Avoiding Vacation Disasters

When it comes to vacations, I have positively had my fair share of disasters. In fact, far too many of my so called vacations did not have that special vacation feel at all. The challenges and headaches of packing, the time spent getting to and from the destination, and the countless other tribulations encountered in unfamiliar surroundings all combine to make vacationing a monumental task in and of itself. If you recall the 1983 movie, National Lampoon's Vacation featuring Chevy Chase, you probably would agree that anything can and does go wrong on vacation. My old coach use to say that proper planning prevents poor performance. Hopefully, some of these tips will be beneficial to helping you properly plan for that special vacation that allows you to rest, relax, and get away from it all.

Check the Weather- Wherever you are planning to do your vacationing, make sure that you check and review the weather forecast. Check it often and make your adjustments accordingly. Don't assume that Florida is always the sunshine state. In fact, make sure that you also check the news reports in the area that you plan to vacation. You probably would want to avoid an approaching hurricane, wildfire, or some major news worthy development if you can.

Check your Lodging- You drive ten hours and arrive late in the night expecting the exact room that you thought you reserved. Unfortunately, you end up with not quite the lodging that you had wished for when you checked in. It is always a great idea to double check before you depart regarding your reservation. While hotels say they hold your room with your credit card, there are instances when you arrive late and rooms do get switched around due to large crowds or some other circumstance. If possible, arrive earlier in the day and guarantee your ocean view and other amenities that you had planned for vacation.

The Passport- If you are vacationing abroad, get your passport in order well in advance. A buddy of mine had an all expenses paid vacation to a Caribbean island but missed the opportunity because he failed to get his passport processed in time. He contacted his local congressman, state senator, and local pastor but they could not speed the passport process any faster. You have to have a passport to travel outside of the United States. A passport is vital for U.S. citizens traveling abroad even to countries that traditionally did not require a passport. Times have simply changed. Another important tip to avoid a vacation disaster is to make a couple of photocopies of your passport information. Keep both copies in a safe place separate from your original passport. In the event that your passport is lost or stolen while you are on vacation, you will have the necessary information to get help and assistance and prove your identity.

Proper Packing- Some individuals claim that they can pack in a split second for a trip or vacation. Unfortunately, I have yet to discover how to do this with three daughters, one son, and a wife. I fully recommend starting early, using a checklist, and organizing everyone's belongings in separate suitcases or bags. Pack your clothes based on weather conditions that you have reviewed ahead of time. Make sure you do not forget to pack the little things. Make a trip to your local drugstore and grab all those small travel items. You will most likely save a bundle compared to the high cost of items in vacation areas. Have any necessary prescriptions filled and packed. You are certainly in for a disaster if you leave behind critical medicines and pharmacy items.

Get Finances in Order- First, make certain that you have paid or arranged to pay all your important bills and expenses before departing town. Nothing ruins your vacation worse than discovering that you failed to pay an important utility bill or mortgage. Electronic banking and bill pay can help eliminate this problem but be sure not to forget to set up automatic payments and the like. As far as your credit cards are concerned, have at least two credit cards available while on vacation. Hotels and resorts will always place a hold on the card you use to check in to their establishment. If you use that same card for shopping and dining while on vacation, you could run into credit card declines. I recommend utilizing a single card for the hotel facility and the other one for other uses while on vacation. It is also a great idea to contact your personal credit card company and let them know you are on vacation out of town. I was once in San Francisco and my card was declined for a very small purchase. Upon calling my credit card company, I discovered that they only declined my charge because they thought the card had been stolen. I fully understood because Atlanta and San Francisco are not exactly close in proximity. The credit card company advised me that I should always give them a heads up whenever I was traveling outside of my normal region. As far as cash is concerned, it is not a bad idea to keep a decent amount on hand, but don't overdo it. While many hotels and resorts have an in-room safe for securing valuables, some do not. It is an absolute disaster to return to your room and find your currency missing during a vacation.

Check the Vehicle- Vehicle maintenance is a must at all times of the year, but you especially want to avoid a vacation disaster by getting your vehicle fully inspected prior to any driving departures. Safety is paramount and you definitely want to avoid the high cost of auto repair away from home. A family member once encountered car trouble during an out of state vacation. I'm sad to say that after two days of being delayed in a small town motel and waiting on auto parts to arrive, the dream vacation quickly became a terrible nightmare.

Purchase Travel Insurance- There are times when things just happen. Bad things do happen to good people. You have no control whatsoever when some instance of misfortune strikes. However, if you have scheduled a major cruise or flight to a distant destination, you might be at a huge financial loss if you have to cancel your vacation at the last minute. Do yourself a favor and avoid incurring a huge monetary deficit by purchasing travel insurance well in advance of your planned vacation. It can truly keep you from a vacation disaster and allow you to recoup some expenses in the event that you have to cancel your vacation plans.