What would you do? Re: upcoming trip

[CJK]

We're due to arrive in Orlando in a little over a week. The hurricane will be past by then, but the major clean-up will be just beginning. Floridians will hopefully be returning home and water, food, & gas will be in high demand. I actually feel guilty about going on this trip and using their resources when I may be better off staying home and allowing them space to get back to normal.

A problem is that we booked our hotel through priceline. I know that priceline is refunding people who booked their hotel for this weekend, but I don't know about next weekend? I also don't know if our airline tickets can be transferred to another time since we didn't opt to buy insurance. Does anyone know what Air Transat would do in this circumstance?

We haven't decided to cancel for sure yet, as we'll see what happens after this weekend. My heart goes out to all those affected.

 

[tmli]

I think it definitely is a tough call, on one hand I see your point definitely. I also wonder though if you should go because Orlando relies on Tourism so much. It really is a doubled edged sword.

 

[LisaSt]

Look at it this way you may be using some of thier resources but you are also helping their economy by spending your money there which will allow for them to have more funds via the tax you pay to put towards the cleanup.

 

[Hockeychic]

We are leaving on the 15th and have decided that if our flight is going so are we. We bought a package and didn't buy cancellationi insurance (I never do) so if we cancell we are out alot of money. If our flight gets cancelled for whatever reason we ahve decided to drive. I do feel horrible for all those people who are in the path but like was mentioned in this thread they need our spending money. We are gonig to take our own water so hopefully we won't be too much of a draw on their resouces.

PD to all in Florida.

 

[DisFan2]

If Jeb (Governor of Florida) wanted us to stay away, he would ask us. Wait and see.

 

[Hockeychic]

He did ask people to postpone their vacations but I didn't hear how long he requested.

 

[eleanor]

I dont think that they wanted people there this weekend but a week from now might be different. Now they are saying the storm will be south of Orlando.

 

[DisFan2]

Here's your answer (or at least part of it). From a CNN report:

Gov. Jeb Bush on Wednesday warned visitors to stay out of Florida for the next few days, but then asked them to come back after the hurricane had passed -- real soon.

"If you decide to spend Labor Day somewhere else," Bush said, "We ask that you reschedule your vacations."

 

[Snowwark]

Originally posted by DisFan2
Here's your answer (or at least part of it). From a CNN report:

Gov. Jeb Bush on Wednesday warned visitors to stay out of Florida for the next few days, but then asked them to come back after the hurricane had passed -- real soon.

"If you decide to spend Labor Day somewhere else," Bush said, "We ask that you reschedule your vacations."

I read that too, DisFan2!!

I understand your dilemma, CJK, as we're going next week also. It's so hard to say how things will be????

Florida's tourism will have taken quite a hit, due to Frances, and I'm sure dollars coming back in soon, will help. At least I hope so!

Our TA had no problem in getting Air Transat to change our flight from today to next Friday, and perhaps that flexibility will extend into next week. Give them a call, you never know!