La Romana Stacey

Quote: Originally Posted by Tammy Host i have to agree with TA maureen as well. it does not take just a few days to get group rates as you have to see if the space is available, then get the contract, go over the contract, negotiate terms, etc...this is not done isntantaneously. also, to be honest, if i had a client that changed their dates a bunch of times, it would really make me think twice about where to focus my time and energy....and i am NOT saying that vivrant_thing, you did not have good reason to change your date but i like to focus my energy on clients that are committed to their location as well as date. they are the clients that get my priority. we get alot of people that contact us just to "kick tires"...i have even had people contact me before they got engaged for a wedding 3 years out.. Sorry I didn't mean that TAs should put up with anything. I meant it's common to submit quotes for one date and then once they come back try a slightly different date to see if the rates are cheaper. I think you can tell if a client is serious about booking with you. Also I know here in Canada tour operators will generally return quotes within 48 hours in the slow season and 72 hours in peak season. This is excluding price matching of course. I am talking about the initial rates, not going over the contracts and term negotiation. All of these things are done days after the initial quotes have been received. I never implied that the complete booking of a group should take place in 2-3 days. Obviously this takes much longer. I'm so sorry if I made it seem like TAs should be punching bags! I never meant this. I just meant that a client shouldn't have to feel like they have to tip toe around their TA or worry about bothering them. I'm assuming vivrant_thing is serious about booking. Otherwise it wouldn't be right to keep changing things! The travel industry is completely customer service based. If the client feels they are not getting the service they desire they should find a TA who feels like a good fit. Clients don't always shop around to save an extra few dollars. They shop around for agents as well. It's important to trust your TA and feel like they are going to go the extra mile for you whether it's convenient for them or not. I did clearly say that as long as a client is respectful there is nothing wrong with asking for what you want. Respect is always important.

Quote: Originally Posted by damaris Hi Stacey, I think many of us know that feeling Anyway I'm getting married next July and I was going through issues with my WC similar to yours. I went on a site visit in April and met my WC face to face and this is what I learned. 1. Weddings are a business to them. On one day I saw 4 weddings back to back. This is the height of their busy time so usually Mondays are best for them to answer back. 2. Unlike most of us that can't function without checking our emails every 2 minutes, they barely sit at their desks and they don't have PDA's 3. I have noticed and it was confirmed by my WC that they don't really focus too much on us 2010ers because to them the dates are far off and we brides bombard them with numerous emails. I will say that after my site visit and meeting her face to face she is a doll and gets back to me a lot faster then before and I also now understand her hectic schedule. At the beginning they will only do the necessary paperwork and as your date gets closer you will most likely see more of a response. I have found this site to answer pretty accurately most of the same questions I asked my WC on my site visit. Good Luck Thanks for the feedback. You are right, she probably has some much to do for other people's weddings that she isn't in front of the copumter all day like we are. I'm going to try calm down a bit. My worst fear is turning into Bridezilla!

Quote: Originally Posted by dolfinluck Hi Stacey, I'm booked at dreams la romana as well but for 5/15/10. In general Tiara is very quick to respond to me for questions i had, there was only one or twice it took a couple of days. When i sent her the info to book the date that took a little bit longer. She received it on April 21 and the 28th i emailed her to see what the status was and she also said she was waiting on the accounting dept. On May 5th I emailed her again because I checked by credit card statement online and the charge went thru on April 23 so I emailed Tiara and two days later she sent me the the confirmation. I would check to see if the charge went thru and if so let her know. Who knows it could be the Accounting dept that is the problem. Thank you so much! I'm glad I'm not the only one who is going through this. The charge actually went through today! I'll wait another day or so before I email her again. Yes...one step closer

Congratulations and welcome! Happy planning

Thanks for the great tip! It's so satisfying to negotiate a price down

Sorry I forgot a few things. Don't worry so much about what your TA thinks. I'm sure he/she has dealt with a lot worse:) Changing dates is normal part of the booking process, especially for a destination wedding. Even if you do come off as super demanding who cares, that the TA's job. As long are you are respectful there is nothing wrong with asking for what you want. Group bookings are huge business for TA's, they want these bookings and should do everything they can to get yours. If he/she doesn't I'd look for someone else to help you. In regards to your guests who only need the hotel, your TA should be able to get rates for that as well. Just ask for them. It's just easier to keep everyone booking with the same person if it's possible. Okay I'm done now Good luck and congratulations!

