Originally Posted By MissCandice Also Wendebird, I have heard that cell phone reception is very spotty down there, and that may be contributing to why they have not called you. Keep us updated, please. I am hoping it all works out okay.
Originally Posted By Mrs 2oon I'm sending prayers and positive thoughts your way. Everything is probably fine but it doesn't help when you just don't know. Let us know when you hear something.
Originally Posted By Jafar30 This is a press release from the Hotel Chain I usually stay at when I go down to the Cancun/Playa Del Carmen area: 1pm EST October 21, 2005 Hurricane Wilma Update "Weather forecasters estimate that the eye Hurricane Wilma will pass over Playa del Carmen by 2pm Eastern Standard Time, October 21, 2005. Riu Hotels & Resorts has five resorts in Playa del Carmen and three resorts in Cancun. The total capacity of the hotels Riu offers is 8,000 beds. Current occupancy is at 7,000 beds. Guests of the Riu resorts in Cancun have been evacuated to public shelters. Guests of the Riu resorts in Playa del Carmen, along with a full team of Riu employees, remain in the resorts. No evacuation is planned. Riu Hotels & Resorts has taken all necessary precautions and preparations to ensure the safety and security of the guests and employees of Riu. No incidents, no injuries and no illnesses have been reported. Hurricane Wilma, a Category 4 hurricane, is moving at 5 miles per hour with winds of 145 mph (230 kph)."
Originally Posted By wendebird WOw, so in Playa del Carmen, they haven't been evacuated. Sheesh, I wonder why we couldn't get through yesterday afternoon then? I've heard Wilma's going to hang around for 2 days or so. I feel for my parents. This is their vacation & what a mess. I guess you could look at it on the bright side, a hurricane in Cancun is better than a good day in New Jersey. BTW, no news at all from them & still unable to get through.
Originally Posted By SuzieQ Well, I feel better even if you haven't talked to them Wendy! I wouldn't be surprised if phone service is out.
Originally Posted By chickendumpling I don't know how in the world I missed this thread! Wendebird - a flood of good thoughts coming your way and your folks' way too. Thanks for keeping us updated.
Originally Posted By TALL Disney Guy Gosh Wendy, hope they're alright and that you hear from 'em VERY soon!
Originally Posted By Labuda Best wishes for your family down there in Cancún, Wendy! I'm sure that the resort staff is doing whatever they can to keep your folks safe!
Originally Posted By Jafar30 Here's another press release from the Riu website 3pm EST October 22, 2005 Hurricane Wilma Update The Hurricane Center in Miami, Florida reported at 2pm on Oct 22, 2005 that Hurricane Wilma’s winds are decreasing, rains remain heavy and the storm continues to move at a very slow speed. The storm, which is now a category 2 hurricane, is currently located in the northeastern part of the Yucatan Peninsula. Maximum sustained winds in Wilma have dropped to 110 mph and additional weakening is expected this afternoon. Riu Hotels & Resorts reports that all guests of their five resorts in Playa del Carmen are safe and unharmed. Riu has opened its doors to more than 160 guests from Viva Maya due to flooding and damage Viva Maya received. The Viva Maya clients have been welcomed into four of the Riu resorts in Playa del Carmen and have been provided with accommodations, food, beverages and Riu hospitality. The Riu resorts maintained emergency power throughout the storm. Trained teams of Riu employees are at the Riu hotels and accommodating the needs of all guests. Some guest complained of earaches, which are caused by the change in air pressure due to the storm. The Riu team assisted these guests and report all is well. No injuries or accidents have been reported among the Riu guests and team. In Cancun, Riu Hotels & Resorts has three resorts; Riu Palace Las Americas, Riu Caribe and Riu Cancun. All guests were evacuated to public shelters. Updates will be provided once communication is established. Updates will be posted on www.Riu.com as information is provided.
Originally Posted By wendebird Thanks so much for the information Jafar. I still haven't heard from my parents. I did get through to the call center for their hotel & she said she was "pretty" sure the hotel was evacuated since it was water front. She had no information, but they are still experiencing high winds & rain.
Originally Posted By disney pete just found out a friend of mine is there also she is in a shelter at the moment and was supposed to fly home tommorrow but i dont know if any flights will be underway by then what a crappy way for everyone out there on vacation but it sounds like all our safe thankfully.
Originally Posted By wendebird The woman I spoke to said the airports won't be open until Tuesday afternoon at the earliest.
Originally Posted By wendebird I still haven't heard from my parenst per sey, but I have news. The hotel called my brother with a list of people he's to call with the following information: My parents are back at the resort (YAY!) they're safe, but no idea when they can come home. They don't know what's going to happen in the next hour, so they're taking it an hour at a time. Thanks so much for all your prayers & well wishes. My sister-in-law & I were laughing about the possibility of my parents being in the shelter. She's the type who sees a need & fills it. I bet she was cleaning, cooking, serving, treating every person like they were at a 5 star resort! If anything needed fixing, she'd promptly assign my dad to the task. I can hear her now "Oh, I bet my husband can fix that....FRANK" lol Thanks again everyone!
Originally Posted By smedley Woo Hoo pleased to hear you got good news wendebird, I've been keeping my fingers crossed for you.
Originally Posted By beamerdog Thank goodness you have news. I can only imagine how worried you were.
