In the wake of recent bombings, US citizens will be evacuated from Lebanon via cruise ship -- About.com's Cruise Guide, Linda Garrison, has detail on the luxury liner transporting travelers out of harm's way. News is that evacuees are getting repatriation loans, a way that Uncle Sam, via the Office of American Citizens Services and Crisis Management (ACS), can be called upon to rescue you from a bad situation abroad.

We've always heard that repatriation loans are like dialing Dad for dollars if unexpectedly destitute and that, just like when calling home, you have to wait overseas for the money to arrive and eventually repay that loan (and explain how this happened, too). The current situation for travelers and students in Lebanon is a very extreme circumstance -- Beirut International Airport has been closed, for instance. Regardless, if you're traveling far afield and need big help or bucks badly, an emergency loan from the ACS is one (last ditch) tool to keep in mind. And if you want to get out of a country and can't without the US government's help, even with plenty of moolah, know the drill and about the bill.

• Learn more about repatriation loans
• Travel emergencies