ROYAL PLAYA DEL CARMEN BRIDES: were kids allowed for the day? ...and other questions

[Shay2679]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geminie Thanks for the reassurances! I can't wait to get married there... my only concern right now is my friends/family's budget... Nov is low season (our date is Nov 5).. is there any way you guys think I'll be able to swing $1500/per person for one week as a group rate? (Flying from toronto?) I was also thinking about flying from buffalo, I heard that it's cheaper by $200-$300 per person.

Hey Geminie,

From what I have seen...even in November, $1500 is "cheap". We're travelling there in May (also considered the beginning of their low season) and we're paying, including insurance, about $2400 per person (from Toronto via Air Canada Vacations also). We are getting a "group" rate, although, don't be fooled by the term. There are some incentives to having a group rate, but most of them aren't because you're saving a lot of money. Mostly, it is just the security of all booking together to ensure flights and rooms...we're not saving anything really for cost this way. (We are using a travel agent as well..just so you know)!

If cost is a major concern, I would discuss what everyone can afford up front, talk to a travel agent, and see what one can do for you. I have had to accept a few people changing their minds recently, once we got our final quote back...it is A LOT of money!

I hope I haven't discouraged you...I actually really hope a travel agent in your area will be able to find a way to get you all there within your budget(s)! Good luck, and keep us posted!

[Geminie]

Hi Shay

 

Wow $2400 per person.. i really hope that for 2 weeks!

 

Well i figured if worst comes to worst, some of my guests can stay at the gran porto real.

 

I talked to travel agent a few days ago.. she didn't give me any official rates, just said that right now it looks like its around $1700-$1800 per person for 1 week at the royal flying from toronto for nov.

 

I tried looking around for a cheaper resort.. but my heart just won't let me do it! I can't get married anywhere else... I feel like the day I get married really is my day (and my fiancé's of course) and I just really want to get married there.

 

I've had to sacrifice a lot in my life and I just want to splurge a little on this one day.... if that makes sense...

[Shay2679]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geminie Hi Shay Wow $2400 per person.. i really hope that for 2 weeks! I talked to travel agent a few days ago.. she didn't give me any official rates, just said that right now it looks like its around $1700-$1800 per person for 1 week at the royal flying from toronto for nov.

You're funny! and I WISH it was two weeks!

That is indeed for ONE week all-inclusive...and not to alarm you...but we too, were quoted $1700 - $1800 per person...

Our quote looks like this!

$1810.00 flight and hotel person
$ 283.00 taxes per person
$ 134.94 insurance (Full coverage: cancellation, medical, etc) per person

Total for some of us: $2227.94

There is also a $190.00 supplement (incl. taxes) per person for our guests that live in Alberta (as there will no longer be direct flights offered from there) to get to T.O. to flight out.



For a Grand (or ROYAL) Total (for most guests): $2417.94

When you factor in the taxes, and extras...it adds up!

$1800 is what we were quoted too...PLUS all the extras!

Again...not to discourage you!, but needless to say....I was a bit shocked (as were my guests) when we got the final quote back also. We're hoping that by paying in full before the due date, perhaps they will offer us an "Early booking bonus" or something...that would be nice. I just want you to know that there may be some hidden costs that your agent has yet to inform you about!

My FI and I are also getting the large wedding package to accomodate all of our guests, as from what I've heard from the WC at the resort, they will no longer substitute things within a package. Not sure if you have looked into packages, but...if you have more than 12 guests...it can get pretty pricey.

Oh my pockets...they are hurting!

[bridetobe22]

Quote:

Originally Posted by heidi&alex Hi girls! Just a quick hello from St Lucia. I'm on my honeymoon now, but wanted to let you all know that my wedding at the Royal was fantastic! I plan to write a full review once we get home (in another week) and answer any of your questions then... for now, though, the wedding was amazing and the Royal exceeded my expectations. I also had communication problems beforehand, but once I was there both Zulma and Michaela were fabulous.... I really can't say enough about my wedding and time at the Royal (and I can be pretty picky!). I can't wait to share my review and pictures once I get back!

CONGRATULATIONS! Have a fabulous honeymoon and all of your fellow Royal brides-to-be can't wait to hear from you upon your return.

[Geminie]

OMG Shay! that is wayyy out of my guest's budget. I don't really have a travel agent tho. I've heard good things about the TAs that are on this thread, can anyone tell me the username of one of them?? I remember reading about one but can't remember which one.

 

She saved a guest $300 or $400 per person by moving the wedding up a few weeks.....

 

There's gotta be a way to get there cheaper... maybe flying from bufallo would help with those extra taxes....

[Amanda A.]

Hello Everyone!!

 

This original thread was what urged me to join this awesome forum!! Everyone has given such great advice and tips!!

 

Right now I'm in the middle of booking with Ivan. My travel agent gave me her number! Is anyone dealing with her? Do I have to worry that she won't get back to me?!?!? I'm hoping for the wedding to happen the beginning of May 2009!! Look forward to chatting with you all soon!!

[Shay2679]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amanda A. Right now I'm in the middle of booking with Ivan. My travel agent gave me her number! Is anyone dealing with her? Do I have to worry that she won't get back to me?!?!? I'm hoping for the wedding to happen the beginning of May 2009!! Look forward to chatting with you all soon!!

I'm not familiar with "Ivan", but perhaps this is one of the newly hired help in the wedding department the website speaks of! That would be nice. I'm sure, with patience, you'll have to wait a bit, but eventually, you'll get all the information you need.

It is a slow process in general (and I'm sure its not just THIS hotel)...as I too, have been sort of in the middle of coordinating things with the wedding staff there also. Now that I've gotten the ball rolling...even though correspondence is slow coming...it sure puts a smile on my face everytime I see something in my Inbox from them! Time makes the heart grow fonder!

Yah...just be patient...and let us know how things go with Ivan!

oh yah .. an..

[cuban_flamingo]

Hello all!

 

After much debate, I think we might have a Royal wedding as well. Well, we plan on having the wedding reception there anyways. The quote I received for the wedding reception is just too good to pass up! I've looked at all-inclusive resorts with rediculous day pass charges, restaurants and beach clubs with expensive open-bar fees and private catering at a villa rental and everything just points back to the Royal.

 

It also seems that the Royal is really keen to accept outside vendors of all sorts, which is great.

 

We're not getting married until Easter Week 2010...that's ages from now. But I guess if I resever vendor services early enough I won't be disappointed.

 

Yay for Royal Brides!

[mhoudek]

Hi everyone! I'm actually getting married at the beach club next to the Royal but all of our guests are staying in all of their hotels. I have a question about rehearsal dinners. Do any of you Royal brides have any advice on this? I'm wondering if I should just do drinks and apps or a full dinner? Any advice would be great! And for those of you who have not been there in person-it is GORGEOUS!!!! Seriously to die for! I was just dead set on this beach club for our wedding but I'm excited to stay there and have our rehearsal dinner there!

[cuban_flamingo]

For those of you settling on The Royal versus any other hotels in the area...

 

What are your opinions as to the difference in cost of wedding receptions between the Royal and other resorts? Meaning, the difference in price per person in nearly 50% more at a resort like El Dorado Royal or The Royal Hideaway.

 

The hotels all seem to be equally as gorgeous but the Royal's reception options are just so affordable in comparison -- not to mention open to using outside vendors!

 

Would anyone think that the food is of lesser quality? Is it because there is no varied choice in menu? Or it's the difference in not charging for a day pass on top of the private reception price?

 

Thoughts?

 

Kind of in a bind...