Dominican Republic Destination Wedding

[scrapgal123]

We are invited to my Step-Brother's wedding in April. Originally, we were not going to be attending due to the price. My sister was also not going to attend. We are a complicated family....

Now it seems that the only one that will not be attending will be us, so I am trying to price it again to see if we may be able to go.

What websites have has anyone used to book their trips to the DR?

TIA

 

[fordpony92]

Usually when we book an international trip we use a travel agent. I would check around and find a reputable agent and go and talk with them. We have been to the DR and the only limitation on finding a good deal is that I would also recommend staying at the resort where the wedding is taking place since traveling outside of your resort in the DR can be a little sketchy. But any reputable TA should be able to get you a price comparable to what you can find online.

Something else to keep in mind may be the threat of cholera spreading to the DR from neighboring Haiti.

Best of luck!!

 

[DisneyScraps]

Jet Blue flys there and has great service. I have a friend that ives there part time and that is how he goes back and forth.

I LOVE the DR if you go leave the resort and go into some of the little towns, great food and the people are lovely.

Lisa

 

[DebMcDonald]

My DD (17) and I just did a trip to the DR, we booked through TNT vacations, but I have to agree with the above, I'd try to book with who everyone else is for a better deal if possible. We did JetBlue. We did four nights/5 days for around $1500.

 

[shoney]

While I haven't been to DR, we have gone to the Riviera Maya in Mexico 5 times. Most recently in october... www.allinclusiveoutlet.com had the best price. For our upcoming trip in March www.bookit.com had the best price and we found a TA that would match it. PM me for info if you want it.

The problem is you need to book a specific resort, I am assuming. If that resort is running specials you might be out of luck. Also play around with arrival departure dates...sometime flying in/out mid week can be much cheaper than weekends.

It truly amazes me at the amount of weddings at the resorts...some people come with 50+ family/friends. I couldn't find that many people willing to spend that kind of money...LOL...Good Luck!

 

[Mom21]

CheapCaribbean.com is who I have used for all of my island vacations. never had any issue with them at all and cheapest I find.

 

[ibela]

applevacations.com. Having been to the DR several times, I agree that you definitely don't want to stay at a different resort from the wedding and everyone else unless it's within a brief walk on the beach. PM if you have any questions.

 

[scrapgal123]

Yes, we are looking to stay on the same property as the wedding-Melia Caribe.

It looks like it will be about $2k for 4 nights/5 days, for me & DH.

 

[kaleighmariesmom]

CheapCaribbean.com is who I have used for all of my island vacations. never had any issue with them at all and cheapest I find.

we used them to go to my sister's wedding in Jamaica... worked out well

 

[Darcy03231]

I've used both Apple Vacations and TNT to book all inclusives in both the DR and the Mexican Riviera. Never had a problem with either company.

 

[zarcar]

My parents are from Dominican Republic (Santiago). Find out where exactly your stepbrother & his fiancee are planning their wedding (Santo Domingo/Puerto Plata/Punta Cana, etc?) then you will have an idea on where you need to land (I always prefer to land in the same City of my hotel). Find out if Melia Caribe are offering a "wedding room rate" for the guests?

We are a family of 4 so I KNOW how pricey hotels + airfare can run a person. I usually book directly using the airline/hotel websites (takes time to do but to me it's alot easier). Definitely, shop around... Airlines usually drop their airfare late Tuesday nights/early Wednesday mornings (my cousins always luck out finding great deals weeks before their scheduled vacations - I'm too impatient . Also, check out Travelzoo....it usually has some great last minute deals.

 

[okeydokey]

Yes, we are looking to stay on the same property as the wedding-Melia Caribe.

It looks like it will be about $2k for 4 nights/5 days, for me & DH.

Wow, that sounds steep. This is why I dislike destination weddings. I sure would like to go to one, but can't, and then I'd feel bad that I am missing the big event.

 

[scrapgal123]

Ok, the best rate I found was through Bookit.com. The travel agent recommended was more expensive and Bookit gave the option of splitting the payments into 3.

Now, need to do the research, I have not been out of the country since I was a teenager (20yrs ago). This is the first vacation DH and I take without the kids....

They are having a wedding shower a month before the wedding. I guess I would need to take a gift to that?? Not to the actual wedding?

 

[plutolovr]

Ok, the best rate I found was through Bookit.com. The travel agent recommended was more expensive and Bookit gave the option of splitting the payments into 3.

Now, need to do the research, I have not been out of the country since I was a teenager (20yrs ago). This is the first vacation DH and I take without the kids....

They are having a wedding shower a month before the wedding. I guess I would need to take a gift to that?? Not to the actual wedding?

Don't forget to budget in the amount of money need for passports. They will be required to get back into the states.

 

[okeydokey]

Ok, the best rate I found was through Bookit.com. The travel agent recommended was more expensive and Bookit gave the option of splitting the payments into 3.

Now, need to do the research, I have not been out of the country since I was a teenager (20yrs ago). This is the first vacation DH and I take without the kids....

They are having a wedding shower a month before the wedding. I guess I would need to take a gift to that?? Not to the actual wedding?

Most weddings and showers are gift giving occasions, but for destination weddings, I think you can feel free to get a much smaller gift for the wedding itself.

 

[shoney]

Most weddings and showers are gift giving occasions, but for destination weddings, I think you can feel free to get a much smaller gift for the wedding itself.

I agree. I think that attending is the present!

For the shower, I would give something for the trip.... "just married" beach bag, "just married flip flops" "mr and mrs luggage tags" for example...you could fill a beach bag with travel size toiletries and stuff they would need for the trip.

Have a great time!

 

[scrapgal123]

Don't forget to budget in the amount of money need for passports. They will be required to get back into the states.

Yup, need to get a passport.... DH's is expired, so we need to renew his...