A family member recently went on a Caribbean cruise to celebrate a milestone anniversary. Having been read the riot act about the importance of travel insurance while out of country, they gave in and purchased the appropriate coverage. What was supposed to be a very delightful 10 days aboard a luxury liner turned into a far more memorable excursion, but not for the reasons you may think.

Imagine heading out to sea from a port in south Florida, the sun going down in the distance, champagne in hand, and thinking, no dreaming, about what is on the horizon. You have spent the better part of 55 years together, and have waited for, planned and dreamt of this moment. 

Day 2, and your travelling companions take violently ill. You too, are also feeling the ills of some sort of stomach virus and are quarantined to your cabin, so as not to infect other passengers. The ships infirmary suggests that under the circumstances, you be disembarked in the next port and attend the local hospital. Heeding their advice, you pack up all your belongings and head out to find the hospital on a small island. The ambulance, the hotels, the taxi and last but not least, the airlines to get you back to Florida need to be paid. I know it sounds outrageous, but it is in fact a true story.

Can you imagine how this would have turned out had they not purchased adequate travel insurance? This dream cruise would have seemed more like a trip on the SS Minnow, minus Gilligan and the Skipper.

What about something less traumatic, like losing your luggage? There are many things not covered and it's important to find a plan that's right for you. It's about making sure you know what you have been insured for in the event of a mishap. Being naive and complacent is no excuse for not being prepared. After all, it's your family's health and happiness we are talking about. Get the insurance, get the coverage. It's as simple as that.

I guess the point of all this is to prepare yourself for anything. Don't make assumptions that these mishaps couldn't possibly happen to you. It's that type of thinking that gets you into trouble in the first place. It's not worth taking chances, rolling the dice and hoping that you are covered.

I hope that wherever your travel plans take you, stay safe and have a great time.

To learn more about travel insurance and find out what type is best for you, check-out the Amex Travel Insurance website.

This post was sponsored by Amex Bank of Canada. The views and opinions expressed in this blog, however, are purely my own.