Hurricane Frances altering weekend vacation plans

Jason · September 4, 2004

Hurricane Frances May Alter Holiday Vacation Plans

By Lauren Remillard, WDEF News 12

Travel Agent Kelly Reilly reads a memo from a cruise line, letting her know some folks' travel plans are about to change...Hurricane Frances is rapidly approaching Florida. Now those in the Tennessee Valley who were planning a vacation to the Sunshine State may be staying put.

Kelly Reilly, AAA Travel Agency: "We are getting updates consistently throughout the day from various suppliers, cruise lines, hotel operators, airlines and so forth as to what their policies are and how plans are changing."

Reilly says she's been fielding calls from clients nervous about the Hurricane, and the impact it will have on their vacation. While Reilly says she hasn't had any cancellations just yet, folk with cruise plans may be sailing out of a different port, and visit other destinations.

"Some of the cruise lines have let us know that on certain ships they're either reversing the itinerary, they're calling in a different port, in one case, the ship that was scheduled to go to the Bahamas is actually doing what they call a cruise to nowhere, it will go out in the international water way and sail."

If you purchased travel insurance, Reilly says chances are you'll receive a full refund if your trip is canceled. However, if you did not, some of the non-refundable rules may bend if Hurricane Frances has her way.

"I have to say most of them, most of the tour operators and cruise lines are very good about working with people and rules are waived and changed in disaster type situations like this."

Reilly advises folks to keep checking with their airline, or travel agent throughout the week to make sure their vacation plans haven't been altered, or cancelled completely.

If you've rented a beach house in an area that may be affected by Hurricane Frances, travel experts suggest you ask the owner or agent to compensate you if you're forced to evacuate while you're there.

And most hotels will have specific plans on where to relocate guests if the hurricane hits.