Hi! I would NOT advise your guests booking before you get the group rates back. Firstly, the group rates have nothing to do with the individual rates you see online. Group rates are calculated by the rates that each tour operator has contracted with a resort for that particular season. Yes there is chance you could get it slightly cheaper if you book individually online but it's also very risky. When you book a group you are guaranteeing the space for your group. You are also, locking in the rates for each member of you group. So if you book today and your parents book in a month from now they will pay the same rates as long as the space is still available. What happens if your parents book now and there are only a few spaces left? Then they are stuck with the booking. What if the rates come back and your particular dates can’t be confirmed. My advice is for you to wait and book your core group together e.g. immediate family, friends, and people who you definitely want there all at once. No matter how much the rates fluctuate online the group rates should remain constant, unless there is an early booking bonus that has expired. I definitely think you should wait for your TA. Having said that it should only take 2-3 business days to get rates back. If it's been longer than this you should write your TA an email asking her if she's heard anything. This is just my two cents Hope it helps!

I’m getting worried and need advice! So as some of you know I’m getting married at the Dreams La Romana, hopefully on April 22, 2010. I say hopefully because no matter how hard I’ve tried, I cannot get my WC to confirm my date! A few weeks ago when we decided we wanted to get married at the Dreams La Romana we emailed the WC. She replied within two days! We thought “Okay she going to be good and on top of things!”. Since then the emails have been few and far between. All I want is for her to confirm my date! I’ve been writing her every week. Two weeks ago I faxed her my credit card info to put down the $500 deposit. I still didn’t hear from her. So I called and her assistant took a message. She wrote me back the next day to tell me she received my credit info, but that she would have to wait for the accounting department to get back to her to confirm the payment went through. That was May 18th! After emailing her again a few days ago and hearing nothing I finally called today. At this point I didn’t even want to tell her who I was because of all of the bugging I’ve been doing. I definitely don’t want her to be annoyed with me. I want her to like me so she will want to do a good job on my wedding So I told her who I was and she looked in the computer for 5 minutes, which made me even more anxious! Then she found me and told me she was still waiting for accounting to confirm my payment. Seriously how long does it take to swipe my card and take $500 from it! I’ve never worked this hard to pay for something! She told me she would email me tomorrow at 10am. I feel hopeful but now I’m worried that every step of this wedding is going to be like pulling teeth. So I want to know if others have had this much trouble communicating with their WC? Any advice on how to handle it?

It's also very Canadian!!!

Honestly I would either send a mass email out just reminding people of the RSVP date or start calling people. You could just approach it as you are making final arrangements with you TA and want to see if they had time to think about. I'm sure everyone has decided by now, they probably just forgot about RSVP deadline. I don't think it's rude to remind people. It's ruder of them not to RSVP in a timely fashion!

I think you should decide what you want them for. If your intent is to get them back at the end of the week than yes! If you are just giving them as gifts for your guest I would say no because everyone will bring their own cameras and they may not use the disposable. I want to provide cameras for my guests at the wedding so I can have more pictures of the event. Now I'm starting to think I might give them in the OOT bags so I can have photos from the whole week. So if I put them in the OOT bags I would attached a message saying that we will be collecting them at the end of the week. What have others done?

Quote: Originally Posted by joshfrommontreal haha good question Stacey. Personally I would pick the cheaper of the two. Both are fantastic resorts and are so similar that unless a large amount of your guests would want the Elegance club the Colonial will treat you great. Thanks! That answers my question! Thank you so much for your help!

I love your review! Very funny! I'm so sorry to hear all of the crap you had to go through.

