So sad :(

[kris]

So we had finally decided on a resort the Riu Palace Tropical Bay (which I had my heart set on btw) I talked to my travel agent for prices and she said based on last years prices we were looking at 2500 pp from Calgary. When she finally sent away for group pricing it came back at 3000 for jan 2010..Thats crazy, nobody will come for that price..any suggestions

[jennierin]

I too had the same problem.

 

We were engaged the end of September and I started going to get price quotes on resorts for November 2009. The prices were horribly high compared to 2008! The reason that I was given was because the prices were not published yet and therefore the tour operators can give you any price that they want at that particular moment.

 

We were advised to either change our date to the month before (which is what we did), or to wait a little longer for price quotes. I'm sure if you hold off for a little while the prices "may" come down.

 

Also, you could decide on having your wedding during off season, which is from May - November. Prices are always lower during that time period.

 

I really hope that things work out! And don't get discouraged, things always have a way of righting themselves in the end!

[bellemiche]

When we originally decided on RTB, the price was much higher then we ended up paying. I think you can reserve your wedding date and time now, then wait a bit to see if the price goes down. Also ask your TA about price protection. You would have to watch/check every so often to see if the price has gone down. I did and we ended up paying less than we originally thought.

[SunBride]

wow, that is nuts! I was just planning a vacation to Jamaica and that resort is running for 1250+250 taxes right now from Ottawa. I understand that's a last minute price and that you will pay more to book a year in advance but 3000$ is just insane. Have you tried talking to other travel agents? Otherwise I would go ahead and plan your wedding and wait until the summer to book because that is when all the travel packages are officially published and when the early booking bonuses start.

[Sloan]

I agree - $3000 is way overpriced. We booked RTB last July and our group rate for a double, flying out of Toronto is only $1830 + taxes. $3000 is ridiculous, even from Calgary.

[jmhein]

I agree with the other ladies, shop around, try some different travel agents! You could also wait a few months, the resort wont book up this far in advance. Also, right now, with the economic troubles of the world, the resorts are slashing their prices and tehy may continue to do so if you wait a couple of months.

Another option - are you getting your quotes through Sunquest? Slightly more complicated in that it wont be a direct flight, but you could look into booking flights through WestJet and negotiating a group land only rate directly with the Riu... just a thought that you can try! Good luck!

[jmhein]

I agree with the other ladies, shop around, try some different travel agents! You could also wait a few months, the resort wont book up this far in advance. Also, right now, with the economic troubles of the world, the resorts are slashing their prices and tehy may continue to do so if you wait a couple of months.

Another option - are you getting your quotes through Sunquest? Slightly more complicated in that it wont be a direct flight, but you could look into booking flights through WestJet and negotiating a group land only rate directly with the Riu... just a thought that you can try! Good luck!

[TMclean]

I am getting married at RTB this April 2009.

 

our price was 2400pp & up depending on what room category you booked.

I booked using Sunquest. It is true that when booking for a wedding you and your guests end up paying more because you have to book so far in advance. when we put our deposits down that was the price we had to pay, even if the prices went down we still had to pay the first quoted price. If you fly from Toronto prices are always cheaper.

 

I thought that a lot of people would not attend because of the price however to my pleasant surprise, I have over 40 people attending.

 

Good Luck

[kris]

thank you to all of you guys. Yeah I am currently trying other travel agents and think I will wait until march to book. Do you think it will be too late by march (I think I'll only have a group of max 30 people)? Im one of those people that needs everything booked and organized way in advance or I stress out big time.

[AnnaC]

This hotel is my first choice as well. I've seen the high prices on line but have decided to wait a few months to see if it will come down. I'd look at the prices for Jan/Feb 2009 and aim to get a price that is similar.