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

Natalie79 · September 13, 2010

Thanks everyone!

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My travel agent, Maureen, did just contact me she reiterated her apology to me, that she did not intend to hurt my feelings, but to explain the situation.

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She asked for my suggestions, and I just had some suggestions on how to improve the contract. It was not specific enough and needs improvements.

N&J2011 · September 13, 2010

Originally Posted by SarahE786

So sorry for everyone having all of these bad experiences! Hopefully it will all work out in the end!

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Can anyone recommend a GOOD TA? We are not planning on doing a group room block, but just want to have an option for a few of our guests who prefer not to book things online and want to deal with a real person.

Hi Sarah. I really like my TA - Brenda. She's very calm and patient. I think she works out of Atlanta or somewhere in TX. She does a lot of business with the Royal and recommended the resort to me after my first choice fell through. I haven't done a lot of planning yet, but Brenda is very responsive. She also does payment plans.

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Travel Agent: Brenda Potts

Agency: All World Travel

Phone: 866.978.6499 or 281.507.6376

Email: [email protected]

Fax: 281.306.0517

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You can give her my name - Nadiah Rhines

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jesmcan · September 13, 2010

No worries thanks girls! I know everything will turn out. I see it as a learning experience and that it will help others from making the same mistake. So now to plan the honeymoon and I am doing this one on my own lol.

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ReidCapote · September 13, 2010

My FI and I were thinking about doing a group block, but the prices we were quoted were only $20-30 cheaper than the online prices, so we decided that it wasn't worth the trouble. I'm glad we didn't go that route. We've had several people book at the last minute and others who we thought were definites decide not to go. If you can't fill the rooms then you're on the hook for the money. I think that's the problem that Natalie's been having. It's not worth the headache! I found that a lot of people like to make their own arrangements anyway. Also, if you book through expedia you can get a lower room rate than what's listed on the Royal website. Expedia gives a discount for booking flights and hotel together. When we priced it out those prices were actually cheaper than what the hotel was offering us as a group rate.

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I think someone already answered this, but if some of your guests are staying at the Gran Porto they are still considered resort guests. They can arrive for the wedding 30 minutes before the ceremony. I'm also having a private welcome cocktail the day before our wedding and my WC told me that Gran Porto guests can arrive for that 20 minutes before.
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Originally Posted by oceanbreeze

Hi!

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I'm new to the thread. Just reserved a day for an April wedding at the Royal but now it seems everyone (including our TA!) is complaining about the price. I was just wondering, if it's not a secret, what price for rooms were you able to negotiate with the Royal (and for how many days?). I'm trying to figure out how much of a discount they can give and if it's worth it to keep using the TA. She says she can get the price down by $30 max.

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Also, if guests book at the sister resort (which I guess is cheaper), are they considered "outside" guests and we'd have to pay the "outside" guest fee for food?

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Much thanks!!! I'm super stressed about this and would appreciate any info!

I'm so sorry that everyone is having such horrible experiences with Sand N Sun! I wonder if that's why they're not a vendor on this website anymore. I have to say that I was quite surprised we've all been having these problems. I decided to use Sand N Sun because I had read good reviews for them on this site.

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Originally Posted by Natalie79

Jess....WHOA! That is really rude!! I can't believe how unprofessional that is. I am lucky at least that everything is finally done. We even booked our honeymoon through her, which I now regret. What I wrote below was my response to Maureen (my TA).

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This is what I wrote her back. I was SO upset.

All I wanted to know was if I could change the names on the room if we booked it. I knew the rooming list was due on the 16th. I am not dumb.

I'm sorry if your commissions have decreased, but I don't know how that works in the travel industry. You are OBVIOUSLY very upset about dealing with my group, and If I knew booking these rooms was going to be such a pain for you & me I would have never done a group block in the first place.

I appreciated all the work you have done, and am very upset by your email. Apparently you are very resentful towards me, when all i wanted to know is if we could change the name on the room! You don't think I have been stressed on my end dealing with all this as well?? It's supposed to be the best day of my life and 90% of my stress is dealing with people not booking rooms and having this money looming over my head. My fiance and I have gotten into several fights just because of having this room block.

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Also, we booked our honeymoon through you because I was very happy with the job you were doing and I wanted to help your business. If we had booked it on our own we would have gotten a cheaper rate.

I will let you know about the room today. I'm sorry you still have to deal with me.

