TRAVEL INSURANCE...who needs it?

Why should I buy travel insurance? Isn't it just a gimmick for my travel agent so they can up-sell me and get higher commission?

Given all the factors that could upset or interrupt that dream vacation you have been planning for forever now, is it worth the financial gamble not to buy that insurance? You hear it on the news everyday, political unrest or natural disasters around the world. Or, maybe it is a little closer to home; you suddenly fall ill, a family member passes, or you were on the way to the airport when you were in a traffic accident. Any or all of these events could spoil your chance at enjoying that long-needed vacation, and you could loose all those non-refundable dollars you invested in that trip.

So why invest in travel insurance?

To protect you against the unexpected; to protect your investment in this vacation; and simply to provide you with some peace of mind. Furthermore, it is best to keep in mind that when traveling to a foreign country, most regular health insurance plans provide only partial or absolutely no coverage for medical expenses incurred when abroad. And if you are covered by Medicare, there is definitively no coverage for health-care expenses outside of the United States.

And for those of us who are scuba divers, most health and life insurance plans do not cover accidents that occur during the participation in any hazardous sports.  And keep in mind if your vacation is on a liveaboard.  Your final destination may be far away from land, and if your luggage does not arrive with you, you may not see it until you return to land.  That is, unless you want to cough up some serious change to have it transferred to you.

What about my homeowners, life, and auto insurance policies? Doesn't my credit card have travel insurance already?

Your other insurance policies may cover some of the expenses, but once again, are often very limited when traveling abroad. Most credit cards who offer travel insurance have coverage that is limited to an low-level annual cap or a limited lists of reasons. Both trip interruption and travel delay coverage are limited as well. In addition, most credit cards do not cover medical expenses or evacuation.  And what about that insurance you purchase through the airlines you're flying with?  Well, it might cover minor expenses, but read the policy carefully.  Generally, the airline is out to cover itself more than you.

Aren't there always a bunch of "loopholes" hidden in the fine print?

As with any contract, read everything and do your best to understand it thoroughly. If you don't understand something, ask questions. Everything you need to know about your travel insurance plan is covered in the "Policy Certificate". And for consumer protection, all travel insurance companies provide a limited "Free Look Period" so that you may review your policy after purchase. If after purchasing a particular plan you feel it is not the right one for you, you can cancel it for a 100% refund, if you do it within the specified time period.

So what am I looking for in this fine print to avoid these "loopholes"?

1) Cancellation/Interruption Coverage

There isn't a policy out there that covers everything. Make sure to read the list of cancellation reasons covered in the Policy Certificate by a particular plan to ensure it meets your needs. If in doubt that you have all the coverage you need, you can generally opt to spend a little extra on a "Cancel For Any Reason" rider to cover all your bases.

2) Pre-Existing Conditions

Insurance is meant to cover sudden or unexpected events; not a condition that happened prior to the purchase of insurance. Many travel plans offer an optional waiver to the "Pre-Existing Condition Exclusion" for a small fee and based on a few requirements.

• You must buy the insurance soon after your payment of your trip deposit (initial payment)
• You must be medically cleared for travel at the time of purchase
• You must insure the full cost of your trip

3) Coverage Exclusions

Read and understand your Policy Certificate for the general policy exclusions. Some examples of exclusions would be pregnancy-related issues, loss due to intoxication, self-inflicted injuries, etc.

4) Enrollment

Don't enroll too late. Get travel insurance within days of your first payment. This will maximize your period of cancellation coverage. If you get sick before you purchase insurance, it's too late. If that hurricane looming in the Caribbean is already named, it's too late.

5) Incomplete Documentation

Your Policy Certificate will outline the various documentation required to be submitted for a claim. For example, a cancellation claim due to injury or illness needs to be the result of a doctor recommending cancellation of the trip. If you have any issue that will affect or has affected your trip, contact your insurance company immediately and start saving all documents and receipts for submittal to cover your bases.

Remember, you can avoid the frustration of "loopholes" down the road if you take the time to read and understand your Policy Certificate, and buy your travel insurance plan early.

