JenniferSS

Congrats & welcome! You'll love this site and soon become addicted! TA Jennifer

Congrats & Welcome! Whenever your ready to get the ball rolling feel free to shoot me a PM- love to help you out! TA Jennifer

Quote: Originally Posted by starchild For any of our TA's...I've had 2 issues with my TA, maybe you can clarify? 1. The package price for air/hotel/transfers I get from her is roughly $100 more than what I've found online, at a few different sites. I also got an online quote that is cheaper with private transfers as opposed to the group van type the TA quoted me - do you think that is her commission factored in? No big deal but it got me curious as to how commission works because she isn't doing it for free. 2. I want to fly into airport A, stay a few nights, drive to point B, stay a few nights, and fly home out of airport C (which is closest to point . The TA told me I can't do that, I need to do RT out of the same airport. After little investigating I found that I can book the flights I want myself online or directly through the airlines, so is it that her suppliers don't do that? Just wondering why she wouldn't book the flights I asked for, even if she had to call the airline directly rather than go through her wholesaler. Gosh after reading that I may need a new TA....wink wink Just trying to clarify, thanks ) Hello ! Commission is paid for by suppliers or hotel- usually we get nada, zip, zilch from published airfare or transfers- however we still service that portion of the booking if it is a package. I don't think it is her commission that made the diffrence- see post above for some examples of why their may be differences in price. One other reason I can think of is their may have been a joint marketing effort between supplier A and resort B that results in a sale price that is only available to that supplier. Number two - Not sure what the issue may have been- many suppliers will not allow us to book it that way and we would need to book the components seperately (most will charge an additional fee for this so as we are pad for our time - unfortunately as much as we love our clients we can't work for free!) Ta Jennifer

Quote: Originally Posted by nylalany So since I'm used to doing my own travel research (I actualy pointed her towards the lowest rates for the resort that I found online and she got her supplier to match it), and since I'm still trying to keep my guests organized b/c I feel like she isn't and because they keep wanting to book everything online, and b/c of the delay in getting stuff done compared with what I'm used to, this isn't what I expected. I'm not sure if my travel agent just can't handle things or if my expectations are too high? She also is unable to reach the hotel (Grand Riviera Maya Princess / Sunset Princess) to find out if I can have a rehearsal /welcome dinner there, althouh to be fair, I haven't been able to either. Other TAs I spoke to prior to her seemed to be more with it, but I don't know if they were over-promising, and she came recommended. Sorry to vent, but I'm getting a little worried. Ok, I digressed-oopsie! Back to NYLalany post! The better rates online may have been with one of those suppliers that have terrible customer service but she was diligent and had a good supplier match it- that actually should be a bonus and points in her court! Of course she could be as frustrated with your guests as you are- they are working her and then booking online, she only gets paid if they book with her. And then again she could have taken to much on and is overworked or may be an inexperienced agent or just not very good at what she does! Unfortunately, there are a few of those around. Oh yeah- your airfare issue may be that you are booked with a charter or bulk rates and they will not have your record in their system yet! Give her a call and ask! I hope that this helped at least a little! My advice to all DW brides who normally book online and know that their friends do also- let them know why you decided on using a travel agent, what the TA brings to the table in terms of experience and in peace of mind- use some of the posts on the forum. It'll clear up any misconceptions and ease any stress! TA Jennifer