Quote: Originally Posted by joshfrommontreal There isn't much of a difference between the two. The Elegance was just built this past year so the rooms and facilities are newer. The rooms have a different layout, the Elegance has a more open concept for the entire room while the Colonial is divided in two by the jacuzzi in the middle. The restaurants at the Elegance I believe are better then the Colonial and have better decor, especially the steak house. The restaurants on the beach are basically the same. At the moment they share the same spa, casino and sports bar. The Elegance has which is called the 'Elegance Club' which is an upgraded service that gives you an adults only area, a lounge with free internet and snacks, big outside beds, and a personal butler. The Colonial doesn't have anything similar to this. Price definitely depends on timing, eventually the Elegance will be more expensive all the time but right now it fluctuates a lot. If you were getting married at one which one would you pick? Just curious

Thank you so much! She is looking to go in May 2010. So far the quotes we received list the Elegance at a few hundred dollars more than the Colonial. So the Colonial is the obvious choice. We just wanted to make sure that if she chose the Colonial she wouldn't be sacrificing quality or elegance Thanks again!

Hi everyone! My best friend wants to get married at either the Majestic Colonial or the Elegance. I know the Elegance is rated a 5.5 star and the Colonial is a 5 star, but what is the real difference? The Elegance is much more expensive but we want to know if it's worth the extra money. They both look so similar. Can anyone comment on what the major differences are? We would greatly appreciate your help!!!

Wow what a story! You are such a strong person and have a great positive attitude. I probably would have canned the whole thing after the first glitch! Congrats on finally finding a solution to everything. Just focus on enjoying your wedding!

Thank you so much for this! The pictures are very helpful!

The rates for the spring 2010 season are out for the most part. There are just a few tour operators who haven't released their rates yet for the spring season, but they should be coming out in a week or so. April is the last month in the “spring season†so anything after April 2010 likely won't be available until early winter 2010. If you get a group quote for anything after April 2010 it's only an estimate. I originally had my wedding scheduled for May 2010 but because I would have to wait until next year to see that official rates I moved it up a few weeks to April. I don't think being in Canada has anything to do with how long it takes for the rates to come out. We just have completely different suppliers who have contracts with the resorts. Anyways this is my understand of it

