As much as we don't want to think that our vacation will be interrupted by anything from unpleasantness to tragedy, I think it's important to have reasonable expectations when traveling. There are no guarantees that your Disney trip will have sunny weather--it might rain every day you are there. What if, after hours of driving in a car with travel-weary children, Mount Rushmore is clouded with fog? Or, what if you are cruising the Caribbean and a cold front hits the southern US and the weather turns cold and the seas are choppy? These inconveniences are minor in comparison to what the passengers of the Triumph suffered, especially the little ones and the elderly, but it helps to bring a necessary dose of reality to our "escapist" dreams of travel. Life has unexpected and unwelcome surprises in everyday living AND in vacationing.
What can you do to have reasonable expectations in travel? First, I think it's important to prepare in every way you can. I always suggest travel protection for guests. Lots of people decline vacation insurance, but I think it's good to be able to lean on the security. Ask yourself these questions: If you are injured on vacation, does your insurance cover you outside the US? Can you afford to be medically evacuated? What if your baggage is lost or stolen? Vacation protection often will reimburse you if you have to cancel your trip or if you get sick during your trip.
Also, I think it's helpful to have alternative plans for several days during your stay. What if the weather prohibits you from the excursion you have planned that day? What if members of your party are too tired to participate in a walking tour and you need to stay local? Some research and planning may help to not just keep you busy but to do something that you had already prepared to do. Again, few hardships will compare to what the guests of the Triumph experienced, but being prepared to welcome some everyday life into our vacations can help when the unexpected happens.
