It's official. The Royals sent out an email on this today. I am still fuzzy on whether or not renters from owners are forced into the AI or not. It is not clear. Text from the email:
" Dear Member,
Over the past year, we have been looking for different ways to make your experience at Royal Resorts even better. We are very proud of the product we currently offer, and we are aware of the excellent level of satisfaction among our members. However, Royal Resorts has always strived to go one step further and we believe we can still do more to make your Royal Resorts vacation unforgettable.
Royal Resorts is pleased to share news about an upcoming program designed to help guests customize their vacations. We understand that each person is different and therefore we want to offer every guest the possibility of choosing the elements that will truly make their vacation unique.
Through this program, guests will have the opportunity to create customized vacation packages via add-ons such as spa services, tours, water sports, green fees and food and beverages at Royal Resorts restaurants, all of them at preferential rates.
Because we want to provide greater benefits to our members, we have established some differences between the programs that members and non-members will have access to. The most significant difference is the fact that members will be offered an optional special all-inclusive package at a discounted price. Non-members will have their room, food and beverages and other services built into a mandatory all-inclusive package sold at the market rate. Non-members will not have access to the special all-inclusive package for members. This will help maintain our resorts efficiently and improve occupancy, thus providing a platform for further discounts and benefits to members; it´s not only about saving you money, but also about giving something back to you for being one of our extremely valuable members.
This program is scheduled to be launched at The Royal Sands and The Royal Haciendas in Week 43, October 27, 2012 with the intention of rolling it out to others in 2013. We will be sending more information on this program in the near future but we wanted you to be the first ones to read about it. We hope you are as excited as we are about this upcoming program and that you will find great value in it.
For further details on how the program will work and what it entails, please refer to the FAQ section below.
Sincerely,
Royal Resorts Management
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How does the program work?
Royal Resorts members will have a set of different packages at discounted prices that they can choose from to customize their vacation and enjoy during their stay. Members may purchase these at any time before or during their vacation.
2. As a Member, what will my discount be?
Royal Resorts is currently in the process of establishing rates and discounts for the variety of packages that will be offered. Because the packages are so different, discounts will vary depending on services and participating suppliers.
3. In which resorts will these special packages be offered?
They are scheduled to be offered in The Royal Sands and The Royal Haciendas starting Week 43, October 27, 2012. We will inform members in due time about the date when we expect to start offering packages at other Royal Resorts.
4. What type of packages will I be able to purchase?
These packages can include a special all-inclusive package for members, weddings and special events, spa services, golf, specialty dining, theme parks, water sports and trips to archaeological sites among others.
5. What does the special all-inclusive package for members include?
The special all-inclusive package for members includes food and beverages and other services such as, room amenities, Sunday maid service, room service, supervised kids club, tips, and taxes among others, all of them at discounted prices. Members will also have the option of customizing and upgrading this package by adding other items such as specialty dining, spa services, and entertainment.
6. Is the special all-inclusive package for members mandatory or optional?
All packages including the special all-inclusive package will be optional for members. This package will not be available for non-members.
7. What will the packages program look like for non-members?
Non-members will have their room, food and beverages and other services built into their all-inclusive package sold at the market rate and they will also have the option of purchasing additional packages should they wish to do so.
8. Which criteria determine whether the packages are optional?
All members registered in the membership agreement will have optional access regardless of how they are staying at the resort, e.g. a Royal Resorts member who exchanges or rents at Royal Resorts will have optional access to all packages.
Family and friends staying as guests of a member in their unit(s) will have optional access to all packages.
9. What will be the quality of food and beverages if I choose to purchase the package?
Royal Resorts will ensure that any food and beverages sold at the resorts will maintain the same level of quality that is currently offered at the resort restaurants.
10. Should I expect more people staying at the resort?
The resort facilities and amenities are designed to accommodate maximum occupancy. We do expect the program to bring more guests to the resorts. We look to increase our occupancy but only to a level where we can operate and manage the resorts and its services with the same quality standards.
11. Will the atmosphere in the resorts change?
We believe that the resort atmosphere will not change. The quality standards we are known for will be maintained and we will continue to adhere to the Resort Tips and guidelines; as an example antisocial behavior will not be tolerated and management will reserve the right to refuse serving alcohol to anyone who is visibly impaired. What will change is that more people will be enjoying the excellent quality and services provided at our restaurants and this will allow us to pass on discounts to our valued members.
12. How do I get additional information about the program?
We are in the process of establishing the full details and usage guidelines of these new packages and will be posting regular updates on
www.royalresorts.com/packages.
13. How can I purchase one or more of the aforementioned packages for my vacation?
The purchase of packages is not available at the moment. We will send an announcement to members as soon as it becomes available. "
I for one am VERY upset about this. I DO believe this will change the atmosphere of the Royals, and in a negative way,
Michelle