Sun 101

Insider Honeymoon travel tips

from travel experts
by Shelley Waugh
June 4, 2011

Plan in Advance
Leave plenty of flexibility to plan air travel and book your desired destination. Popular honeymoon resorts tend to sell out quickly, especially suites. Last-minute bookings will leave less of a chance for the potentially luxurious honeymoon upgrade. 

Purchase Travel Insurance
A lot of time, money and emotions go into planning the perfect honeymoon. Do not leave anything to chance; purchase travel insurance so you are safe from any travel mishaps like lost luggage or stolen belongings.

Insider’s Tip: Knowing baggage fee information ahead of time is a must in order to avoid unexpected expenses at the beginning and end of a trip. Look for baggage icons on websites which makes this information readily available at the time of searching and booking.
 
Splurge on Direct Flights or Business Class
After an exhausting wedding and reception, the last thing you want to do is miss a connecting flight or spend hours waiting at an airport for the next leg of your trip. For the ultimate in-flight experience, splurge for first or business class seats.

Insider’s Tip: The cheapest days of the week to travel are typically Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Notify the hotel or resort it is your honeymoon stay.
Hotels generally want to contribute to making a honeymoon romantic and special. They might throw in a room upgrade or a bottle of champagne upon arrival.

Insider’s Tip: Peak season does not mean peak prices. Hotels and resorts do not always sell out at the times of year you might assume they would.
 
Price out the airfare first, book the resort second
Generally airfare is the most expensive component of the honeymoon, so before deciding on a resort, research airfare to make sure it falls within your travel budget.

Insider’s Tip: Airlines typically release new sales on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, leaving those as the best days to find less expensive seats.
 
Consider using a honeymoon registry.
These websites allow couples to register their honeymoon so friends and family can contribute gifts or financial support. Most hotels and cruise lines offer honeymoon registries.

Insider Honeymoon travel tips courtesy the Fly.com team

Honeymoon Planning

2. Do not use the bride's new married name for the reservations.
It takes more than a few days to get your name changed. Your first snag will come when the airline will checks to see if your photo ID matches the name on the airline reservation. If this is a second marriage, make sure that the bride has all necessary documents to show proof of name changes from her original maiden name to the one on the current picture ID.

3. Always ask for a queen or king size bed when making your reservation.
Recheck this before you depart.

4. Always tell your travel agent and the hotel that you are honeymooners.
Bring proof. Many hotels now require proof that you are newly married before giving free upgrades, and honeymoon amenities.

5. Do not skimp on accommodations.
Think of your honeymoon as an investment in a lifetime of memories. You can always earn more money to make up for the difference in what you were hoping to pay. But you can never go back and relive those moments, no matter how much you spend.

6. Be careful about taking honeymoon travel advice from friends and family.
Just because your friend loved a resort or destination does not mean that you will agree (and a big disappointment based on their advice will hurt your relationship). No matter how highly they recommend a place, remember that they have different tastes, different expectations, and completely different travel experiences for comparison. Listen to all unsolicited advice graciously and then go find an experienced travel professional. Ask to see the agent's own pictures, look at virtual tours, and video clips.

7. If you are on a fixed budget.
• Postpone your honeymoon until you have the budget to do what you really want.
• Shorten the trip. It's better to stay at your dream destination for only four nights than a less desirable budget hotel for seven nights.
• Sign up for a honeymoon registry.
• Give guest friends and family the chance to contribute to your honeymoon fund.

8. Plan together if you can.
Each of you should list separately three dream destinations, three activities you want to do or try, and your ideal budget for the trip. Share this information with each other then go to an experienced travel agent who specializes in honeymoons.

9. Consider looking at all inclusive resports.
They offer one price to cover the cost of your room, food, drinks, and tips. Many also include activities as well. Do not book an all inclusive if you plan on doing a lot of sightseeing or renting a car. You'll be less inclined to get out and explore if you're missing all the food, drink, and activities back at the hotel.

10. Choose a destination that neither of you have been to before.
Choose a destination that neither of you have been to before Do not re-visit a place you've already been to with someone else. Visiting a new destination together will be an important shared experience. It creates an atmosphere filled with excitement and newness.

Honeymoon planning tips courtesy: Renee Duane-Meyer, Unforgettable Honeymoons.

Photo: Deadman’s Beach at Peter Island Resort in the British Virgin Islands.

WeddingsHoneymoons.com | Honeymoon Travel Tips | June 4, 2011