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Thus, it is in any case the impression travel trauma explode Chevy Chase only in movies? Well, repackage the bag. Look at Camarillo, California husband and his wife, Cindy Marks, 37, and Jon LeConey, 43 (right). In September, the couple at home, midway led by their $ 4000, 16 days cruising the Caribbean feeling “exhausted and shocked,” said Mark. Reason: They had reserved Regency Cruises, which, unbeknown to them, full of Force was dampfenden advance to the bankruptcy.

While most holidays, without a hitch, incidents such as trademarks and supported LeConey (described in detail on page 136) are widespread frightening. Those who have not yet so long a journey to remind turn leave password? Remember that if the aunt Mildred left short-term without their bags in Naples? Or, if Junior threw cookies on his trip to the coast before moving to the flu?

Last year, the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) alone more than 2000 complaints from passengers. And during the years 1994, the national offices Better Business has received nearly 9000 gripes on travel of its services. “Voyager is the ninth most have complained about category,” says Jerry Desanto in New York City’s Better Business Bureau, home improvements and car dealers. Poor service is the most frequent travel misery, but also tourists often suffer from unexpected health problems, crime and money and conduct - whether by scamming, or because they are in the store.

Fortunately, there is a quantity that you can do to save you leave hell. For works, an ounce of prevention is always better than a beat on the road. “You can not keep often from articles, the sick,” says Stephen D. Colwell, co-author of uninterrupted Travel (Nolo, $ 14.95, 800-992-6656; available in July), “but if one security planning, avoiding many other things that can ruin a trip.” It is as if this article in

One thing is intelligence adviser, a trip Top-pro. He or she can steer clear dubious offers and holiday clubs idyllic resounding, like the others. In order to achieve a serious officers receive advice of friends and partners. And before making a payment, said Nancy Dunnan conditions Smart newsletter ($ 37 for 12 issues; 800-327-3633), get details of the trip in writing, including any restrictions, cancellation penalties and specific costs Such as taxes and port charges.

Until the bone the last holiday intelligence - “Hot spots” to buy, places to avoid and others - a surfer newspaper travel sections or subscribe to the newsletter, as travel or Smart Consumer Reports Travel Letter ($ 39 for 12 issues; 800-234 -1970). But not enough. A computer and the Internet allows you to access up-to-the-info-nano-second, such as flight availability and prices, Hotel & Resort discounts, exchange rates, weather forecasts, car rentals online, tours and more. Plate test two guides ..

Despite your best, but problems can stay May. Colwell notes: “Scams keep changing, keep businesses growing fast and increasingly large number of people still burned.” To make sure your vacation deserve not difficult flame, we asked dozens of passengers-from-Hell-veterans. We also canvassed the beginning of the journey for experts tips. Here’s what you need to know:

A look at the merits of ugly, if your Tour Company, belly up

Indeed, psychologist Cindy Marks and buildings Manager Jon LeConey, had three previous cruises, including one with Regency, had little reason to suspect that if reservation of their fateful 16-day sailing from Los Angeles to Fort Lauderdale. The Regent Star was, by phone at Puerto Vallarta and Acapulco in Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama Canal, Colombia, Aruba and the Bahamas. Price: about $ 3250 to $ 800 before, plus extras like a river-rafting-Tour of Costa Rica and Aruba an aquarium-Tour.

Well, the Regent Star Cross on Wednesday all right, but it was five hours late from the dock in San Pedro. More annoying, lack of staff Regency never explains the delay. The way in quite the tone. Among the seven scheduled port stops, has only three - the other increasingly abandoned, announced the director of cruise on the loudspeaker, because the ship arrived too late in the previous port. The third day, stopping the air conditioning.

“We were in the tropics, and it was unbearable,” remembers Mark. “The boy was run-off sweat, the meal was hot and melting, and there were real concerns for the health and safety.” On the fourth day, LeConey said, “we went ashore at Acapulco and we bought a laptop with a stick of fans are available for $ 20 and he helped with us everywhere. People were jealous.