WASHINGTON -
The Carnival Cruise Lines debacle has travelers rethinking their travel plans.
Jamie Cortese had a bad experience of her own on a Carnival cruise to Mexico, so her next travel adventure will be on land.
"I was going to probably take a cruise this summer, but I'm not going to do it now," says Cortese. "And certainly not on that cruise line for sure.
The President of West End Travel, Vivianne Pommier, says now more than ever, you have to know before you go on any cruise.
"There are definitely some cruise lines that are better than others," Pommier says.
Conde Nast Traveler and Travel and Leisure magazines regularly publish ratings on the cruise lines, on everything from customer service to food and activities.
No matter which line you choose, Pommier says invest in trip insurance.
"The amount is minimal and would cover everything from a trip home, a medical emergency, even destroyed or lost luggage," says Pommier.
Pommier says at the very least, those inconvenienced passengers on the ill-fated Carnival cruise should receive is a full refund and another equivalent or upgraded cruise for free.
Even that wouldn't be enough to entice everyone to board a cruise ship now.
"It's going to make me rethink my travel plans because there have been so many cruise snafus of late," says Orit Frenkel.
Claude Fonthein has his mind made up.
"I cannot imagine. I just wouldn't go on a cruise right now," Fonthein says.
