I am writing to inform others of our ACTUAL vacation experience with the Ramada Plaza Resorts package we paid 698.00 for. My girlfriend and another couple went, the other couple Ben & Julie discovered this complaint site AFTER we had bought the vacation. I didn't expect a refund - 8 months after buying the package. I bought because I was told I could use it ANYTIME.in the next 18 months. Well that I found out is only sorta true... Because you have to coordinate in the Cruise portion. The travel coordinator Jennifer did a great job. We got a ground floor room because Ben is wearing a cast on his broken leg. After reading some reports here - with much skepticism we decided it would be an adventure for sure if nothing else. On Nov 17 we drove to Ft. Lauderdale to begin our trip.
The rental car provided in the package was a sub compact, keep in mind we had 1 car - but thought our friends could use the rental. There was a small upgrade charge to get a Pontiac Grand Prix that was perfect, plus the cost of Insurance for the car - not included. I asked the front desk person what the car would of cost without the Ramada plaza Voucher and was told a figure about 400.00 more then we had to pay which was 376.43 (That was for 7 days, insurance and all) I think the biggest complaint here concerns the rental car. Even I no idea how much Florida charges for Insurance on Rental cars... But we can't blame Ramada Resorts for that.
Next we arrived at our hotel and checked in without hassle - a nice young man carried our bags to our room - 2 Queen Beds, TV, little fridge, and while not the Ritz Carlton - the place was average to good as one would expect at an older Ramada. The pool was great! The restaurant at the hotel won't make my top 10 favorites - but no complaints, food average. Our servers on 3 occasions excellent. There are several restaurants to choose from in walking distance or a short drive. The beach is about 10 minutes away by car.
It is located not far from the Interstate so travel anywhere was quick. We had a great time in Ft. Liquordale parting and getting drunk - so I forget some of this part of our trip.
As agreed we had to take this timeshare tour... We had a choice for a breakfast tour - or afternoon tour. We opted for the breakfast. I was quite impressed with the Vacation Village place - I did not find the salesman / tour guide pushy at all - very friendly and funny. They provided us a nice spread of fresh Orange juice - bagels - muffins etc... The coffee was not so good. For every 100 people that take the tour someone decides to invest and buy into the developers resort. That is why we got such a great price on the vacation. This time share place actually pays for part of the vacation to Ramada Plaza Resorts as I understand it. Big deal, a few hour tour to save about 1000.00. How is that a scam?
Next we set sail for the Bahammas! It felt like a 1950's Luxury Yacht - more than the cruise ship one would find with Carnival or Princess Cruises. Some would say it is old - but I loved the nostalgia of the old Cruise ship and felt transported back in time. The Captain shared with me a long list of Hollywood Celebs that privately had Chartered the ship in it's years before serving as a cruise line. The staff on board were eager to serve drinks and I won 220.00 in the small Casino. 5 hours later we arrived in the Bahamas.
WOW WOW WOW - next year we are just coming here! The water here is crystal clear - the weather beautiful! The Straw market as suggested by the gal that sold us this vacation was great to pick up super cheap duty free souvenirs. Sadly, it seemed it was time to return to Ft. Lauderdale all too soon. The return cruise was better because we pulled into port as the sun was setting - beautiful. My gal and I re-kindled some romance lost in our life of demanding work schedules... So much that right then I asked her to marry me!!!
We stayed one more night at the Ramada Plaza in Ft. Lauderdale - and woke up early to drive to Orlando with our friends in the rental car behind us. It took 6 hours, traffic and construction, with lunch that was most of that day. A little trouble finding the place but a phone call to the front desk corrected my wrong turn, our room would be held and they were anticipating our arrival. Funny when we arrived we had no reservation??? This according to some stupid gal working the front desk. I asked to see a manager who appeared. He made a phone call and then returned - no problem sir. The reservation was made - it is our fault we did not put you in the system here. Meaning the hotel - he apologized profusely more than he needed to and gave us a VERY NICE room. Then he just completely SHOCKED us all and said, we are out of season and have lots of rooms - rather than you 4 sharing a room. "Since YOU ARE SPECIAL GUESTS OF RAMADA PLAZA RESORTS" would you like a free extra room for your friends? Free? Yes - we have plenty of empty rooms, and it is the least I can do to make up for the error in your reservation. WOW - I have never felt so special.
The Orlando Ramada was absolutely 1st class - clean and a nice staff of friendly people. The hotel courtesy shuttle took you everywhere one would want to go with times posted in the Lobby. 7:30 4 Sea World - 8:00 for Disney and so on... You don't really need the rental car in Orlando. We should of left it in Lauderdale and saved some of that rip off car insurance rate.
Yes, we had to pay for our drinks on the ship - our food and a few things. Just like anyone has to when on vacation - eating out every meal is not cheap. My advice is to budget 50-100 per person per day for spending cash and incidentals. If people honestly believe that for 700.00 Ramada is going to pay for everything - then I say their disappointment's is caused by their own lack of common sense. Look it was a promotional trip of course they want you to spend some money at their resort in the restaurant - vending machines etc... We had been to Disney before so this trip we went to Sea World 1 day and the next day just relaxed by the pool winding down from all the activities everyone was partied out and pooped. Over all it was a great trip and for 700.00 and 2 hours of our time to tour a nice Vacation Village interval ownership place was in my opinion well worth it. I have few complaints - like the free coffee at Vacation Village - Horrible - WARNING -
I would not go out of my way to stay at the Ft. Lauderdale Ramada again - But we have made plans for another weekend in Orlando - this time however it will cost 123.00 a night
we booked 3 nights 360.00 or so total. We are going back to Ramada Plaza Resort in Orlando on our nickel at full price - so obviously this is a successful promotion for Ramada.
To all those skeptical about this vacation I offer this advice - common sense should tell you it is not an ULTRA RICH LUXURY VACATION. This vacation package is really for the people who otherwise could never afford to go - 7 nights decent accommodations, discounted rental car (saved 400) plus a little R/T Bahamma cruise - oh yes - it cost 99X2 for our two friends to join us on the cruise ship. But this was explained by the gal that sold us the vacation originally - so my report here is that she was honest in fully disclosing the extra fees and charges we would incur. If people go on this vacation with these high expectations that this is all inclusive ultra luxury 1st class entire family or 4 adult vacation for a week for only the 698.00 package cost, and they won't have to spend a penny while on their vacation. This to me seems the reason for many here complaints against Ramada Plaza promotions Vacations. I feel we got a great value for our 700.00 - our friends who went for free as our guests also had a great time. This concludes my honest review and vacation experience with Ramada.
Kc
Clearwater, Florida
U.S.A.
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