So what's this travel insurance going to cost me?

It all depends on the trip cost, your age, and the amount of coverage you choose. Generally, you can find a very basic plan for about 4% of your trip cost, or a premium coverage plan may go up to over 12% of your trip cost. If you opt to protect yourself by choosing a travel medical insurance only plan, the cost can be as few as dollars per day.

Ok, so maybe I will buy travel insurance after all. Where do I go next?

Well, if you book your travel through me, for your convenience, a quote from Allianz Travel Insurance will be sent directly to you at the time of booking.  The quote will be re-sent automatically one week later if you do not respond.  After that, if you choose to opt out, a waiver will be sent that says you have chosen to decline insurance.

For divers in particular, you have to remember your primary medical insurance may exclude scuba diving as a hazardous sport. If it does cover scuba diving, it may pay only a minimal amount for chamber treatment. Both the DAN (Divers Alert Network) and Diveassure Dive Accident Insurance Plans provide coverage locally and around the world. They are recognized worldwide and can be confirmed easily by a phone call 24 hours a day. Not only do these providers cover dive accident insurance, but dive travel insurance as well. No matter how many dives you do or how many trips you do in a year there are plenty of choices from either DAN or Diveassure. Both DAN and Diveassure have 3 levels of dive accident insurance to choose from.

           DAN Insurance                                                                                        Diveassure

Like what you've read? Want to learn how to better enjoy your scuba diving vacation? Maybe you'd like to travel with Delightful Departures on an upcoming adventure? Become part of the Delightful Departures community. Discover different destinations and travel tips in our biweekly newsletter.  Join today.

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5 Steps to Set the Stage for a Sensational Scuba Vacation

Planning a sensational scuba vacation can sometimes be a very stressful endeavor, especially when you want to get the best value for that precious time off.  So where do you start?  Well, organization is key to reducing stress, so I suggest you start with these 5 basic steps.  You know what is also key to reducing stress when it comes to your vacation?  Ask your friendly dive travel specialist to help.  That's why I'm here.  But back to the business of these 5 nuggets for creating your next delightful dive adventure.  There are often many factors to consider when planning a scuba vacation, especially to more remote destinations, but some of the basics include choosing the destination, picking the best time of year to travel there, and how to pack for this destination without breaking the bank with overweight baggage fees.  So to help you plan a dive trip that lives up to your expectations from start to finish, I've simplified the planning process into 5 basic steps.

Step 1:  Where Do You Want to Go?

Start out by jotting down a short list of destinations you want to experience.  Why do you want to go there?  Is it to see specific marine life?  Are you out to photograph a particular species?  Is it because you love a particular type of diving, like wreck diving?  

Are you looking for a destination that is friendly to particular requirements?  For example, you are traveling with children.  Your dive club prefers shore diving to boat diving.   Your group is comprised of a majority of inexperienced divers.

Finally, you will need to research some practicalities that may limit the destinations you choose.  This is where an expert comes in handy.  Your destination choice may be limited by your budget.  Or your chosen destination's visa and vaccination requirements may make going there more challenging then another destination.

Step 2:  What Type of Adventure Are You Considering?

Once you've narrowed down your options for a destination, then the next thing to consider would be what type of adventure would you prefer.  Explore what options are available to you at your chosen destinations.  Are you looking for a land-based resort?  One that is dive-dedicated or a more traditional boutique resort or hotel with access to dive operations?  Would you prefer to focus only on diving, or are you looking for a destination with many adventures available on land as well.  Or, maybe you would prefer to experience less land, and more dive sites, and are considering a liveaboard vacation.

Go back to Step 1. to remember the main purpose of this dive vacation.  Let's say, for example, if you opt for a destination focusing on a liveaboard experience, you need to consider if this is an optimal choice for a family-friendly vacation.

Step 3:  When to Go?

