We're here to keep your holiday dreams safe and secure, with the latest weather warnings and travel advice for Ocean Beds customers.
8th November 2022.This information is correct as of 12:00 GMT on
8th November at 12:00
Subtropical Storm Nicole Expected to Make Landfall on Florida by Wednesday
Subtropical Storm Nicole formed on Monday morning northeast of the Bahamas. According to the National Hurricane Center, the storm could become a Category One Hurricane before reaching Florida’s East Coast by Wednesday.
The storm is expected to bring heavy rain, high winds, and storm surges to the Florida Peninsula. However, according to the acting director of the National Hurricane Center, Jamie Rhome, they’re ‘not forecasting a major hurricane’ like that of Hurricane Ian in late September.
We shall continue to monitor the situation carefully and keep all Ocean Florida customers informed of any possible disruption.
In the meantime, we recommend that you take the time to read all the guidelines below to ensure that you are as prepared as possible to safe stay during the potential hurricane.
You must pay attention to the weather and news updates on local TV & radio stations. As such, it is useful to know which county you are staying in, and if you are unsure, you can find out using this helpful county locator map.
There may be a curfew during the hurricane, and it is crucial for your own protection that you adhere to this curfew. Details about this curfew will be announced on all local TV & radio stations. We also recommend paying attention to local news on social media outlets if you are out and about.
There may be power outages during and after the hurricane, which could disrupt the electricity supplied to your home. Rest assured this issue is usually temporary, and utility companies will fix the supply as soon as it is safe to do so.
· Make sure that all your travel documents and valuables are in a safe place so that you can access them quickly if necessary
· Pack a small bag with essential personal items, such as medication, toiletries, and a change of clothing
· Make sure you have some cash – should the power go down cash machines may not work
· Make sure that you have enough gasoline in your car as you may not be able to refuel during or soon after the hurricane
· Identify a safe place in your home – ideally an area with no windows and away from outside walls
· If safe to do so, place all exterior movable objects into the garage (i.e., trash bins and BBQs)
· Place all outdoor furniture into the pool – this will prevent them from being blown around and causing damage
· Purchase water: we recommend 1 gallon/3 litres of water per person – if you cannot buy bottled water, use zip-lock bags, fill these with water and place them in the freezer. Alternatively, we do have emergency supplies at our Orlando office should you need them, however, these are limited to 1 gallon per family
· Purchase food: ready-to-eat items, ideally non-perishable, packed, or canned food items. Please consider that you may lose power during and immediately after a hurricane
· Make sure that you have a torch/flashlight
· If you are travelling with small children, make sure you have enough wipes, nappies/diapers and baby food
· Consider books and games to keep you amused
· Consider having a battery-operated radio
· Stay inside. It is critical that you do not go outside of your home during the hurricane, not even for a short time
· Whilst the power is on, remember to keep up to date via local TV & radio stations
· When the eye of the storm passes over, there is often complete calm, which is often mistaken for the end of the hurricane. The calm can last some time, but the wind will return suddenly and often with greater force. Please do not go outside until advised to do so by local authorities
· Follow all instructions provided by local authorities
· Stay as calm as possible
Please note that our Orlando telephone lines may not be working, and our Orlando-based staff may not be able to get into the office, including adherence to any curfew that has been issued.
Our contact details are as follows: phone +1 407 390 6422 and dial option 1 for customer service.
In addition, we do have an emergency after-hours line available for you to contact us on when we are not in the office, this number is +1 407 421 1584.
Alternatively, if you are unable to reach any of our staff based in Orlando, we recommend that you contact your booking agent directly for assistance.
If we are ever unavailable over the phone, you may also request changes to your travel details via the Manage My Booking portal.
We're here to keep your holiday dreams safe and secure, with the latest weather warnings and travel advice for Ocean Beds customers.
8th November 2022.This information is correct as of 12:00 GMT on
8th November at 12:00
Subtropical Storm Nicole Expected to Make Landfall on Florida by Wednesday
Subtropical Storm Nicole formed on Monday morning northeast of the Bahamas. According to the National Hurricane Center, the storm could become a Category One Hurricane before reaching Florida’s East Coast by Wednesday.
