Jamaican resorts have released important updates as Hurricane Melissa, classified as a Category 5 storm, approaches the island.
Hurricane Melissa Update
As of October 29, after Hurricane Melissa made landfall, resorts like Sandals and Beaches were in the process of assessing the damage across the region.
Sandals and Beaches Resorts, which include seven Sandals properties and the family-centric Beaches Negril, announced plans to accommodate guests affected by flight disruptions. With over 40 years of experience in the Caribbean, the resorts stated, “We are well prepared for weather-related events.” Each property adheres to established emergency protocols led by a trained staff, ready to manage the evolving conditions effectively.
The Sandals Foundation, the charitable arm of Sandals Resorts International, is set to provide support to local communities in need following the storm.
In a recent Facebook post, Round Hill Hotel and Villas in Montego Bay confirmed its collaboration with the Jamaican government and emergency services. The resort assured followers of its management team’s extensive training and readiness both for Hurricane Melissa’s impact and the recovery efforts that will follow.
Moon Palace Jamaica in Ocho Rios also provided an update on social media, affirming that its shelter facilities would be fully prepared if necessary.
Excellence Oyster Bay emphasized its commitment to the well-being of its guests and staff by noting it is “taking every thoughtful step” to ensure comfort, while keeping everyone informed as conditions change.
In Negril, Tensing Pen Resort announced that it had evacuated all guests and would remain closed until conditions were carefully evaluated.
Monitoring Hurricane Melissa’s Path
Travel advisors across the country are closely monitoring client travel plans in zones affected by Hurricane Melissa. For instance, Brownell in Birmingham, Alabama, aided a client in postponing their trip to Jamaica through proactive tracking by its advisory team.
Brownell’s Chief Operating Officer, Rene Alldredge, detailed the process used to assess risks during such storms. She accesses the agency’s technology platform, TripSuite, to identify clients currently in or soon traveling to impacted destinations, including those with trips several weeks out, depending on the severity of the situation.
Alldredge communicates with travel advisors via email and Slack, sharing links to reputable resources, such as the National Hurricane Center, which is ongoingly providing updates on the storm’s developments.
Travel Insurance Considerations
Travel insurance coverage may be applicable for trips affected by Hurricane Melissa; however, policies must be purchased prior to the storm being named on October 21 to be valid. According to travel insurance comparison site Squaremouth, “Travel insurance is only designed to cover the unforeseen.”
For reimbursement for canceled trips due to severe weather, specific conditions must be met, such as if the destination becomes uninhabitable or if there are hurricane warnings in effect. Coverage may also be applicable if an airline or cruise line cancels a trip due to the storm.
Most travel insurance policies can reimburse travelers up to 100% of their prepaid and nonrefundable costs, provided receipts and proof of cancellation or interruption are submitted with claims.
As of Monday afternoon, hurricane warnings were issued for Jamaica and specific Cuban provinces, including Granma, Santiago de Cuba, Guantanamo, and Holguin, according to the National Hurricane Center. Additionally, hurricane watches were in effect for the southeastern and central Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands, while tropical storm warnings were active for Haiti and the Cuban province of Las Tunas.
