Long Islanders prep for trips abroad amid travel uncertainty
The Dominican Republic is now a popular choice for those who would typically go to Cancun. Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto/aero-pictures.de
Roberta Perry already has two international trips on the calendar this year — and she isn’t second-guessing them.
Like many Long Island travelers, Perry has decided to forge ahead with overseas plans despite global conflicts and travel disruptions dominating headlines. Travel advisers say many clients are still booking international trips but are paying closer attention to routes, safety advisories and rising airfare costs.
The 64-year-old Plainview resident plans to travel to Aruba in June and cruise down Vietnam's Mekong River in October. Perry says her desire to see the world still outweighs hesitation.
"My love and want of travel until I can’t anymore beats any fear," she said.
That doesn’t mean she's ignoring the headlines. A friend visiting family in Israel recently faced delays getting home as the situation there escalated.
"My friend Steve was delayed over a week getting home from visiting his kids in Israel," Perry said. "One was even called up as a reservist."
Perry said she originally considered a connection in Dubai for her October trip but is now relieved that her flight itinerary didn’t include it. Following the onset of hostilities between the United States and Iran on Feb. 28, there has been an ongoing threat of drone and missile attacks from Iran and significant disruptions to commercial flights, according to the United Arab Emirates Travel Advisory.
Benjamin Tausig, 45, a Stony Brook associate professor of critical music studies, plans to travel to Thailand in early July to research music, sound and politics in Southeast Asia. He hasn’t purchased his plane tickets yet — not because he expects the trip to be unsafe, but he plans to book soon before prices increase.
"I’m not anticipating any problems," Tausig said. "I’m anticipating sticker shock. It will be more expensive for a variety of reasons, and I’m sure the war is one of them."
Because there are no direct flights from New York to Bangkok, the routing can matter. Tausig said itineraries often connect through cities such as Taipei in Taiwan, and flight paths sometimes shift when conflicts affect airspace.
"I definitely notice it when I travel internationally," he said. "Over Europe you see the diversion around Ukraine, so that might happen again depending on the route."
Even so, he feels comfortable with his destination.
"It’s terrifying, the situation in general and the repercussions," Tausig said. "But I still feel safe going where I’m going. Thailand is far enough away from any conflict."
Roberta Perry, of Plainview, is eagerly looking forward to her upcoming international adventure on a river cruise on the Mekong River, despite the current global uncertainties. Credit: Getty Images/panida wijitpanya
FINDING AN ALTERNATIVE
Travel advisers say flexibility has become the norm. April D’Andrea, owner of Lifted Travel Co. in Massapequa, notes travelers are swapping perceived unstable regions for reliable favorites rather than canceling trips. The Dominican Republic has become a frequent alternative for travelers who might have otherwise chosen Cancún after recent cartel violence last month canceled flights in and out of Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara and "shelter in place" warnings were issued from the U.S. government for Cancún and Playa del Carmen.
AAA projected this month that international cruise travel will remain strong this year, with 21.7 million Americans expected to take trips in 2026. Caribbean itineraries are the most popular, and European cities like Rome, Paris and London remain in high demand. D’Andrea recommends cruises for travelers concerned about global disruptions, noting that cruise lines often handle cancellations or route changes with full refunds or future credits. MSC Cruises recently canceled its Dubai winter season, offering full refunds for those trips. Resorts are not always able to offer refunds, but there are other options that can avoid lost money.
"A resort can often change your destination to one that’s safer if you haven’t left yet, especially big names with partner resorts," D’Andrea said.
For anyone planning overseas travel, AAA recommends enrolling in the State Department’s STEP program for alerts on safety, weather, or emergencies, and checking travel advisories before booking.
Travelers should also understand the limits of travel insurance. Most standard policies do not cover disruptions caused by civil unrest, acts of war, or terrorism, and New York residents have limited access to "cancel for any reason" policies. Advisers recommend arriving at airports four to five hours early for international flights and booking airfare sooner rather than later.
"Anyone that didn’t have flights booked for current travel, I was adamant that prices will continue to rise," D'Andrea said. "Lock in your trips for this year now, opt for refundable bookings and practice safety precautions for a stress-free trip."