Your next step after narrowing down a possible destination is to research when is the best time of year to go.  A prime travel window may be dictated by Mother Nature and seasonal conditions, including factors such as weather, water temps, visibility, and ocean conditions (especially for liveaboard options).  For example, for the gamblers looking for low season pricing, the Caribbean during hurricane season may be an option, as long as you remember to purchase travel insurance to cover your bases.

Seasonality and migration patterns may also dictate a destination choice if your vacation is based on a target species.  For example, your destination choice, and travel window, may be based on the migratory patterns of hungry whale sharks or breeding gray whales.

Step 4:  How Are You Going to Get There?

After you've narrowed down the where, what, and when, you need to delve a little further into the how.  What does it entail to arrive at your chosen destination?  It may simply be a direct flight from your nearby hometown airport to the desired destination with a quick transfer to the resort.  Or it may be a bit more complicated, with multiple connections, long layovers, and both boat and land transfers to get to that remote island.  These details will undoubtedly factor into your budget and length of trip as well.

The devil is in the details.  When choosing your air transport, don't forget to factor in baggage fees.  And investing in travel insurance is generally a wise option, especially when committing to a more complex or expensive adventure.  Finally, it goes without saying that you should always keep your dive accident insurance current, whether you are diving locally or overseas.  It is a small price to pay for peace of mind.

Step 5:  Will This Destination Be Equipment Intensive?

When you combine all 4 steps above, the final step in this planning process is taking into consideration what type of gear will be needed.  If you are an occasional diver with no gear of your own per se, you will need to factor in what equipment will be required at this destination and how the price of equipment rental will factor into your budget.  If you are a prolific diver wisely set up with a full arsenal of lightweight travel gear, then you need to reflect on the type of diving you will be doing.  How much photo gear are you lugging along and can you fit that into the airline weight limits?  Are you night diving?  Will packing your lights be worth the weight?  Or would it be wiser and cheaper to rent lights from the destination dive operation?  If you are a tec diver, no doubt you prefer your own equipment, so you will definitely need to research airline restrictions before jetting off on your next adventure.

Finally, prepare a checklist for yourself of everything you wish to pack, from clothing to toiletries to dive equipment, to make sure nothing is forgotten.  I suggest you do a trial packing run at least the week before departure to figure out what needs to go, what could really stay, and how much it all weighs so there are no surprises at the airport or at your arrival at the resort.  Remember, to avoid stress when luggage arrives late or goes missing, pack you most important and most valuable items in your carry-on baggage.

Like what you've read? Want to learn how to better enjoy your scuba diving vacation? Maybe you'd like to travel with Delightful Departures on an upcoming adventure? Become part of the Delightful Departures community. Discover different destinations and travel tips in our biweekly newsletter.  Join today.

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Bringing Your Vacation Memories Home

My husband always teases me that we could never run "The Amazing Race" and win because I would want to spend too much time stopping to take a picture of something. Ok, so maybe that could be true. I can't help myself. I want to catch the essence of what I am experiencing and bring it back to share, and inspire others to do the same.

Many of us are guilty of just taking a quick picture and then moving on... 

Many of us are guilty of just taking a quick picture of a building, a mountain, or a beach, and then just moving on. But your photos could hold so many more memories of what you were experiencing at that moment if you stop and absorb your surroundings. Take in the tiny details, or at the opposite spectrum, back up and take in a broader view. Sounds a little confusing? I'll explain myself.

I didn't get to catch this young group when they were playing,
but they quickly volunteered themselves for this picture when
they noticed my camera. I love their smiles. Don't you?

Say for example, you are on a Fijian island (one of my favorite places to be) and you decided to take a walk outside of your resort. You are strolling down a dirt road and you decide to snap a quick shot of the landscape. Now stop and take a moment to observe. Did you notice the group of young boys in the field next to the road playing soccer? Or did you look down along side of the road and notice that small bush of those spicy peppers you love to eat. Take a picture of the details. Capture the smiles of the boys as they play and when you are back home looking at that picture you will hear their giggles in your mind, bringing a smile to your face. Or focus your shot in on those bright red and orange peppers to remind you of the spicy dish you enjoyed that last evening you dined at your resort. Don't bring back just a bunch of pictures. Bring back photos that share the story of your memories.

