2013 Gran Caribe Real/ Royal Cancun Brides

[TinkerSofi]

Originally Posted by AnaSteele58 

 

 

I was wondering the same as Kelly in the post above. Hidden fees or additional fees?

 

You mentioned the venues were beautiful. How were the rooms?

 

Thanks for your feedback!

They didn't show us the rooms, which was a bit sad because they did at Beach Palace (That's one of the things we liked the most about BP). We didn't actually stay at the Gran Caribe, although now I wish we had so that we could say for certain whether I would bring my guests there. 

[TinkerSofi]

Originally Posted by AnaSteele58 

 

 

I was wondering the same as Kelly in the post above. Hidden fees or additional fees?

 

You mentioned the venues were beautiful. How were the rooms?

 

Thanks for your feedback!

Hidden is just a term. From what I've read they are things that last minute they're like "Oh we charge extra for this" when you thought it was included. Some of those fees are ridiculous. When you're on a tight budget like us, and probably most brides, these surprise fees are no fun. I just wanted to know what they are so I can stay clear haha. 

[TinkerSofi]

Originally Posted by mizpriya 

 

Hi Tinkersofi,

 

I would get married again there (not that I would remarry or anything lol) but I still would. I think the most common ones would be the fee that you have to pay to have a break for photos between the ceremony and reception time. They asked for $400 or you pay for a cocktail hour. Didn't want a cocktail hour because all my guests stayed on the resort and it's all-inclusive for crying out loud! Mind you, I did argue for them to waive this fee for me. The rational behind them doing this is because if you have guests that do not stay on the resort (outside guests) then they need to cover the fact that they might take advantage of the drinks and food of the resort. So I managed to get them to waive it on the grounds that all my guests are ON the resort and I only needed an hour for us to take pics with the guests and us as a couple. It was frustrating, but it was worth the fight since we won.

 

The other fee that they don't outright tell is the $350 vendor fee...and that is per vendor, not per person ok. Just to clarify.

 

Those are really the only hidden fees that we came across. It wasn't that big of a deal really. We went with the free package so it really didn't matter much. And we did it a la carte style. So for us, it didn't amount to much in the end. Yes they should be more clear and specific on their documentation about all these things, but really, it wasn't that bad in my opinion. The break in events fee was the only one of concern. You really still save wayyyy more money doing it this way than an at home wedding. Put it this way, you now know what to expect when dealing with them from reading this. Gran Caribe is inexpensive for you and guests compared to going to Beach Palace (we were looking at them at the beginning as an option but Gran Caribe cost us a lot less!). You might have to put in some time to deal with them to waive fees. but from our experience, it was worth it. Just reason with them, and be respectful when dealing with them, and you can work it out. I told them I wouldn't sign the contract unless they waived that fee and everything else was a negotiation.

 

That's my two cents!

Thanks for the input.  We thought the same about Beach Palace. We thought it was beautiful but it is very expensive, even if we get married in low season and I don't feel comfortable making my guests pay so much. We were thinking of going with the Luxury package because we expect a lot of guests and I think the cocktail hour is included with that so the fee shouldn't be a problem. But yes, the more you know beforehand the better prepared you are. The person we talked to during our site visit did mention those fees so I'm glad it's just that. 

 

In terms of an open bar, on the webinar they said that open bar and food for the reception was all included but some people have said there is a fee for those. Does anyone know what's up with that? do you pay extra only for the amount of people over the package limit? (for example if the package is up to 30ppl and you have 40)

[ncalvar]

Hey girls! I just did my review from my wedding on 04/24/12! Let me know if you have any questions..... Hope it helps =)

 

http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/products/gran-caribe-real-resort-spa-all-inclusive/reviews/7237

[txbrideinmexico]

Girls who got married in the chapel - did you do a collection? If not, did you make a personal donation?

 

I was asking my onsite WC about how many people we needed involved in the mass/ceremony and she mentioned a collection. I don't really want to send the basket around at our wedding and make our guests feel awkward. I'd be pretty surprised if anyone had cash on them anyway. I'm wondering if we should write a personal check for a couple of hundred dollars in lieu of the that. If the priest's parish gets it, I would love to make that donation, but if it is just going to the resort's chapel maintenance or something I don't really feel obligated.

[monicamb]

Also keep in mind if you have a reception outside (depending on the month) the reception must end at 9pm or 10pm. For example June 2013, Wedding has to end at 9pm.

