Ombudsman: Hard-Won Wisdom

13. Dodge Double Bookings
Online travel agencies have been a boon for travelers, but they have also led to ghost bookings—duplicate reservations that mystify travelers. It's important for anyone making travel arrangements online to be fully aware of what they are seeing and purchasing. Sometimes users think they are just comparing prices or quotes for a trip when in fact they are clicking a button to purchase the item. Then, not realizing that the first purchase went through, they'll buy the same travel package all over again. Vigilance is key, especially when navigating a site you are not familiar with. Take time when making a purchase, and confirm it only if you are 100 percent certain. If you are unsure whether you've completed the process, check for an e-mail confirmation before attempting the transaction a second time.

14. Don't Trust Hotel Safes
In-room safes are not as impenetrable as they seem: Readers have had money and jewelry disappear from locked boxes. Alas, hotels have virtually no liability for items stolen from in-room safes, though the front-desk safe does offer some protection for stolen items (these amounts vary from property to property). We recommend that travelers leave irreplaceable items at home—does anyone really need a multi-carat diamond necklace or a vintage Patek Philippe watch on a Caribbean beach vacation? If you do bring an item of value, keep it in the hotel's main vault with the understanding that if the bauble goes missing, the property's liability limits may not extend to its full value. Homeowners insurance usually covers theft that occurs while policyholders are on vacation, although there will still be a deductible.

15. Make Flight Connections
Airlines' connection times sometimes defy common sense: Forty-five minutes isn't really long enough for a passenger to deplane, walk to another terminal, and board a second flight. And if your first flight is delayed just 15 minutes, that 45-minute window suddenly becomes an Olympian challenge—especially since airlines close boarding gates 15 minutes before takeoff. Ombudsman recommends leaving at least two hours between connecting flights, and longer if you have to go through customs and immigration. If you're traveling on multiple carriers, make sure they are code-share partners. That way, if you miss your connection, you'll be put on the next available flight without charge. Otherwise, the second airline may simply treat you as a no-show. The penalties for this can range from ticket-change fees to having to buy a brand-new ticket for the next flight—hardly a pleasant way to start a vacation.

16. Know Thy Cruise
Weather happens, and while a storm can inconvenience any traveler, it can change a cruise ship's entire itinerary. One reader's Caribbean voyage turned into a sail along the Canadian coast because of a storm system. In their contracts, cruise lines state their right to substitute routes without compensating passengers, although some lines let you cancel without penalty within 24 hours of being notified of the new itinerary. (The catch is that you may not be made aware of the change until you board the ship.) Many readers find themselves disappointed when their vessel skips the stop they most wanted to see. It may be stating the obvious, but if a particular port is that important to you, it's safer to fly there and make that your vacation. If the destination is less important than the experience of sailing the open seas and stopping at various ports, opt for a cruise.