Hi Everyone,
Now that we are bringing May to a close, June 1 is fast upon us. June 1 is significant in the world of travel as it is the official start of Hurricane Season. This year, experts are predicting a very active hurricane season with 16 named storms; 3 of which are expected to make US landfall.
I’m often asked what travelers can do to mitigate their risk when traveling during hurricane season. There are ways to lesson your risk, both financially and emotionally. The financial risks are obvious, but some don’t realize there can be emotional risk as well.
What if you have a destination wedding planned on a certain day in a certain port of call or destination? That can certainly be stressful for you if 1 week prior to your special event a named storm pops up and your destination is straight in its path!
With a little research and assistance from your travel professional, you can determine if your dream destination will be at risk during the time frame you want to travel. There are certain types of travel less impacted than others and certain destinations less impacted than others by hurricanes. Cruising for example, is actually a good choice during hurricane season. Remember that the ships move and can change course to keep ahead or avoid storms. I’ve been on many cruises where we have had to alter the order of the ports of call, or completely change an itinerary so as to avoid a storm. If a cruise isn’t your vacation style, there are certain Caribbean destinations less impacted by hurricanes such as Aruba and Barbados.
ARUBA BARBADOS
Another thing to remember is travel insurance.
Travel Insurance can protect your financial risk in the event of a hurricane. If you are traveling anytime during hurricane season, it is highly advisable to purchase your travel insurance as soon as book your trip, and absolutely no later than final payment for your best protection. (The terms and conditions vary, and we can discuss during the planning process) The important thing to remember, once a hurricane becomes a “known event”, it is too late to insure it. You can’t wait until the hurricane is on its way then take out the insurance; insurance should be proactive, not reactive.
Above all, be flexible. Flexibility is the best way to handle any weather related travel issues. If possible, have a back up plan (such as alternative travel dates if possible), if a back up plan is not possible, flexibility is key. You may end up on a cruise to the Eastern Caribbean instead of Western, staying a resort for a day longer, or leaving a resort day earlier.
Finally, a sense of humor can be the best coping mechanism. I’ve heard it all, the good, the bad, and the ugly. I have found one thing to be true. Those that handle the challenge with flexibility and good humor seem to weather the storms much easier.
Kelley