Why You Need To Find A Good Travel Agent

Posted on by Lucky n Love

Now more than ever you need to find a good travel agent. Airline cancellations, hotel and resort closures, travel restrictions, and destination entry requirements vary.

need to work with a good travel agent

There are numerous consumer complaints about online travel sites and their spotty record of customer service recently, and those that just closed up shop never to be heard from again. Past & current issues ranging from unspecified post-trip charges to credit cards, airline tickets being rebooked to the wrong destination after a schedule change, being bounced from one supplier to another to resolve a problem, and hotel reservations not on record when guests show up. Add to that long hold times and dropped calls when needing to talk to a human and a lack of response to questions and complaints.

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There are numerous stories about how agents saved the day for their clients. Getting them where they needed to go, and then working to get their customers refunds and credits. This is the best reason to work with a good travel agent, advocacy. Travel advisors have relationships with those who make decisions. If something goes wrong you have someone to step in to help you.

People are getting fed up with their online travel experience. Google’s research shows it takes 32 visits to 10 websites just to book a single airline ticket. Don’t waste your time or money; find a travel advisor to work with.

For a complete rundown on consumer complaints and their experiences when booking with an online travel site, read Doug Gollan’s article ” As OTAs Expand Their Reach, A Trail Of Complaints Suggests Online Booking May Not Be The Best Choice For Consumers.”

To plan a future getaway, contact a travel advisor

Playa del Carmen, Mexico

Posted on by Lucky n Love

I planned a year ago to visit Playa del Carmen, Mexico. The purpose of my visit was to check out some resorts and a casino that I had not seen before. Having returned two days ago, and while travel has changed under the new requirements, it was a wonderful visit. I was able to tour some great resorts that each offer something different.

The first night I stayed at one of my favorite resorts a little further south along the Riviera Maya. The next day I headed to Playa del Carmen for a three night stay at Sandos Caracol. Joining me on this site inspection trip was Shannon, from Riviera Reflections Weddings & Events, based in the Riviera Maya.The purpose of this trip was to scout out some new locations for honeymoons and destination weddings.

sandos caracol

Sandos Caracol is a family friendly, all inclusive resort set along a beautiful beach. There is also an adults only section, with its own beach club area. The staff is wonderful, and the food was good. This resort offers something for everyone, and the natural setting is amazing. Jungle, cenotes, monkeys, waterfalls, and a suspension bridge are just a few of the things waiting for you. The rooms are  comfortable, and a good size for 2 adults or 2 adults and 2 kids. If you are traveling as a family, I recommend the Eco Family Suite which gives you more room, a separate bedroom for the kids, a larger bathroom with 2 showers, and a plunge pool on your balcony.

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Celebrating my birthday during my visit was extra special; the resort went out of their way to show me some ‘birthday love.’ It is special touches like this that will make a special occasion, honeymoon or destination wedding that much more memorable. The cake was delicious by the way!

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Destination Wedding Options

The resort offers several wedding locations. Beach palapa for toes in the sand, but shaded from the hot sun. A rooftop terrace with views for miles. At the edge of a cenote; the possibilities are endless to craft your picture perfect wedding day. The resort offers several wedding packages which can be customized anyway that you like.

sandos caracol wedding packages

Wedding Planning During COVID

Posted on by Lucky n Love

Wedding planning during COVID is not what you had in mind when you dreamed of your perfect wedding day. Many couples have had to cancel and/or reschedule their wedding plans during the COVID pandemic. So many factors are at play when deciding what to do. Many states are now requiring a 14-day quarantine for out of state visitors. Venues have to limit seating capacity, and the way food is served is very different now. I know you never envisioned having to deal with the restrictions we are all now subject to. This is why there is an increase in wedding elopements and micro weddings among couples whose plans have been impacted this year.

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Couples are choosing to elope, just the two of them. They are choosing a destination that is closer to home, or a destination that is open and currently welcoming visitors with minimal travel restrictions in place. One of the top international destinations couples are choosing is Mexico. Mexico has put safety and health protocols in place to ensure the well being of its visitors and does not require a COVID test prior to travel like some other tropical locations. Many of the resorts in the popular spots, Cancun, Cabo & Puerto Vallarta have already reopened. Couples are choosing to elope so they don’t have to limit the number of people who attend their wedding and will have a big wedding celebration with family and friends when it is safe to do so.

wedding planning during COVID

Another option couples are choosing is a micro wedding. Weddings that are much smaller in size, with only family or a few close friends attending. A destination wedding is perfect if you are choosing a micro wedding. Escape to someplace beautiful for a few days to a week, give your guests a much-needed vacation, and honeymoon at the same time. The options of outdoor venues are many; social distancing is easier to maintain and to keep everyone safe.

Wedding planning during COVID is not what any of us could have imagined. My heart goes out to all whose plans and lives have been impacted by this nasty virus.

If you have questions about wedding elopement packages or a destination micro wedding, please reach out to me.