April 2009 Ana&Michael - April 1, 2009 - Dreams Los Cabos Mamie & Joshua - April 2,2009 - Bavaro Princess Kim & Chris - April 4, 2009 - location unknown at this time! Kerry & Graham - April 4, 2009 - Capella, Cabo San Lucas Whitney & Erik - April 4, 2009 - El Encanto Inn, San Jose Del Cabo Sara & Jeff - April 18, 2009, Playa Pesquero, Holguin, Cuba Manney & Jamie- April 22, 2009 - Riu Santa Fe, Cabo San Lucas Selina& Artie-April 23, 2009- Occidental grand xcaret Nancy & Kenny - April 23, 2009 - Majestic Colonial Andi (CODestBride2009) & Reggie – April 24, 2009 – Las Caletas, Puerto Vallarta Leslie & James - April 24,2009 - Occidental Grand Xcaret, Riviera Maya, Mexico Michelle & Jeff - April 24,2009 - Meliá Caribe Tropical, Punta Cana, DR Joy & Erik - April 24, 2009 - Moon Palace Cancun, Mexico Zee & Erk - April 24, 2009 - Either Moon Palace or Dreams (still undecided) Diana & Anthony- April 25, 2009- Dreams Cancun, Mexico Jenny & Brad - April 25, 2009 Azul Sensatori Ali & Patrick - April 25, 2009 Cabo Surf Hotel, San Jose Del Cabo, MX May 2009 Shannon & Chris - May 2, 2009 - Gran Porto Real Resort, Playa Del Carmen, Mexico Beth & Jay - May 2 2009 -Dreams Tulum, Mexico Muriel & Jovan - May 2, 2009 - Le Reve, Playa Xcalacoco, Mexico Jaymie & Ales - May 4, 2009 - Dreams Cancun, Mexico Donna & Jef (dursula) - May 6, 2009 - CuisinArt Resort & Spa, Anguilla Kristen & Mickey (kiki317) May 6, 2009- Dreams, Cancun, Mexico JACKIE & MARK(JAX_THE_BEACH_BRIDE) MAY 8, 2009- BLAU VARADERO, CUBA!!! Wendy & Ivan - May 9, 2009 - Azul Sensatori, Mexico Kelly & Chris - May 9, 2009 - Unknown, Riviera Maya, Mexico Shannon & Kenny (Shay2679) - May 07, 2009 - the Royal PDC, Mexico Kelly & Joe- May, 13, 2009 - Dreams Cancun, Mexico Nyssa & Joel - May 13, 2009 - Gran Bahia Principe Tulum, Mexico Miranda & Colin - May 14, 2009, Melia Cayo Guillermo, Cuba Mylee & Andrew - May 14, 2009, Iberostar Quetzal/ Tucan, Mexico Marie & Scott - May 15, 2009 - Dreams Cancun, Mexco Meagan & Jeff - May 15, 2009 Dreams Punta Cana, DR Stacey & Derek - May 15, 2009 Punta Cana, DR Maggie & Tim (IslamoradaBride) - May 16, 2009 Islamorada, Fla. Meagan & Matt (CDNgroom) - May 20, 2009 - Playa Del Carmen, MX K & R - May 22, 2009 - Puerto Vallarta, Mexico Bianca & Chris - May 23, 2009 - Dreams Puerto Aventuras, Mexico Kristy & Chris (froggie1013) - May 23, 2009 - Villa Capri, St Lucia Tina & Nathan- May 23, 2009- Lucea, Jamaica Terry & Yamille - May 23, 2009 - Paradisus Riviera Cancun Jaime & Martin - May 24, 2009 - Puerto Vallarta, Mexico Susana & MO - May 24, 2009 - Dreams Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico Carla & Mark - May 27, 2009 - Gran Caribe Real, Cancun, Mexico Lisa & Tom (mummergirl) - May 28, 2009 - Dreams Cancun, Mexico Melissa & Jason (missybee99)- May 28, 2009- Dreams Los Cabos, MX Jenny & Bryan (SoontobeMsKniss) - May 29, 2009 - Key West, Florida Erica & Brandon - May 30, 2009 June 2009 April & Michael - June 1, 2009 - Wailea, Maui, HI Monique and Derrick - June 5th 2009 - Riu Ocho Rios, Jamaica Hanna & Josh - June 5, 2009 - Grand Palladium Colonial Mayan Riviera, MX Pauline & Roger - June 6, 2009 - Grenadian by Rex Resorts, Grenada Amanda & Thomas - June 6, 2009 - Dreams Los Cabos, MX Carolyn & Michael- June 6, 2009- Gran Caribe Real Cancun, MX Crystal & Branko ~ June 10, 2009 ~ Grand Palladium, Riviera Maya, Mexico Julia & Dima ~ June 11, 2009 ~ Riu Ocho Rios, Jamaica Ashley & Dave - June 11, 2009 - Valentin Resort, Riviera Maya, Mexico Sorcha & Shannon - June 12, 2009 - St. John's, NF, Canada Jen & Brian - June 12, 2009 - Azul Sensatori, Riviera Maya, Mexico April & Patrick - June 13, 2009 - EcoTulum, Tulum, Mexico Ginalyn & Jeff- June 18, 2009 - Dreams Puerto Aventuras, Mexico Roe & Seamus - June 22, 2009 - Bermuda MarieSam & Tommy (msam007562) -June 26, 2009- Las Casitas Beach & CEA Center, Akumal, MX July 2009 Aaron & Kristie - July 2, 2009 - Dreams Puerto Aventuras Kim & Eddy - July 3, 2009 _ Iberostar Del Mar abullard1-July 4 2009 Stephanie & Robert - July 10, 2009 - Honolulu, HI Geralyn & Steve - July 11, 2009 - RIU Montego Bay, Jamaica Rosemary & Miguel - July 11, 2009 - Dreams Cabo San Lucas, MX Rachel & Scott - July 16, 2009 - Aventura Spa Palace, Riviera Maya, MX Brianne & Nathan (soccergurl3-July 16th 2009- Moon palace Resort,Cancun,MX Kathleen & Dan - July 17, 2009 - Beaches Boscobel Deanna & Bill (deefalvey) - July 24, 2009 - Dreams Cabo San Lucas, MX August 2009 Jacilyn & Joe (Jacilynda) - August 8, 2009 - Hotel Akumal Caribe, MX Monique & Eric - August 15, 2009 - Dreams Los Cabos, MX Karen & Dan - August 15, 2009 Tiffiney & Ryan - August 15, 2009 - RIU Vallarta, MX