Any Gran Bahia Principe Runaway Bay Brides out there?

[STemple]

Quote:

Originally Posted by CristalyneAnkit 
 

Hey STemple,

 

You're absolutely right Marlin Travel does not specialize in weddings BUT they own Absolute Wedsite which is their wedding division that does specialize in Weddings. It's pretty much structured in the sense that you deal with Absolute Wedsite who will be your wedding planners and they book your flights and rooms through their Mother Company, Marlin Travel and take care of everything else for you like a wedding planner. The only problem is they really don't do much more than booking your ceremony time and in my case didn't even book that correctly! They tell you to deal with them directly instead of the Resort which is a complete waste of any Brides time since nothing actually gets done.

 

Even the agents at Marlin for the flights and rooms haven't gotten back to my guests who emailed and called 3 months ago! I'm equally disappointed in Marlin Travel and Absolute Wedsite as both divisions of the company do not do their jobs as expected. I'm just happy I saw this all well in advance of my wedding and not days before. :S

 

I think the planners at the resort are fabulous and they're much more experienced having 4-5 weddings a day and I strongly urge all Brides to go this route as it's so much more stress-free! 

 

I never thought about filing a complaint against Absolute and Marlin, I don't even know where I would complain any suggestions? Thanks for the well wishes!

I'm so sorry that your having trouble like that! I'm not familiar with Absolute Wedsite so I cannot over advice there but in regards to Marlin Travel, locations are either privately owned franchise or a corporately owned office. Regardless there should be a manager or possibly a owner that you can forward your experience and dissatisfaction onto. Perhaps in regards to travel plans you can ask for another "less busy" agent that will respond to your guests in a more timely manner.

[MelB2012]

Quote:

Originally Posted by CristalyneAnkit 
 

I was also wondering what's included in the decor. I was told it's ribbons that will be draped on the front columns of the Gazebo, chairs with white chair covers IF you request them. Chair ties are an extra $2.50/chair. Some of the packages include your bridal bouquet and boutonniere from Tai Flora who you can email and they will EVENTUALLY send you a catalogue with their bouquets and tell you to choose from #149-164. Everything else is considered an upgrade and unfortunately you have to contact Tai Flora directly to get a quote on what you have in mind. They take forever to get back to you though! If you email the resort planners your ideas they can also look into and get quotes for you from Tai Flora but honestly would probably take even longer to email you back. I'm actually going to start calling everyone to find out what's going on with their emails cause they take way to long to respond but on the phone you get instant answers! There isn't any florals in the decorations really but I was told whatever I get for the ceremony the resort staff will be able to take apart and re-use for the reception, which will be a bonus! Hope that helps. I also attached a picture of what the ceremony setup the resort gives looks like, minus the chair ties. You can choose your own ribbon colours. I found it on Google! 

 

Last year when I fist started doing my weddnig planning the resort provided me with Tai Flora's catalogue, with the same "included" bouquets. I chose to order an "upgrade" and they were able to provide me the cost. I've never contact Tai Flora directly.

 

This is actually my wedding colour (although I would so prefer a satin look.)

[CristalyneAnkit]

Yeah I think it is possibly privately owned cause the saddest part is the owner is the actual one who was taking care of co-ordinating my needs with the resort and clearly she doesn't do a good job at that. We did get another agent on board for the actual bookings after we complained and told them we were going to go elsewhere if they didn't fix things. Even with two people handling our bookings it's a little slow but it is a bit better than before and I am just taking care of the planning of the wedding itself with the Resort themselves which seems to be working out so far. Thanks so much for the suggestion though! Maybe after the whole experience I will send a lovely email or review outlining the poor service I've received thus far. Unless of course they miraculously pull up their socks and start doing their jobs haha

[CristalyneAnkit]

Hmmmm I was told by Vinnette, it's a Trio Band. Maybe since they know I am having an Indian wedding and would want the Steel Pan they told me this to make me pay an additional $400 just to have a Steel Pan player? Lol maybe we should swap you take my Trio I'll take your Steel Pan! Lol. After reading a lot of things on here I think the Planners do their jobs well but like any good business they know their clients and how to up sell a Bride. Best advice is ASK what is included before you make your requests. Be specific with your questions and don't back down until you get a direct yes or no.

[mepayne]

I'm thinking of having my wedding at this resort, but they're taking forever to get back to me! Do any of you ladies have info on their wedding packages, photography, and videography?

[STemple]

So I'm a bit upset, I have always been quoted the 1700$ for the outdoor reception, now they want 2500$ for my October 2014 wedding. Also I'm going to ask about this but the romance package includes 1 hour of cocktails and canapés, I asked what was served and I was sent a PDF with options but at a per person cost, I really hope they don't "include" it then charge a per person fee. There is also a vendor fee for me hiring Rashel Edwards, will update on how much that's going to cost. I have many guests getting hair and makeup done at the spa so they are definitely not losing business. I'm interested to see everyone's experience with the romance package. They also told me the guaranteed upgrade is related to room location and view, NOT an upgrade to don Pablo. I thought if bring those to everyone's attention cuz I'm a bit pissed off lol Everyone seems to get different info, I was also told that the included live music is the steel band so I'm happy about that.

