WHERE TO BEGIN
TALK! TALK! TALK! TALK!
Communicating will get you everywhere.......
FINDING OUT WHAT YOUR MATE'S EXPECTATIONS ARE AND MATCHING THEM WITH YOURS WILL MAKE HONEYMOON PLANNING EASY.
HERE ARE A FEW BASIC QUESTIONS TO DISCUSS
- Do we want to get married in the same place we honeymoon?
- Do we want to go around the corner or around the world?
- Do we want to save or splurge?
- Do we want sunshine or snow?
- Do we want to be lively or lazy?
- Do we want to learn something new that we can enjoy together?
- Do we want a cruise, a honeymoon package an all inclusive resort or a trip tailored just for the two of us?
- What are your honeymoon dreams and fantasies?
YOUR HONEYMOON IS THE TRIP OF A LIFETIME.
DISCUSSING THE ABOVE CAN MAKE SURE IT WILL FULFILL YOUR DREAMS.
HOW TO GUARANTEE A PERFECT HONEYMOON
Perfect honeymoons don't just happen. They have to be carefully planned. The more you do your honeymoon homework, the more romantic - and the more fun - your honeymoon will be.
Here are a few things to do to make your honeymoon turn out as you dreamed it:
REMEMBER, EVERYBODY LOVES A LOVER. TELL EVERYONE ALL ALONG THE WAY - YOUR TRAVEL AGENT, AIRLINE PERSONNEL ON BOARD AND ON THE GROUND, HOTEL FRONT DESKS ETC. ETC. - THAT YOU'RE ON YOUR HONEYMOON AND KEEP ON TELLING THEM AS YOUR TRIP PROGRESSES. YOU'LL BE SURPRISED AT THE NUMBER OF SMILES AND PERKS THAT THIS CAN BRING YOU!!!!!!
- DON'T LEAVE ANYTHING TO CHANCE.
- BE AS SPECIFIC AS YOU CAN WHEN BOOKING YOUR TRIP.
- Outline your needs and interests to the Travel Agent.
- Specify what size bed you want. King? Queen?
- Ask for the airline seats, cruise ship cabins and/or type of room you want.
- Learn how you will be getting to your hotel from the airline or cruise terminal.
- Specify the time of day you would like to leave.
- GET INFORMATION ON WHAT THERE IS TO SEE AND DO IN YOUR DESTINATION BEFORE YOU GO.
- Call local Tourist Boards for brochures and information on the most romantic restaurants, the most exciting things to see and do, etc.
- USE THESE TO MAKE A THEORETICAL PLAN FOR ONE OR TWO DAYS.
A typical plan might include:
- Leisurely breakfast in bed
- Morning tour to see Mayan pyramids
- Picnic on the beach
- Windsurfing lesson at the hotel
- Late afternoon nap
- Dinner at a restaurant that serves under the stars at the water's edge
- CHECK WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY ABOUT MOST ROMANTIC RESTAURANTS, THINGS TO SEE AND DO.
- FIND OUT HOW FAR AWAY YOUR HOTEL IS FROM DOWNTOWN. READ ABOUT YOUR DESTINATION IN A GUIDEBOOK.
- You'll end up having a gorgeous sun rise breakfast at one of the island's prettiest hotels, finding the perfect hideaway beach, starting off with just the right store on your shopping spree; dining in the most beautiful restaurants and dancing in a place with a knockout view!
ROOM ENTRY CHECK LIST
Don't unpack when you enter. Check to see that everything you want is there. Don't leave anything to chance. Ask the bellboy to wait as you check. If the room is not to your liking, go downstairs, explain that you're on your honeymoon, and change it.
What to look for:
- Is the bed the size you want?
- Is the bathroom clean?
- Do you have a view of the ocean?
- Do you have a "Do Not Disturb sign?
- Does the TV work?
- Do the faucets drip?
- Do the lights work?
- Is there a TV remote?
- How does the in-room safe work?
If everything is OK, move in and call housekeeping and ask for anything you might need:
- Extra towels
- Extra pillows
- Hair Dryer
- Iron
GENERAL HONEYMOON TRAVEL TIPS
- Put name and address inside your bags as well as outside.
- Carry bathing suit, cosmetics, and other basic essentials on board.
- Check camera batteries and get new ones before departing on your trip.
- Take plenty of film.
- Check what documents you will need to leave and enter your home country.
- Obtain an international drivers' license. It is available through your local AAA.
- If you plan to make major purchases, check the price at home first.
- Know the 'plans':
- Continental includes continental breakfast (coffee and rolls).
