When Mother Nature Strikes

As Dorothy was walking the Yellow Brick Road, she was worried about lions and tigers and bears (Oh, my!). She was a good traveler: She knew she wasn’t in Kansas anymore (a tornado had swept her to Oz), yet she made her way, anyway.

Today’s travelers have their own concerns: hurricanes, tsunamis and earthquakes. It’s true: Mother Nature can be a mean old broad, and she may try to ruin your trip. But take your cue from Dorothy: Face reality and soldier on. It doesn’t hurt to plan ahead, too.

When disaster strikes, your travel supplier probably doesn’t owe you a cent. Yes, you heard that right. Hurricanes, tornadoes, tsunamis, earthquakes — maybe even avian flu — are all considered to be acts of God (or, in common contract language: the result of force majeure). Airlines, cruise lines, hotels, packaged tour suppliers and your travel agent have no control over Mother Nature so, in the eyes of the law, they are not liable for losses you incur when natural disasters strike.

That said, most travel suppliers will go out of their way to make sure you are happy, and most will waive any re-accommodation fees. It is all in the fine print that you probably didn’t read - the same kind of fine print that you accept when you book online.

You need some kind of insurance. In a previous column, I discussed two types of insurance. The first, travel insurance, will protect your investment by paying all out-of-pocket expenses attributable to acts of God, medical problems, insolvency, and many other unexpected events. Travel insurance is underwritten by a real, live insurance company such as Access America; the premium is typically calculated as a percentage of the trip cost.

Some packaged tour operators offer a second kind of insurance called a trip cancellation waiver. (Some cruise lines also offer these waivers, but airlines never do.) Trip cancellation waivers are not really insurance at all. Though they protect your vacation, they do not necessarily protect your dollars. Under the terms of most trip cancellation waivers, you can cancel your trip at any time before departure for any reason, no questions asked. Typically, you will then receive a voucher for the cost of your trip (less a deductible), redeemable within one year with the same travel supplier. Trip cancellation waivers are usually sold at a flat fee.

Trip insurance is a good idea. Just be sure you understand what you are buying. If you’re not sure, ask your travel agent or your insurance agent to help you.

If natural disaster is a possibility, you need professional travel help. Your hometown travel agent is probably your best resource. Travel agents usually don’t charge a fee for planning a vacation, and their firsthand knowledge is invaluable. As Hurricane Wilma was pounding the Yucatán, more than 100 professional travel agents were attending the Cancun Travel Mart. You can’t get any more firsthand than that! To find a local agent, check with the American Society of Travel Agents.

There are also many Web sites you can check when a disaster interrupts normal travel. As Wilma struck Cancun and subsequently south Florida, Tripso.com was one of only a few Web sites with up-to-the-minute information on damage to resorts, airports and infrastructure. The Tripso forums had detailed reports from hotels, travel suppliers and travel agents on site, including photographs of the storm and its aftermath. Tripso was a trusted source not only for the traveling public and for other media outlets, but also for the nearly 300 professional travel agents who use the forums regularly.

Weather, at least, is somewhat predictable (though earthquakes and tsunamis are not). If you are planning a trip to the Caribbean between June and November, you will be traveling in hurricane season. This is something you need to know.

You should also seek out trustworthy information on past storms and the damage they may have left behind. Since tourism is critical to the economies of much of south Florida, the Caribbean and Mexico, you can be sure that the public relations departments at the local hotels are forecasting clear skies and strong margaritas. Be careful, because that may be all you get. And don’t stop at hotels. While your resort may be standing, you may not be able to dine in that outstanding restaurant you heard about in South Beach or visit that ruin in Tulum. So check out all the must-sees on your list.

If you are traveling immediately following a Mother Nature event, you may need some other types of information, too. Will you need a malaria shot? A portable water purifier? Ruby slippers? Do your homework and you won’t get caught fighting the Wicked Witch of the West.

