Calgarybride2015's Planning Thread 15/1/21 Grand Sirenis Riviera Maya

[kcole123]

@@krystalball

 

honestly sounds familiar. I checked prices around this time last year for my April 17th wedding. I waited until probably closer to a year out for sure. When my travel agent gave me prices she gave me $1450 leaving from Toronto (I have only a couple leaving from there but figured I would price compare with yours). Anyway she said to me to lock down my rate quick too because the prices will mostly go up and also may end up selling out. So I ended up taking her advice and thankfully I did. I have checked the prices online just say if someone weren't going with my TA and wanted to book on their own, the prices have actually gone up to like $1600-$1700 leaving Toronto. The travel agent said that the $1450 is the lowest she has seen it for some time now. So I went ahead and locked down the price. She wasn't the most consistent TA to deal with but I went with my gut on this one. I think the $1495 is not too bad of a price depending on the resort you chose.

[meganstobo2004]

Random question...but when you check in do they require a credit or a debit card? And do they run it for a certain amount? Thanks

 

 

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[krystalball]

Thanks for your insight @@kcole123 - much appreciated! Did you see much of a price change from when you got your quotes originally to when you finally locked down the prices?

 

I'm planning on booking the same resort as @@calgarybride2015. It looked great online, but her review and detailed information about the day really sold it for me   

 

My only issue now is actually deciding on the quote from my TA, and I'm getting no help from my FI who is super skeptical of everything the TA says because he thinks she might be taking us for a ride...

 

I just want to book and start planning before my procrastinating side shows itself, lol

Edited March 4, 2015 by krystalball

[veryvalentine]

@@krystalball

 

I was in a very similar situation as you.

 

Our wedding is June 17-24, 2015.  We locked down our group rate in September 2014 and the prices have remained consistently high.  There is a price drop guarantee but we have yet to see it drop.

 

It's frustrating because we chose Wednesday as the departure date as that is usually the cheapest day to travel and now it turns out to be the most expensive according to the prices I have seen.

 

June is also a super cheap time to travel and I can't imagine paying $1500 to travel during that time of year...the prices better drop.  A lot of our guests are also waiting for a price drop because it is a little high. 

[calgarybride2015]

Random question...but when you check in do they require a credit or a debit card? And do they run it for a certain amount? Thanks

 

 

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Nope we didn't only if you wanted safe or wifi they would charge you.

 

 

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@@krystalball

 

honestly sounds familiar. I checked prices around this time last year for my April 17th wedding. I waited until probably closer to a year out for sure. When my travel agent gave me prices she gave me $1450 leaving from Toronto (I have only a couple leaving from there but figured I would price compare with yours). Anyway she said to me to lock down my rate quick too because the prices will mostly go up and also may end up selling out. So I ended up taking her advice and thankfully I did. I have checked the prices online just say if someone weren't going with my TA and wanted to book on their own, the prices have actually gone up to like $1600-$1700 leaving Toronto. The travel agent said that the $1450 is the lowest she has seen it for some time now. So I went ahead and locked down the price. She wasn't the most consistent TA to deal with but I went with my gut on this one. I think the $1495 is not too bad of a price depending on the resort you chose.

I wanted to book right away as we were only 9 months out. Our price was ALWAYS lower than anything we could find online. I booked in may but our deposit deadline was July. I kid you not - in July for our January wedding there was only 10 seats left on the plane. We made sure everyone knew and to hurry up! So I would actually believe your TA about the flight booking up if that price is attractive to you and in your price point. Of course you may not win the price battle as another poster mentioned but we did!!! As the plane fills the demand for seats increases and the price drives up. If you like that price it's better to be safe than sorry. And from continued talks with my TA the prices for 2016 are bad and could get worse!!!

 

Sorry I quoted the wrong post. On my phone.

@@krystalball

 

 

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Edited March 5, 2015 by calgarybride2015

[krystalball]

@@calgarybride2015

 

Thanks for sharing! Based on your note and the one from @, I was about to say "screw it" and just book at the price quoted.

 

Then a few minutes ago my FMIL emails me to say she asked her personal TA to price the same location and date and the price quoted was $35 less! I'm happy to have a lower price (I've asked my TA to match it), but I'm bummed that my FI was right! And he keeps rubbing it in, lol

 

I'm definitely going to lock in the new price and get this process moving! Thanks for all the feedback ladies.

[calgarybride2015]

@@calgarybride2015

 

Thanks for sharing! Based on your note and the one from @, I was about to say "screw it" and just book at the price quoted.

 

Then a few minutes ago my FMIL emails me to say she asked her personal TA to price the same location and date and the price quoted was $35 less! I'm happy to have a lower price (I've asked my TA to match it), but I'm bummed that my FI was right! And he keeps rubbing it in, lol

 

I'm definitely going to lock in the new price and get this process moving! Thanks for all the feedback ladies.

It's only $35. So while it's lower and I would want it matched I wouldn't bank in 1 or 2 months it would be $200 less etc. If you like the price I'd lock it. April sometimes includes spring break depending on Easter and that price to me seems very reasonable. Cheaper than any price ive ever paid good luck

 

 

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Edited March 5, 2015 by calgarybride2015

[TinkerSofi]

@@krystalball

 

honestly sounds familiar. I checked prices around this time last year for my April 17th wedding. I waited until probably closer to a year out for sure. When my travel agent gave me prices she gave me $1450 leaving from Toronto (I have only a couple leaving from there but figured I would price compare with yours). Anyway she said to me to lock down my rate quick too because the prices will mostly go up and also may end up selling out. So I ended up taking her advice and thankfully I did. I have checked the prices online just say if someone weren't going with my TA and wanted to book on their own, the prices have actually gone up to like $1600-$1700 leaving Toronto. The travel agent said that the $1450 is the lowest she has seen it for some time now. So I went ahead and locked down the price. She wasn't the most consistent TA to deal with but I went with my gut on this one. I think the $1495 is not too bad of a price depending on the resort you chose.

I think $1400 for Punta Cana is a great price! We paid around $1700 when we went and it was a really nice hotel, but no 5 star. That was from Calgary, which is always a bit more expensive, but still. 

[Surfingsara]

Hi, I just received two separate quotes from different travel agents and they are much higher than we expected. Our wedding is June 2016 and I'm shocked at how much prices have gone up since last summer when I started looking. My resort would not start booking 2016 weddings until February 2015. As a result of the prices coming in so much higher than we expected we are now having to change our location.... So if you get quoted a decent price go ahead and take it if you can.

If anyone needs a good travel agent I would recommend contacting TAWindy on this site! She was very helpful and gave us the best price of the two agents I talked to. I've been very pleased at how quickly she responds and was great at following up.

[veryvalentine]

@@Surfingsara

 

Just curious..what location did you pick for your wedding.

 

about 3 months away from our wedding I'm debating if the group rate was worth it.  We have a few guests that will be booking outside of the group rate and last minute and I don't blame them.  When it comes to money, I'd rather someone attend than not attend because our group price didn't drop.

 

so frustrated.