Having been a pastor in a local congregation for a number of years as well as a critical incident thanatologist I have come to appreciate the unusual combinations that often occur.
Did you know that September and October are really big months for weddings? They are I believe second only to June! Lots of brides and grooms want to have a fantastic, more quite wedding without the summer rates and hot melting weather.
Hurricanes are just the opposite – they love the hot water and turbulent winds which really get them going. September is the peak season for hurricanes and tropical storms.
Also newly weds love to honeymoon on cruise ships and in exotic tropical islands. In my book Train For A Hurricane there is a whole section on how to evacuate with as much trouble free comfort as possible given the hurricane circumstances. An article that I just read also offers some important information as well. It is from Hotel Interactive.com. The hurricane article is called A Guaranteed Hurricane Season Elixir by Francine Cohen.
This is a great article to have tucked away under ‘travel’ in your saved article file on your computer. It’s excellent in sharing some great tips on ways to enjoy the tropical islands and still have money, time and a less hassled experience while on vacation in the midst of hurricane season. There is even information for hurricane situations in Florida as well.
For those who are not season hurricane season travels, being caught up in a mandatory hurricane evacuation or facing down your first hurricane away from home can be no walk in the rain! If you are going to travel to areas that are prone to hurricanes and tropical storms then be prepared. I suggest that you develop a hurricane disaster plan to have on hand if you are going to travel to a hurricane prone location. Check out the Train For A Hurricane;-Disaster Plan Workbook a supplemental to the Train For A Hurricane book (www.trainforahurricane.com) if you need ideas of how to develop a disaster plan or prepare for a evacuation.
Now if only I could just to find the time and extra cash for a week in a wonderful topical island sipping a cool drink from a hurricane glass in my personal hammock looking out over a deep blue sea and white sand beach. AaaaHaaa---- NOW that is the best way to deal with a hurricane season issue AFTER you have done your hurricane preparation!
Hope you find this hurricane article helpful to you as I found it.
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A Guaranteed Hurricane Season Elixir
9/17/2007 12:57:29 PM
By Francine Cohen
http://www.hotelinteractive.com/hi_index.asp?page_id=5000&article_id=8833
It's September, which means two things; school is back in session, kicking into high gear and hurricane season is doing the same things as tropical storms are brewing. The dangerous weather conditions which drive down occupancy and room rates still don't stop many travelers who are looking for a quieter and slightly less expensive tropical vacation this time of year; and to these folks, taking advantage of low rates and less crowded resorts, it is worth the gamble of running into a few rainy days, or even worse, a hurricane forced evacuation. These savvy travelers know there are ways to protect their precious vacation time. Some opt for a location, like Aurba, which usually avoids most major storms. Others repeatedly search out properties which work with guests to protect against weather induced bad vacation experiences.
For the last 41 years, the brand SuperClubs has been offering guests its year-round Guaranteed Getaways program that includes a No Hurricane Guarantee. If a hurricane strikes one of the company’s resorts, guests 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. Arriving guests who choose not to reschedule their trip but are unable to arrive as scheduled, will be offered the following option: They can arrive after the storm passes, either for the same number of nights or for fewer nights, in which case they will be provided a voucher for future travel equal to the interrupted nights.
Visitors interested in staying at a Marriott property in the Mexico and Caribbean regions during this time of year can take advantage of the company's Travel Interruption Promise. The CasaMagna Marriott Puerto Vallarta is just one of the chain's hotels where guests can book their trip without any trepidation. The comprehensive policy offers a number of options should a vacation be interrupted or cancelled in advance due to hurricane conditions. According to a hotel representative The Travel Interruption Promise gives guests who are unable to travel to their hotel due to an airport or the hotel's closure related to the hurricane the option to choose either a full refund or a one-category room upgrade on their next visit to the same hotel within 12 months. If a guest's stay is interrupted by a hurricane which directly hits the property, they will receive a certificate for a complimentary three-night return stay valid for two years from their original travel dates.
Florida isn't immune to the vagaries of these storms either. With thousands of families planning months in advance for a beach or Disney vacation all the hotels in and around Orlando are particularly tuned into the weather in order to minimize the impact on their guest.
Says Jeanne Palazuelos, Assistant General Manager, Hilton Grand Vacations club on International Drive in Orlando: "We do not have an official protocol for hurricanes but we have, in the past, waived cancellation fees if the local airports are closed. We also waive early departure fees. We do not waive fees if the local airports remain open or if the hurricane’s path is not forecasted to come close (within 100 miles) of Orland. However, we will work with our guests to change their stay dates for a better time. We truly work with our guests on a case by case basis and make exceptions as needed."
A hurricane on its way, mandatory evacuation declared by the state and airport closings are the primary criteria for other hotels to refund deposits or re-schedule vacations without charging additional fees. At WaterColor Inn and Resort on the Florida panhandle, they do not offer refunds due to inclement weather or voluntary evacuations. However, according to a hotel spokesperson, "A refund of any unused portion of your stay will be issued in the event of a mandatory evacuation of South Walton County." WaterColor, while strict about their refund policy, does make an exhaustive effort to notify guests in advance when the resort needs to shut down operations due to oncoming weather conditions. It is a smart practice to reach out to guests beforehand to ensure that nobody arrives at the destination and is faced with the unpleasant surprise of finding the resort closed and WaterColor's guests are notified via phone, email and updates posted on the resorts websites.
Preventing hurricanes is simply not possible. Planning for them and accommodating guests creates loyal customers in those travelers who prefer to visit warm weather resorts during the stormiest months of the year.
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TOMORROW’S BLOG: When it comes to hurricanes – are we still in the wind and rain or out of the woods?
Please let me know what your thoughts or experiences are with hurricanes and hurricane season travel!
Peace and blessings
Terrie
Dr. Terrie Modesto, Critical Incident Thanatologist
www.trainforahurricane.com http://trainforahurricane.blogspot.com
She is an international expert in dying, death, loss and critical incident individual and community disaster preparation and response, with over 60 courses, books and training manuals to her credit. She has 20+ years experience in assisting those in need. Dr. Modesto is available for consultations, lectures media interviews.
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All writings here are copyrighted by Terrie Modesto and Train For A Hurricane.com. You may not use them without written permission but you may link to the posts or give out a link to the posts.
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