Quote: Originally Posted by nylalany I'm using a TA for the first time and it hasn't been as easy as I thought it would be. She said the group room rates at the resort weren't as cheap as the rates she's finding from suppliers (or maybe she claimed unless everyone is coming the same days, she couldn't do a group room rate?), so she is doing individual bookings for my guests. However, since she has to do each individually, it takes a while for her to email or call my guests back with quotes, and then more time to actual do the bookings. Since none of my guests (and I'm talking about 70-100 guests) are used to using a travel agent (we mostly book online), this delay is difficult for many of them to understand, especially since the delay can often be up to a week. Additionally, she talked me out of doing a group air rate since she felt it would be cheaper and easier for guests to do it individually, but then people have been asking about this because rates for airlines have already gone up since I originally sent out my STD (nobody called her right away unfortunately). Let's see if I can help- I've noticed and have spoke with other travel agents (to confirm that I wasn't losing it LOL!) about how the group rates seem to be creeping steadily higher and many times are higher than individual rates.Individual booking rates may be best ( depends on resort, time of year and how many traveling, plus if there are specials) and the amenities for the groups seem to be dwindling. Quite often the group rates may be higher, but the advantage is that as long as everyone pays their deposit within the timeframe- they are all paying the same rate. The bride & groom can also place deposits for stragglers- thus guaranteeing them the same rate as everyone else. Individual bookings may be less , but as travel pricing is fluid (sometimes changing right in the middle of a booking) some of the guests may pay less, some more. And of course as availability lessens the price goes up- I don't think you can hold your TA responsible for your guests procrastinating. The suppliers (whether they are through a TA or an online agency such as Expedia ect) base the price on how many rooms are in their inventory and are constantly adjusting to get the best ROI. The airlines also operate this way and typically group air is more expensive ( although again not always). Many of the suppliers will only allow 1 date deviation from a group- it all depends on what the hotel policies are, whether you have charter, bulk or published air and again time of year! What I do is look at all of the factors present and then make the recommendation to the bride & groom. I've had times where group rates are amazing with great charter air and then times where I've recommended individual rates- it really is a case by case basis. When I do individual rates- it may take me a bit to get back to the guests ( normally it may be a day or two at most) as I check with several suppliers to be sure I am offering the best value- ie flights, hotel & transfers. There are also suppliers who are typically less $$ than the ones I use. However I know that they have zero customer service and the rooms they contract with the resort are lousy- thus the cheap price. As an example- I may have a price of $XXX.XX with flights that have a do-able layover, two hours on the way out - 3 hours on the way back. This is along the east coast in the spring, I know that the guests more than likely will encounter delays during travel due to bad thunderstorms so I want to be sure they have enough time to make the connections. I also check to see that the flights on the way home leave at a reasonable hour as there is an hour and a half drive back to the airport from the resort- they need to check in at least 3 hours early as security can be really slow at this destination so an 8am flight home means that they are leaving the resort at the latest at 3am- yuk! My flights leave at 1pm. Guests goes to the internet and finds a price on orbitz that is $100.00 less. The kicker is the layover on the way out is 49 minutes- a perfectly legal connection, however the chances of making it are very slim and none if there is a delay! The way back the flights leave at 8am ( I know -you saw that coming!) Oh yeah- they didn't notice that transfers were included in my price but not in the online package. So the typical story goes- there was a delay due to weather, they missed the connection, next flight out is full and they will need to wait till the next day. The airline won't put them up at a hotel as it was a weather delay that caused the missed connection. After a 20 minute hold with online agency they are disconnected .....call back another 20 minutes to be told they need to deal directly with airline. Stay at airport hotel for $100.00 - food at hotel cost another $35.00 for dinner ( and if it was me another $50.00 in martini's , ) get on am flight the next day, arrive at airport to spend another $50.00 on transfers. Find out their ocean view room was given away and they are now downgraded to look over the dumpster ( I may be laying it on a bit thick but troll the internet you'll find dozens of stories like this!) but they can't check in until 4pm. That may not happen all of the time but it happens often enough! The point of my story is travel should not be all about price- a good travel agent brings experience, expertise and knowledge to the equation. Yes, sometimes we are a bit more than online- but it's not because we are trying to gouge our clients- it's because in the big picture we are recommending the best value! Most often though I find I bring a great value and a lower price! TA Jennifer

