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

[danielle6680]

I would like to ditto your response. 

We first inquired about group rates with the wedding office, bc that's what everyone does in the states, and it seemed like such a hassle and headache with the contract. 

 

We also considered using a TA, but had bad experiences with destination wedding agents in the past (for weddings we were invited to), so we just decided to use our own resources and the good ol world wide web. 

 

We booked our package via Expedia and directed our guests to do the same or to use similar travel websites.  Guests have totally been fine with it and there has been no stress on our end. 

 

We decided to budget for airport transfers that way the only purchase our guests would have to make is room/airfare.  It would have been nice to have a TA for coordinating transfers and guest reservations, but in the end, we are extremely happy that we chose to not use a TA and deal w/the headaches.   
 

Originally Posted by ReidCapote 

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.

 

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.
 

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.

 

 

[SarahE786]

 

 

Originally Posted by AnnR 

 

 

 

 

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

 

Thanks! This is exactly what I was trying to get back to! ...my initial question, which was asking about the BDW TA's (which I had hear were great!) before things turned so ugly :-(

Sorry for everyone's bad experiences, but glad that we have this great site to exchange ideas on!

 

[JYD1]

Ladies!!

 

I have to vent a little. I hope no one else is experiencing this issue. I promise I won't take up too much of your time. I'm trying to remain calm and hope this is an honest mistake. When I contacted The Royal in July - we were set for an outdoor ceremony and indoor reception. My WC at The Royal said - since you want a longer reception your only option is ballroom and they are open. I filled out my paperwork, even wrote on the deposit information the wedding details. All correspondence has always been notated as such.

 

SO WHY IS IT TODAY WHEN I EMAIL HER MY SUGGESTED TIMELIME THAT SHE TELLS ME ANOTHER GROUP HAS THE BALLROOMS AND IF I WANT THE RECEPTION ON THE BEACH?!!!  Thankgod my TA is on top of it!! I cc her on everything - bc I can't always respond so quickly.

 

Any words of wisdom to help me remain calm? Crossing fingers.

[jesmcan]

Oh no I'm sorry unfortunately this has happened before. I think this resort has become very popular and they just cannot keep up. It seems the WC's there are very over worked and because of that it leaves more room for error.

 

Having said that deep breathes, don't panic. Did you explain to them that back in July when you booked you were confirmed for the ballroom? did they get back to you? I know with past brides they were greatly compensated for errors like these. Luckily you have an awesome TA who I am sure will get on top of this asap.

 

Don't worry if anything I have learned everything works out. keep us posted.

 

Originally Posted by JYD1 

Ladies!!

 

I have to vent a little. I hope no one else is experiencing this issue. I promise I won't take up too much of your time. I'm trying to remain calm and hope this is an honest mistake. When I contacted The Royal in July - we were set for an outdoor ceremony and indoor reception. My WC at The Royal said - since you want a longer reception your only option is ballroom and they are open. I filled out my paperwork, even wrote on the deposit information the wedding details. All correspondence has always been notated as such.

 

SO WHY IS IT TODAY WHEN I EMAIL HER MY SUGGESTED TIMELIME THAT SHE TELLS ME ANOTHER GROUP HAS THE BALLROOMS AND IF I WANT THE RECEPTION ON THE BEACH?!!!  Thankgod my TA is on top of it!! I cc her on everything - bc I can't always respond so quickly.

 

Any words of wisdom to help me remain calm? Crossing fingers.

[JoZee84]

 

 

Originally Posted by SarahE786 

 

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

 

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.

 

It really stinks everyone is going through rough times with their TA.  I decided to go to a regular TA around my house and its been great so far.  I put her business card in the invitation so people can call her directly to book their trips.  My WC at the royal will be contacted with everyone's information so it should work out fine, thats my advice. Good Luck!

 

[laura_jason]

I only have 10 people coming to my wedding in November and would like to have a dinner together at the hotel the night before. Does anyone know how many people you can have at one of the restaurants before it is considered "an event" that i have to pay for? Also any suggestions on which restaurant for the semi-private dinner reception after we get married? Thanks in advance for your help

[TammyWright]

I do not know how things are with Sand and Sun any longer but they are no longer travel agents on BDW and have not been for a couple of months now.
 

Originally Posted by SarahE786 

Thanks! This is exactly what I was trying to get back to! ...my initial question, which was asking about the BDW TA's (which I had hear were great!) before things turned so ugly :-(

Sorry for everyone's bad experiences, but glad that we have this great site to exchange ideas on!
 

[TA Wendy]

Hi all, TA Wendy here,

I wanted to let the ladies on this thread know that I have had a number of wedding groups at the Royal PDC and the Gran Porto, and happily, things came off without a hitch... with the exception of a couple of guests who chose to book themselves through the booking engine of Expedia. When the hotel filled to capacity, those were the guests who found themselves bumped to not so great alternate hotels.

One of the big advantages of using a travel agent is that you do have someone looking out for you and someone to turn to if problems do arise. The hotels know that with reservations booked by Expedia or Orbitz or other computer booking system, a guest really has no one to go to bat for them or to have a personal stake in their trip. Those are the guests who dont get any special or good treatment and often find themselves bumped or with other mishaps.

The Real Resort group knows of the BDW forum, and of the agents who work here. They know that our bridal couples will be posting reviews on the site that will be seen by many many potential clients. I think that brides booked by the BDW TAs get some extra good treatment because the resort wants to see those good reviews and for us to continue the good relationship we have with them.

I recently spent 5 nights at the Royal PDC in August and have just accepted an invitation from the Real Resorts management to attend a Wedding Familiarazation trip just for hand selected TAs  where for 4 days we will be conducting site inspections of each of the resorts, meeting with the on site wedding coordinators in depth and attending a mock wedding/reception.

It is my hope that by continuing to foster the good relations with the WCs on site and the resort management as a whole, that we BDW TAs can always provide our brides with exceptional personal service as well as excellent value for their travel dollars. It is certainly my goal to always provide the very best service possible and to have brides who not only come back to me for other trips, but who recommend me to their friends.

If I can be of help to anyone who is looking for a way to book at the Royal, Gran Porto, Royal Cancun or Gran Caribe I would be happy to assist.

[Jenny310]

 

Originally Posted by JoZee84 

It really stinks everyone is going through rough times with their TA.  I decided to go to a regular TA around my house and its been great so far.  I put her business card in the invitation so people can call her directly to book their trips.  My WC at the royal will be contacted with everyone's information so it should work out fine, thats my advice. Good Luck!
 

I did the same thing. While she has been a great help no company is perfect we also had issues but nothing major. I did a lot of my own research becuase I wanted to be sure my guests were getting the best deal possible so while most booked with our TA some did there own thing. When the whole Mexicana issue happened she called me right away and had new flights already prepared for us.

 

Hopefully it works out for everyone having issues and as we have all been told once we get there everything is amazing )
 

[Natalie79]

 

 

Originally Posted by laura_jason 

 

I only have 10 people coming to my wedding in November and would like to have a dinner together at the hotel the night before. Does anyone know how many people you can have at one of the restaurants before it is considered "an event" that i have to pay for? Also any suggestions on which restaurant for the semi-private dinner reception after we get married? Thanks in advance for your help

 

Hi Laura,  I am 90% sure that 15 people is considered an event.  I'm doing a "rehearsal dinner" for 10 of us the night before the wedding and was assured it shouldn't be a problem.  I hear Maria Marie's is great for a nice dinner, that's where we're doing our rehearsal.