Thinking of booking a trip using Travelocity, should I have any concerns?

[amberpi]

Travelocity is pretty reputable. I prefer to go directly to the airline and hotel, but that's mainly because I travel a ton and want the points I've never bought travel insurance and I've never needed it.

The Caymans are beautiful. The Ritz's pool looks kinda like a Mickeyhead if you're interested.

 

[amberpi]

If you're mindful of budget but want to go this summer, Miami, Naples, somewhere in Florida might be easier - just because the flights from Chicago would be short and direct. Have a lovely holiday!

 

[Hikergirl]

I have never booked an entire trip through one of those sites and after dd's ordeal this past Spring Break I don't think I will.
She had booked an Orlando vacation through Expedia (I think it was Expedia). She was notified the night before her flight that it was cancelled and they rebooked her on a flight that was not going to work for her. The worst part is that the flight was never cancelled, and never showed cancelled on the airline's site, it departed on time the next morning. It was the day before a blizzard was due so I think they bumped her and her friends off to accommodate passengers who booked directly through the airline and wanted to change their flight to travel before the blizzard came in. Of course I have no proof of that, its just an assumption but I would much rather just book directly through the airline.

 

[Wishing on a star]

Okay... A couple quick searches on Orbitz...
4 nights, Sunday June 25 - 29 (Sunday seems to be a cheaper departure)
Flights on American
Comfort Suites is showing a total of $1846.68
I noticed the Margaritaville Beach Resort should be about the exact same price, so you could compare the two.

 

[Wishing on a star]

Also pulled up cancun, and 4 nights at the Marriott Casa Magna, Sunday departure on June 25th, with non-stop flights on United comes in at about $1800.00.
The J.W. Marriott is next door, but I know it is undergoing some pretty extensive renovations. I think this includes their Pool areas.

The trip advisor web-site is your friend as you research!

 

[Wishing on a star]

Hikergirl, getting bumped happens on every airline any more. (Apparantly, even once one has taken their seat!)
This is a systemic problem with the airline industry, and I don't think it has anything to do with the major online retailers.
Throw in a Winter storm... and anything can happen.

Happened to us on a huge trip to Hawaii on DELTA.... And we had booked directly thru them.
Our itinerary was majorly screwed up.
Our very nice original flight on an Airbus miraculously re-appeared at double what we had paid.
We booked with another airline.

 

[Wishing on a star]

OP, you say you have not vacationed/traveled.... Do you have your passports!!!
You will not leave the U.S. without one.

 

[Wishing on a star]

Check out the beaches with the white sand on the Panhandle.
Here is a beach-cam of one of our 'spots'.
Check this out on a nice sunny day down there.

http://gulfcoastbeachcams.com/cameras/pompanojoes-destin

 

[traces7]

Thanks everyone! I booked a trip through a local travel agent to Riveria Maya. June 19-22 for $739 per person. All inclusive!! Really excited! We do have our passports. Hope we're going to like it. It's our first vacation in over 10 years and the first time out of the country!
Wishing on a star: that beach does look nice, I wouldn't mind going there!

 

[Wishing on a star]

Thanks!
So, three nights, or four???
You really, really, really, need 4 nights. the travel time and airfare are hard to justify only two full days...

Do tell, which resort on the Riviera Maya!!!

 

[Wishing on a star]

I just clicked on my link for that cam.
And, of course, some pervs in their bedroom of their parents basement are zooming in on girls boobs and butts...

Getting late now and the sun is going down there... looks overcast too.

 

[Hikergirl]

Hikergirl, getting bumped happens on every airline any more. (Apparantly, even once one has taken their seat!)
This is a systemic problem with the airline industry, and I don't think it has anything to do with the major online retailers.
Throw in a Winter storm... and anything can happen.

Happened to us on a huge trip to Hawaii on DELTA.... And we had booked directly thru them.
Our itinerary was majorly screwed up.
Our very nice original flight on an Airbus miraculously re-appeared at double what we had paid.
We booked with another airline.

It just left a sour taste in my mouth. To the airline's credit they did find dd and her friends seats on a later flight that day, they were even upgraded at no extra charge.

 

[Wishing on a star]

I am SO glad they made it that day!
Yep, the airl

OP, I think the airlines are much more vigilant about international travel.
I don't think you should worry at all.
Enjoy your getaway!!!

 

[DaisyJ]

Thanks everyone! I booked a trip through a local travel agent to Riveria Maya. June 19-22 for $739 per person. All inclusive!! Really excited! We do have our passports. Hope we're going to like it. It's our first vacation in over 10 years and the first time out of the country!
Wishing on a star: that beach does look nice, I wouldn't mind going there!

That is a long way to go for only two full days.

 

[traces7]

Thanks!
So, three nights, or four???
You really, really, really, need 4 nights. the travel time and airfare are hard to justify only two full days...

Do tell, which resort on the Riviera Maya!!!

Oh, yeah, it's only 3 nights. We probably will regret not having more days. But we get there at 9:30 a.m. on the first day, so hopefully will be able to enjoy it a little that day too. It's the NOW Sapphire Riveria Cancun. http://www.nowresorts.com/Sapphire

 

[Stacy's a freak]

Enjoy! Don't drink the tap water or have any ice

 

[sam_gordon]

But we get there at 9:30 a.m. on the first day

IIRC, Riveria Maya is ~1 hour from the airport.

 

[Wishing on a star]

True... I am not sure exactly how far the transfer to this resort is, but it will def. take some time from touchdown till arrival and check-in.
Also, OP, you really need to book your own private transfers (we have used USA Transfers). If you took transfers with your package and they are 'shared' transfers, it will take some extra time for the bus/van to fill, and to drop off everyone at resorts on the way to your resort.

The flight should have the Customs/Immigration forms that you will need when you arrive at the Cancun airport. But, I think sometimes they do not, or have run out... I don't have a link, but you should be able to print these out, online, at home before you travel. You can probably find a link on the Cancun forum on trip advisor.

Be aware that the beach will not be like Grand Cayman or or Cancun. But, hopefully still nice.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[Kaytie]

OP, you say you have not vacationed/traveled.... Do you have your passports!!!
You will not leave the U.S. without one.

They could go to Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, St. Croix, or St. John without passports. And come back.

 

[DaisyJ]

Oh, yeah, it's only 3 nights. We probably will regret not having more days. But we get there at 9:30 a.m. on the first day, so hopefully will be able to enjoy it a little that day too. It's the NOW Sapphire Riveria Cancun. http://www.nowresorts.com/Sapphire

Don't forget you'll need a transfer from the airport to the resort and then reversed. Your ride will be about 30-45 minutes, depending on where you're going.