The storm is expected to bring heavy rain, high winds, and storm surges to the Florida Peninsula. However, according to the acting director of the National Hurricane Center, Jamie Rhome, they’re ‘not forecasting a major hurricane’ like that of Hurricane Ian in late September.
We shall continue to monitor the situation carefully and keep all Ocean Beds customers informed of any possible disruption.
In the meantime, we recommend that you take the time to read all the guidelines below to ensure that you are as prepared as possible to safe stay during the potential hurricane.
What to do in a hurricane warning
You must pay attention to the weather and news updates on local TV & radio stations. As such, it is useful to know which county you are staying in, and if you are unsure, you can find out using this helpful county locator map.
There may be a curfew during the hurricane, and it is crucial for your own protection that you adhere to this curfew. Details about this curfew will be announced on all local TV & radio stations. We also recommend paying attention to local news on social media outlets if you are out and about.
There may be power outages during and after the hurricane, which could disrupt the electricity supplied to your home. Rest assured this issue is usually temporary, and utility companies will fix the supply as soon as it is safe to do so.
· Make sure that all your travel documents and valuables are in a safe place so that you can access them quickly if necessary
· Pack a small bag with essential personal items, such as medication, toiletries, and a change of clothing
· Make sure you have some cash – should the power go down cash machines may not work
· Make sure that you have enough gasoline in your car as you may not be able to refuel during or soon after the hurricane
· Identify a safe place in your home – ideally an area with no windows and away from outside walls
· If safe to do so, place all exterior movable objects into the garage (i.e., trash bins and BBQs)
· Place all outdoor furniture into the pool – this will prevent them from being blown around and causing damage
· Purchase water: we recommend 1 gallon/3 litres of water per person – if you cannot buy bottled water, use zip-lock bags, fill these with water and place them in the freezer. Alternatively, we do have emergency supplies at our Orlando office should you need them, however, these are limited to 1 gallon per family
· Purchase food: ready-to-eat items, ideally non-perishable, packed, or canned food items. Please consider that you may lose power during and immediately after a hurricane
· Make sure that you have a torch/flashlight
· If you are travelling with small children, make sure you have enough wipes, nappies/diapers and baby food
· Consider books and games to keep you amused
· Consider having a battery-operated radio
· Stay inside. It is critical that you do not go outside of your home during the hurricane, not even for a short time
· Whilst the power is on, remember to keep up to date via local TV & radio stations
· When the eye of the storm passes over, there is often complete calm, which is often mistaken for the end of the hurricane. The calm can last some time, but the wind will return suddenly and often with greater force. Please do not go outside until advised to do so by local authorities
· Follow all instructions provided by local authorities
· Stay as calm as possible
Please note that our Orlando telephone lines may not be working, and our Orlando-based staff may not be able to get into the office, including adherence to any curfew that has been issued.
Our contact details are as follows: phone +1 407 390 6422 and dial option 1 for customer service.
In addition, we do have an emergency after-hours line available for you to contact us on when we are not in the office, this number is +1 407 421 1584.
Alternatively, if you are unable to reach any of our staff based in Orlando, we recommend that you contact your booking agent directly for assistance.
This information is correct as of 14:30 GMT on 27th September 2022.
27th September at 14:30
Important Information for Ocean Beds Customers Affected by Hurricane Ian
We have important information for Ocean Beds customers regarding Hurricane Ian, including its current weather pattern and what to do if your holiday is affected. As a category 3 hurricane, there is a possibility that it could cause widespread damage and disruption to areas of Florida. The hurricane is expected to make landfall on Florida's west coast on Wednesday, 28th September and could take up to 48 hours to pass through the state.
If you are currently on holiday with us or due to travel in the coming days, We recommend that you take the time to read all the guidelines below to ensure that you are as prepared as possible to enjoy a safe stay in Florida.
You must pay attention to the weather and news updates on local TV & radio stations. As such, it is useful to know which county you are staying in, and if you are unsure, you can find out using this helpful county locator map.
There may be a curfew during the hurricane and it is crucial for your own protection that you adhere to this curfew. Details around this curfew will be announced on all local TV & radio stations. We also recommend paying attention to local news on social media outlets if you are out and about.
There may be power outages during and after the hurricane, which could disrupt the electricity supplied to your home. Rest assured this issue is usually temporary, and utility companies will fix the supply as soon as it is safe to do so.
