Any Gran Bahia Principe Runaway Bay Brides out there?

[cupcake1382]

Hey Girl,

 

I have emailed the assistant to get some answers.. since Chandlyn never responds to my emails or calls except for like 2 weeks later. The assistant emailed me  a  couple hours later!!

 

So I asked how many weddings/events they had scheduled that day and why was my ceremony/reception split so far apart from each other. If there is nothing that can be done I am going to take another brides advice from here and maybe do a scavenger hunt or have people go to the bar or something. But I would really prefer not to do that, I hate the fact of having almost 4 hours in between the ceremony and reception.
 

Originally Posted by lmarie 

Cupcake, so sorry to hear that! What was the reason? What did they tell you?  

 

 

[lmarie]

I hope it all works out for you Val! I thought Destination weddings were supposed to be less stressful than this!
I confirmed my date and times for the ceremony and dinner with Bev, back in Sept or Oct, once I heard that she was gone, I reconfirmed it all with Chandlyn. I hope mine doesnt get changed for any reason.
Let me know how it turns out. Good luck.

Originally Posted by cupcake1382 

Hey Girl,

 

I have emailed the assistant to get some answers.. since Chandlyn never responds to my emails or calls except for like 2 weeks later. The assistant emailed me  a  couple hours later!!

 

So I asked how many weddings/events they had scheduled that day and why was my ceremony/reception split so far apart from each other. If there is nothing that can be done I am going to take another brides advice from here and maybe do a scavenger hunt or have people go to the bar or something. But I would really prefer not to do that, I hate the fact of having almost 4 hours in between the ceremony and reception.
 

 

 

[acw271011]

hey Megan. that's great info. thanks!!  we have friends in Indiana and Wisconsin that we've been trying to figure ou how, from Canada, we were going to help them out with getting to our wedding and I think you've maybe just solved the problem for us. at least now I have info to pass on to both couples. whether they actually use it is up to them but at least it might help! thanks again. by the way, has your TA suggested any "last minute" flights at all? both our couples would be out of Chicago I think so I know pricing will probably be a bit different 

 

Originally Posted by mekanabr 

We are using a travel agent who works with Apple Vacations.  We searched on their website for someone local to us so that it would be easier to  meet with her about our guests needs.  Instead of only allowing our guests to come for one week, we have given them the option to book as many or as little nights as they would like.  Then they book their flights separatly (through our TA if they choose).  This way we were able to have more ppl join us for our wedding bc not everyone was able to stay for an entire week.  We have guests coming for as little as 3 nts up to a full week.  People are flying from all over the east coast, so the flights have ranged from around $400-550 p/p depending on where they are flying from.  Here are the most recent room rates:

 

3 nts: $393p/p, $420p/p sea view

4 nts: $510p/p, $546p/p sea view

5 nts: $625p/p, $670p/p sea view

7 nts: $849p/p, $912p/p sea view

 

Also, all the resort prices above included a $30 p/p Best Price Supplement offered by Apple Vacations that guarantees that everyone receives the lowest price offered by Apple.  Our rates so far have dropped around $50 p/p.  We added this to everyones package and it has definitely been worth it, esp since we should see more siginificant drops as our date approaches.  Also, we are getting credit towards our room for every person booked, so far almost $600!  For my fiance and I are flights out of Detroit were around $550p/p, so our total was a little under $1500 for the week (sea view) - not including the room credit.  My parents got flights for $415 out of Baltimore and are staying for 5 nts, so only $1085p/p (sea view)...so the prices ranged a little bit but were definitley a good deal.  It was also really convenient for our guests to reserve their rooms through our TA bc all they had to do was reserve a room for $50p/p and then they had the option of paying off their trip over several months which a lot of people took advantage of.  We paid the deposits in advance to hold the rooms and then the money we put down, once reserved by someone else, we get back.  Plus, since we purchased our flights separately, we don't have to deal with fuel surcharges. 

 

If anyone is looking for an awesome travel agent, I would definitely recommend Denise McCain with International Tours of Lansing.  She is amazing to work with and has been able to accomodate all of our guests (so far around 35!) and we are the only ones that are local to her, everyone else has dealt with her by phone and email but it has worked out perfectly.  Her contact info is [email protected] or (517) 349-4664.  Let her know Megan Reightler referred you and you re interested in reserving the same resort for your guests and she will hook you up!

 

Hope this info helps someone, I know how tough it was for me to find a travel agent!

 

[acw271011]

oops just one question. is that hotel rate all inclusive or are their meals and drinks extra? I know the US does things a bit differently than our Canadian vacations. we do almost everything all inclusive!!
 

Originally Posted by acw271011 

hey Megan. that's great info. thanks!!  we have friends in Indiana and Wisconsin that we've been trying to figure ou how, from Canada, we were going to help them out with getting to our wedding and I think you've maybe just solved the problem for us. at least now I have info to pass on to both couples. whether they actually use it is up to them but at least it might help! thanks again. by the way, has your TA suggested any "last minute" flights at all? both our couples would be out of Chicago I think so I know pricing will probably be a bit different 

 

 

 

[acw271011]

if you can get 1295 all in (fuel surcharge too) I would jump on it. that's still only 45 bucks more than ours so that's great. is it Transat? is it with the upgrade to royal golden??  I found out that Transat starts goiing on sundays but not til later in the month of november so look into it. you might be able to get a Transat out on a sunday.

 

Originally Posted by FleetMac bride 

I am checking about the fuel surcharge it's around 148 but I can get a 11th person free so I could divide it up amongst the guests and bring it down a bit more to around 1295. I also heard back froma nother agent that also said 1295 taxes included. Going after tonight to them both and I hav ALOT of questions. Then after that I am going to try chandyln or her assistant nice tip mekanbr. You guys are awesome

 

[mekanabr]

@acw271011: Yep, all inclusive!   I haven't heard anything about last minute flights though.  I think if they are worried about flight prices, the only way they will get last minute flight discounts is on hotel/flight package prices that you would get from a website like apple vacations.  I haven't been able to find anything about just last minute flights (only resorts or packages)...  Hopefully this helps your US guests  

[a084596]

Does anyone know how dark it is at the gazebo in the evening?  Are there lights or are we supposed to bring our own?  Does anyone know if there are any stores on the premises that sell liquor?  I want to bring my own instead of paying 30.00 per person

[mekanabr]

A while ago someone said that there were lights down at the gazebo for the reception...not sure how bright or anything but it's not something we have to worry about.  There is the Pueblo Principe on-site but I'm not sure if they sell bottles.  I think the resort will sell you liquor but don't know for how much.  Maybe you could get a driver to a store or something near by?

[FleetMac bride]

I actually got a rate of 1250 with the 11th person free which i will divide up between the 15 or so people I have booking with me. It will put it around 1175 or so how great is that. Just got to see about the actual wedding date changing and what's available.

[FleetMac bride]

Doesn't any one know what bouquet choices we have from TaiFlora Chandlyn sent me the email but I'm not sure if I can choice any of the bouquets or just certain ones.