Help RIU ClubHotel 45% Increase for Extras in 4 Months

[JennandMike08]

OMG are you serious? Is this for all of the RIU hotels?

[Preciousmi811]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TA Maureen Some resorts have you put down deposits and sign contracts in advance so that is why other brides mention that. However, Riu Resorts do not have you sign wedding contracts or pay for wedding services in advance. The idea is that you confirm your wedding/date/time with a credit card gurantee not a charge and then everything else is planned, confirmed and paid for on-site. It sounds like they changed vendors for some services and therefore some pricing has changed for flowers and musicians. When booking additional wedding items/services at Riu resorts prior to arrival I usually just send an email that says something like I would like to confirm the beach cocktail reception at a rate of $15.00 per person for the date of.... and the DJ from 8pm-10pm at a rate of $150.00 per hour. Then the WC writes back confirmed next to each item. I tell the brides to hang on to those email because that's all they have, no contract! However, if they just ask for a price and then don't go to confirm they would like to book that option then really as harsh as it seems the price is subject to change as is availability (another birde could book the reception spot you want) just as if you went to look at a house you wanted to buy or a trip you wanted to book and got prices. Then months later went to buy/book the price is subject to change. Because they do not charge deposits there really is no reason not to email and ask to confirm such options because if you need to cancel them later you will not be losing any deposit money. There really is no need to wait to have an exact head count. I would suggest just book your decor using the florist with the lowest price and send those quotes you got direct from the florist to the WC. Then see where you can get with hotel management on the musician pricing. Hopefully they come through for you. The resort the OP is discussing is Club Hotel Riu Negril. This increase has not happened at all Rius. However, my suggestions above do apply to all Rius. If you want something send an email to your WC requesting the price then reply right back that you would like to book x at y price for thus and so dates, please confirm.

Maureen once again you are awesome and have come through for someone out of the goodness of your heart. I should have gone with my gut and fired my TA and had you take over a year ago. This by far has been the most helpful information I have received. I am not sure if you can but I think you should move your previous post and make it a sticky in the Jamaica forum.

As I have been telling everyone JUST because your TA says she has booked tons of weddings in Jamaica doesn't mean they understand the ins and outs of the process. As you can see I am one of those brides that is now caught in the aftermath. I read every thread, researched every website, checked out every trip advisor review, and talk with past brides who have gotten married in Jamaica...and I still don't know sh**. BOOK MAUREEN!

Well Dionne has responded and will honor the old prices and this is the most informative email she has sent me. See her email below.

Hi Shannon

We can honor the old prices with the previous information that is on the attachment , where it says all extras must be paid in cash.
There as been some changes and effective May 2010 some extras goes up and can be paid credit card, but if we are going to honor the previous prices we have to honor the previous payment plan.

Thank You
Dionne

The sad part is this email was sent to me after my TA asked her what the cancellation fee was. If I have not paid a deposit do you still have to pay the $250 cancellation fee? This whole situation has bummed me out.

Thanks Everyone! Maureen thank you!

[svetayasofiya]

YAY!! I think you can relax now no?

[Marie]

wow!!

 

Thats not the greatest news to receive and deal with hey? I can imagine how you're feeling-I was pissed when I saw the photoshop and steel drum band prices go up at Riu Ocho Rios......(rates changes from 2009 to 2010) SO there was nothing I could do about it....but in your case, that seems a bit drastic.

 

Hang in there. It will all work out int he end. It has to!

[hiccups]

I was under the impression that the resort usually increases their prices yearly...I guess I'm wrong!

 

I'm getting married at ROR in Feb. 2011 and requested a copy of their pricelist for 2011. I noticed quite an increase in rates....for example, the steel drum band was listed on their 2009 & 2010 price list at $350/hour and has increased to $500/hour for 2011.

[Preciousmi811]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TA Maureen No problem! As for the $250.00 cancelation fee, do you mean for canceling the wedding date/time you have reserved? If so, the way that works is when you get your confirmation code from Riu you go back into their website and enter that code then you have to fill out a bunch of information and give your credit card info. Your card does not get charged anything at that time but if you were to cancel after that they would charge your card the $250.00 cancelation fee. You dont want to cancel the whole wedding reservation do you?

I hate to seem like Debbie Downer, I just don't know if I have stirred up so much that my wedding would be effected.

And of course I foolishly have five centerpieces, programs, petals for aisle, guestbook, menus, and place cards. I foolishly thought they would set it up for me, based on all the other Jamaican brides post of all the neat stuff they made and were bringing for decorations. I just don't want to ask any of my guest to set those items up for me and I don't want to play a negotiation game to have the items setup. I'm so tired.

Negril Escape has been working with me and has provided a great quote in one day. I'm just so exhausted I feel like its better to fold now and pay extra to have peace mind and enjoy the time in Jamaica.

Thank you everyone again and Maureen thank you -you always can answer any question I have when my travel agent has no idea. Please be in this business ten years from now when I go again to renew our vows.

[JNagan2011]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TA Maureen Some resorts have you put down deposits and sign contracts in advance so that is why other brides mention that. However, Riu Resorts do not have you sign wedding contracts or pay for wedding services in advance. The idea is that you confirm your wedding/date/time with a credit card gurantee not a charge and then everything else is planned, confirmed and paid for on-site. It sounds like they changed vendors for some services and therefore some pricing has changed for flowers and musicians. When booking additional wedding items/services at Riu resorts prior to arrival I usually just send an email that says something like I would like to confirm the beach cocktail reception at a rate of $15.00 per person for the date of.... and the DJ from 8pm-10pm at a rate of $150.00 per hour. Then the WC writes back confirmed next to each item. I tell the brides to hang on to those email because that's all they have, no contract! However, if they just ask for a price and then don't go to confirm they would like to book that option then really as harsh as it seems the price is subject to change as is availability (another birde could book the reception spot you want) just as if you went to look at a house you wanted to buy or a trip you wanted to book and got prices. Then months later went to buy/book the price is subject to change. Because they do not charge deposits there really is no reason not to email and ask to confirm such options because if you need to cancel them later you will not be losing any deposit money. There really is no need to wait to have an exact head count. I would suggest just book your decor using the florist with the lowest price and send those quotes you got direct from the florist to the WC. Then see where you can get with hotel management on the musician pricing. Hopefully they come through for you. The resort the OP is discussing is Club Hotel Riu Negril. This increase has not happened at all Rius. However, my suggestions above do apply to all Rius. If you want something send an email to your WC requesting the price then reply right back that you would like to book x at y price for thus and so dates, please confirm.

Thanks this is great information!

[ablj209]

@JodieP: I had the same situation for the Riu Palace Punta Cana. I had originally requested the Royal package for up to 40 guests, then the 2011 packages came out and now it's only 15 guests. I have contacted the co-ordinator, and unfortunately, they will not honour the 2010 package even though it was booked in 2010, they said all 2011 weddings will get the 2011 package.... depending on how many guests you have, you can pay a small additional fee per person instead of upgrading to the Caprice package. I don't know what the fee is, they said it depends on how many people and what sort of options you chose.

[jmiranda]

How about getting outside vendors maybe that will be a savings for you.

[yumyum90]

Preciousmi811 how did it turn out? Did the Riu honor their prices or did you end up going with Negril Escape? I got a quote from Negril Escape when I was looking and it looks like a gorgeous wedding location. You may even be able to get more bang for your buck their. I hope everything works out for you on your special day!