· Make sure that all your travel documents and valuables are in a safe place so that you can access them quickly if necessary
· Pack a small bag with essential personal items, such as medication, toiletries, and a change of clothing
· Make sure you have some cash – should the power go down cash machines may not work
· Make sure that you have enough gasoline in your car as you may not be able to refuel during or soon after the hurricane
· Identify a safe place in your home – ideally an area with no windows and away from outside walls
· If safe to do so, place all exterior movable objects into the garage (i.e., trash bins and BBQs)
· Place all outdoor furniture into the pool – this will prevent them from being blown around and causing damage
· Purchase water: we recommend 1 gallon/3 litres of water per person – if you cannot buy bottled water, use zip-lock bags, fill these with water and place them in the freezer. Alternatively, we do have emergency supplies at our Orlando office should you need them, however, these are limited to 1 gallon per family
· Purchase food: ready-to-eat items, ideally non-perishable, packed, or canned food items. Please consider that you may lose power during and immediately after a hurricane
· Make sure that you have a torch/flashlight
· If you are travelling with small children, make sure you have enough wipes, nappies/diapers and baby food
· Consider books and games to keep you amused
· Consider having a battery-operated radio
· Stay inside. It is critical that you do not go outside of your home during the hurricane, not even for a short time
· Whilst the power is on, remember to keep up to date via local TV & radio stations
· When the eye of the storm passes over, there is often complete calm, which is often mistaken for the end of the hurricane. The calm can last some time, but the wind will return suddenly and often with greater force. Please do not go outside until advised to do so by local authorities
· Follow all instructions provided by local authorities
· Stay as calm as possible
Please note that our Orlando telephone lines may not be working, and our Orlando-based staff may not be able to get into the office, including adherence to any curfew that has been issued.
Our contact details are as follows: phone +1 407 390 6422 and dial option 1 for customer service.
In addition, we do have an emergency after-hours line available for you to contact us on when we are not in the office, this number is +1 407 421 1584.
Alternatively, if you are unable to reach any of our staff based in Orlando, we recommend that you contact your booking agent directly for assistance.
We expect that flights leaving Florida will be subject to delays and cancellations. Tampa International Airport (TPA) has announced the suspension of all operations beginning at 5 pm, Tuesday, 27th September, and we anticipate nearby airports – such as Orlando International Airport (MCO) – to follow. If your airline closes, you can expect them to rearrange your flight free of charge at the nearest available date. However, if you voluntarily cancel your flight, perhaps due to concerns around the final trajectory of the hurricane, you may be expected to cover the additional cost.
To make sure you are aware of the status of your flight we recommend the following:
· Regularly check the website of your airline for updates
· Ensure your airline has your contact information so they can contact you directly
· Regularly check your email for any updates from your airline
Please note that your villa is hurricane-proofed; therefore, it is unlikely that you will need to be evacuated to local shelters. Instead, you will only need to evacuate if advised to do so by the police or government, and it is vital that you follow any instructions issued by local authorities. If you need to extend your stay at a property, due to a missed flight or an accommodation transfer, we are happy to arrange this extension. Please call us on +1 407 390 6422 so that we may check our reservation options at your current property or the possibility of transferring your party to alternate accommodation when it is safe to do so. If you are required to pay any fees for extending your stay, please keep a receipt of the payment so that you may seek to claim the expenses back via your travel insurance.
You can expect hotel management to be in regular contact with you regarding their hurricane safety procedures. If you need to extend your stay, the hotel should be able to accommodate you given the extenuating circumstances. If you are required to pay any fees for extending your stay, please keep a receipt of the payment so that you may seek to claim the expenses back via your travel insurance. If your travel insurance does not cover natural disasters, please contact us instead regarding any additional accommodation costs.
If you find yourself without accommodation, please contact us on +1 407 421 1584
We expect outbound flights from the UK to the Tampa and Orlando area to be cancelled from Wednesday 28th September - until Hurricane Ian passes through the region. If your flight is cancelled, you can expect your airline to rearrange your flight free of charge at the nearest available date. However, if you voluntarily cancel your flight, you may be expected to cover the additional cost.