This is the king of the villas! A jewel beyond compare, Rio Chico Villa caters to the every whim of those privileged few who choose to reign supreme over this magnificent 14-acre, seaside estate on Jamaica's lush North Coast. Live like royalty amidst the unbelievable majesty of your very own tropical kingdom. Discover new levels of luxury in your veranda-ringed main villa and charming guest cottage, both perched high atop the sparkling Caribbean and offering views guaranteed to leave you breathless. Accommodations: Six opulent bedrooms and suites, private bathrooms, spacious lounging area and sensational views of the Caribbean, Villa Rio Chico is the supreme complement to your lifestyle. Steps away from your private veranda- a pure delight for morning breakfast, or an evening night cap. This six-bedroom villa, plus additional two-bedroom cottage, gives you a total of eight stunning bedrooms, which can accommodate 16 adults—as well as up to 2 children (when day beds or pull-out sofas are used). Main Villa: • 1 room with king-sized four-poster bed and balcony • 1 room with king-sized four-poster bed and day bed • 1 room with two doubles, four-poster beds and veranda • 1 room with king-sized four-poster bed, large veranda and a fold-out sofa in and adjoining room • 1 suite with king-sized four-poster bed and large balcony • 1 suite with king-sized four-poster bed and large balcony 2-Bedroom Guest Cottage: Nestled on the hillside, overlooking the ocean below, this charming cottage is marvelously equipped with a full kitchen and spacious living and dining rooms. Each bedroom has a supremely comfortable queen-size bed, an en-suite bathroom, a color television and a telephone with intercom system connecting to the main house. With ample room and great luxury, the cottage can accommodate four adults in high style. Staff: Exclusively dedicated to fulfilling all your wishes and exceeding your every expectation, Villa Rio Chico's attentive staff will pamper you morning, noon and night. With smiles as warm as the tropical sunshine and a healthy dose of world-famous Caribbean hospitality, your ever-friendly. professional staff is ready, 24 hours a day, to refresh your drink, whip up your favorite delicacy and ensure that your every vacation dream becomes a reality. • Chef • Butler • Houseman • Waiter • Room Attendants x 2 • Laundress • Pool Attendant • Beach Attendant • Head gardener • Grounds Staff • Security Staff Amenities: • Two private beaches • Three freshwater rivers • Two private freshwater pools • Unlimited use of sunfish sailboat, windsurfer and paddle boat • Hot tub • Air-conditioned rooms—each with private bathroom, color/satellite television and telephone • First floor powder room • Entertainment area with television, VCR, CD player and family board games • Spacious living room • Formal dining room • Study/Library equipped as business center, complete with fax, photocopier, computer and laser printer • Laundry and pressing facilities Optional Amenities: Should you so desire, there are many additional services that can be arranged for a fee. Your staff would be happy to set up any of these activities at your request. • Roundtrip transfers from Sangster InternationalAirport, Montego Bay, Jamaica. • Car rentals • Transfers to Sandals Golf & Country Club • Cart and Caddie fees at Sandals Golf & Country Club • Food and beverage at Sandals Golf & Country Club • Transfers to Sandals Resorts (For Lunch or Dinner) • Lessons from a tennis pro, on-site • Cellular phone • Child-care facilities Ta Jennifer

Lime Acres! Step across the threshold of Lime-Acre Villa and enter a Jamaica long ago forgotten by time. Set on the island's largely untouched South Coast, famed for its wild natural beauty and untainted charms, Lime-Acre lies near to the fishing village of Whitehouse. The old estate house of a former lime plantation, Lime-Acre Villa has been lovingly preserved to present a genuine experience of old Jamaica. British Colonial styling and authentic accents take you back in time to an era of elegance and stateliness. With its thick stone walls and four-poster beds, its sweeping manicured lawns, ample verandas and private strip of secluded white sandy beach, Lime-Acre Villa invites you to indulge in timeless serenity of your very own Caribbean estate house. Of course, your every need will be fulfilled by all the most luxurious of comforts as well as by the warm and attentive service of your villa staff. Luxuriate in the richness of old Jamaica at Lime-Acre Villa &—your very own state of perfection. Complimentary Inclusions : Guests at Lime Acre Villa are invited to enjoy one evening, inclusive of dinner and show, at Sandals Whitehouse (adult couples only). Accommodations: The villa has been preserved with the original mahogany wood antique furnishings that will make you feel right at home. The expansive property has five (5) bedrooms, each with their own bath. There are three bedrooms in the main house, and two bedrooms in the guest cottage consisting of the following: Main House: Master Bedroom - King 4 poster, with full ensuite bathroom 2nd Bedroom - King 4 poster, with full ensuite bathroom 3rd Bedroom - Two Double (full) beds, with full bathroom across the hall Guest Cottage: Master Bedroom - King 4 poster 2nd Bedroom - Two Twin 4 poster, One Full Bathroom for the Cottage Staff: You have a butler that will attend to your needs throughout your stay. "Spragga" the gardener can pick you an abundance of fresh fruit from the gardens, and the cook will prepare your meals to your specifications every day. Your housekeeper will ensure that your accommodations are clean and comfortable for you throughout your stay. Amenities: • Freshwater Pool • Outdoor Grill • CD/Stereo • Satellite TV/VCR • Aquatrike • Kayaks • Complimentary Dinner at Sandals Whitehouse (Adults only) Doesn't that sound amazing! TA Jennifer

