ROR Brides (Riu Ocho Rios)

[Yassy]

Originally Posted by kalolaco 

 

 

I was just married at the Riu Ocho Rios on Feb 16 I'll try to answer some of your questions!

 

1. I emailed Keisha the wedding coordinator about a steaming service. Unfortunately, none is available on resort. For $45 there is a vendor that they work with off-resort that will steam the dress. I opted not to do this. I purchased a handheld portable steamer and brought it with me (Rowenta brand from Sears), but unfortunately it wasn't really effective at getting rid of the few wrinkles my dress got during travel.

 

**Also, a note to anyone travelling with Sunwing airlines - there is no place to hang your dress on the plane. There is a dedicate overhead baggage compartment around row 7, but this is highly problematic! Both on the flight to and from Jamaica, people placed their luggage in this bin, even though there is a bright orange label that says "dedicated for wedding items". One passenger was downright rude to me. I watched as he forcefully crumpled my garment bag containing my dress, bridesmaid dresses, and fiance's suit into a corner of the baggage compartment before shoving in his own bag. Thankfully there was an amazing flight attendant who saw this and set him straight.**

 

2. I also tried to find out pricing for excursions before arriving, but couldn't find the info online. They're all really great about accommodating groups though, so if you can give them at least 1.5-2 days notice, you'll have no problem booking an excursion for your group. They're pretty good about giving group rates, and if you mention that you're the bride, there's a good chance that you and your hubby can go for free. We booked a catamaran to Dunn's Falls for $45/person (about 25 people in the group), and my husband and I were complimentary. In the end, high winds prevented the group from going, but those who wanted to were able to get their money back (a few went another day, and they still honoured the group rate even though only around 6 people went). This was booked through the Scuba Caribe hut right on the beach next to the jerk chicken hut (it was about twice the price to book through the Sunwing coordinator located near the lobby).

 

3. I did book the on-site photographer. I have the price list from 2012 (since I booked in 2012, I was given the 2012 pricing even though my wedding was in 2013. I'll try to attach it here...) 

 

 

 

 

 

I booked the head photographer, but he was sick the day of my wedding so 2 of his assistants (Lincoln and Denise) were my photographers. I just got the low-resolution images emailed to me yesterday to look through. For about 4.5 hours of photography (spread out throughout the day) I have close to 1700 shots to choose from and a lot of them are truly fantastic! I'm very impressed. To compensate not having the head photographer (Michael Sondern), my package was upgraded from 100 images to 125.

 

4. I had the beach party reception, and didn't see any poolside receptions while I was there, so not too sure about this one  

 

In total 36 people travelled in my group, and our group rate was about $1460 for 7 days in standard ocean view rooms. This was through Sell Off Vacations (Sunwing) for Feb 13-20 flying out of Toronto. It was not much more to upgrade to the ocean view junior suites, which is on the newer side of the resort. (Less than $50 person to upgrade to these rooms).

 

 

Hope this helps! Let me know if you have more questions

 

Hey kalolaco,

 

Thanks so much for getting back to me:)  Unfortunately, I cannot open your attachment, but I've sent you a PM with my email address asking if you can email the attachment to me if you get a opp! 

 

Thanks Again!!!

Yassy

weddings_2012 pricelist.pdf

[Yassy]

Just curious...I have a few friends who are DJ's and they do have their dj equipment (serato)...do you have any idea if the dj equipment can be directly hooked up to the sound system?  Then I won't need to pay for a DJ and can just use my friends!!!  (Anything to save money!!! lol)  Also, how was the sound quality when you used your ipod/cd's with their sound system? Was it loud enough?

 

Yassy.

[kalolaco]

For those booking with Sunwing, I suggest requesting a seat close to aisle 7! That way you can monitor the overhead luggage bin where your dress will be kept. I was in row 2 (which is part of the "Elite Plus" upgrade offered thru Sunwing; you get preferential boarding, more leg room, and can bring an extra 10KG of luggage for both the bride and groom) but you can't keep an eye on what happens to your dress! I learned the hard way!

