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jilliibabii
Mrs. O'Connor
Member since 6/10 12821 total posts
Name:
Jillian
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Excellence Punta Cana- Travel Agent?
So DH and I have been dithering back and forth on where to go for our two year wedding anniversary this year. We didn't get to take a trip for our first year because BIL got married the week before our anniversary.
Anywayyyyy, we decided since we had such a great time at Couples Swept Away that we wanted to do another all inclusive and we decided on Excellence Punta Cana. We wanted to get a Swim Up Suite with direct access to the pool. It was an additional $350 and we felt it was worth it. Now that we're ready to book, it looks like those rooms are sold out for our selected dates.  And it was only last week that they were available! BOO! Anyway, DH mentioned that maybe we'd still be able to get it trhough a travel agent. Or that at least we might be able to be upgraded somehow or get a discount through a travel agent.
Now, I've never worked with a travel agent before. I always like to book my trips myself in my own time. Do you think we stand to gain anything by going through a TA? If so, is there anyone you recommend? TIA! 
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Posted 3/9/12 1:46 PM  |
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Long Island Weddings
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Samira0407
Love being a Mom
Member since 6/08 4030 total posts
Name:
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Re: Excellence Punta Cana- Travel Agent?
I don't know if a TA will be able to get a room for you that the resort is showing as sold out? Maybe best case call and book directly through the resort and have them put a note in the reservation that you're celebrating an anniversary? You can also book your 2nd choice room now; and keep checking to see if the top choice room become available? you can always upgrade before you leave. I don't know what time of year you're traveling but if the resort is sold out of the swim up suite rooms now then you might not be able to get an upgrade at check in.
I haven't booked through a travel agent in over 5 years-so i don't have one to recommend. sorry!
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| Posted 3/9/12 2:02 PM |
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jilliibabii
Mrs. O'Connor
Member since 6/10 12821 total posts
Name:
Jillian
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Re: Excellence Punta Cana- Travel Agent?
Posted by Samira0407
I don't know if a TA will be able to get a room for you that the resort is showing as sold out? Maybe best case call and book directly through the resort and have them put a note in the reservation that you're celebrating an anniversary? You can also book your 2nd choice room now; and keep checking to see if the top choice room become available? you can always upgrade before you leave. I don't know what time of year you're traveling but if the resort is sold out of the swim up suite rooms now then you might not be able to get an upgrade at check in.
I haven't booked through a travel agent in over 5 years-so i don't have one to recommend. sorry!
We just thought that maybe they block off a certain amount of rooms for TA to sell so they might have them available even if they aren't available to the general public. But the room isn't even that big of a deal, I'm already over it.  We were just wondering if you guys think we'd be able to get any extras thrown in by going through a TA? Thanks for the input though!
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| Posted 3/9/12 2:20 PM |
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bikramaddict
mommy-to-be
Member since 8/06 4376 total posts
Name:
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Re: Excellence Punta Cana- Travel Agent?
Yes, absolutely work with a travel agent! It costs you nothing, you have someone by your side looking after you and even better, s/he can get you things that aren't ordinarily accessible.
Travel agents (especially those that associate with groups like Travelsavers, Signature, etc) have huge buying power - meaning they get better deals on air, hotel, etc. most of the time. And those types of agents can get you extra perks like resort credits and spa treatments. It's well worth your while.
I am not a travel agent, but do work in the travel industry so FM me if you have any questions.
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| Posted 3/10/12 8:41 AM |
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GraceAndAdam
LIF Toddler
Member since 12/08 487 total posts
Name:
Grace
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Re: Excellence Punta Cana- Travel Agent?
I don't have an answer as to whether a travel agent can help you get a swim out suite, but I just wanted to let you know in case you didn't already that the swim out suites at the Excellence Resorts just mean that your room in on the ground floor with your own lounge chairs overlooking the pool. They're not like some other resorts where you have your own steps down into the pool. The pool will be about 10 feet from your patio doors, but there are no steps from your patio into the pool. Unless you are lucky enough to get a room next to the main pool steps, you will still have to walk to and from the steps unless you are able to hoist yourself out onto the wall of the pool. And some of the pools are pretty long and windy so a swim out suite may not be as convenient as you think. Just something to think about before spending extra for the swim out.
Either way, you will love it there!
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| Posted 3/10/12 5:15 PM |
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Lauren123
LIF Infant
Member since 10/10 135 total posts
Name:
Lauren
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Re: Excellence Punta Cana- Travel Agent?
I recently stayed at the Excellence Punta Cana and booked thru a travel agent.
I would think that perhaps the swim up room might be booked for all the dates you are looking for, if you are trying to go for a week, but maybe it is available for the second half of your trip and you can switch rooms in the middle.
In terms of a travel agent and this particular resort, they have a special concierge desk for people who booked thru Liberty Travel and other travel agencies at the hotel. They gave us a special orientation the day after we arrived, discussed all the excursions for us, booked out excursions, and double checked our flights for us on the way home.
Also the travel agent told the hotel we were going there for our anniversary and we recieved a special romantic dinner, a sign on our hotel door, a speacial morning breakfast thru the travel agent.
FM me for more details or any questions about the resorts or excursions if you want!
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| Posted 3/11/12 8:37 PM |
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jilliibabii
Mrs. O'Connor
Member since 6/10 12821 total posts
Name:
Jillian
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Re: Excellence Punta Cana- Travel Agent?
Posted by GraceAndAdam
I don't have an answer as to whether a travel agent can help you get a swim out suite, but I just wanted to let you know in case you didn't already that the swim out suites at the Excellence Resorts just mean that your room in on the ground floor with your own lounge chairs overlooking the pool. They're not like some other resorts where you have your own steps down into the pool. The pool will be about 10 feet from your patio doors, but there are no steps from your patio into the pool. Unless you are lucky enough to get a room next to the main pool steps, you will still have to walk to and from the steps unless you are able to hoist yourself out onto the wall of the pool. And some of the pools are pretty long and windy so a swim out suite may not be as convenient as you think. Just something to think about before spending extra for the swim out.
Either way, you will love it there!
That is extremely valuable information! Thank you! Yupp, they are definitely sold out, I called and asked, but I saved a couple bucks and I doubt it's going to make or break the trip, especially since it wasn't exactly what I was thinking of (and what they had pictured on their site!)
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| Posted 3/12/12 12:54 PM |
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jilliibabii
Mrs. O'Connor
Member since 6/10 12821 total posts
Name:
Jillian
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Re: Excellence Punta Cana- Travel Agent?
Posted by Lauren123
I recently stayed at the Excellence Punta Cana and booked thru a travel agent.
I would think that perhaps the swim up room might be booked for all the dates you are looking for, if you are trying to go for a week, but maybe it is available for the second half of your trip and you can switch rooms in the middle.
In terms of a travel agent and this particular resort, they have a special concierge desk for people who booked thru Liberty Travel and other travel agencies at the hotel. They gave us a special orientation the day after we arrived, discussed all the excursions for us, booked out excursions, and double checked our flights for us on the way home.
Also the travel agent told the hotel we were going there for our anniversary and we recieved a special romantic dinner, a sign on our hotel door, a speacial morning breakfast thru the travel agent.
FM me for more details or any questions about the resorts or excursions if you want!
Hmmm sounds like it might be worth it to go through Liberty Travel! I'm going to check them out! I might FM you later though! Thanks again!
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| Posted 3/12/12 12:57 PM |
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