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Mother nature doesn't usually play partisan politics, but the Republican National Convention in Tampa got caught in the crosshairs of Hurricane Isaac, disrupting flights and travel plans across a wide swath of Florida and beyond.

Although weather is considered a "force majeure," something out of the airlines' control, most policies waive change fees and fare differences within a certain time frame.

While it can't hurt to ask, airlines will most likely stop short of offering meal vouchers or overnight airport stays.

Airline passengers aren’t the only ones impacted by the weather. Cruise ships reserve the right to alter their itineraries, resulting in skipped ports of call and sometimes shortened voyages. Compensation, mostly in the form of onboard credit, is issued at the discretion of the cruise line.

Here’s a few sure-fire ways to hurricane proof your next trip:

- Avoid travel in September and October, the height of the hurricane season.

- Sign up for alerts from your airline and follow them on social media, where they generally give clues to their storm status.

- Remember, if your flight is flat-out canceled, you are entitled to a refund. Unfortunately, it takes a lot of angst to get to that point.

- Vacationers should book a resort with a hurricane guarantee that spells out refund and credit conditions in the initial booking.

- At this time of year, it pays not to get too attached to a specific cruise line itinerary.

- Finally, weigh whether traveling during hurricane season might be worth the risk. Many destinations offer their best deals when storm flags are flying.