[STemple]

I forgot one more thing lol My fiancé and I are actually legally getting married this October 23rd (I unfortunately am very sick and he is in the military so being married makes life easier especially in an emergency should he need to return to be with me) so the wedding will be our anniversary but were not telling anyone so shhhhh Anyways in order to have a symbolic ceremony I have to prove I'm married with a copy of my marraige liscence, does anyone find that odd? So sorry for my long rant I'm just frustrated because I thought I had my budget worked out and all my ducks in a row lol

[STemple]

Yeah I think it is possibly privately owned cause the saddest part is the owner is the actual one who was taking care of co-ordinating my needs with the resort and clearly she doesn't do a good job at that. We did get another agent on board for the actual bookings after we complained and told them we were going to go elsewhere if they didn't fix things. Even with two people handling our bookings it's a little slow but it is a bit better than before and I am just taking care of the planning of the wedding itself with the Resort themselves which seems to be working out so far. Thanks so much for the suggestion though! Maybe after the whole experience I will send a lovely email or review outlining the poor service I've received thus far. Unless of course they miraculously pull up their socks and start doing their jobs haha

That sucks that its the owner! If you really want to complain afterwards and not sure of the best option marlin travel is owned by the TDC (transat distribution company, also own transat holidays and nolitours) so you could possibly complain to them because I'm sure they'd like to know about a franchisee. Hopefully they pull up their socks and blow you away but if not there's options lol *i don't have a hate on for marlin at all, I just hate seeing people get poor services (feel like it gives using a travel agent a bad rap lol) i actually am an outside agent for an agency that owns another office which I worked in that is a marlin travel and the agents there are fabulous

[CristalyneAnkit]

Hey STemple,

 

I was quoted $2500 as well but after reading a few of the Brides comments on here I'm going to call them tomorrow and tell them I was told it was $1700 by one of their previous planners (since it's never the same person answering) and make sure they note it down. You're lucky you got the Canapes menu I'm still waiting to receive it! Would you mind posting it on here so I can take a look? If it says Canapes and Cocktails are "included" that would mean they're included would it not! My Fiance and I were talking today and feel like even though it's all inclusive we still have to shell out money to get food and drinks for our day. He did bring up the point that it is fair for the resort to charge the $2,500 fee to privatize an area since it is after all an All inclusive resort where other people are paying for as well and sectioning something off is unfair to them BUT that $2500 isn't really going back to compensate other travellers and I really don't see why we need to pay another $2450 for the Romance Extravaganza Package. If we didn't section things off workers would still be there to bartend and serve food right so what's the difference here???? It's quite frustrating I agree but honestly I feel like no matter what resort you go with you will encounter these little stupid things that make no sense. 

 

I'm also using Rashel. Her work is fabulous! At first I was told I would only have to pay for her day pass. Then I was told the Spa might charge me a vendors fee, which hasn't been confirmed yet. Now I THINKKKK I might have found a way to avoid all these vendor fees. If I'm not mistaken everytime I call to speak to someone and mention Don Pablo they tell me it's basically a resort within the resort and is it's own entity. This would kind of make sense why they can't upgrade you there as it's technically a different resort even though it shares the same grounds. Now I read from another Bride she bypassed the fee because she somehow luckily got upgraded with her entire Bridal party to the Don Pablo section! How? I have no clue and I'm dying to figure out the secret as well! BUT because she was with Don Pablo, even though Arrefice chased her for that $800 Photo Fee she said Don Pablo told her that Arrefice isn't an on resort vendor and hence she doesn't have to pay. 

 

Another Bride posted a message she got from Arrefice stating the fee was to be paid by the actual Photographer and Videographer, not you. I would assume this applies to all Vendors including Rashel. So if the Vendor doesn't pay them, what are they really going to do about it? I also read another Bride got Rashel in for free no day pass needed and no fees! I think it all has to do with who you speak to and how friendly yet stern you can make yourself come across through the phone if that makes any sense. 

 

My plan is to upgrade my Fiancee, I and our Parents to the Don Pablo section. We would technically be guests under Don Pablo, a separate Resort from GBP as they all claim and hence no vendor fees! I'm not planning on telling the planners or resort or Arrefice this and if anyone makes a big deal about it guess what the Vendors will be gone way before anyways! I haven't yet decided on Arrefice or not as I really think their video sucks. If they give me a good deal for my 4 day Wedding though I may go with them for Photos. If I do decide to bring my own guy in he's basically my cousin attending the wedding who happens to be a professional photographer. I'd be paying for his room so to bad so sad for Arrefice if I go that route. As for Rashel, she's a long time family friend who's attending my wedding and yes she is doing my makeup, if anyone decides to have a problem with that on the day of a Brides Wedding they really is a shame on them and really I doubt they'd have the nerve to ruin your day. If they mention later on hey you used someone else you need to pay the vendor fee, well guess what the vendor fees are paid by the vendors and she's no longer here, what are you going to do about it?

 

That's my schematic plan for now lol. They've already screwed up with me enough that if they tell me I need to pay more money for something else, hell I'll buy a ticket fly to Jamaica tomorrow and give them shit in person!

[CristalyneAnkit]

That's really helpful and I will definitely complain after my wedding to avoid any "mishaps" lol. We've used one of the Agents there before who's been fabulous but she's on MAT leave and not able to really help us much Oh well, it's a good thing I've got everything figured out. Just a matter of actually getting my requests confirmed by the resort. I'm thinking of calling them every single day until they give me yes or no answers lol