October 28, 2011

12 p.m. Rina has now weakened to a tropical depression and is moving away from the Mexican Caribbean. It is currently located over the Yucatan Channel about 55 miles/90 kilometers north northeast of Cancun and is expected to turn towards the east sometime on Friday. Royal Resorts guests are safe and have nothing to worry about.

Rina has maximum sustained winds of 35 mph/55 km per hour with higher gusts. Additional weakening is forecast during the next 48 hours and Rina could degenerate to a remnant low-pressure area over the weekend.

As a tropical depression Rina could still bring additional rain to the area (one to two inches). The storm surge is expected to subside during the day.

The Mexican government has now lifted the tropical storm warning for the Yucatán Peninsula.

Cancún & Playa del Carmen
Reports of damage in Cancún, Playa del Carmen and other destinations in the Mexican Caribbean are minimal – fallen branches and uprooted trees, isolated flooding and power outages. The state government has now lifted the red alert, public transport is now running and banks, shopping centers and restaurants are expected to reopen during the day.

Cancun International Airport is operating normally. Classes at public schools and colleges are suspended until next Thursday.

Ferry services to Isla Mujeres and Cozumel will resume this morning and the inhabitants of Holbox Island and other isolated communities along the coast who were evacuated will also be able to return to their homes during the day.

The indications are that all archaeological sites in the area are open with the exception of Tulum, which will reopen tomorrow. Xel-Ha Park opened today and Xcaret and Xplor parks will open tomorrow. Dive and snorkeling trips should also be available tomorrow.

At the Resorts
We are pleased to report that the storm passed without incident at Royal Resorts. A clean up is underway on the beach and in the gardens and normal services will resume during the day. The sun beds are being moved back into place around the pools, which will reopen during the morning.

As weather conditions are improving, the entrances to the beaches will reopen during the day however precaution is required and guests should not venture into the sea yet. Security and beach personnel report that there has been no erosion as a result of the storm.
Guests who have questions or require assistance with moving the terrace furniture out of their villas should contact Guest Services at ext. 137.

Activities & Entertainment
• Rainy day activities are on offer in the activity centers and lobby bars.
• The pool bars are now open.
• All restaurants at the Cancun resorts are operating normally.
• Captain’s Cove is open and Pancho & Willy’s Bar will open at 4 p.m. There will be music and music videos tonight instead of karaoke.
• At The Royal Haciendas, lunch and dinner service will resume at La Palapa del Sol today. Los Murales will open in the evening as normal. Sol & Luna Grill will remain closed until weather conditions improve.
• The Spas and Fitness Centers are operating normally.
• Beach Massages are cancelled at all the resorts until further notice.
• The Royal Market resort stores are open.
• Guests may call the Restaurant Reservations Center at ext. 165 for further updates to the restaurant and entertainment schedule during the day.

Flights
Guests at the resorts should contact their airline to check their flight. It is important that they do not travel to the airport without a ticket and a confirmation. The updated list of cancelled flights is also available by calling Thomas More Travel at ext. 175 or visiting the tour desk.

Guests must notify Thomas More Travel if their flight has changed and they had an airport transfer reservation. The travel agency needs to know their new departure day and time in order to reschedule transfers and cancel the original pick up arrangements.

Royal Resorts members due to travel to Cancun this Saturday
Members and guests who are due to travel to Cancun or Playa del Carmen should contact their airline for details of flight cancellations or schedule changes. If you have any questions relating to changes to your travel plans for week 43, please contact the Member Services department at Interval Servicing Co. for information on the options available to you.

Toll free in US & Canada: 1-800-930-5050; Mexico: 001-800-930-5050; Rest of the World: 954-485-5400.