Holiday Hurricane

annoyed_newlywed

Can anyone tell me what my position is regarding the holiday company and the hurricane? I have recently returned from Jamaica where my Husband and I got married. During our stay Hurricane Dean struck the southern coast, luckily we were on the north coast and didn't suffer too much damage. My main query is, the holiday company knew at least 4 days before the hurricane that it was set to hit Jamaica but never bothered to try and evacuate us. I found this ordeal terrifying and honestly thought that I would never see my family or friends in England again! Is this a usual action or were Airtours just not bothered about it's clients?

Many thanks

:eek:

saveapenny

In all honesty they know the rough path of any hurrican 1 week before but things can change so much the NHC give out hurrican/storm warnings when they know again roughly where its going to hit. Its only when its with in 24 hours can they be 100% sure its goign to be a direct hit.
Unless you were staying in the direct path of the hurrican you wouldnt be moved because priority is given to those who are staying in the direct path.

Your main concern should be the travel agent who sold you a wedding package in the height of the hurrican season
Did they inform you it was hurican season before you booked?

jetboy

Logistically it may not have been possible to evacuate you, even at 4 days notice. As the hurricaine was never predicted to directly hit the North coast they may have felt it best to leave cleints 'in situ'. This is an unfortunate consequence of holdaying in that region at this time of year. You may do it for many years without event but there is always the risk. Holiday companies supply the holidays to meet the demand knowing that they may have to evacuate a small percentage but overall it's a moneyspinner for them.

pavlovs_dog

as terrifying as these weather phenomena are, for the people who live in that neck of the woods its part of daily life for 6 months of the year, every year. even out of season, these things can strike. same goes for the UK - i didnt see anyone predicting all our recent flooding, did you? that caused mass devastation too. you cannot rule nature.

in reality, you've probably got more chance of being run over crossing the street outside your house than you have getting caught up in a hurricane/earthquake etc when on holiday. people in the caribbean dont put their lives on hold for 6 months just because a hurricane *might* strike, nor is there a mass exodus to a 'safer' place to live. which as far as im concerned means there's no reason for me not to holiday there during that time of year. however, should you chose to holiday in the caribbean during hurricane season as i do (because its the only time of year i can holiday), then i dont think its unreasonable to know in advance what to do in the event of a weather phenomena hitting. know what your insurance policy covers you for. know what safety advice is for riding out the storm. in the event of something happening, cooperate with the local authorities who are there to protect you.


be informed, be safe, but dont be put off :beer:

Voyager2002

Just be thankful that you were not hurt, and that your home and possessions were not damaged. You might care to give something towards the cost of clearing up: the people who ensured that your wedding was a success, and certainly some of their friends and relatives, will have been far more severely affected than you.

StaceyAKelly

act of nature i'm afraid. You could write to Airtours expressing your concern at how they were not warned about what they knew, but if they knew how come you didnt?