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Hurricane
Season & Your Romantic Travels
After the record-setting 2004
hurricane season and a devastating 2005 season in the US, couples
might be wondering if they should book a honeymoon or romantic getaway
during hurricane season.
We've traveled to the Caribbean
many times during hurricane season (remember, this is technically "off
season" for the islands so rates are lower) and we're happy to say
that we've had to rush off due to incoming storms only twice.
Just when is hurricane season?
In the Atlantic and Caribbean,
it runs from June 1 through November 30. As for Mexico, the eastern North
Pacific season officially begins in May and runs through the end of November.
The worst times for hurricanes
in both regions runs from late August through early October.
 Why
Travel During Hurricane Season?
- you'll find the lowest
rates of the year, dropping during the summer and reaching an all-time
low in September. You just might be able to afford that luxury resort--or
the suite--you've had your eye on. You'll also find more availability.
The number of travelers is lower during this season.
- warning systems are good.
Hurricane prediction is a science and warnings come generally days in
advance of a storm, allowing travelers to decide whether to leave or
stay.
- more resorts now offer
hurricane guarantees. These policies (see below) offer you refunds if
a hurricane hits during your stay.
Why
Shouldn't We Travel During Hurricane Season?
- If you absolutely, positively
want to be sure your trip doesn't include an unwelcome one-name visitor,
don't book your trip during hurricane season. The "shoulder seasons"
or the months before and after low (hurricane) season are also good
bargains when compared with high season (winter), if you've got an eye
on the budget.
- Also, hurricane season
means rainy season. Expect more showers to pop up during humid afternoons
than you'd find during drier winter months.
How
Can We Avoid Hurricanes During Hurricane Season?
Book a trip outside the
hurricane belt. In the Caribbean, the islands of Aruba,
Bonaire, and Curaçao
lie south of the hurricane zone, so they're missed by almost all storms.
Also, Trinidad and Tobago
lie south of the path of most storms and usually don't have storm concerns.
What's
a Hurricane Guarantee?
A hurricane guarantee promises
compensation if your trip is interrupted by a hurricane. Check with
your resort to see if they have a hurricane guarantee and what it includes.
SuperClubs offers a hurricane guarantee at some of their properties.
According to the SuperClubs website, "Should a hurricane happen
to strike the resort, guests at the resort will receive a reimbursement
for the total value of disrupted nights. In addition, a voucher for
a future stay will be issued for the same number of disrupted nights
for use during the same month the following year, excluding airfare."
This includes SuperClubs properties in Jamaica, The Bahamas and Curaçao
but not the properties in the Dominican Republic or Brazil.
Sandals and Beaches also offer a hurricane guarantee. The Sandals
and Beaches Resorts’ Blue Chip Hurricane Guarantee allows guests
a free replacement vacation in the event that their stay is interrupted
by a hurricane, as defined by the National Hurricane Center. “Our
Blue Chip Hurricane Guarantee ensures that a Sandals or Beaches vacation
is always stress-free, relaxing and rejuvenating,” said John Lynch,
executive Vice President of Sales Worldwide for Unique Vacations Inc.,
which represents Sandals and Beaches Resorts. “The worst thing
that can happen is guests will get a free vacation.” The replacement
stay is for the same duration and room category as the originally booked
trip and is valid for one year after the original vacation.
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