No better time to go down and visit the beaches and coasts than in the summer. Lots of sun, warm weather, and hundreds of people there to enjoy it with you. Sometimes nature has other plans though. While with modern weather tracking technologies it's almost impossible for a hurricane or major tropical storm to hit unexpectedly, it is possible for it to affect one's vacation. If that's the case here are some ways to protect yourself during the storm season.

Prepare for the likelihood that your trip may be cancelled. No one wants to have wasted hundreds of dollars getting tickets to shows or booking special events. If a hurricane blows in you can kiss all your money goodbye, unless you got trip cancellation insurance. You can get it on your own, or if you're lucky your travel agency may include it in some kind of package deal. As not all men are created, so too are insurance plans different. Be sure to question your provider to determine what they will be able to cover.

Making sure that you know exactly where the weather is coming from or how bad it is can do wonders for your state of mind. Consider bringing along a personal radio to keep track of alerts and warnings for your area. It's possible to get that kind of information from a smart phone, but it's more important to use that for emergency calls and texts. With the radio handy there will be no strain on your phone's batteries and you'll still be in the know. There are plenty of different radios of varying prices and builds. Look to outdoor gear stores or amazon.com for your radio purchases.

Consider taking a cruise instead of staying in one place. It may seem counterintuitive to go out in the seas during the storm season, but these trips are plenty capable of avoiding these storms. If your tropical island destination is being threatened by a major storm you might get stuck there, but a cruise ship can change which port they go to at will. This makes it possible to keep out of the storm's path, making sure you can continue enjoying the beaches.

Bring plenty of extra cash and medication in the event that you'll be forced to stay at your location for an extended period of time. If the resort's power were to be knocked out for an extended period of time the ATMs would be unavailable. Unable to access your funds could be added stress in an already ugly situation. Pack traveler's checks, extra medication, and whatever else you would need if you were stuck away from home for an extended amount of time.

Not panicking and following the safety protocols of the local area will keep you and your family safe if the weather turns ugly. Plan ahead, watch the weather, and cover your bases as you prepare to leave. Beyond that there is nothing left but to enjoy the trip and hope for the best.