Don't just take that "selfie" ...

At the other end of the spectrum is remembering to take in all your surroundings. Don't just take that "selfie" with a small portion of what may be a waterfall behind you. Or how about that wonderful shot of your husband in front of a tree? Back up. Shoot the picture of your husband in front of that tree on a path that leads to the rickety-looking wood and wire bridge you managed to survive using when you crossed that stream. And about that selfie, well maybe find some trustworthy soul to hand your camera over to. First, set up the shot so you can now see the ginormous waterfall cascading into this azure pool. Then hand over the camera and set yourself on that moss covered boulder. Now your friends back home can take in the beauty of where you were at that very moment and experience the essence of it for themselves.

The next step is to let your photos tell the story for you. Picture this...you and your friends have decided to go into town to experience the local cuisine. You all decide to lunch at this quaint sidewalk cafe. Now snap a series of shots. Take a picture of the streets signs so you can remember exactly what corner you were on when you look back at your city map. Take a picture of the cafe and the tables where you are sitting. Snap a shot of your friends perusing the menu. Another of someone sipping their beverage as you wait for your food. Food! Take a picture of your meal before you devour it so you can imagine the taste again when you try to replicate it at home. And for giggles, maybe take that shot of your husband stuffing that last bite of desert into his mouth. Now maybe take one more parting shot of the cafe a little way in the distance as you walk back down that city sidewalk, capturing the hustle and bustle that surrounded your lunch venue.

On a different note, here's a little tip that might come in handy when battling those pesky weight restrictions as you fight to stuff all your mementos into your suitcase before returning home. Try taking a photo rather than buying that souvenir. Want that wonderful wood carved mask, but it's too big for your suitcase and you can't afford to ship it home. Take a picture.

PUT THAT CAMERA DOWN...

Ok, now that I've told you what to do when taking pictures on your vacation, what I am going to say next may sound a little odd. PUT THAT CAMERA DOWN. Take a break from your photographic efforts. Remember that you need to experience the story as well as document it. Isn't that why you decided to take a vacation in the first place? Enjoy your artistic endeavors, but more so, enjoy being in that very moment and absorb it so that you can regale your adventure to your friends when you return home.

Found on designaglow.com

And when you get home, a cool idea to showcase your memories is to create a shadow box. Find one of those deep frames, or even one of those liquor gift boxes you see during the holidays that are made of wood and have a glass/plastic lid, and put your mementos like leftover coins, a coaster, postcard, ticket stubs, and some of your own photos in it. Believe it or not, you can find some great ideas on Pinterest if you are feeling uninspired.

Did I share the story with you?

Finally, I just wanted to share one of my favorites series of pictures I shot when visiting one of the small villages on the island of Beqa in Fiji.  This wonderful island has no roads to speak of, only a few villages and 3 resorts.  Absolute paradise to me.  The people are some of the warmest and most welcoming in the world. And the children are always curious. So I ask, does this series of photos share the story with you?

Do you have a favorite vacation photo that really tells your story that you would like to share? I'd love to see it!

Like what you've read? Want to learn how to better enjoy your scuba diving vacation? Maybe you'd like to travel with Delightful Departures on an upcoming adventure? Become part of the Delightful Departures community. Discover different destinations and travel tips in our biweekly newsletter.  Join today.

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How Far In Advance Should You Plan A Scuba Vacation?

For all those scuba travelers out there who think the best way to get a great deal is to wait until the last minute - think again. Often times, you'll find the early bird gets the worm.  When you wait, you may find resorts in your desired destination are encountering high demand at that time, or worse, filled, and then there will be no bargains to be found.  And for those who do find that bargain basement deal, is it really all you wanted to experience in your vacation?

Those travelers who plan in advance generally have an advantage over the last-minute bargain hunters.  Working with a dive travel specialist, scuba travelers can mold their vacation to suit their tastes and needs. Creating the perfect trip that encompasses everything it should takes time.  Wait for a "deal" and be prepared to settle for something not so special.