- American includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.
- Modified American includes breakfast, and lunch or dinner.
- Take books or reading material.
- Take all medicines and toiletries you will need for the trip. Do not rely on finding them easily in a foreign country.
- Put cash and valuables in hotel Safety Deposit boxes.
- Don't forget a calculator if you're going outside your home country.
- Reconfirm all return flights.
- Pack an extra bag to carry purchases.
HOW TO CHOOSE A TOUR
If you have decided to take a tour for your honeymoon, here are a few things to do:
- Decide on your destination: The Caribbean? Europe? Asia?
- Decide on your budget.
- Consult a Travel Agent.
- Tours to most destinations come in Deluxe, First Class and Budget categories.
- The hotel is usually what dictates the category.
- Calculate cost/day.
- Deduct two travel days, then divide by the remaining number of days on the ground by the price minus the airfare if airfare is included.
- Read the text to determine what meals and sightseeing trips are included.
- You pay extra for 'optionals' and those meals not included.
- Make sure that free time is included.
- Find out where the hotel is located.
- If it is far away from town, you will have to budget for extra taxi fares.
- Read brochures to ensure that "transfers" (Transportation to and from the airport to the hotel) are included.
- Make sure that your tour returns to the point of origin.
- Consider whether or not you have to fly to the point of origin from your home town.
- These additional airfares can add alot to the cost of your tour.
- Consider signing on for only part of a tour. Your Travel Agent can help here.
BEING A GOOD CONSUMER ENSURES HAPPY HONEYMOONS!!!!
DESTINATION WEDDINGS
Many canny couples choose to marry in the same place that they honeymoon. This can save a considerable amount of money and hassle. Most hotels in the USA and the Caribbean will be happy to arrange your wedding. Some even price it as part of a package. One we know of offers to arrange a wedding free of charge. In most places, services are meaningful as well as beautiful, and the marriage is always legal!
Some couples bring a few members of the family or a small wedding party whose members might stay in the same resort for a weekend, then leave the couple alone for the rest of the week. For those getting married for a second time who would like to bring their children, there are resorts which arrange the wedding, then provide supervised day long activities for the children and private areas where adults can enjoy beach and sports activities.
HERE ARE SOME TIPS FOR THOSE WHO CHOOSE DESTINATION WEDDINGS
Before you go:
- CHECK YOUR OPTIONS Some hotels offer free weddings and have unusual and memorable "once in a lifetime" places to marry.
- DOCUMENTATION Make sure that you have all of the necessary documentation. This can be done through consulates, tourist boards, on site hotel wedding planners or your travel agent.
- TRAVEL AGENT Tell your travel agent or hotel booking agent that you are planning to get married in the hotel, and get the name of the person who will assist you on site.
- CONTACTS Let friends and family know your hotel phone and fax.
- WEDDING PARTY Decide how many of your family and/or friends are coming and book rooms well in advance.
- DRESS Decide what you both want to wear. Most women choose full bridal gowns or white cocktail dresses. Most men wear a tuxedo or a jacket, tie and pants. Pack these in a separate suitcase.
- MUSIC If soft background music is in your dreams, take a favorite CD or tape and a player.
- WHEN YOU'RE THERE APPOINTMENT Make an appointment with the hotel wedding consultant after arrival.
- CHOOSE YOUR WEDDING DATE Most couples plan the ceremony for one or two days after arrival.
- PICK YOUR SPOT Tour the property together on your own and choose a few beautiful sites for the ceremony BEFORE the wedding consultant takes you on a tour.
- CHOOSE A COLOR THEME Have a few of your favorite colors in mind. The theme can be carried out in your bouquet, your cake, decorations, etc.
- PLAN YOUR WEDDING DAY Will you get married in the morning or at sunset? What will you do after the ceremony? Stay in your wedding finery? Go to dinner with another honeymoon couple? Have a champagne cocktail at the bar? Dine in the gourmet restaurant? (Be sure to reserve a romantic table in advance.)
- PLAN YOUR PHOTOGRAPHS Even if the hotel arranges the wedding free of charge, you will have to pay the photographer, probably in cash. If you are out of the USA and want black and white as well as color photos, bring 35 MM black and white film. If you want a video, tell the hotel wedding planner in advance.
WHERE TO STAY
The place you choose to be your "home away from home" is the key to honeymoon happiness. The hotels and resorts mentioned here have been carefully selected to meet or surpass all of the standards of honeymoon happiness. We've chosen only a few for each destination. Some are large, sophisticated properties. Some are small and intimate. Budget properties are listed under Best Budget Bets.