Please do not travel to the airport until you have checked the latest airline information, and here is where you can confirm the status of your flight:
Virgin Atlantic - website: https://www.virginatlantic.com/flight-status/search - telephone number: 03448 747 747
British Airways - website: http://www.britishairways.com/rtad/travel/public/en_gb - telephone number: 0344 493 0787
United Airlines - website: https://www.united.com/web/en-US/apps/travel/flightstatus/default.aspx - telephone number: 800 864 8331
American Airlines - website: https://www.aa.com/travelInformation/flights/status - telephone number: 800 433 7300
TUI - website: https://www.tui.co.uk/destinations/travel-information - telephone number: 033 33 365 147
Once it is deemed safe to travel, please contact your airline to arrange an alternative flight.
You can also contact us on 020 3814 2198 for help rearranging your flight and accommodation. However, if you booked your holiday through a local travel agent, please contact them directly first.
If we are ever unavailable over the phone, you may also request changes to your travel details via the Manage My Booking portal.
27th September at 12:00
Florida Braces for Category 3 Hurricane Ian
Florida's governor has warned the state to brace for a potential "major disaster," as the National Hurricane Center (NHC) said it expects "rapid strengthening" from Ian over the next 48 hours.
Currently travelling from the West of Cuba, the category 3 hurricane is expected to make landfall on Florida's west coast on Wednesday, 28th September, and carries the risk of storm surges, heavy rainfall, and flash flooding.
Before and after Hurricane Ian makes landfall, expect local authorities to broadcast weather warnings or storm and hurricane watch updates. Here’s watch each category means:
• Tropical Storm Watch: Tropical-storm-force winds (sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph) are possible within the storm watch area, generally within 48 hours. These winds may be accompanied by storm surge, coastal flooding and/or river flooding.
• Hurricane Watch: Hurricane-force high winds (sustained winds of 74 mph or greater) are possible within the watch area, generally within 48 hours. These winds may be accompanied by storm surge, coastal flooding and/or river flooding.
• Storm Surge Watch: There is a possibility of life-threatening inundation from rising water moving inland from the shoreline somewhere within the watch area, generally within 48 hours.
• Tropical Storm Warning: Tropical-storm-force winds are expected within the storm warning area within 36 hours. These winds may be accompanied by storm surge, coastal flooding and/or river flooding.
• Hurricane Warning: Hurricane-force winds are expected somewhere within the emergency warning area. The National Hurricane Center issues Hurricane Warnings 36 hours before the most likely arrival of tropical-storm-force winds to give you time to complete your preparations. These winds may be accompanied by storm surge, coastal flooding and/or river flooding. Hurricane Warnings can remain in effect when dangerously high water, or a combination of dangerously high water and exceptionally high waves, continues, even though winds may be less than hurricane force.
• Storm Surge Warning: There is a danger of life-threatening inundation from rising water moving inland from the shoreline somewhere within the warning area, generally within 36 hours.
• Extreme Wind Warning: Extreme sustained winds of major-hurricane force (115 mph or greater), usually associated with the eyewall, are expected to begin within one hour. Take immediate shelter in the interior portion of a well-built structure to secure safety.
Following this news post, we shall also be sharing specific travel guidance to those currently in the Tampa/Orlando area or due to travel there soon. For any further assistance, please get in touch our dedicated Customer Service team via the Manage My Booking portal.
LATEST INFORMATION
Following on from the recent US Travel Restrictions and the FCO advising against all but essential travel, if you have an urgent request regarding a client due to travel in next few days please contact Ocean Beds’ Operations Team on +44 (0) 207 939 7683. For all other request please email ukres@ocean-holidays.co.uk.
For non-urgent bookings, your account manager will be in touch shortly to go through them and discuss possible solutions with you. We appreciate your patience as we make contact in order of arrival date.
CONTACT US
If customers are due to travel and may be affected, please contact the Ocean Beds’ Operations Team on +44 (0) 207 939 7683 for further information.
During this time our terms and conditions still apply, however if you have clients who wish to cancel, or amend their booking - please send us the booking details and we will look at this on a case by case basis.
For up-to-date travel restriction information, please visit: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-advice-novel-coronavirus
If you have any questions at all, please contact our UK Operations Team. Our opening times are 9am – 6pm, Monday to Saturday.