By Amber Grigley From abc3340

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — 

Just weeks apart, two Category 5 storms have impacted the Caribbean Islands. For an entire region that depends on tourism, this is a major blow.

Those planning cruises this fall might have their travel plans impacted as well.

With back-to-back storms ravaging some of their most booked destinations, travel agents fear what Hurricane Maria could mean for business, given Irma’s destruction.

During Hurricane Irma, tourists from East Alabama were stranded for days while vacationing in the Caribbean.

“They said that we could be there for another five to seven days. So, it was kind of a panic situation there, after you’ve been there for almost two weeks,” said Dustin King.

“Flights were getting canceled; they quit running the ferry from St. Thomas to St. John and basically told us we were stuck, and they were going to have to ride out,” said Milton Flemming.

Dustin King and his wife were in Sandals when Hurricane Irma made landfall. Milton Flemming and his family were also in the storm’s path while visiting St. John.

Travel agents say they have endured many busy days since Harvey.

“The last few weeks have been kind of crazy,” said Christen Perry, Owner of Classic Travel Connections.

“There were lots of cancellations. There were a lot of changes because of what took place on the islands,” said JD Appling, Owner of Travel Scene Tours.

Agents answered countless calls and rearranged reservations for clients who were stranded and those who were preparing for upcoming trips.

“It has affected everything. We have clients traveling next month, in December, and even up to next year. So, we have clients that are not going to be able to go. So we have to find alternatives for them,” said Perry.

In some cases, clients were able to get free cancellations, full refunds, or date changes.

Believe it or not, travel agents say now is probably the best time to start booking. Within the next few weeks, they will start hearing from resorts affected by the storm and travelers will be able to book cheap rates for vacation.

IMAGE: The Royal Caribbean International’s Explorer of the Seas is docked at Charlotte Amalie Harbor in St. Thomas, U. S. Virgin Islands. (AP Photo/Thomas Layer)

For more on this story go to: http://abc3340.com/news/local/tourism-industry-threatened-by-hurricanes