Discouraged...

I think I always over think things and it sounds like that's what your doing right now. As you know, I was in the same boat as you. We wanted an all inclusive and it had to be affordable. So, of course we go towards Mexico, bc I am with you about Sandals. I too was not wowed by some Mexican resorts but my Fh and I sat down and he looked at me and said, 'it is our honeymoon, we are going to have an amazing time weather it's Mexico, or Europe, or New Jersey! All we need is a room... a hot tub.... food... drinks... and just enjoy each other'. I knew right then that I was being pretty crazy about the whole 'perfect honeymoon' thing. It's going to be perfect no matter where you are!! I ended up going with the Excellence resort bc of all the extras and romantic things they do for you. There is always going to be the goods and bads about everywhere! Just relax and take a deep breath. My answer came to me as soon as I stopped tring to plan 'the perfect honeymoon' and just listened to Tom and FH about what we were getting included and the price. Suddenly it was the perfect place.

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Posted by Kris0703

I think I always over think things and it sounds like that's what your doing right now. As you know, I was in the same boat as you. We wanted an all inclusive and it had to be affordable. So, of course we go towards Mexico, bc I am with you about Sandals. I too was not wowed by some Mexican resorts but my Fh and I sat down and he looked at me and said, 'it is our honeymoon, we are going to have an amazing time weather it's Mexico, or Europe, or New Jersey! All we need is a room... a hot tub.... food... drinks... and just enjoy each other'. I knew right then that I was being pretty crazy about the whole 'perfect honeymoon' thing. It's going to be perfect no matter where you are!! I ended up going with the Excellence resort bc of all the extras and romantic things they do for you. There is always going to be the goods and bads about everywhere! Just relax and take a deep breath. My answer came to me as soon as I stopped tring to plan 'the perfect honeymoon' and just listened to Tom and FH about what we were getting included and the price. Suddenly it was the perfect place.

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Congrats - I'm glad you found a place....

I have some demands some places can't meet. My father always dreamed of deep sea fishing in Mexico and he never got to. I want to do that so my honeymoon has a piece of him in it. Some resorts don't offer that as an extra tour and neither does Tom...it seems little but I need to do that for myself and for my dad...

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Posted by Future Mulligan

me and FH are going to try and find the cheapest HM possible lol.......don't get me wrong, of course if we had tons of money we would go nuts and splurge BUT i think its foolish to spend every last penny on your HM. to be honest i think HM's are totally overrated. i feel like people get caught up in trying to plan this amazing vacation but what it comes down to is that you and your FH are now married and celebrating being husband and wife for the first time - what can be more romantic and exciting as that! i bet you could go anywhere and it would be amazing because you are both alone, on vacation, away from the stress of every day just enjoying eachother and enjoying being husband and wife for the first time. i just think some ppl get to caught up with it and go overboard. its nice if you have the money to spend but that doesn't mean if you don't go to the most expensive island and stay in the most expensive hotel that its going to be crappy. its going to be amazing no matter what!! please don't stressed or get discouraged. you and FH are going to have the best time no matter where you end up because you will be with eachother!

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You're right...

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Posted by futuremrsmultari

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Posted by dancinmyazoff

I 100% understand how you feel right now....I'm in the same boat with you I just don't know where to go. There are so many GORGEOUS places but I don't want to have to spend a gazillion dollars on our HM Sooo confusing!!!!

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It *****...

I loved Royal Hideaway...it's out of our range since winter is a pricey travel time...I was like 'eh' with Excellence...we can afford that but I don't love it...no where close to loving it...I loved El Dorado Royale but heard you get treated like crap if you're not in a casita, which we can't afford....

at this point it's been so stressful I now hate all three places and want to quit...I'm so sad/frustrated!!!!!

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What I've found is....if I get frustrated with something I give myself a little break from it (like a week but if you don't want to go that long try a few days) to just not think about it and maybe clear your head of any confusion. I don't know....it kinda works for me

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Posted by futuremrsmultari

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Posted by Mizzdimple

We chose to go all out b/c its a one time thing....
I say (IMO) Splurge!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! on your dream place if you can.

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We're paying for this all ourselves...I am not comfortable taking money from my mom now that she's on her own with a huge house, etc. so I really can't go too wild..

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What about doing a honeymoon registry?

