Illustration by Dustin Elliott

Jan Howell is afraid of the water levels this summer.

She's booked on a Danube riverboat cruise, and she's concerned that the water won't be high enough for the ship. That could turn her cruise into a bus tour -- or even cancel it. Months of careful planning would go down the drain.

"That's my biggest worry," says Howell, a nurse from Spokane, Wash.

This summer, travelers are afraid of a lot of things. A recent survey by Aon Affinity Travel Practice suggests travelers are concerned about getting sick and not being able to travel (28 percent), having a cancellation or delay because of bad weather or a natural disaster (26 percent) and concerns about the impact of global conflicts (19 percent). Half of the respondents have purchased travel insurance to protect their trip.

"The excitement of summer travel comes with a heightened awareness of potential risks," explains Beth Godlin, president of Aon Affinity Travel Practice. "For many, it’s not just about making memories but also helping ensure their financial investment, health and belongings are protected while they’re on vacation.”

So what are you afraid of this summer? What should you be afraid of? And how do you allay those fears?

Travelers have a lot to fear this summer

These fears are not irrational. A recent study commissioned by AXA Partners found only 30 percent of travelers reported having a completely trouble-free trip.

"It can shake a traveler's confidence," says Susan Sherren, who runs the travel design company Couture Trips. "When my clients leave home, they embark on a risky journey, and many unpredictable scenarios can lead to anticipatory anxiety. Safety concerns, loss of control, and travel complexities may make someone think twice about leaving home."

Howell, the nurse from Spokane, had heard about the low river levels and researched the problem. Usually, the Danube's levels are fine in late spring, with the runoff from melting snow, but they can sometimes drop quickly during the summer.

Her solution was to self-book her hotels through her credit card, which offers cancellation insurance. And to address any potential illnesses or injuries, she also made sure her medical insurance covered her for international travel and then picked up a medical evacuation policy through Medjet.

"Being stuck alone in a foreign hospital wouldn’t be great," she adds.

Put it all together, and Howell says she feels reasonably confident that her river cruise will go off without a hitch.

What to be afraid of this summer and what to do about it

How about you? What are you afraid of, and what should you be afraid of? Let's do a lightning round of travel phobias.

Disruptions. Travel advisors say they're seeing increased anxiety levels when it comes to delays and cancellations. "It's probably among travelers' most common fears, especially during the busy summer season," says Mercedes Zach, a travel expert at ASAP Tickets. "Weather, strikes, aircraft maintenance delays and staffing shortages can cause significant problems across the travel industry, resulting in thousands of missed flights."

What to do about it: Book tickets that offer flexible change policies and consider a travel insurance policy that covers long delays and cancellations.

Natural disasters. The Los Angeles fires in January have made everyone hyperaware that Mother Nature could be a wild card this summer. "I've had a surge of people inquiring about natural disasters," says Sunil Gupta, the co-founder of a tour operator in India. "Even the wildfires have shown us that even the most sought-after destinations aren't untouchable."

What to do about it: Get a good travel insurance policy and work with a travel advisor who can help you avoid the most disaster-prone areas like the Caribbean during hurricane season.

Politics. It's no exaggeration to say we live in uncertain times, politically speaking. No one knows where that will leave us this summer, but you don't have to be a political scientist to be afraid of the possible fallout.

What to do about it: Don't call off your overseas travel plans just yet. Be discreet. "I'm going to pretend to be Canadian," says John Hedtke, a technical writer from the Seattle suburbs. Well, he's close.

Illness. People get sick when they travel. It happened to Tiffany Banks, a real estate agent from Reno, Nev., on a flight from Rome to San Francisco, and with all the viruses going around this year, she's afraid it will happen again. She's headed to Greece soon. "I'm following all the travel guidelines," she told me. That includes packing her own food and bringing antinausea medication.

What to do about it: Take sensible precautions and make sure you have a medical insurance policy with a generous evacuation benefit -- just in case.

Are you afraid of the wrong thing this summer?

My greatest travel fear this summer is ending up in a crowd with no way out. I'm headed back to Europe on assignment and may be in places that are overrun with tourists. I've been hearing about the crowding problem, and I'm not sure there's anything more I can do than worry.

But experts say there is.

"What should really worry people is lack of preparation," says James Shaffer, managing director with the website Insurancepanda.com. "Choosing nonrefundable tickets. Ignoring insurance. Or booking through a third-party site without researching their policies. These choices can trap you."

In other words, instead of worrying about your summer trip, do something about it before you leave. Find a flexible ticket. Get a travel insurance policy. Book through a reliable agent, or do your research and then book the trip yourself.

"I expect the unexpected," Shaffer told me. "I only buy refundable airfare. Of course, it costs a little more -- but it does give you peace of mind."

Ah, peace of mind. Couldn't we use a little more of that this summer?

Christopher Elliott is an author, consumer advocate, and journalist. He founded Elliott Advocacy, a nonprofit organization that helps solve consumer problems. He publishes Elliott Confidential, a travel newsletter, and the Elliott Report, a news site about customer service. If you need help with a consumer problem, you can reach him here or email him at chris@elliott.org.