We Got Towed- Travel Mishaps
Do you know how to manage a travel mishap? Often, my vlogs give the impression that my travels are carefree and always enjoyable. That isn't the case, and on our last Disney Cruise, we ran into a travel mishap. Please read further about what happened and my tips for handling travel mishaps.
Picture it, we finish a lovely "See Ya Real Soon" breakfast on the Disney Dream and debark the ship from our one-way sailing in Puerto Rico. Excited to show my family the island's wonders, we picked up our rental car and headed for the nearest beach to our hotel before we could check-in for the night. Having spent so much time on the island on a previous work trip, I was sure I could navigate to my favorite beach without GPS. Excitedly, I turned onto the beach in the wrong area and boomed; the rental car got stuck in the sand. Cars and sand don't mix, no matter what advertisements may try to lead you to believe. To worsen the situation, rain began pouring down as we tried to move the car out of the sand.
At this point, a traveler can begin to question their very existence. What a way to end the last leg of such a wonderful trip. As I started talking options with my family, a police officer approached us to offer assistance. In my broken Spanish, I explained to the officer we had made a wrong turn and got stuck. Thankfully, instead of writing a citation, the officer called a tow truck driver and waited with us until the tow was complete.
What would you have done in this situation? We've all heard travel horror stories of expired passports and pickpockets, but we shouldn't let that deter us from experiencing the world. Here are a few common mishaps and how to avoid or deal with them.
The first tip when dealing with a travel mishap is to remain calm and communicate—knowing how you will communicate when on travel is essential. Are there roaming fees where you travel? During our mishap, I could stay in touch with my husband back home, which kept me calm. Be prepared for language barriers if traveling to non-English speaking areas or where it is not prevalent.
Money mishaps are among the most frightening when traveling. Research the destination and whether or not it is best to use cash or a credit card. Find out whether you should exchange money before you go or if it's easy enough to withdraw from ATMs (bear in mind foreign transaction fees). Only carry some of your money on you in public, and find out if your credit card company/bank needs to know you'll be using your cards overseas so they don't block them due to unusual activity. During our mishap, it was beneficial that the police officer called the tow driver. We didn't have to wonder if they were reputable; however, they only accepted cash for the tow. Tourists can be walking targets that stick out like a sore thumb; it's essential to research the culture, laws, and customs. Be respectful and polite and exercise common sense.
Flight mishaps are among the most common among travelers. Schedule changes and cancellations can be accounted for by ensuring your email and phone number in your booking are correct so the airline can contact you for any changes. Even if you have not heard from the airline, check the airline's website twenty-four hours before departure and again before heading to the airport in case of changes/ cancellations. The fare paid for the booking can often determine how you can handle a flight issue. Keep in mind usually, the cheaper a flight is to purchase, the more restrictive changes and cancellations will be. Discount flights can often be wholly non-refundable and non-changeable or have hefty fees to make changes. Read the flight fare rules or chat with your agent when booking to know how much changes will cost. If you need flexibility, pay a little extra for it. What if you arrive and your luggage doesn't? My number one tip is to have essential things in your checked baggage OR, better yet, try to travel without checked luggage. Have at least one change of clothes and underwear in your carry-on, a phone charger, passport and travel documents, toiletries (sticking to the liquid restrictions), and essential medication. There are baggage tracking devices you can purchase as well.
While we can't give a comprehensive guide to common travel mistakes and how best to avoid them, things can and will happen, and that's okay! It's all part of the experience. Travel insurance is a sure way to protect against many common travel mishaps, so consider it when booking a trip.
