When your vacation is cut short: disaster, illness - even work - can put your trip on hold. Protect yourself and your wallet.

Most of the Caribbean hotels, restaurants and tourist attractions damaged by hurricanes Marilyn and Luis last year are up and running and ready for vacationers. Still, one has to wonder: What would happen to my vacation plans if they're swept away by a force of nature? Or, what if an emergency, illness or work conflict interrupts my trip schedule? Will I be left out in the cold with no recourse? Can I get a refund or reschedule my vacation? It all depends on the company you're dealing with and why your trip was cancelled.

AIRLINE FLYERS' RIGHTS

The cancellation policies for most airlines are made case-by-case. Translation: If you complain to the right person, you'll probably get satisfaction. But those policies can vary, even slightly, from airline to airline.

With all the airlines, if you paid full fare for a ticket, you can cancel or rebook at any time for any reason. With most low-fare airlines, and even with deeply discounted tickets on the majors, you often can't rebook or apply for a refund on a restricted ticket (a reduced fare with advance purchase requirements or special conditions). In some cases, the carrier will evaluate the circumstances and apply the value of your ticket to another flight. In most cases, you're just out the price of the ticket. You'll have to pay for a more expensive new ticket, plus pay a $50 penalty.

ALL ABOARD: SHIP TO SHORE

When it comes to booking a cruise, read the fine print. In most instances, the cruise line is not responsible if the trip is stopped, interrupted or the itinerary changed due to inclement weather, bad equipment or even strikes.

If you need to cancel a cruise due to an emergency or illness, most cruise lines require at least 60 days' notice for a full refund. In many cases, you will not receive a refund if you leave in the middle of a voyage. Cruises Only, an Orlando, Fla.-based travel agency, recommends trip cancellation insurance to cover your costs in case you must cancel.

But that didn't hold true for Renay Arthur. A week before sailing, she cancelled her seven-day, six-island Caribbean cruise on Carnival due to a work conflict. Although she bought interruption/cancellation insurance for the trip,the cruise line said that only a medical emergency would be valid on such short notice. Arthur got a medical note, filled out a very detailed report and mailed both back to Carnival. They told her that she would receive a refund, minus a $69 service charge. Nearly a year later, she has yet to receive her $1,500 back from the cruise line.

Travel cancellation insurance can add from $39 to $99 extra to your ticket, depending upon the cost of the trip. It can cover your costs in case of injury, sickness, death and, supposedly, in the event of unforeseeable circumstances. If you must leave in the middle of a trip, the unused portion of your tour should be reimbursed.

ROOM AT THE INN

Even hotels have begun to charge as much as a full day's rate for no-shows or reservations cancelled after a certain time. These hotels @an usually collect because you've given a credit card number to hold the reservation.

However, during the last batch of disasters in the Caribbean, the hotels on the island were very accommodating; they found space for people to stay if their property was rendered unsuitable. According to the Caribbean Hotel Association, in certain cases, island hoteliers will either give vouchers or discounts on future travel in case a stay is interrupted due to a natural disaster. With some special tour or hotel packages, there's a weather guarantee, providing a percentage or dollar amount off room rates.

In the case of hurricanes Marilyn and Luis, most airlines and hotels rebooked scheduled guests who had cancelled or were forced to cut their vacations short because of the storm. For many, those rescheduled times are now rolling around. And for the rest of us, last year's loss makes the Caribbean this year's great vacation value.