4 Things To Help Plan Vacation in Hurricane Season

The kids are out of school, you've saved up enough time to take a vacation, but you find out that the only time you have available is right in the middle of Hurricane Season.   Do you throw in the towel and forget your plans?   Or, is there hope after all that you can have a vacation?

 

 

That's an easy one to answer.   First of all, Expect the unexpected!!  You might think that sounds a bit ominous.  Well, not really.   If you have a plan in mind for unexpected situations, you can easily adapt to whatever comes your way.  We'll talk about how to prepare a bit later.

 

Hurricane season runs approximately from June 1 - November 30th.   In the past the first storm came in January way ahead of schedule, helping to make our point about expecting the unexpected. 

 

Secondly, Expect that your plans might have to change!!  There is only so much that you have control over in your life.  You certainly have no control over the weather, and the impact it may have on your plans.  

 

Finally, Expect that Safety will take Precedence over your vacation itinerary!!  Regardless of whether you are staying at a vacation resort or about to get on a cruise ship, you can be certain that a tropical storm heading your way can potentially alter your original plans.

 

Let's assume that you have decided to go ahead with a vacation in a tropical region that has the potential for tropical storms and hurricanes.   Knowing differences between the two major categories of vacations can help you select the right vacation for you.

We are making the assumption that you have planned your vacation in advance.  This means that you aren't selecting your destination with prior knowledge of the current weather forecast.   Tropical storms often form quickly with little or no warning and can often change course.

Some of the major differences:

 

VACATION	PRO	CON
Land - Resort	Can select destination based on past history of tropical storm activity impacting the region. Selecting a location inland may lessen impact of a storm approaching the coast Everyone at the resort has the same experience in a storm (don't have to contend with rough waves for example) If the resort is part of a family of properties, they may be able to offer alternative plans if a storm is approaching Safety is of utmost concern to the resort management - they will enforce measures to protect guests, staff, and property.	Activities may be curtailed in advance of the storm Resort might have to evacuate due to the storm, ending your vacation A previous storm may have made reaching your destination impossible, causing cancellation Vacation destination is in a fixed location which can't move to avoid a storm Majority of activities are outdoors (such as water sports) so there is little to do during heavy rains of a tropical storm It is highly likely that your vacation could be cancelled or terminated early due to weather.
Sea - Cruise	Can select cruise destination based on past history of tropical storm activity impacting the region. Ships can adjust their schedule to avoid approaching tropical storms and other severe weather Even if the embarkation port is unreachable or damaged from a prior storm, alternate plans can be made to depart from a different location There are activities indoors  (often including water sports) so there is still plenty to do during heavy rains of a tropical storm It is unlikely that a cruise will be cancelled or terminated early due to weather  Safety is of utmost concern to the cruise line management - they will enforce measures to protect guests, staff, and property.	You may not get to the destination(s) you planned Ports may be skipped and others substituted Embarkation and debarkation ports could be changed causing travel deviations (eg. flights) There could be rough seas causing discomfort for those that have problems with motion sickness  Depending on your cabin location on the ship, you may feel the effects of the sea more than others

 

Flexibility is a Must

Each of you will look at the table above and draw your own conclusions.  One thing we want to point out is that your plans should be flexible if you are traveling during hurricane season.  If you desire to get away to some tropical destination and aren't set on a particular port, a cruise could be the perfect choice.  For example: it is highly probable that an Eastern Caribbean vacation could instantly become a Western Caribbean cruise if a tropical storm warning is posted for the other region.

In 2016, a rare January Atlantic hurricane, Alex, made landfall in The Azores on January 13th. This was just the second hurricane on record to form in that basin during the month of January. The last hurricane that formed in the Atlantic during January was in 1938, according to NOAA's database.

Meanwhile in the Central Pacific, there was another storm forming about the same time.  Hurricane Pali became the earliest hurricane on record in the Central Pacific Ocean.

The extremely active 2017 Atlantic hurricane season was one of the most destructive on record. Damage costs exceeded 250 billion dollars in the United States alone, while recovery for the worst hit Caribbean islands such as Dominica may take years. Several hundred people died, and the lives of millions were impacted.  Several cruise itineraries were changed to protect passengers, ships, and crew.  Many ships participated in humanitarian relief efforts as well.

 Protect Your Investment

Traveling during hurricane season increases the likelihood that you'll need some sort of assistance before, during, or even after your trip.  We highly recommend travel insurance regardless of when you travel, but especially during hurricane season.

When you think about travel insurance, you may think - I'm not planning on cancelling my trip, so why would I need travel insurance.  Expect the Unexpected.  You might think that sounds a bit ominous.  Well, not really.   If you have a plan in mind for unexpected situations, you can easily adapt to whatever comes your way.  

Should you arrive at the airport and find that your flight has been delayed due to inclement weather, wouldn't it be comforting to have a pleasant voice on the other end of a telephone working on your behalf to salvage your hard-earned vacation plans?

What if someone in your party gets injured by something blowing around in the storm?   What if someone back home gets sick and needs your help?  The list of possible reasons for needing assistance are endless.   Did you know that it could cost upwards of $25,000 to be extracted from a ship in the event of a medical emergency?  Did you also know that Medicare and most health insurance companies do not cover you in a foreign land - and perhaps more importantly may not be in a position to recommend somewhere for you to get assistance in your time of need? 

 

Summary

With smart planning and realistic expectations, you can enjoy a memorable cruise—even in peak storm season. Be prepared and cruise with peace of mind.