Megan & Doug - August 15, 2009 - Miami, FL (Carnival Cruise) Michelle & Brent - August 19, 2008 - Wynn Las Vegas, NV Tiffany & George - August 22, 2009 - Dreams Los Cabos, MX Jenni & Tim - August 22, 2009 - Holden Beach, NC Elizabeth & Gabriel - August 31, 2009 - Carnival Ecstasy, Galveston, TX September 2009 Marijke & Rob - September 1 or 2, 2009 - Parga, Greece Dominica & Ernest - September 5, 2009 - Azul Fives, MX Erik & Zarina - September 9, 2009 - Las Veags, NV Amy & Clint - September 11, 2009 - Cancun, MX Lisa & Gary - September 17, 2009 - Maui, HI Dayla & Randell - September 19, 2009- Cancun/Riviera Maya, MX Vicki & David - September 26, 2009 - Buenaventura Puerto Vallarta, Mexico October 2009 Natasha & James - October 7,2009 --RIU Palace, Cabo San Lucas Heide & Paul - October 10, 2009 -- San Juan, Puerto Rico Amanda & Anton - October 11, 2009 -- Las Caletas, Mexico Ashley & Dustin - October 17, 2009 -- Dreams resort and spa cancun Danelle & Antonio - October 17, 2009 --Riu Palace Riviera Maya Angela & Jason - October 20, 2009 - Majestic Colonial, Punta Cana Heather & Matie - October 22, 2009 -- Cabo San Lucas, Mexico Josie & Marko - October 24, 2009 -- Dreams Tulum Dana & Eddie - October 24, 2009 -- Moon Palace Cancun Jenny & Matthew - October 27, 2009 -- Melia Caribe Tropical, Punta Cana, DR Emily & Kevin - October 28, 2009 -- Melia Las Dunas, Cayo Santa Maria, Dustin and Ashley October 17, 2009 At Dreams Cancun November 2009 Erin & Trent - November 9th, 2009 - Melia Caribe Tropical, Punta Cana, DR Jodey & Simon - November 12th 2009 - Dreams resort and spa Cancun Carrie & Andy - November 13, 2009 - Beaches Negril Alicia & Rob - November 14, 2009 - Sandals Grande Ocho Rios Joanne & Mark - November 14, 2009 - Iberostar Grand, Mexico Mirna & Louis-November 15th 2008-Dreams Cancun Heidi & Patrick - November 16th 2009 - Sirenis La Salina, Varadero Leslie & Gerry - November 16th, 2009- Majestic Colonial, Punta Cana Valerie & Ryan - November 21, 2009 - Dreams Cancun Resort & Spa Mary & Paul - November 28th 2009 - Puerto Vallarta, Mexico Jessica (Jess) & Paul - November 28th, 200 - Puerto Vallarta, Mexico December 2009 Gina & Ryan - December 2, 2009 - Riu Palace Riviera Maya Leslie & Jay - December 5, 2009 - Moon Dance Cliffs Jamaica Jen & Kenny - December 12, 2009 - Excellence Playa Mujeres Jillian & Tim (Adlergray)-December 18, 2009- Blue Tulum Rsort & Spa Patty & Jason - December 30, 2009 - Barcelo Riviera Maya Colonial Nadine & Jesse -December 30, 2009 - Dreams Huatulco Resort & Spa Karla & Abraham - December 31, 2009 - Negril, Jamaica January 2010 Melissa & Kent- January 5, 2010- Playa Pesquero, Cuba Aimee & Theodore- January, 8, 2010 - Iberostar Tucan, Mexico Nancy & Pat - January 13th, 2010 - Beaches Negril, Jamaica Melita (Melette) & Charlie - January 21, 2010 - Dreams Los Cabos, Mexico Catherine & Ian - January 22, 2010 - Playa Pesquero, Cuba Shannon & Lauchlan- January 27th, 2010- Puerto Vallarta Mexico February 2010 Melissa & Sean- February 10, 2010- St. Thomas USVI Linda & Ton- February 22, 2010- Costa Rica March 2010 Bev & Brian March 4th 2010 - Clubhouse Negril April 2010 Michele & Jim (jerseykitten) April 10, 2010 - Grand Palladium Lady Hamilton Resort & Spa - Montego Bay, Jamaica doblauvelt-April 16, 2010- Moon Palace, Cancun Sarah and Jed (sarah310) April 17, 2010 - Occidental Grand Xcaret, Mexico Stacey & Eric (La Romana Stacey) - April 22, 2010 - Dreams La Romana Veronica & Patrick (vgirl17) - April 24, 2010 - Moon Palace, Cancun MX Joanna & Chris (jerzygirl85) - April 24, 2010 Dreams Tulum, Mexico Erin & Jeremy (ebredhawk) - April 28, 2010 - Dreams Punta Cana May 2010 Crystal & Dave (CrystalM) - May 1, 2010 - Magen's Bay, St. Thomas, USVI Savannah & Billy (BillysBride) -May 8, 2010 Avalon Reef Club, Isla Mujeres, MX Victoria & Eric- May 11, 2010- Excellence Riviera Cancun Resort Heather & Andrew- May 14, 2010- Kauai, Hawaii Heather & George (dolfinluck)- May 15, 2010 - Dreams La Romana, DR Belle & Jean-Claude - May 27,2010- St. Kitts, B.W.I. Samantha & Ralph- May 27,2010- Coco Reef Resort, Bermuda Craig & Fiona - May 28th, 2010 - Moon Palace June 2010 Stephanie and Michael (~Stephanie~)-June 11, 2010 The Royal Playa del Carmen Michelle & Arsen (michelle613)- June 12, 2010 Dreams Cancun Jessica & Bryson (Royal_lady10)-June 26, 2010 Dreams Tulum July 2010 Kaytee and CJ- July 3rd, 2010- Destination still TBD! October 2010 Lori & Oliver (gossip girl) - October 10, 2010 - Destination TBD! December 2010 Chris & John (sunstarsmoon) - December 1, 2010 - Rui Ocho Rios, Jamaica Carla & Christoper (adias.angel) - December 11, 2010 - Riviera Maya ****************