[kalolaco]

Originally Posted by Yassy 

 

Just curious...I have a few friends who are DJ's and they do have their dj equipment (serato)...do you have any idea if the dj equipment can be directly hooked up to the sound system?  Then I won't need to pay for a DJ and can just use my friends!!!  (Anything to save money!!! lol)  Also, how was the sound quality when you used your ipod/cd's with their sound system? Was it loud enough?

 

Yassy.

 

I have no idea about bringing your own equipment. Does anyone know if the voltage of electricity is different in Jamaica? The plugs are the same as in Canada, but when my hubby used his electric razor he said it sounded like a chipmunk, lol, so I would make sure it's all the same voltage and such so there's no risk of ruining expensive DJ equipment!

 

The sound quality with the iPod was fantastic! Nice and loud. It was hooked up to a Macbook and some other DJ-looking devices. I don't know if it was a fluke that the resort provided 2 guys to operate the sound system (because we didn't pay for them!), but it was great that they were there! 

 

Only suggestion would be to request a spot on the beach at the opposite end of the resort from the area where they have nightly entertainment. That can get a bit loud. We were down by the jerk chicken hut and it was far enough away from the resort's stage that we didn't have any sound interference from them.

[DANIELLE03]

Having a mini freak out. Was told the date i wanted was available, Send her my rquest and they completly changed the process. Now the date isnt availble. minimal days and times available for time we are to be there, and might have to compltely change EVERYTHING! Thankfully havent put deposits for trip down, but now that might change there fore costing more money!!!

 

Im so pissed right now and annoyed at their reservation system its ridiculous!!!!!!!

[Jessica Correa]

Hey does anyone have an pictures of the disco? or can someone tell me how the disco looks? I reserved it for 2 hours and im curious about what to expect. Thanks!

[CdnBrideJoanne]

Thanks Yassy.  I don't know why TA's are so hard to deal with.  I'm currently working with 3 and none of them have provided me with any pricing for the week we want to go.  It has been the most frustrating experience!  One TA lost my info, one TA won't deal with the Riu because she has heard bad things about them, and the other TA keeps giving me pricing for the wrong weeks!  Do I need to find a 4th TA?!  I will give Sunwing a call today.

[CdnBrideJoanne]

Originally Posted by Atrack 

 

Hi Joanne

 

We are getting Married Nov 27th 2013 to. Our wedding is at 5pm.

 

I guess you'll be at the salon getting your hair done while I'm getting married lol. 

[Atrack]

Originally Posted by CdnBrideJoanne 

 

Thanks Yassy.  I don't know why TA's are so hard to deal with.  I'm currently working with 3 and none of them have provided me with any pricing for the week we want to go.  It has been the most frustrating experience!  One TA lost my info, one TA won't deal with the Riu because she has heard bad things about them, and the other TA keeps giving me pricing for the wrong weeks!  Do I need to find a 4th TA?!  I will give Sunwing a call today.

Hey Joanne

 

If we live close to ottawa give Sharon Farrell from Global Travel a call. She is doing our wedding and she already booked us a group rate which is alot cheaper then travelling just your family. Let me know if you want her number.

[kalolaco]

Originally Posted by CdnBrideJoanne 

 

Thanks Yassy.  I don't know why TA's are so hard to deal with.  I'm currently working with 3 and none of them have provided me with any pricing for the week we want to go.  It has been the most frustrating experience!  One TA lost my info, one TA won't deal with the Riu because she has heard bad things about them, and the other TA keeps giving me pricing for the wrong weeks!  Do I need to find a 4th TA?!  I will give Sunwing a call today.

 

I had a great TA through Sell Off Vacations in Barrie (so that's Signature Vacations/Sunwing Airlines). Message me if you want her contact info. She even booked my far-away guests in Calgary and Arizona!