You ladies will love this! Sandals has just started to market their private villas! As a special they are offering pay 6 nights get 1 free. These are Mr. Stwart's (owner of Sandals) private playgrounds and homes! If you are looking for a private place to have a small destination wedding or an intimate honeymoon these would be perfect! Rio Chico is where Mr. Stwarts daughter had her wedding ( this property will be on a case by case basis however!). Sundowner Villa - Sundown Villa is comprised of two parts: the main house and the guest cottage.The main house consists of 5 strikingly large bedrooms, each with en-suite bathrooms. Can rent for the week as a 5 bedroom or 7 bedroom- max occupancy 16 adults, 2 children. Amenities: • Freshwater Pool • 2 Gazebos • Outdoor Grill • CD/Stereo • Satellite TV/VCR • Aquatrike • Kayaks • Hobie Cat • Complimentary Greens Fees at Sandals Golf and Country Club • Complimentary Dinner at Sandals Dunn's River (Adults only) Sundown Villa has an ensemble of some of the islands loveliest staff. Each is professionally trained to exceed your service expectations. Molly, our Jamaican Cook works alongside the most charming of Butlers, as well as with an immaculate housekeeper and a laundress. The Sundown Villa grounds staff work tirelessly to ensure you have the cleanest of beaches and the most beautiful of gardens, for all those crucial photo opportunities. A 24-hour security guard is also included. • Butler • Cook • Laundress • Housekeeper • Grounds staff • 24-Hour Security The chef will purchase and cook whatever you'd like ( this is not all inclusive however- you will need to pay for the groceries). Check them out at Unique Villas of the Caribbean Luxury Rental Properties

Welcome to the forum! There are so many amazing choices for a DW! Are you looking for an adult only or family resort? About how many guests? With the answers we can start throwing some ideas out for you! TA Jennifer

Quote: Originally Posted by Jtds2713 Tammy, I regret not working with you for our DW in Cabo. You were so willing to help during the initial stages of my planning but I decided to go it alone and I regretted that decision. Even with only 40 guests it was extremely difficult for me trying to organize and deal with all the questions of my guests regarding traveling to Cabo. And several of my guests had problems with their hotel rooms, airport transfers and I had to help them with those too. As someone who had a DW, I would definitely recommend to someone planning to have a DW to work with a travel agent who is an expert on DW like Tammy. Please believe me that the last thing you want to do a few days prior to your wedding is to be stressed about the problems of your guests regarding their stay. Please be smart and hire a travel agent. B] I just want to let everyone know that with Sandals Resorts if you booked direct and are feeling either overwhelmed, or want assistance with your guests or just wish to support the forum (which is very appreciated!) you can turn the booking over to one of our TA's. It would have to be before final payment but it wouldn't cost you anything extra, plus you get all of the services of using a TA! TA Jennifer

Welcome to the forum ! I'd love to be able to assist you in finding a great resort for your DW! Are you having children at the wedding or adults only? Approximately how many guests? St. Lucia has some fantastic beaches and some not so great- but you'll find that on almost every Caribbean island and Riviera Maya also! The island itself is amazing! Feel free to Pm me if you'd like my help! TA Jennifer

Hello ! I was at Gran Bahia this past April and the rooms are nice as was the pool but the beach was terrible - very hard packed right out into the ocean. If you decide on that resort tell all of your guests to bring water shoes or there feet will get tender very fast! Also be careful walking down the marble stairs from the lobby to the pool- the design is georgeous but when it gets damp it is horribly slippery- a bad accident waiting to happen! I also wasn't very impressed with the service- however it was just opened and probably still working out the kinks but my room mate had twisted her ankle the day before. It was about 10-15 minutes before the pool bar was to open and she went up for some ice, explained why she needed it and they refused to give her any telling her to come back when they opened! It wasn't that it wasn't there yet- they just refused to give it to her! Needless to say I haven't sent any clients there.... TA Jennifer

Check out Barcelo Maya Beach resort - nice moderate property that usually prices out quite well! TA Jennifer

Welcome! If you have any questions or need assistance feel free to pm me! Ta Jennifer

Welcome to the forum!

