Caribbean Travel, Hotels, Flights, Cruises, and All-inclusive Vacation Packages.
Home Hotels Flights Cruises Q & A Last Minute Specials

Home » Q & A » Jamaica

Question: My son's honeymoon scheduled for Jamaica during Dean. Sandals not allowing a reschedule beforehand. Help!

Question Description:
Their honeymoon is scheduled for 18 to 23 Aug at the Sandals resort in Montego Bay, Jamaica. Hurricane Dean (poss cat 3-4) is due to arrive 19 Aug. Sandals will not allow a reschedule unless their fight from the states is canceled or they are actually present in the resort during a direct hit from the hurricane!! With the "Hurricane Insurance" they purchased, unless they are present or attempt to get there it is useless, a pricey waste. Sandals is willing to knowingly put their guests in harm's way ... encouraging or practically forcing their scheduled guest to go into the hurricane's path unless they are willing to lose all their money. I would think at this point every attempt would be made to keep people away from the island and the iminent danger. Is there any recourse?

Answer#1: I think you will find Sandals is one of the few places that provides a hurricane guarentee at no cost. Not sure what the airlines will do, but 2 years ago we got stormed out of Mexico and our carrier would only give us something like 21 days to rebook our flight.Please note, When the 9/11 disaster hit and all planes were grounded, Sandals response was to let all guests continue their stay at no cost until the flights were back in service. They are NOT out to screw their customers.

Answer#2: My husband and I were in Montego Bay yesterday and caught one of the last flights out. The Sandals staff is working like crazy to ensure the safety of their guests. My heart goes out to all of the people there taking care of the tourists while leaving their homes and families. Sandals has a hurricane agreement, so your trip will be refunded. The flight, perhaps not. But be very grateful your son is safe and sound. His trip can always be rescheduled, but it would be a very different story if he were stuck there now.

Answer#3: We got married at Sandals Montego Bay Dec. 05 and went back for our 1 year anniversary last year. Sandals Montego Bay is by far the best place to go. The staff is wonderful and we were treated like royalty from the moment we arrived at the airport. I am sure they will work with your son to reschedule.

Answer#4: I hope that their flight got cancelled ,but if they are their I hope you take some comfort in knowing that 2 resorts have been evacuated to sabdals as their building are made to with stand hurican 4 's...For good cutomer service they should of seen what they could of done to assist you , but I know that many packages are chartered by the airline ....so I think the airline company should also work with the resort for accomodatting to these situations !!!!Its only reasonable

Answer#5: Demand your money back. Sandals Montego Bay resort is a bad place for a honeymoon anyway. Constant Airplane noise overhead, crowded restaurants that are subpar and beaches that are not attractive at all.Switch to Sandals Negril he will be much happier.

Answer#6: This is simply not true. Sandals has a Blue Chip Hurricane Guarantee program which states that if Jamaica (or any of the islands in which it operates) experiences hurricane force winds that you are entitled to a FREE replacement trip within the same category and length of stay. Your free replacement trip is valid one year from your original scheduled stay. They are offering free replacement trips REGARDLESS of whether or not airlines are canceling flights. What they are not reimbursing - as this is something you likely purchased seperately - is the airline ticket. I think it's dangerous to say that resorts are trying to profit from natural disasters or would purposely place anyone in harm's way. Those are very irresponsible comments. My husband and I have been staying at Sandals for years and have only ever been pleased with their service.

Answer#7: Oh my! I'm sure it's very stress full for all of you. I'm quite sure that no flights will be leaving the U.S. for Jamaica for the next few days. You will find in the end that all will be fine, albeit a few days delayed. They may find that the resort will be very quiet, as most people will cancel. It's their honeymoon! They will love having the all the attention to themselves. The islanders deal with this all the time. The resorts know what they are doing, in Jamaican time of course. Congrats to the newlyweds. And good wishes to the Jamaicans.

Answer#8: Knowing that the hurricane is now a category 4 and is being taken very serious, I am sure that the resort will allow alternate dates. I would email them SOON if you can and save the reply message. I would also call ASAP because I am sure that phone lines will be damaged from the hurricane. When you call Sandals, a little niceness goes a long way. You have to keep in mind they are under a very dangerous situation right now. I know Air Jamaica is allowing alternate dates to travel without penalties. Stay positive.

Answer#9: I just read the latest adv from the weather, and I read AT 11 AM...1500 UTC...THE GOVERNMENT OF JAMAICA HAS ISSUED AHURRICANE WARNING FOR JAMAICA. A HURRICANE WARNING MEANS THATHURRICANE CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED WITHIN THE WARNING AREA WITHINTHE NEXT 24 HOURS. PREPARATIONS TO PROTECT LIFE AND PROPERTYSHOULD BE RUSHED TO COMPLETION.Check with your hotel again, I think that they changed their mind.

Answer#10: Sorry, this is a regrettable situation, but Sandals is not obligated to do anything else...tho it would be good for their business if they were! Just not a good idea to book in the gulf or Caribbean during hurricane season.