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She basically replied to this "Let's cut the drama & work together". THAT really infuriated me because she was the one that instigated this. After that, I have only communicated with her as little & basic as possible.

risa1818 · September 13, 2010

I have an EXCELLENT TA named Nanda from Beach Bum Vacations. I know Jess also was wondering about one for her honeymoon, and I highly recommend mine! She has been nothing but wonderful to work with, with me and my guests, she even set herself up on the base camp so she gets copied on all the emails that Maritza (WC) and I correspond back and forth on. When I was waiting to hear back about the dance floor, Nanda (TA) even followed up about it after a few days had gone by. I was referred to Beach Bum Vacations by some other brides on the destination weddings board on theknot.com. All those brides have had nothing but extremely positive experiences with this agency. I highly recommend getting in touch with them!

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Nanda van Zwam
Certified Travel Concierge
â€"Travel the world with us"
Beach Bum Vacation
Toll Free: 1-877-943-8282 Ext 13
www.BeachBumVacation.com
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I can not even believe how terrible of an experience you ladies are having with that other agency. I am so sorry that you have to deal with this completely UNNECESSARY stress! Planning a wedding is stressful enough and then to have to deal with this?! I really hope in the end that this all works out for you ladies (which I am sure it will) and then you can just focus on an amazing wedding!

Originally Posted by giraffexx

Jes - so sorry that you're dealing with all of the BS! Glad that things seem to be turning out ok for you

ErinWilliams · September 13, 2010

On Mon, Sep 13, 2010 at 12:35 PM, Maureen Servis <[email protected]> wrote:
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Dear Natalie,

I have read on BDW that you are unhappy with my services, that you do not
recomend Sand and Sun Vacations, and that you have had a horrible month
dealing with me. I am very concerned by this and was wondering if you
could please provide me with some more specific feedback so that I can
improve on services to you and other brides. I know that one email that I
sent you upset you for which I have apologized for more than once. It did
not come off very nice and I am sorry. From my point of view you were
looking for a loophole in the contract because it clearly states that the
FINAL rooming list was due August 16th. Final means just that, no changes
can be made. When I reiterated the exact contract verbiage to you as an
answer to your question regarding changes, you fired back saying that
makes no sense. I did go and get permission for you to make a change with
a fee and emailed you reminding you of all the things I have done for you
thus far and telling you that you could make that change for a fee but
that was it. I was bound to the same contract terms you were and there
could be no further exceptions. I am sorry that email hurt your feelings.
Also, I did not simply reply by saying let's cut the drama. I replied with
an apology and an explanation. Then you sent an email that ended, "I'm
sorry you feel like I'm a horrible client." To which I again apologized
and asked if we could put the drama aside and get back to business.

Other than that one email I was wondering if you could please provide
feedback at your earliest convenience and let me know in what ways you are
dissatisfied with my services.
Have I not responded to your emails in a timely manner?
Has there been a problem on my end with your booking?
Have I not treated your guests kindly?
Have I not been as flexible as possible with fees and contract terms?
Please let me know how I can improve these services.

Thank you,
Maureen

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On Mon, September 13, 2010 2:06 pm, Natalie Albert wrote:
I'll remove the posts. Seeing other people vent about their Travel Agents
made me upset again about the situation.

To improve the contract you should add "Absolutely no changes can be made
after the (date stated)". Beacuse it DOES say FINAL rooming list is due,
but then on the next page it says "Changes can be made for a fee". It
needs
to be more date specific for future clients on the last day they can make
changes etc.

You have mostly been very timely, and my guests are fine. But I just felt
I
had never had a more rude e-mail sent to me, ever. That is what I was
upset
about.

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Lady_Di · September 13, 2010

Ladies, please do not post your TAs info or you can get banned. Only send it in a PM if someone requests it. That is one of the forum rules.

risa1818 · September 13, 2010

Oops I was not aware of this sorry!!
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Originally Posted by Lady_Di

Ladies, please do not post your TAs info or you can get banned. Only send it in a PM if someone requests it. That is one of the forum rules.

risa1818 · September 13, 2010

I have a great TA! PM me if you want her info.
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Originally Posted by SarahE786

So sorry for everyone having all of these bad experiences! Hopefully it will all work out in the end!

Â

Can anyone recommend a GOOD TA? We are not planning on doing a group room block, but just want to have an option for a few of our guests who prefer not to book things online and want to deal with a real person.

LCBride2007 · September 13, 2010

Originally Posted by SarahE786

So sorry for everyone having all of these bad experiences! Hopefully it will all work out in the end!

Â

Can anyone recommend a GOOD TA? We are not planning on doing a group room block, but just want to have an option for a few of our guests who prefer not to book things online and want to deal with a real person.

http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/thread/44623/who-owns-bdw-wright-travel

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