As a kid, I remember the ads that said, “You can’t fool Mother Nature,” but as a relatively savvy traveler today, I am pretty sure I don’t want to fight her either. A good lesson in planning comes from Karl and Nancy Behringer of Arnold, Md. In February 2005, they began to plan a dream vacation to Mexico’s Riviera Maya to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary (and perhaps to celebrate their recent status as empty nesters). Unfortunately, a wicked storm named Emily had other plans for them. But Karl and Nancy had purchased a trip cancellation waiver from Apple Vacations and were able to reschedule their trip for November 18.

Then along came Hurricane Wilma. Armed with the trip cancellation waiver yet again, the Behringers made another phone call to their beleaguered travel agent (that’s me). Now, Karl and Nancy will celebrate their 26th anniversary in June. (I hope! Did I mention that hurricane season starts in June?)

Good planning — and knowing the realities of traveling with Mother Nature — saved the Behringers’ vacation. Heed these tips and your vacation can be saved as well.

Have Disability, WIll Travel

In my last column, I handed out some tips for the tushie-challenged, a weighty problem to be sure, but not so difficult as traveling with some other physical disabilities.

Just ask Angela Corrieri, president of Mobile Digital Systems, Inc. Angela is a wheelchair-confined executive, though I hesitate to use the word “confined” in relation to such a bundle of energy. Certainly, Angela’s disability hasn’t hindered her from running a successful security firm manufacturing in-car surveillance systems for law enforcement. With offices on both coasts, Angela has enough gold in her frequent-flier cache to rival that won by Michael Phelps at the Olympics. She’s an expert on traveling with a disability.

“Planning is the key,” Angela says. “Before you head out, make some contacts. A qualified travel agent can be a big help. Another great resource is the Society for Accessible Travel & Hospitality (SATH), a national organization for travelers with disabilities.”

Getting there

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Automobile or van. If you are planning a road trip, you will want to map your route with good rest stops in mind. Most interstate highways have rest stops with accessible facilities every 40 miles or so.
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Airplane. Know that when you are on an airplane, you are pretty much expected to stay in your seat, with your seat belt fastened. You might get some help getting to the bathroom, but you can’t count on it, so you have to be self-reliant. Some planes have wheelchairs on board that you can use, but the bathrooms are tiny, and the wheelchair won’t fit inside. Angela’s advice: Go before you board.
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If you plan to bring a service animal or an assistive device on board, check with the airline first; there may be charges or restrictions. If you will need other assistance on the plane, notify airline personnel when you make the reservation, when you check in, and again when you arrive at the gate. (“Sometimes you really do need to tell them three times,” Angela says. “Folks just aren’t that intuitive about other people’s abilities.”) Also, if you require oxygen, be sure to order it in advance; most carriers will allow only approved cylinders, and there will be a charge. Finally, know that you will most likely board first and deplane last, so plan your connections accordingly.
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Train. Trains in the United States are generally accessible for travelers of all abilities. But before you celebrate finding a “handicapped-accessible” symbol on a transit map, you’d be wise to investigate just how the accessibility is accomplished.
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Bus. Long-haul bus companies like Greyhound are generally solicitous of disabled travelers, and wheelchair-lift buses are sometimes available; just call ahead for information. Most municipalities run public buses that are wheelchair-accessible, but check the routes and schedules in advance-also the fares, which may vary with your level of mobility.
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Taxi. In New York and other large cities, you can generally get an accessible cab immediately during non-rush hours. In other cities, it may take 5-10 minutes, while in the suburbs you’ll have to wait 20-40 minutes for the cab to arrive.
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Cruise ship. Cruises can be great for disabled travelers. They require little mobility, are loads of fun, and the food is excellent. Wheelchair-accessible staterooms are slightly larger than standard cabins. Crewmembers will put down ramps so you can get your wheelchair or scooter over thresholds in public areas, but you may still have trouble with bathrooms because of their small size. Talk to the excursion desk about the accessibility of the various ports of call.

Accommodations

It is fairly easy to get an accessible room in the United States, since most hotels are legally required to have accessible accommodations — and to charge the standard rate for them. The official policy of all hotel companies is to reserve accessible rooms for people who need them, but they will let able-bodied travelers use them under certain circumstances, so you should book your room as far in advance as possible.

