What To Do When Nature Ruins Your Caribbean Vacation

(March 14) In the aftermath of life threatening earthquakes, tsunamis and flooding, the adventurous traveler might be weary about nature ruining their tropical vacation.

According to security experts, whether you are traveling close to home or thousands of miles away, preparation ahead of time is key.

The State Department advises American travelers to register their itinerary at travelregistration.state.gov.
- Tell someone else where you are going – Leave copies of your itinerary and passport information with family and friends.  Also, write down local phone numbers and addresses the U.S. embassies and consulates in the countries your will be visiting
- Keep up to date paperwork – Make sure that our passport and visas are signed and complete – emergency information page included.
- Consider your health insurance overseas policy – If your policy doesn’t cover emergency expenses like medical evacuation you may want to consider supplemental insurance for the duration of your trip

Lawyers.com suggests that travelers caught in a natural disaster:
- Go to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate ASAP or look for local law enforcement, medical personnel or the Red Cross for instructions
- If your cell phone’s voice call doesn’t work, try texting.  Sometimes texting service still works when voice calling doesn't.

International S.O.S. adds their expertise:
- During a blackout only use a flashlight for emergencies
- Try to contact the U.S. State department (from the U.S. or Canada call 1.888.407.4747, from overseas call 00.1.202.501.4444)
- If you are able to access the Internet, add your name to the Red Cross “Safe and Well” list disastersafe.redcross.org