urggghhh my guests think the colonial maj is too expensive!!

[sjmacphe]

Hey Guys, I think you may have misread the initial post, she said she was quoted $2000 pp (ie $4000 per couple) for a week, which from my experience is about right. I was surprised at how expensive the Majestic is, I had initially wanted to get married there but I really didn't want people to spend that much, but it depends on your guests I suppose (my bridesmaids/groomsmen and friends are all students still and I knew they couldn't afford that much money). It is a really great resort from what I can tell, and you can't cater to everyone, so if you really want this then I would say go for it - people who really want to come will probably not let a difference of $200 stop them.

 

I guess I am easily swayed by guilt from others, so when I found out how much it was going to be to go to my top choices in DR I decided to switch to Cuba (I don't have any really strong ties to DR, and this resort came highly recommended by several TAs) - and found a great resort which is very affordable ($1000 plus tax for the week, all inclusive). So, just shop around - are you 100% set on DR? And how many of your guests will be out if you decide to go with the Majestic or something similar? Good luck deciding, I can definitely sympathize because I have been there too.

[khomac]

I thought it depended on the season. In January, I paid $2000 from Thunder Bay to the Colonial.

 

This March ('09), I booked & paid for my AI to the Colonial. It was for a weeks stay in October and I only paid $1323!!!! I was totally pumped! I thought that because it was October, it was cheaper. Well, now in May, I search again, and I see the price is up to $2000 for the exact same week.

 

I think it depends on when you book, whether or not you are doing a group rate, and maybe the dates that you are trying to book.

 

I researched through www.westjetvacations.com myself, and when I went to the TA, she quoted me the exact same price and says that she searched the same way I had.

 

Prices fluctuate, but I don't imagine it will go higher than the $2000pp.

 

Good luck planning, and hopefully you get the best rate!!

[khomac]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TA Maureen October is considered low season and would be cheaper. It's also prime hurricane time so that's why. January is high season.

Ya, I knew that but how come if I were to book today for the same week in October, I would have to pay $2000. Just 2 months ago, I paid $700 less?! I don't get it.

[cherrity]

Hi there and congrats....we had a wedding at the gran caribe real in cancun and it was very reasonably priced...maybe check it out...hope this helped

[msbriss]

Your 2000.00 pp is right in line with what we were quoted,flying from Alberta. The best price we could get was about 2100.00 at the majestic and it looked gorgeous. We also had to wait until the fall pricing came out. Flying from the eastern and southern states is so much cheaper they can afford these types of resorts. The best we could do was 1500 +300 in taxes with Air Canada Vacations, and we have to fly via Toronto. We are going to the Bavaro Princess, in November, and it looks like it will be lovely. There are mixed reviews but I talked to someone that had gone last November and it was great he said.Good luck , this was way harder than we thought.

[foxytv]

Ah, then I did read it wrong - that's what I get for skimming too quickly. $4000 per COUPLE sounds much more in line with what I would expect. We paid something like $3400 for Royal Service at PPR for 8 nights last April ... so with increases I suppose $4000 sounds right.

 

Hopefully, guests realize they can choose the length of their stay ... and can reduce their costs by staying for fewer nights.

 

Our STD's and website quoted prices for guests based on 3-nights (the shortest possible stay) with how much per night it would be to extend their stay. That gave them options to decide on their budget.

 

We had quite a variety of 3, 4, 5 and some 7 night stays for our guests - although everyone who did 3 nights regretted not staying longer...

[KristinaM]

I just wanted to suggest looking into the Grand Palladium (either of the sections.. Palace, Punta Cana, or Bavaro). We had a great time there and it was beautiful and very fairly priced!

 

Also, you can always consider having your wedding at a resort you find to be affordable for you guests and move over to the Majestic after the wedding for your honeymoon time?

 

Good luck in your planning and decisions!

[foxytv]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TA Maureen Unfortunately from Canada it is not always an option to go for different lengths of stay because it's usually cheaper to book week long packages with charter flights so you have to stay a week.

Ah, I didn't know that about Canada, Maureen. But I do recall all kinds of talk of charter flights, so I guess that makes sense.

[trance_angelx0x]

I can suggest the Gran Bahia Principe or Palladium resorts. Have known people who have gotten married at both those resorts and it was between $1,400 and $1,700 per person including taxes.

[joshfrommontreal]

$2000/person sounds a bit high for the Colonial. Also check the Elegance next door sometimes it's cheaper. I would check around with different sites and with different travel agents. I would highly recommend my travel agent Adam at La Salle Travel - [email protected] he's an expert with DW's and always gets me the best deals.

 

The reason I say it is high is because I usually get a single for $2100 for a week and this was in January from Montreal.

 

Most websites won't give you this option but you can ask a travel agent to look into not booking a package deal - so book your flight and hotel separate. This most often will require you to switch flights in the US somewhere but has turned out to be cheaper a couple times. The only downside to this is that you will have to take a taxi to/from the airport to resort, an extra $45USD each way.