Other things to consider:

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New York City. Some older hotels do not have accessible rooms at the same rate as other rooms — it’s just a reality, and it will be slow to change.
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Tub or walk-in shower. If you prefer one or the other, tell the agent when you book the room.
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Height of bed. Some beds are the old standard height, but some new ones are 6-12 inches higher, and they may be hard to get into. Ask in advance.
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Extra set of hands. Ask a hotel employee come with you when you check into your room. That way you’ll have help moving furniture, and getting towels and pillows down from hard-to-reach places.

There are special considerations when choosing hotels abroad, like accessible entry to the hotel, the width of doors and hallways, availability of elevators, and access to restaurants or the café. Angela says this is where a travel agent and SATH can really help you.

Finally, if you are headed to the beach, inquire about beach wheelchairs; a lot of ocean communities will provide them at no cost. These chairs have large balloon tires for easier movement over sand, but because the tires have no rims, you will definitely need a push.

Sightseeing

The United States has generally made sightseeing accessible for people with all kinds of disabilities by providing such things as cassettes and headphones, interpreters, and ramps. When traveling overseas, check with the site or the local tourist association for information about special assistance.

Travel planning can be complicated when a disability is involved, but patience and tenacity go far. And most travel suppliers are more than willing to make the necessary accommodations for you. Know what you need, plan in advance, and get help from a travel agent when you need it.

And if you are ever on that US Airways flight from Baltimore to Washington and notice a petite, feisty woman in a wheelchair, give a nod and say hello to Angela. And then get out of the way!

Tips For The Tushie-Challenged

It seems that every day there’s a new study on how fat Americans are becoming. I typically notice these studies as I wolf down my Big Mac, large fries and Coke (yes, I know I am overweight, but I’m not one of those large people who think they can make it all better by ordering a Diet Coke!).

It’s true: As we get older, our bodies tend to get bigger, but the spaces we must fit into somehow get smaller. What’s the overweight traveler to do?

Recently, I sat down with Brandi Chokas, a travel agent with a large travel agency in Phoenix, to discuss what tushie-challenged* travelers can do to make their trips more comfortable. Between us, we tip the scales at … Oh, never mind. Let’s just say we know what we’re talking about. So sit back in your Barcalounger, grab that Whopper and take a look at what we came up with.

Air travel

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Go off-peak. Try to fly off-season or at slow times during the day. If you’re really overweight, there’s a good chance you’ll need a second seat. On a less-than-full plane, you won’t have to pay for it.
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Board early. Pre-boarding is not just for screaming kids and million milers. If you need time to board and stow your stuff, better to board while the plane is still empty: You won’t be thumping people with your hips or blocking the aisle. That’s much better for you — and for your fellow passengers.
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Take the window. If you are overweight, you will do yourself and your seatmates a favor by taking the window seat. If you sit on the aisle, you’ll be in the way of the beverage cart and passers-by, and you’ll make it hard for your seatmates to get to the lavatory. Plus, every time you get up, your tushie will be in the face of the person across the aisle — and they hate that!
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Avoid the exit row. Exit rows tend to be narrower than regular rows, and the armrests tend to be stationary. Cramped seating can cause poor circulation and maybe even a deep vein thrombosis. Opt instead for a seat at the back of the plane. Most people avoid the back rows when they can, so you have a better chance of having a vacant middle seat next to you.
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Suck up. Make friends with the flight attendants before the flight orientation. If you let them know in advance that you’ll need a seat-belt extender, they’ll give you one discreetly; if you don’t, they’re apt to make a big fuss about it during the cabin safety check. Besides, it’s a good thing to have the flight attendants on your side from the start; they’ll treat you better throughout the flight.
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Call for a cart. If you are trying to make a tight connection, ask the flight attendant if she can arrange for a cart to meet you at the gate. Overweight people often have bad backs and bad knees, so the transit between gates can be brutal. As an added bonus, passengers arriving at the gate by cart are almost always allowed to pre-board.