Welcome! You'll find a fantastic group of ladies ( and a few great guys too)! Have fun planning ! Warmest Regards, TA Jennifer

Welcome to the forum! Which room category are you & your guests staying in at SGOR ? TA Jennifer

I thought this would make an incredible bachelorette getaway! May 15-19, 2008 $999 per person Special BFF ( Beaches Friends Forever ) Getaway package! Includes private wine & cheese reception, island dance lessons, snorkeling, yoga & pilates on the beach! Plus, since girls just want to have fun Sandals is including a $200.00 spa certificate! They are only holding space for 200 people max. so give me a call & book quickly!

This is just an FYI- Mark on your calendars- October 2008! Best Destination Wedding & moi are working on a 4 day Sandals Bridal faire to Jamaica! We will have a destination wedding fashion show, site visits, see the Preston Bailey wedding collections, sample music, food and entertainment and more! This is a Best Destination Forum exclusive! I'll post more details as they become available! Ta Jennifer

Welcome to the forum!! I second the Beaches Wedding and then the Sandals honeymoon! We do alot of those!! If you have any questions please feel free to Pm me! TA Jennifer

Welcome- you'll love it here! If you need any assistance or have questions with Sandals just shoot me a PM! Warmest Regards- TA Jennifer

Don't give up - enlist some of the groomsmen to "toe the line" so to speak! Ask that they just get there a bit early and keep people from moving the chairs- I'm really suprised that Iberostar doesn't enlist staff to keep people out of the pics! The beaches in Jamaica are all public also but for the 5 minutes that the ceremony takes......staff could easily redirect people! I also noticed that the photographers had a helper (or two) that steered people out of the photo's. TA Jennifer

Depending on your resort double check that they still have a beach- some of the Riviera Maya resorts have lost their beaches to mother nature! I know when I was at Couples Swept Away they had posted security guards and staff to direct people away from where the ceremony was taking place. One guy when he was redirected (and yes he was in a a speedo !) tried to just walk a few steps up the beach and then cut across where the bride & groom were exchanging vows. The guard nearly tackled him- it was great!! He finally got a clue and walked far enough so he wouldn't be in any photo's ( it was maybe another 15 steps! TA Jennifer