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Posted by Kris0703

p.s. i just looked up deep sea fishing tin Mexico (soryy, I'm a researcher by nature) and it looks like no resorts will include it, but you can book it yourself. This might be tough getting transportation and booking tours online, but it is possible!

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Yeah, Tom can't help us book that and most resorts can't either. It could be such a hassle...EDR had fly fishing, Aventura had it as an extra but the beach isn't grea there....ahh, we'll figure it out...I'm giving up for today/this weekend...

aww dont worry you'll find somewhere!!! have you called other travel agents? i know its a pain but maybe they can at least give u ideas of different places that maybe tom didnt think of..and then u can research some of the places on our own or tell tom about and see where u can get the best deal...i wish i could be some what of a help but we have no clue where to go either

Colleen -

Did you look into the Iberostar resorts? I think they just opened a gorgeous one in Mexico....

My MOH is going to El Dorado Royale and said she's heard nothing but great things about it.

Honestly, don't listen to other people. Everyone has a different experience. It could have been an off week for someone in the staff. They might have rubbed someone the wrong way - but I'm sure thats not the case 24/7/365 - know what I mean, jellybean?

You know what I needed to do (and maybe you should too if this is you...) - don't look at Trip Advisor. That site gets me all riled up.

Every place has its negative reviews...

Think of it this way. You're comparing the nicest resorts with the nicest resorts. When you look at it from that perspective you really cant go wrong - ya know?

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Posted by futuremrsmultari

I have some demands some places can't meet. My father always dreamed of deep sea fishing in Mexico and he never got to. I want to do that so my honeymoon has a piece of him in it. Some resorts don't offer that as an extra tour and neither does Tom...it seems little but I need to do that for myself and for my dad...

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you want to go deep sea fishing? that is so funny bc i am looking for the opposite - dont know what its called. . .regular fishing i guess lol. . . but almost everywhere has this you just have to look for it. . .

I know for a fact Aruba and St Lucia have this. . . you have to book it yourself and then get your own transportation which I am sure the hotel will help you with

And not that you want to plan your whole HM around it but Florida Keys = fishing capital of the world

We talked and talked tonight and decided we love El Dorado Royale....we were going to call and get quotes Monday when I get back from upstate and then I had to go and look at Excellence again...I like their swim up rooms a bit better than EDR...so here I am confused again.....

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Posted by futuremrsmultari

We talked and talked tonight and decided we love El Dorado Royale....we were going to call and get quotes Monday when I get back from upstate and then I had to go and look at Excellence again...I like their swim up rooms a bit better than EDR...so here I am confused again.....

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Doesn't EDR have the lazy river that you hop onto right from your room and it takes you to the pool???

That sounded so cool to me!

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Posted by beachbum05

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Posted by futuremrsmultari

We talked and talked tonight and decided we love El Dorado Royale....we were going to call and get quotes Monday when I get back from upstate and then I had to go and look at Excellence again...I like their swim up rooms a bit better than EDR...so here I am confused again.....

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Doesn't EDR have the lazy river that you hop onto right from your room and it takes you to the pool???

That sounded so cool to me!

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BOTH do!!!! BUT Excellence has a more private grassy area w/ your beach chairs whereas EDR has your chairs actually in a section of the pool...like 5 inches of water right on the lazy river..both cool..I liked the privacy of Excellence's swim up area but I'm still concerned with the musty room comments and the seaweed laden beach comments...but there are comments about EDR too...I wish they were different so I could decide!!!!!!

I am sorry u are still feeling this way...I feel so bad..

u deserve a really nice vacation after everything you have been through...

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Posted by Jesaroo2

I am sorry u are still feeling this way...I feel so bad..

u deserve a really nice vacation after everything you have been through...

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Thanks... I think that's why I am going so crazy. I NEED this more than anything...

FH and I are going to the EDR. I don't know that one is better over the other, I think when it comes down to it they are practially the same.

Have you asked about Aruba? I stayed at the Occidental (all-inclusive) when I went and it was beautiful and the price wasn't bad.

You will find exactly what you are looking for, don't worry. No matter where you go it will be the best honeymoon ever because you will be there with the love of your life and no matter what you do your dad is always with you.

= that's you guys, skipping on the beach

I forgot to tell u FH and I are going to excellence in Nov...but thats prob way 2 late for u to book...

I was going to say id write u up a full review