Snap Guide: Rome

Beginning December 31, 2006, all U.S. travelers will need to show their passports when re-entering the United States. This means that you'll need a passport even if you're going on a quickie beach getaway to the Caribbean or the Bahamas. But there's good news too; ten all-inclusive SuperClubs resorts in those regions will reimburse guests for all passport application or renewal costs--up to $97 per person--when they book a stay anytime in 2007. It's a sad but true fact that only one quarter of all Americans own passports, although we expect to see that number rise once the U.S. State Department's new law takes effect later this year. And who knows how many other cool trips a brand-new passport might inspire? All SuperClubs' "Passport Included" vacations must be booked before July 31, 2006 (Superclubs.com).

1. There's no blanket travel cancellation policy. Policies and contracts of carriage vary from airlines to airline, hotel to hotel, and change all the time. It's best to check with your airline and hotel directly to find out what their current policies are before you go. 2. The closer you get to your departure date, the harder it is to change your policy. 3. Most hotels give full, or at least partial, refunds if a hurricane hits (or is expected to hit) during your stay. 4. While it's more complicated with airlines, many carriers do make attempts to accommodate passengers. In the past, many airlines have allowed passengers to change their tickets within a specific time frame in the case of a terrorism attack with "Peace of Mind" policies that allow passengers to rebook tickets free of charge, or receive credit for a future trip. It's good business, and once one major airline allows changes, many follow suit. 5. If you do decide to rebook your flight, be sure to find out the rules and regulations. Some airlines require that you make new reservations immediately, while others will allow you to rebook within a year. 6. Keep in mind that some airlines do not refund tickets purchased through a third-party discounter, or on the Internet through sites like Orbitz. Call the agency or packager you booked through first to see what's possible. 7. Always make your travel purchases with a credit card. If a hotel or airline closes, you'll be covered under the Fair Billing Act. 8. If you already have insurance for your trip to Jamaica or anywhere else in the Caribbean/Gulf of Mexico, read the fine print. Often you can cancel the trip and get a full refund in the event of a hurricane. 9. For traveling to any international destination, expect to spend at least $200 to change your ticket, but contact the airline before your originally scheduled departure date. Changing tickets after the flight has left is often much more complicated. 10. Consider booking a cruise instead of a land package; most cruise ships have state-of-the-art storm tracking systems and can steer clear of troubled waters, but you'll have to go to other ports, won't get your money back, and the water still might not be all that smooth. 11. For extra protection, always purchase travel insurance through a third party. TRAVEL INSURANCE Browse sites like quotetravelinsurance.com and insuremytrip.com for the best protection for you. Other names in standard travel insurance: Access America (800/334-7525, accessamerica.com) CSA Travel Protection (800/873-9855, csatravelprotection.com) GlobalCare (800/821-2488) Travelex (888/867-9531, travelex-insurance.com) Travel Guard International (800/826-4919, travelguard.com) Travel Insured International (800/243-3174, travelinsured.com). Medical assistance policies (hospital insurance, physician care): Wallach & Company (800/237-6615, wallach.com) Medical evacuation insurance: Travelers Emergency Network (TEN) (800/ASK-4-TEN, tenweb.com)International SOS Assistance (800/523-8930, internationalsos.com) Air Ambulance Card (877/424-7633, airmedassistance.com)

1. Ask your airline about its hurricane policies. Will your ticket be refunded? 2. If you become stranded, how will your airline help you? Find out ahead of time. 3. Will your deposit for a prepaid room be refunded? 4. What are the city/island/resort's evacuation plans? Are there hurricane-proof facilities for tourists? 5. What are your options once the storm hits? The city of New Orleans learned a lot from the Katrina disaster and now has a master evacuation plan in place, which includes a partnership with Amtrak. The Caribbean Tourism Organization does not have any organized evacutation plans at this time; it's best to check directly with each island's tourism office.

The 2006 hurricane season officially started on June 1, and word is it could rival last year's string of deadly storms. Peak storm month: September Last day of 2006 Hurricane Season: November 30 Travelers to hurricane-prone regions, such as the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico, should plan ahead. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) recently released its annual forecast predicting at least eight hurricanes, four of which could be Category 3 or higher. As many as 16 tropical storms have already been named, with some even expected to reach as far north as New York City. The closer you travel to the equator, an area with limited wind conditions, the less likely you are to wind up in a hurricane's path; hurricanes need warm waters and favorable wind patterns to form. Islands with the lowest chance of being hit: Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, Trinidad and Tobago; according to NOAA, you have a two percent chance of being hit by a hurricane in the southerly Caribbean isles ONLINE HURRICANE RESOURCES Noaa.gov National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's official website: One-stop hurricane information, including weather pattern analysis and maps Weather.com The Weather Channel: Hurricane tracking and airport closings Stormcarib.com Caribbean Hurricane Network: Daily island-by-island weather information