So the question then is how far out should you start to think about your next adventure or relaxing getaway?  Well, there are 3 main factors to take into consideration:

1. Where you want to go.
2. What time of year you want to go.
3. How important is it to you to create the ideal experience.

Where you want to go

Ideal planning times firstly depend on the destination. International scuba trips by their nature simply require more lead time than your average domestic vacation.  Trips to Asia or the Pacific islands should be booked far more in advance than a trip to the Caribbean. As a minimum, I say a good general rule of thumb would be for trips to Asia or a Pacific island, book at least 9-10 months out; Caribbean or Mexican destinations 3-4 months out; Central American destinations 6 months out; and South American or African destinations also 9-10 months out.  Liveaboards, no matter the destination, should be planned 12-18 months out to have a better chance at securing the itinerary and the type of cabin you desire.

What time of year you want to go

Most destinations will have definitive "seasons" - those times of the year when levels of demand vary. Generally resorts base their pricing on high season, low season, and the in between shoulder season. Traveling during high season, with its greatest level of demand because of preferred conditions, requires advanced planning for obvious reasons.  This can hold true for shoulder season as well, though to a slightly lesser degree. If you opt to travel to a destination during low season, this is when you have a lot more leeway.  This is when the last minute deals are to be had, but at a different price.  You should be aware that you are being offered the lower price because generally this season is during less than optimal conditions.

How important is it to you to create the ideal experience

Was there a special occasion you wanted to celebrate on this trip?  Was there a particular event you wanted to experience that only happens a certain time of year? What normally happens to last minute shoppers, especially during high or shoulder season, is that you are not able to plan your perfect trip. Now you have to settle for what’s left or don't go. It is not unusual when a diver waits until the last minute to contact me, that I put together a great proposal, only to have to come back to them the next day and say that the last room was booked, or that unique experience no longer has availability.

As we all know, scuba vacations are rarely cheap.  That's not to say you can't find a dive vacation package that isn't a great value.  But the last-minute dive traveler may not find the ideal experience he or she was searching for.  That said, if it is a choice between last minute travel or not at all, let's go.  However, an ideal vacation is more than a financial investment.  It is an investment in the enrichment of your soul and well-being.  Isn't that worth spending time to craft the experience to what you need?

Like what you've read? Want to learn how to better enjoy your scuba diving vacation? Maybe you'd like to travel with Delightful Departures on an upcoming adventure? Become part of the Delightful Departures community. Discover different destinations and travel tips in our biweekly newsletter.  Join today.

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KNOW BEFORE YOU GO...Travel Advisories & Warnings

You're sitting at your desk, staring at Google Earth on your computer screen, planning out your next travel adventure. You say to yourself, "Now wouldn't that be a cool place to visit?", but then you remember maybe you heard something on the news last night about some political unrest in that country. Maybe that isn't such a great place to go to after all. Or is it? Take a little time and do your research before you rule it out.

Did you know that you have resources at your fingertips to find out what is going on all around the world? There are agencies that post advisories about political unrest, terrorism, natural disasters and disease in order to alert travelers to what is going on in a region, you just have to know where to look. And just because a country has an advisory or warning posted, it may not necessarily be a country you don't want to visit. There just may be a certain region you should avoid. For instance, an island country took a direct hit from a typhoon, but maybe only the northern islands were affected while the remaining islands sustained no damage. Choosing not to visit this country all together could have a serious effect on this country's tourism trade and economy. Take time to delve deeper into what you hear on the six o'clock news and make sure you get the full story before ruling out that destination.

How Serious Do I Take That Warning?

You have to look at a particular warning and decide how it may actually affect your plans. To do this you may want to ask a few questions:

1) Does this warning encompass the entire country, or just a specific region?

Like I mentioned above, a natural disaster may only affect a portion of the country and not the country as a whole. Or in the case of political unrest, demonstrations and violence may be occurring in and around only one specific city, but some destinations away from that city may still be safe for tourists.

