlines lose a great deal of money in these incidents, and since most "contracts" exclude "Acts of God," none of them have to do much for you. (An airline ticket, to the surprise of many, is actually a contract, wherein you agree to travel on the dates specified for a specific sum and the airline agrees to provide the service at the agreed upon price. It comes complete with fine print and many conditions on each side. Read the fine print carefully).

RCCI Voyager © RCCI

The fact is, most resorts, cruise lines and airlines will assist in alternate travel plans and reimbursements. It would be lousy public relations if they didn't.

Some upscale resorts, such as SuperClubs and Hyatt Resorts in the Caribbean offer specific hurricane protection

SuperClubs, home of the "Super-Inclusive Vacation™" with Grand Lido, Breezes, and Hedonism Resorts, even guarantees your daily sunshine in Jamaica.

Typically, a cruise line will change the itinerary to avoid any danger of bad weather, or, if the cruise needs to be cancelled completely, will offer a full refund. Depending on when the cancellation occurs, there might be other consideration offered since it's understood that the long-awaited vacation will be ruined and it's hard to make last-minute plans.

"Our goal is to provide the itinerary that the guest is expecting," says Michael Sheehan, spokeman for Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines. "Unfortunately, sometimes it just isn't possible and we have to make alternate plans. "

"But," he continues, "we still want our guests to come away with a wonderful, positive experience, and if we give them a safe cruise to alternate islands where they can have a good time, we have done our jobs correctly."

Finally...