Quote: Originally Posted by latinalocany yes i will take pics of all th cocktail hrs and receptions places i will also take pics of any setups i see while we are there. we are really just keeping it casual since its a really small wedding just a total of 10 of us. so we have an ipod and we will make our own party, i guess we will just go with the flow. i had did so much planning for the tulum wedding for a whole year that now im just taking it as it comes and not stressing anything. as long as we get married there im happy! I've booked my wedding at the DLR for April 22, 2010. I'm interested to hear your feedback on the WC and how smoothly things ran. I'm having problems with the WC getting back to me in a timely fashion, sometimes it takes her up to two weeks to get back to me. She does seem nice though. Basically I want to hear about everything!!!! I can't wait for your review when you get back. Take lots of pictures. Most importantly enjoy your wedding!!! Congradulations!

I'm waiting to get my invitation design back from Sarah. I can hardly wait. I hope they look as good as yours!

Do you mean the wedding packages? Or air and hotels packages? If you mean the wedding packages I think they are going to be very similar to the 2009 prices. I've booked my wedding package at the Dreams La Romana and my WC never said there would be a price difference. But I guess there's always a chance. I attached what my WC sent me. I hope it helps. If you meant air and hotel packages I just booked mine for April 19, 2010 so the rates are available. To those Dreams brides who booked last year was there a price increase for the wedding packages? Attachment 3645 Dreams Wedding Packages.pdf

I'm definitely doing these!!! Thanks for the great idea!

Wow! Congradulations and have an amazing time!