Sherman's Travel

For travelers looking for great travel deals, the summer months offer lots of discounts in the Caribbean and Mexico, because summer generally means hurricanes and risky weather. But the Weather Channel has just issued its forecast for the 2012 hurricane season, and the weather looks promising for those tropical Atlantic travelers.

The experts predict 11 named storms, six hurricanes, and two major hurricanes (Category 3 or higher) for the 2012 season. The prediction is for storms in the Atlantic Ocean, not necessarily storms that make landfall. These numbers are well below the averages for 1995-2011, which had, on average, 15 named storms, eight hurricanes, and four major hurricanes. However, it should be noted that these are just predictions: in 1992 only six named storms were predicted, one of which was Hurricane Andrew, one of the most devastating hurricanes in recent history.

Be sure to check out our Top 10 Travel Emergency Tips for advice on how to handle hurricanes and other disasters.

Use our Travel Search price comparison tool to find the lowest rates on flights.

In most cases, hurricanes and tropical storms can really put a damper on a vacation. At Solé on the Ocean in Sunny Isles Beach, Fla. (just north of Miami Beach), however, they’re a cause for celebration. For each named storm, the hotel will give guests a predetermined perk or discount, from a waived resort fee for Jose to a free room upgrade for Lee to 30 percent off the room rate for Whitney. If there’s more than one named storm on the horizon when you book, all the perks apply. Moreover, 5 percent of all reservations will be donated to a hurricane relief fund.

All of Solé on the Ocean’s 249 rooms sport private terraces, floor-to-ceiling windows with water views, and pillow-top mattresses. A health club and spa, swimming pool, and cocktail lounge round out the offerings. Standard rates start at $159/night. To score the discounts and freebies, call the hotel at 786-923-9300 and mention the name of the storm, through November 30. www.soleontheocean.com

For general trip-planning information, see our Miami Travel Guide.

The Luxury Caribbean cruises can enter dangerous waters in late summer since this is the peak of hurricane season. The ABC islands, close to Venezuela, however fall south of the storm belt, and are typically a safe bet for cruises. Itineraries including all three islands are rare, yet this seven-night Royal Caribbean cruise aboard Adventure of the Seas calls on two: Aruba and Curaçao (Bonaire is excluded.) Aruba is a tourist’s playground of sprawling beaches and flashy casinos. Curaçao exudes a different vibe, with pastel-painted homes and coastal cliffs. This cruise also stops at Dominica and St. Thomas.

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