linda8

Okay, I know Grand Cayman, Grenada, & Jamaica were damaged, but with all these hurricanes, I can't keep up with which islands are okay, & which are not. We want to go on a trip in January. Anyone have a list of the islands to avoid, or the ones that are unhurt? Thanks. (I realize even the hurt ones need our tourism dollars, but January is SO soon after the damage, I'd rather wait.)

Sunnyboy

Islands where tourism has been adversely affected by the recent hurricanes include Grenada, the lower Grenadines, Grand Caymen, parts of the Dominican Republic, Haiti and Jamacia. There was also damage on Nassau and several of the Bahamas Out-islands.

Islands that have been spared from any significant damage or were not affected at all are: the Turks & Caicos, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, the British Virgin Islands, Anguilla, St. Martin, St. Barths, St. Eustatia, Saba, St. Kitts, Nevis, Antigua, Barbados, Guadalupe, Martinique, St. Lucia. I understand St. Vincent and the upper Grenadines had just minor damage that has been easily remedied.

linda8

Wow, thanks for the info!
Linda

Sunnyboy

Opps! Forgot to mention Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, Trinadad & Tobaco are all fine.

linda8

How do you know all this stuff?
(must read the news a lot!)

linda8

Sunnyboy,
How about Cozumel? Playa del Carmen?
Thanks

joanie433

In trying to rebook our Cayman trip, was told Turks & Caicos had damage and was closed for a time to tourists - don't remember what the time frame was.

Sunnyboy

Latest info I have from my contacts in the T&C is that damage was relatively minor and things are pretty much back to normal.

Cozemel, Cancun and Playa Del Carmen are all fine. Nome of the storms came close enough to do any damage. There were some rain and there were high seas for a few days but that's about it.

How do I know so much? I have a home in the Caribbean so it is in my best interest to keep informed. Lot's of information on the internet if you know where to look.

LaraC

We are supposed to go on our honeymoon to the Canouan Island Raffles Resort in the Grenadines in early November. The hotel had to close for awhile to clean / fix up some damage. Does anyone have more info. on how bad the damage on Canouan was and the chances of things being back to normal by November? We are not sure if we should go somewhere else since its so soon. Thanks.

Lois

Here is an update given to travel agents:

* Bahamas. Not all hotel damage reports from Jeanne have been tabulated, because of a lack of telephone service and power. Kerry Fountain, executive director of the Bahamas Out Island Promotion Board, said that the Abaco Beach Hotel had some flooding but is open for business. Tentative reopening dates for others include: Abaco Inn, Nov. 8; Banyan Beach, closed indefinitely; Cocoa Bay Cottages, Oct. 15; Dolphin Beach Resort, Oct. 17; Turtle Hill Villas, Oct. 15. Docks, boats and marinas are damaged. Elsewhere, properties continued repairs from the earlier storms. In the Berry Islands, Little Whale Cay reopens Feb. 1; Tropical Diversions, Nov. 15. Sammy T's Beach Resort on Cat Island reopens Oct. 15. On Eleuthera, Duck Inn is closed; The Cove reopens Nov. 26; on Exuma, the Palm at Three Sisters is closed. On Harbour Island, Coral Sands reopens Nov. 4 and Pink Sands Hotel in early November. Club Med on San Salvador will reopen Dec. 18. On GBI, the Sheraton at Our Lucaya, originally set to reopen Oct. 1, will reopen Oct. 14; the Westin at Our Lucaya will reopen Oct. 31. Both will offer a 25% discount and a $50 spa certificate to arriving guests. The Wyndham Viva Fortuna Beach reopens Dec. 1 and the Royal Oasis Golf Resort & Casino on Feb. 1; assessments are still pending for Old Bahama Bay Resort. Although Grand Bahamas' West End sustained a lot of damage, GBI airport is open for commercial flights. A complete rundown is available at www.bahamas.com.
* Cayman Islands. The dusk-to-dawn curfew has been lifted in Grand Cayman. American Airlines resumed limited service with a daily flight from JFK; Cayman Airways, which has operated only relief flights through last week, expects to resume some passenger service next week. The carrier's new twice-weekly year-round nonstop service from Boston is still on track for an Oct. 29 launch. On the Sister Islands, which had minimal damage from Hurricane Ivan, Little Cayman Beach Resort Paradise Villas will reopen in late October and Pirates Point Resort on Oct. 16. Southern Cross Club lost four of 11 rooms but is rebuilding and will reopen Nov. 10 with seven rooms. Cayman Brac's properties are open.
* Grenada. Power, water and limited phone service have been restored to most of St. George's; the island-wide curfew remains in effect. La Luna resort will reopen Nov. 25, True Blue Bay Resort is open for emergency workers; and LaSource will reopen in early January. One hotelier estimated that the total damage on the island exceeds $600 million. For updates, visit www.grenadaemergency.com.
* Jamaica. In Montego Bay, Holiday Inn SunSpree set a new reopening date of Nov. 30. Sunset at the Palms in Negril, recently recognized by Apple Vacations with its Golden Apple Award for quality and customer service based on guest questionnaires, will reopen Nov. 1, following a two-month planned renovation. Also in Negril, Beachcomber will accept guests Dec. 15, Beaches Sandy Bay Oct. 28, Grand Lido Negril Resort & Spa Oct. 15, Merril's Beach Resort III Dec. 20, Sandals Negril Beach Resort & Spa Nov. 18, Tensing Pen Nov. 11. Sunset At The Palms reopens Nov. 1 after scheduled renovations. Closed until further notice in Negril are The Caves, Catch A Falling Star, Mariner's Inn, Paradise View Hotel and Rock Cliff. In Runaway Bay, FDR Pebbles reopens Oct. 9; on the South Coast, Jakes reopens Oct. 15, Strawberry Hill Nov. 22. In Port Antonio, Fern Hill Club and Trident Villas & Hotel are closed. For updates, check at www.visitjamaica.com or www.onecaribbean.org.
* Dominican Republic. At least 10 hotels in the Punta Cana area are closed until November, including Occidental Allegro, Sirenis Cocotal & Tropical, Bavaro Princess, Caribe Club Princess and Tropical Princess. Breezes Punta Cana is closed until Dec. 9, and Punta Cana Resort & Club reopens Dec. 20.
* Grenadines. Palm Island Resort, managed by Elite Island Resorts, will reopen Nov. 8, according to Steve Heydt, president and CEO

curiousx

I find the most current and detailed information on www.stormcarib.com. The search function is very good.

Here's an extract from that site of a press release about the Raffles hotel dated September 16: "Raffles Resort Canouan Island, which held its soft opening this summer, will reopen Nov. 1 and celebrate its grand opening Nov. 20".

However, damage was extensive so my suspicion is that some facilities and services will be seriously reduced.

Here are some specifics re some of the Grenadines mentioned above. Bequia and Mustique got off quite lightly and are not only open for business but sending aid to Grenada (visit www.bequiatourism.com for details and pix)! Carriacou got off lightly as well. Mayreau and Union took some good hits but are operational.