The official Caribbean hurricane season stretches from June 1 – November 30. So what do you do if you want to travel to the Caribbean during this time?
Although it’s rare to see a large storm in either June or November, never say never when Caribbean hurricanes are concerned. Most major hurricanes do occur between August and October, with the peak season usually being beginning of September to mid-October, so some planning ahead might save you some disappointment if you want to travel during Caribbean hurricane season.
Pick a resort that offers a “hurricane guarantee”
Recently, many of the largest resorts and resort chains, have started instituting a “hurricane guarantee,” offering guests their money back for days lost to bad weather. Always check directly with the resort and read to fine print to know exactly what the restrictions are. Some resorts currently offering Caribbean hurricane guarantees are:
Beaches and Sandals Resorts
In the unlikely event that hurricane force winds (as defined by the U.S. National Weather Service) directly hit the Sandals or Beaches resorts while you are a guest, interrupting the use of all the included activities, Sandals or Beaches Resorts will offer a free replacement vacation to be taken at any Sandals or Beaches Resort of your choice.
Club Med
Club Med’s Hurricane Protection Program Provides Club Med guests with a Future Travel Certificate in the event that Category One or higher hurricane-force winds (as defined by the National Weather Service) impact the resort at any time during their stay. Club Med will offer affected guests a Future Travel Certificate for the value of the land portion of their vacation for the number of days impacted by the hurricane-force winds.
Certificate may be used within one year of the original travel date at these Club Med resorts: Caravelle, Guadeloupe; Cancun, Mexico; Ixtapa, Mexico; Sandpiper, Florida; Columbus Isle, Bahamas; Turkoise, Turks and Caicos; Punta Cana, Dominican Republic and Crested Butte, Colorado.
Palace Resorts Hurricane Policy
In the event that any Palace Resorts or Le Blanc Spa Resorts is directly impacted by a hurricane* while your guests are on vacation, we will gladly offer a certificate** for a return stay to the original resort for the number of unused nights*** .
Holiday Inn Resort Montego Bay – Jamaica
The Hurricane Guarantee ensures that guests holding confirmed reservations with nonrefundable deposits who are unable to travel due to the closure of Montego Bay’s Sangster International Airport caused by a Category One or higher hurricane can rebook their reservations for a future resort stay without penalty.
Le Blanc Spa Resorts
In the event that any Palace Resorts or Le Blanc Spa Resorts is directly impacted by a hurricane* while your guests are on vacation, we will gladly offer a certificate** for a return stay to the original resort for the number of unused nights***.
Other Hurricane Guarantees to Keep an eye on During Caribbean Hurricane Season:
The Island of St Lucia
The island of St. Lucia is rarely affected by hurricanes however, hotel operator members of the Saint Lucia Hotel Association and Tourism Association created the hurricane guarantee so you can book with confidence any time of year. To learn more visit http://www.stlucia.org/summer-of-discovery/images/Holiday-Gurantee-Terms.pdf.
Travel Agent Hurricane Guarantees
Expedia and Travelocity Hurricane Promises
If a hurricane watch or warning is issued for your destination and you need to change plans, Expedia waives cancellation fees. Both online travel agents say they will advocate for customers with their travel partners to get them waive fees. That leaves the decision whether or not to satisfy travelers’ claims up to individual properties, which ultimately takes it out of the control of the online travel agent.
Airline Hurricane Guarantees:
Most airlines will waive that change fees for changing your flights that are directly cancelled and changed due to an impending storm situation. Always check directly with the airline to verify any provisions and check back regularly during Caribbean hurricane season.
And of course you can also get Travel Insurance:
How can $30 save you from a hurricane? Purchase travel insurance through Travel Guard. Coverage starting at $30
*** Policies do change often so please check directly with each location/supplier directly before booking****
Get more information on how to minimize disappointment and disruption when vacationing during Caribbean hurricane season……
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