Suppliers offer guarantees for the 2011 hurricane season

Travelers headed to the Caribbean are protected at a number of resorts should hurricanes interrupt, cancel, delay or ruin a tropical vacation. Resort policies vary, but most properties will offer some form of compensation.

Here's a partial rundown:

• MLT Vacations' hurricane travel policy includes any departure city and any destination impacted by a hurricane watch or warning. It is in effect for MLT's branded vacation programs on Delta Vacations, Continental Airlines Vacations and United Vacations. In the event of a hurricane watch or warning issued by the National Hurricane Center, customers can rebook without penalty to another MLT Vacations destination and depart within seven days before or after the original departure date or cancel and receive a refund, valid for booking another destination within 60 days of travel, based on availability. MLT also offers extra hurricane protection with the purchase of a Travel Protection Plan or Travel Protection Plan Plus. Details are available at www.mltvacations.com.

• Travel Impressions' Cancel For Any Reason and Travel Protection Plan, priced from $49 per adult, $25 per child 12 and under, allows travelers to cancel their vacation for any reason before they depart as well as receive reimbursement if the vacation is disrupted. Travel Impressions maintains a 24/7 customer care hotline to assist travel agents with problems that arise during their clients' trips. The hotline number is (800) 284-0022.

• Cayman Islands' Worry Free Hurricane Guarantee covers cancellations made prior to arrival and compensation if vacation time is cut short due to inclement weather. As soon as a hurricane is forecast, guests may cancel reservations at properties participating in the guarantee program. Refund policies vary, depending upon the property. The guarantee is offered at 17 resorts on Grand Cayman, three on Little Cayman and one on Cayman Brac.

• At Grand Case Beach Club in St. Martin if a hurricane warning is issued for the island, the hotel will waive the cancellation penalty and, at the guest's option, either refund the full deposit or change the reservation to a future date. If an official evacuation is ordered during a guest's stay, they will not pay for any unused nights and they will also receive a voucher for a free stay in the future.

• Bolongo Bay, St. Thomas allows guests holding a confirmed reservation to cancel without penalty if St. Thomas is under a hurricane warning. Guests will be offered a full refund or be able to rebook at a later date. The same rate will be honored, provided travel is in the same season. If guests choose to travel in a different season, their deposit will be applied toward their new total. Guests already at the hotel will not be penalized for any early departure and any unused room nights already paid will be refunded. Guests who are unable to leave the resort due to flight cancellations or airport closures will be "encouraged to move to one of the island's enclosed resorts;" in the event guests are unable to leave the hotel, customers will receive accommodations at an "emergency rate."

• Bermuda's Hurricane Guarantee program allows guests holding reservations at Bermuda Hotel Association member properties to cancel without penalty in the event that a hurricane is predicted by the Bermuda Weather Service to approach within 200 miles of Bermuda and within three days. Deposits can be refunded or applied to any future booking if the guest is unable to recover the same under travel insurance (a copy of the guest's travel insurance may be requested by member hotel management). If Bermuda is directly affected by a hurricane (as determined by the Bermuda Weather Service) during the guest's stay, the member hotel will not charge for rooms, food and beverage or other essential services for any period of time that the hotel's normal services are not available.

• Nisbet Plantation, Nevis will issue credits, move dates and do whatever is needed to satisfy the customer.

• Holiday Inn SunSpree Resort Montego Bay reinstated its Risk-Free SunSpree hurricane guarantee for the sixth year. Guests are protected if a storm closes Sangster Airport or disrupts resort operations for 24 hours.

• Starwood Hotels & Resorts Travel Interruption Policy covers guests who cannot travel due to closure of the resort or airport. They can opt for a full refund or a one-category room upgrade, valid for a year. Guests who depart early due to a storm will not be charged a cancellation fee and will receive a refund for any unused portion of the deposit.

• SuperClubs' Hurricane Guarantee at its nine resorts reimburses guests for the total value of disrupted nights if a hurricane strikes the resort during their stay. In addition, a future-stay voucher is issued for the same number of disrupted nights for use during the same month the following year, excluding airfare. For every day that the sun does not shine, SuperClubs' year-round Sunshine Guarantee gives guests a credit voucher equal to that day's room value, good for a year.

• Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts' No Worry Guarantee policy, an optional program priced at $99 per adult and $79 per child for purchase within seven days of the initial deposit, allows cancellations for any reason within 24 hours prior to travel. This includes inclement weather, illness or any other interruptions beyond the guest's control. If guests are at the resort when a hurricane hits, refunds or compensation are decided on a case-by-case basis.

• Disney resorts in Florida permits guests to cancel a room-only reservation without penalty five days or more in advance of arrival. Within five days, guests will lose their deposit. Guests on Disney packages who purchase vacation insurance would be protected.

To submit a hurricane policy, contact Gay Nagle Myers.