Royal Decameron, Panama

Hi there,

 

Congratulations on booking the wedding you must be so excited. So I am replying because I too am a Canadian, Ontario Bride who is having the worst time trying to nail down a destination. I have been set on Jamaica but like others, the cost per person can be too much to as people.

 

I am so interested in your decision on Panama!! I have never thought about it before but it sounds awesome. What made you make your decision for there and does your cost include taxes, flight and accomodations??

 

James and I really want to get our place set because we are looking at March of 2011.

 

I would appreciate any feedback.

 

Thanks!

Mirelle

Hi Mirelle,

My FI and I were very much for Cuba as we've both been there and liked it a lot (plus price was good) but we were very hesitant b/c of weather. We knew we had to pick a date between mid Jan and end of March.
Our TA mentioned Panama when we brought to light the concern with weather and Cuba. Panama is very close to the equator so it's very warm (and humid).
B/C it is different we thought maybe more of our guests would want to go or be willing to pay the price to go. Also there are some neat things to do, ziplining in the rainforest or the rainforest boat tour. Seeing/ touring the Canal.
The only downfall is it is a long flight and bus ride, but I keep thinking the hot sun and nice weather will be all worth it.
My price is as an all inclusive resort (flight, accomadations etc..) and taxes included.
Since we've booked I've spoken to 2 couples who had their wedding there (both in 200 and they said it was really good and a great resort.
Tripadvisor reviews are very hit or miss but I've gone with reviews from ppl on here and others in my town I know have gone and it seems to be thumbs up!

Anything else you have questions about just let me know. I did a fair bit of research (looking) before we booked.
Good luck with the search!
Cheers,
Jen

We decided to go with Panama because we have been to central american a few times (honduras and costa rica) and a few people had recommended panama as a less expensive destination for a wedding. A friend of mine went to decameron and loved it. The price is all inclusive, so flights accomodation, etc. I havent really started looking into planning the wedding down there but the list of options I have seems like pretty reasonable prices.

 

Canadian Redhead: have you started planning your ceremony or reception yet? I have gotten a bit of information from Julie but not much. Do you have a list of any options with prices?

I haven't done much in the way of planning.
Julie sent me a basic package but it's from last year so I am waiting a bit then I'll email her and get her to send me updated prices (if they've changed.)
I've asked her to quote me a price for a sound system (for our iPod). but other than that I haven't done too much.
I didn't want to start to early and have things get lost in the shuffle or the length of time we have to wait.

If anyone has recent pics or reviews of this resort I'd surely love to hear from them, especially from Canadians on your group rate quotes. I've gotten a few for May/2011 around $1167 taxes in... I think that's pretyy good?

 

TripAdvisor reviews for the RDP really are hit/miss!? But I'm thinking of having all my guests stay here for the week and just have my wedding at another nearby hotel for 1 night (The Bristol Buenaventura, which is gorgeous but too much $$$ for 1wk stay) mainly because they have a horse/carriage and a chapel that will do a Catholic ceremony and a beautiful outdoor courtyard with a 200yr old Corutu tree that I saw and fell in love with and now can't picture my wedding anywhere else!!

Canadian Redhead! I'm so excited to find another Decameron Bride. Looks like I'm getting married the week before (January 20) and I can't wait!! I'm also working with Julia and was wondering how things are going with you? Did she ever get you the price for the ipod system? (I'd also requested pricing and haven't heard back yet!)

Yeah!! congratulations

To be quite honest, I've sort of let it slide a bit lately. I've been so wrapped up in work and other stuff I have not sent any emails or confirmations or anything. So no I haven't gotten any prices on ipod systems or such. Plan on sitting down with the FI this week or next and getting everything sorted out. Once I do that I will email Julia with all the details and see where that goes.

Are you doing beach or garden? morning, afternoon?
What made you choose Panama? do you have a big group going?

Cheers,

Hello,

 

I am thinking of choosing the Royal Decameron. For those of you already planning a wedding there is the how is the wedding coordinator at the resort?

Yeah, I think all we've narrowed down is the ceremony location. We're doing the beach and I think in the afternoon. We chose Panama because we wanted to go a little bit off the beaten track and choose somewhere that would be new for a lot of our guests. Plus, our TA was able to get us a great price so that helps too!! I think we'll end up with around 25 going which is perfect (since we'd like to be able to spend time with everyone too!!). Let me know how things go with Julia, hopefully your luck is better than mine!

I've been told (by other DW brides) that sometimes the WC are very slow to respond - their idea of "quick" isn't the same as ours I guess.
That being said, my TA has always told me that if I'm not getting responses from the WC to let her know so she can help out. Maybe a thought? ask your TA to step in?
I plan on sending her an email next week so I'll keep you posted on how it goes, keep me posted too!
Cheers,