[Emily11386]

Hey ladies, we got married Friday and are here in Cancun until Sat. We got here the 4th. I don't want to freak anyone out by saying this but if you have time I would recommend taking probiotics before your trip. This is our 3rd trip to Cancun and we have never had any issues with food but myself and 5 of our guests got salmonella on Tuesday night. I was sick Wed, in bed all day Thurs until I dragged myself out to our rehearsal dinner at which I ate nothing. They sent the Dr to see me that night and he gave me antibiotics and a few other meds. Fri was the wedding and I did my best to enjoy it and danced anyways, and was sick most of the night following the reception (at which I also didn't eat). I was in my bed again all day yesterday. So many of my guests who came down for only a few days I barely saw. I ate nothing but toast from Wed night until today when I ate a few French fries. I've been to both of these resorts before and never had a problem, but the timing couldn't have been worse.

[txbrideinmexico]

Originally Posted by Emily11386 

 

Hey ladies, we got married Friday and are here in Cancun until Sat. We got here the 4th. I don't want to freak anyone out by saying this but if you have time I would recommend taking probiotics before your trip. This is our 3rd trip to Cancun and we have never had any issues with food but myself and 5 of our guests got salmonella on Tuesday night. I was sick Wed, in bed all day Thurs until I dragged myself out to our rehearsal dinner at which I ate nothing. They sent the Dr to see me that night and he gave me antibiotics and a few other meds. Fri was the wedding and I did my best to enjoy it and danced anyways, and was sick most of the night following the reception (at which I also didn't eat). I was in my bed again all day yesterday. So many of my guests who came down for only a few days I barely saw. I ate nothing but toast from Wed night until today when I ate a few French fries. I've been to both of these resorts before and never had a problem, but the timing couldn't have been worse.

I am so sorry to hear about this Emily! That is just awful - of all the times in your life to get food poisioning...

 

Thanks for the heads up. I hope you're able to feel better and enjoy your honeymoon.

[mariposa6102]

Originally Posted by Emily11386 

 

Hey ladies, we got married Friday and are here in Cancun until Sat. We got here the 4th. I don't want to freak anyone out by saying this but if you have time I would recommend taking probiotics before your trip. This is our 3rd trip to Cancun and we have never had any issues with food but myself and 5 of our guests got salmonella on Tuesday night. I was sick Wed, in bed all day Thurs until I dragged myself out to our rehearsal dinner at which I ate nothing. They sent the Dr to see me that night and he gave me antibiotics and a few other meds. Fri was the wedding and I did my best to enjoy it and danced anyways, and was sick most of the night following the reception (at which I also didn't eat). I was in my bed again all day yesterday. So many of my guests who came down for only a few days I barely saw. I ate nothing but toast from Wed night until today when I ate a few French fries. I've been to both of these resorts before and never had a problem, but the timing couldn't have been worse.

Oh my goodness Emily11386 .  I know how much you have been looking forward to your big day and I know how hard you have worked to get everything right.  And, you have been so good at providing all us brides here on this thread with all kinds of planning tips (for that we all thank-you!).  To hear that you got sick on your trip!!!!!!!  I'm so sorry. 

 

But keep your head up!  YOU'RE MARRIED NOW!!!!  YAYYYYYY!!!!!!  And I'm sure that your husband is a great man.  As hard as you worked at putting together your Cancun wedding and providing info on this page, keep up that great work with your marriage!  You paradise will be with you every morning when you wake up!  Enjoy being married!

[Billandstina]

You

Hey ladies, we got married Friday and are here in Cancun until Sat. We got here the 4th. I don't want to freak anyone out by saying this but if you have time I would recommend taking probiotics before your trip. This is our 3rd trip to Cancun and we have never had any issues with food but myself and 5 of our guests got salmonella on Tuesday night. I was sick Wed, in bed all day Thurs until I dragged myself out to our rehearsal dinner at which I ate nothing. They sent the Dr to see me that night and he gave me antibiotics and a few other meds. Fri was the wedding and I did my best to enjoy it and danced anyways, and was sick most of the night following the reception (at which I also didn't eat). I was in my bed again all day yesterday. So many of my guests who came down for only a few days I barely saw. I ate nothing but toast from Wed night until today when I ate a few French fries. I've been to both of these resorts before and never had a problem, but the timing couldn't have been worse.

You poor poor thing!! No fun!! Seems like a fabulous excuse for a destination vow renewal in your futures though Congratulations on being married!!