The buzz word these days is All-Inclusive vacations. This is a wonderful option for honeymoons and destination weddings for a myriad of reasons. An All-Inclusive resort package has several advantages over a typical vacation package. But exactly what does All-Inclusive mean? Simply put, All-Inclusive is a term used to describe vacation packages where for one price upfront, virtually everything on your trip is paid. This includes airfare, accommodations, food, beverages-including alcohol, entertainment and activities. One of the best features of an All-Inclusive vacation is the ability to know exactly how much your honeymoon will cost before you arrive! But what are the pitfalls to booking an All- Inclusive vacation? Misinformation tops the list! Whether it’s from well meaning friends and relatives or from websites that don’t tell the whole story, a couple can arrive at their all inclusive resort to find that many of the items that they assumed would be included- aren’t! The "All" part of the All-Inclusive can vary widely from one resort and supplier to another. Each resort and supplier determines the features included in its packages. Many websites will advertise that a package is All- Inclusive when in actuality the vacation package only includes flights, transfers and accommodations. So what can you expect from a typical All-Inclusive package? Accommodations-The location of the room- garden, ocean view or beachfront, size and any special features such as a hot tub, plunge pool or butler service may affect the price. Things to be careful of with booking your room include whether the resort utilizes a towel card system (lost towels can incur hefty charges), a fee for use of the in room safe, resort fee’s and if there is a complimentary mini bar, how often it is stocked and with what beverages for the All- Inclusive price. Some resorts may charge extra for special requests. Dining & Entertainment- Most All- Inclusive resorts include meals. Some will have a buffet for all meals and others have several different a la carte restaurants and/or snack bars. The venues usually include Asian, Mexican, Gourmet and Italian. Generally the larger the resort the more options are available for dinning. One other feature to look for is whether your chosen resort allows a la carte dinning at any of their restaurants or if they limit visits according to how many days you are staying or what room category you are booked into. Some All-Inclusive resorts will include room service. Check if it is 24 hours or only during set hours! The food quality is usually what will make or break a vacation – if a couple prefers American comfort food and all that is available is fine dining, they may come away from the honeymoon extremely disappointed. Food offerings can vary greatly depending on what nationality the majority of the guests are. If a couple is expecting gourmet or local flavors and the food choices are buffet only or cater to European tastes, disappointment can ensue. Other resorts may only offer gourmet food at a surcharge. Bar Service- All beverages, from soft drinks to adult beverages are usually available free of charge. Some resorts will serve a limited selection of domestic beverages; others may offer premium brands with the package or for an additional cost. Check to see if they offer your favorite beverage or if the resort offers premium or house/local liquors. Sports Activities- Most All-Inclusive beach resorts offer non motorized water sports such as windsurfing, kayaking, snorkeling, water trykes and sailing for their guests. Quite often the non motorized watersports offered depends upon the resorts beachfront. If a resort is located in an area that typically has rough water there may be no water sports or often it is red flagged, which means that they will not allow guests to use the equipment. Some resorts require an orientation before they allow you to use the equipment, others have a time limit. Some even require a cash refundable deposit. Tennis, volleyball and fitness centers are almost always offered and included.Again double check if it's an activity that's important to you! Often motorized sports are available for a fee. Entertainment – Many All-Inclusive resorts include entertainment. This can range from high energy staff members that organize games during the day and then perform in shows during the evening. Or a more laid back approach such as a solo saxophonist, harpist or guitar player during dinner. Many of the all-inclusive resorts have an onsite disco- admission is usually free and most include drinks. Depending on the destination there are All-Inclusives that have a casino onsite- drinks may or may not be included. Weddings— As part of an All-Inclusive package a wedding may be free and include a coordinator, a few photos, flowers, champagne, music and a wedding cake. These packages are normally just for a bride & groom and 2 guests- additional guests will cost and these packages usually require that you pay the government /administrative fees. Of course you can always upgrade the package at a cost to make it more personalized! Special events and special meals for your guests will also come at an additional charge. What else should you look for ? The resorts ambience can also make or break a honeymoon or destination wedding. Does the resort cater to families, spring breakers or people within your age group? Is the resort for adults only? Other items that may or may not be included : transportation to or from the resort, local sightseeing or excursions outside of the resorts, internet service or wireless internet, gratuities, use of spa facilities for free or with a surcharge. Spa treatments are usually available for an additional fee. Some will include transportation to their sister properties and use of all facilities including food and beverage. A few resorts may offer excursions outside the resort or greens fees at local golf courses in their package! So with all of these choices what is a honeymooner to do? Sit down with your fiancee and discuss what each of you envision for your honeymoon, the features that are important to each of you and what isn’t important. Be very thorough with your research of each property you are considering and remember the old adage “You Get What You Pay Forâ€. Consider a travel agent that specializes in honeymoons or destination weddings. Generally, using a travel agent will not cost you any more than booking on the internet (and quite often can offer a better value), however you will gain the expertise and knowledge of someone whose profession is to be able to sort the information, avoid common pitfalls and know who the best supplier is for a particular destination. A good travel agent will know the strengths and weaknesses of each All-Inclusive resort either from personal experience or from the training they receive. They will know the amenities available, food quality, what the resorts ambience is and who your fellow guests will be. The travel agent should engage you in a dialogue of your expectations, what amenities and features you & your fiancee want, your budget and then assist in booking your dream honeymoon! Another bonus to using a travel agent is, if something should go wrong, you have a consumer advocate on your side who has a great deal of negotiating power. When booking your All-Inclusive honeymoon/destination wedding remember to double check the details of exactly what is included. Do your homework before placing your deposit so you have the vacation of your dreams. Copyright 2007-2008 About the author: Jennifer Prymula, is certified as a Honeymoon & Destination Wedding Specialist;Certified Sandals Specialist & Couples Resorts Specialist. She is a member of the West Michigan Wedding Association and Kalamazoo Bridal Association.

Quite honestly I would book the room category that you want and not count on any upgrades- there is usually a disclaimer stating that upgrades are based on availabilty! Especially since you are getting married in prime season (wedding, honeymoon and children are out of school- it's the travel trifecta) and those rooms will likely be booked! The RIU Ocho Rios is becoming the destination wedding resort in Ocho Rios- and even throughout Jamaica. TA Jennifer