Car rentals

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Go cruisin’. Not on a boat, but in a Chrysler PT Cruiser. This car has the most tummy room on the road and is available at all Thrifty Car Rental and some Alamo locations. You will need to make a special request, and it may cost a bit more, but when the alternative is a Yugo, you’ll find the money is well spent. Other belly-friendly cars are the Ford Taurus and the new Ford 500. Any van will do, but most Dodge cars and trucks will hit the belly wrong. If you cannot find the car you want at the airport, check out the local car dealerships. Many have a thriving rental business and will be more than happy to pick you up at the airport, provided it is relatively nearby.
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BYOE. Your own extender, that is. You cannot assume that the rental agency will have a seat-belt extender for you. They are not required to have one, and Johnny Law is not gonna buy the “I-am-overweight-and-the-seat-belt-doesn’t-fit” excuse. Especially in Texas, outside Dallas — the bastards!
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Talk to your doctor. Being overweight or obese can be a handicap. Ask your doctor if you qualify for a “Handicapped” placard; if you do, take it with you. It will come in handy if your knees or back act up on the road. As an added bonus, handicapped travelers get better parking at many attractions.

Hotels

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Get the right room. Ask for a handicapped-accessible room. They are designed for wheelchairs, but they are excellent for overweight people as well. The toilets are higher off the floor, there are grab rails to assist you, the showers and tubs are wider, and the rooms tend to be a little larger to allow for wheelchair navigation.
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Get the right bed. Most hotels buy firm mattresses, which can aggravate back problems for some overweight guests. If you are one of them, ask for a bed with extra foam on the mattress. If one is not available, ask for as many pillows as the hotel will give you, then make your own little pillow-top.
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Get bubbly. Traveling, especially traveling for business, is no walk in the park. Seek out hotels that have a Jacuzzi, either in the guest room or in the health center. When your back and knees start to feel a little achy, head for the warm water and bubbles.
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Call ahead. Let the hotel know your issues in advance and see what they can do for you. Request a big room close to the elevator, inquire about special-diet offerings in the restaurant - maybe even request a water bed. It’s rare, but some hotels do have water beds and will put them up on request, although usually not for a one-night stay.

General tips

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Bus tours. Like airplanes, buses come in different configurations. Call ahead and let the company know your needs. They may have some tricks to make you more comfortable. For example, when Brandi was in Hawaii recently, the driver of the tour bus noticed that the handicapped seat she was using wasn’t really adequate for her size. While Brandi was enjoying a luau, he returned to the garage and brought a differently configured bus so that she would be more comfortable.
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Expect more difficulty abroad. Few foreign countries cater to overweight travelers. The exception is Italy, whose own citizens tend to carry a little girth themselves; everywhere else, people tend to run smaller. You will want to do a lot of research before booking your trip. Call the hotel and ask the dimensions of the tub and toilet. Call the car company and ask what foreign cars they carry. (Remember, a car built in the United States is a “foreign” car in another country.) Take open-air buses whenever possible; they tend to have better configurations and larger seats. As for restaurants - well, you are on your own!
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The last word. CRUISE! A cruise vacation has everything an overweight person needs. The showers and restrooms are good-sized, and the toilets are high enough. You get excellent meals, and if you speak with the wait staff early on, they can have an armless chair waiting for you every night. Cruise ships also have gyms, pools, exercise classes and Jacuzzis, should the urge to work out come upon you.

Whew! It sounds like a chore just to plan a trip to Detroit — but it doesn’t have to be if you communicate with your travel suppliers. Don’t be ashamed of your weight; you can’t hide it, so just wear it proudly. If you are using a travel agent, print out this column and ask that your preferences be noted in the company’s database. That way, the next time you head off on some trip, your “extra baggage” won’t get in the way of having a good time.

* Disclaimer: The term “tushie” is not in my own vocabulary. It is entirely attributed to the colorful life and language of Brandi Chokas!