7 ways to prepare for the unexpected while abroad
Thousands of passengers had their vacation interrupted last week when a Norwegian Cruise Line ship ran aground in the Caribbean. According to the Washington Post, the ship made contact with a channel bed early last week, and passengers had to make their way to the Puerto Plata airport (POP) in the Dominican Republic as the cruise line chartered planes to pick them up.
While it's certainly not the type of situation any of us want to imagine when planning a cruise (or any type of vacation for that matter), it does serve as a good reminder that emergencies and other unexpected situations can unfold while traveling and being prepared for them is a good practice.
Here at TPG, we reviewed guidance from the U.S. State Department and leaned on our own travel experience to compile seven steps you should take before traveling (including taking a cruise), to be prepared in case plans change while out of the country.
1. Bring your passport
This goes for any cruise, even closed-loop cruises that may not require a passport. While you may not need a passport for the ports of call included (or where a passport card might suffice), a passport book is going to be required any time you want to fly internationally.
In the situation this past week involving Norwegian Cruise Line, passengers would need to have a passport to fly back into the United States.
The U.S. State Department recommends anyone taking a cruise have a passport book "in case of an emergency, such as an unexpected medical air evacuation or the ship docking in an alternate port."
Related: 14 things you should do before every cruise
2. Have a plan for returning home if plans change
What documents would you need in case of an emergency? What airport or other transportation hub would you go to? How would you get there? The State Department recommends taking time to make an alternate plan on how to get home whenever you travel abroad.
3. Learn what countries and territories are along your route while on a cruise
While the pre-planned route of your cruise or expedition might not call for a stop in a particular country or territory, a medical emergency or mechanical problem like the one seen last week could require the ship to dock in an alternative port and passengers to disembark in an unexpected area.
This could be a country where requirements for identifying documents might be different than other places where you planned to get off the ship. During the pandemic, this could mean physical vaccination proof is required where it was not somewhere else. It could also mean needing to know what COVID-19 protocols to follow.
4. Bring medications, as well as an idea of what your insurance covers and what it doesn't
Certainly you'll want to bring any medications you take and your medical insurance card. However, it's a good idea to figure out how you would pay for any type of unexpected medical situation that could develop during your trip. Would your insurance pay for emergency care while abroad? Did you buy travel insurance for your trip that might pay medical costs, and if so, what would be covered?
The State Department recommends travelers have a good sense of the plans they are enrolled in, what they cover and what they do not, and consider purchasing supplemental insurance if needed.
5. Have contact information for the nearest embassy/consulate
This information would be important in the event of an emergency. However, it also could be necessary if you were to lose your passport while abroad.
The State Department recommends international travelers write down contact details for the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate, and enroll in the free Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive travel and security updates. This would also help the U.S. government reach you in the event of an emergency.
6. Alert your bank
In addition to bringing any cash you'll need, and getting a sense for exchange rates at your destination, be sure to notify your bank and credit card companies where you'll be going. Financial transactions like swiping your credit card in another country can cause your bank to suspect fraudulent activity and freeze your card and/or account. This can be a headache to deal with while abroad.
7. Pack what you need, but be mindful about it
For longer trips including cruises, you will need to be sure to bring enough clothes and other personal items to safely and comfortably get you through your trip. However, also consider that situations can come up where you may end up having to lug around your belongings more than you'd planned.
As thousands of passengers in the Caribbean found out this past week, this could involve having to disembark from a ship in an unexpected place and make their way to an airport for a flight home.
Related: Ways to prepare for any travel disaster
Bottom line
We all hope that our trips go entirely according to plan, but some extra preparation beforehand – particularly before traveling internationally – could go a long way to making solutions easier should something unexpected come up during your journey.
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
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- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.