2) What exactly is the danger being specified in the advisory?

For instance, once again political unrest, are the demonstrations and violence being directed toward tourists, or are they strictly directed toward their own government entities and representatives. Another example is the typical annual advisory issued for the Atlantic and Eastern Pacific oceans every time hurricane season rolls around again. With this type of advisory, you may just want to make sure you have good travel insurance, or you pick another time of year to travel to that destination.

3) Is travel insurance an option?

Make sure you know what that travel insurance you are thinking of purchasing covers. Most policies do not cover acts of war, riots and/or civil disorder.

4) When was that travel warning or advisory dated?

If it has been several months since the last advisory was issued, you may just want to do some additional research to see what the current status in that country is. Things may have actually improved. A good source of information may be international news agencies.

5) Do other governments corroborate these warnings?

It has been speculated that some warnings are influenced or instigated by the current political atmosphere. You may want to check other English-speaking governments' websites (ie, Canada, the U.K., Australia and New Zealand, for example) to see if they are of the same opinion as to the state of the country to which you want to travel.

6) Is there a safety net for foreign travelers in that country?

Does your home country have an embassy or consulate established in that country? Is it fully staffed and functioning? Embassies are there to assist travelers who are in need of evacuating a country, or need to get in touch with loved-ones back home. Make sure there is some sort of assistance available to you should the worst happen.

To further educate yourself about what may be going on in the country you wish to visit, you may want to check out the following sites.

The U.S. Dept. of State has a page to assist the traveler with alerts  and warnings. They define "Travel Warnings" as an issue you might want to consider very carefully to determine if you wish to visit that particular country at all. A "Travel Alert" is a short-term issue you may want to know about when planning your trip. They also provide a wonderful travel resource page which links you up with all sorts of information from things like obtaining your passport or visa,  to various travel tips, to handling emergency situations abroad.

Homeland Security has a travel alert page which directs you to TSA, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Department of State, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The CDC's website offers great information on what vaccines you may wish to get before traveling to a country, as well as advice to travelers on packing your prescriptions and over-the-counter drugs. They also provide travel health notices and updates for destinations around the world.

So what do I do if I decide to chance it and go anyway?

Many tourists often take the warnings into consideration, but choose to travel despite them. If that is your case, then make sure you cover your bases just in case.

1) Take your first STEP toward preparation.

The U.S. Bureau of Consular Affairs  offers a free service allowing U.S. citizens and nationals traveling abroad to enroll their trip with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. The benefits of enrolling in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) are:

• The traveler will receive important information from the Embassy about safety conditions in their destination country to help them make informed decisions about travel plans.
• Enrollment will assist the U.S. Embassy in contacting the traveler in an emergency, whether natural disaster, civil unrest, or family emergency.
• It will also help family and friends get in touch with the traveler in case of an emergency.

2) Stay in touch.

Stay in touch with the folks back home by either email or phone. Not only will this let them know you are ok, but may keep you informed about what is going on in the world. Also, always leave a copy of your itinerary at home so that people will know where you are supposed to be and when in case you fall out of touch. (Also, leave a copy of your passport with them just in case it is lost or stolen.)

3) Have a plan just in case something does go wrong.

Find out the location of your country's embassy or consulate in the area(s) you will be visiting and make sure to carry a copy of the address and contact details with you. This could be a great resource in assisting you to return home in case of an emergency.

4) Be prepared. Stay safe.

Purchase that travel insurance plan. Check with your doctor to make sure you have the necessary vaccines. Use the links above to do your research. Inform yourself of the political and cultural atmosphere of the area to which you are traveling. And finally, learn the tips and tricks essential to avoid being a victim of tourist scams and other crimes.

Like what you've read? Want to learn how to better enjoy your scuba diving vacation? Maybe you'd like to travel with Delightful Departures on an upcoming adventure? Become part of the Delightful Departures community. Discover different destinations and travel tips in our biweekly newsletter.  Join today.

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