Question about vacation package pricing and early booking, etc

[starrysim]

Hi girls!  I started looking at resorts for our wedding (looking at Nov, 2011) in August/ September, and I was looking at prices for this November, meaning ~3 months in advance. At the time, the Iberostar Rose Hall Suites was priced at about $1300-1400 from Toronto (one week, all inclusive).  However, if I look now, for Oct 2011 prices, it's more like $1800.  Is it common for prices to be that high far ahead of time, and then go lower when it's a few months away?  Even March & April prices are lower than that, so it doesn't make sense that November would be so much more expensive.  Now I'm scared to book, in case I remember wrong or something, and it really will be $1800.  Any thoughts?  Does anyone have experience with October/November prices, from Toronto?  thanks so much.  I'd love to book ASAP, but I'm scared of the prices.

[ehpage]

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[JayKay]

Our TA said that prices go lower closer to departure dates, so for example, its Jan 11 now if you were going in March 11 prices would be slightly lower, with that being said, often you can get early booking discounts that ofter are better then waiting for these cheaper prices.  Our TA told us you can also get something so if prices drop you get the lower price, I think she said its about 50 dollars per persons (not sure who all offers this though).  Hope this helps.

[starrysim]

I think I figured out that I was remembering the Beach prices, those were around $1400, and the suites $1700 or so.  I sure hope they go down from the prices they're quoting now. The November prices aren't up yet though.

[snowbeltchick]

I just got a group quote for the Suites for the last week in November at $2134 per person.  Ouch.

[starrysim]

What? That's insane. I'm assuming it's for a highly upgraded room. Where are you located?

[snowbeltchick]

No, just regular double room.  The quote was from Transat Vacations flying out of Toronto.  We are looking at other options right now, because while we can afford that I'm not sure some of our guests can.

[Marlena]

Check out Air Canada Vacations, their website is the only one that I have found where you can see approximately how much it will be for the week...they only have a $200 early booking bonus, and I think they want it paid in full by March

[starrysim]

I don't think those prices are realistic, according to my research and talking to other IRHS brides on the forums (who got married there in the fall, flying from TO).  The fact that most carriers haven't released prices yet also tells me that it's too early to book. We're meeting with our travel agent this week, I'm hoping she will have some good info for us.  I'm pretty anxious, but realistically I think it's too early to be booking.

[RiuJAMNegril]

hi all,

 

we are also looking at Jamaica in November 2011 so I'll be watching for anything interesting and sharing here.

A good friends neighbour is a TA in Toronto who is suppose to be great. I'll let you know what she finds for us.

 

Good luck with your search....