FH and I just met with a travel agent today and, after listening to 1.5 hours about Tahiti, I'm not feeling it so much anymore. I think I'd be happy ANYWHERE that had palm trees and nice beaches and I don't need to spend so much $$$$ to do it.
So, I was wondering how you all decided on your honeymoon destination and, if you were considering a cruise, why you decided to do it or not to do it? Also, what spots/hotels would you recommend? Thanks!!!
randella
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Re: How did you pick your Honeymoon?
Well- we had a hard time figuring out what we wanted to do as well. Ideally, it would have been Europe- while we wanted to spend some time on a beach doing nothing, we are totally city people who like to find cool bars and restaurants and shopping.. The weather didn't work for us- with it not being hot enough in April.. Then I had a brainstorm--
Because of when our wedding was- I came up with the idea to do the tailend of our HM in New Orleans for Jazz Fest.. so then if we wanted to do that- it made the most sense to do our beach part of the HM in the carribbean- in order for it to be doable to fly back through New Orleans to get back to New York-- we decided on Jamiaca cause we found an inclusive resort that seemed to have what we were looking for- 5 diff. restaurants, couples only and NO KIDS!!
Both FH and I have never been to either place and have both been wanting to go.
prncssrachel
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Re: How did you pick your Honeymoon?
Well, first of all, we were open to anything and everything. Second, we decided on a reasonable budget. Not too little, not too much. So our travel agent gave us three options the first time we went. She gave us a cruise option, then a high end spa/resort island for 5 days 4 nights (I'm talking so expensive you'd throw up), then she gave us an option in Mexico for the same price as the ritzy spa, only it was for 8 days 7 nights with the same types of spa and activities, but not as secluded. So we looked at all three online, decided that we would rather stay somewhere for 8 days than 5, so we scratched off the spa resort, then we didn't like that we can only get 4 day cruises that leave on a Monday, so we scatched that. So we went back to the travel agent again and said, where is the place we can go that we will get the most bang for our buck and so she gave us all these great places in Mexico. So that is how we chose where to go. Right now we're deciding between two places in Mexico. One has kids, one doesn't. Personally, my mind is made up, but JT is still attracted to the wave pool that the other place has
JenniferLee111204
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Re: How did you pick your Honeymoon?
we originally were going to go on a HM the may after our Nov. wedding. to capri, italy. i really wanted to go right after the wedding. SO, i called my family travel agent - who is terrific, might i add, and she was able to get us a kick A$$ deal on a Princess cruise - in a SUITE!!
We are leaving JFK on 11/14 and flying to San Juan, we are boarding the cruise ship and going to barbados, antigua, st. maartin, st. lucia, st. thomas, (i may be missing one) from sun - sun. 8 days!
FM me if you want her #
Jennifer
TracyInQueens
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Re: How did you pick your Honeymoon?
FH and I wanted a cruise, but we can't go on our HM right away because of our jobs. Long story short, a cruise did not fit our timetable.
I wanted a vacation that didn't involve crazed sightseeing, trying to cram everything in. My last several trips have been like that and I needed a change.
Thus we both decided that we just wanted to go someplace where we could just sit on a beach or by a pool, read and drink pina coladas. An all-inclusive seemed the way to go and a few different people told us that St. Lucia was gorgeous. We looked into Sandals and one of the resorts in particular seemed like it would suit us (Halcyon). It was quieter and more private than the other two, but we have the option of using the spa/golf course/restaurants at the others if we want.
My choice to go to Aruba was based on the fact that June starts the rainy season in the Caribbean. We were in love with Sandlas St Lucia and St Thomas but to have almost a guarantee that we will have perfect weather in Aruba, its worth the money.
JZNCK
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Re: How did you pick your Honeymoon?
We were originally going to FIJI, but then we realized how much money it was because we didn't want to go for less than 2 weeks. We could spend the money on that, or use it for someting we really wanted
Dawn from Cruise one, actually helped us decide, I gave her a budget and she suggested things, I liked Ocho Rios Sandals the best!!!!!!!!!
I say call or e-mail Dawn, and give her a budget and take suggestions.. Have you thought about ST.LUCIA, that was another one of our choices, but Ocho Rios fit our budget betters... ST. LUCIA is gorgeous
ginny26
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Re: How did you pick your Honeymoon?
My husband had never been to Hawaii and I was looking forward to going back, so we opted for Maui. We stayed at the Four Seasons, which was absolutely the most fabulous place EVER! We stayed on the club concierge level, and it was unbelievably wonderful. I MISS IT SO MUCH!!!!
akaMrsT
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Re: How did you pick your Honeymoon?
We are going to Hawaii. FI's mom (deceased) used to rave about it being the most beautiful place she had ever visited. His dad took her to Hawaii a few times during their 29 year marriage. My mom loves Hawaii too as do all of my friends who have visited.
I have never been and neither has FI so we are going together.
ETA: We have already been to Mexico and Europe. FI does not want to do Jamaica (which I have enjoyed each time) since he has heard bad things from friends. I just want to go to some place warm though.
I really want to go to Turtle Island but it's just over the top expensive.
brooklynbridezilla
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Re: How did you pick your Honeymoon?
I have always wanted to go to Greece. FH will go anywhere that has a nice beach- Mykonos and Santorini meets his needs.
The really hard part is deciding on a package deal, or booking things individually. Package deals are cheaper, and include a few excursions, a few meals, airport and island transfers and a guide, which we probably need, since neither of us speaks Greek. On the other hand, I have heard some truly awful things about Olympic Air- which all the packages use. We would also want to upgrade the hotels as much as we can afford, and the flights to first or business class- I am not feeling a 10 hour flight in Coach, on an airline with awful reviews. When I settle on a travel agent, I will probably drive the poor person OUT OF THEIR minds.
CaCRmr
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Re: How did you pick your Honeymoon?
FH is too fidgety to sit on a beach, I am allergic to the sun so I can't lay on a beach on an island somewhere. We went to Vegas in 2002 and just LOVED it. We figured we wanted to go back so we chose it for our honeymoon. We're going ALL out!
eogara
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Re: How did you pick your Honeymoon?
We're doing a cruise. We're waiting until June to go, which sort of sucks, but it's allowing us to do what we want to do and I won't have to miss 2 weeks of school. We're taking a Mediterranean cruise for 12 nights, hitting Spain, France, Italy, Croatia and Greece. I cannot wait!! Neither of us wanted to just sit on a beach for 2 solid weeks but we did want some downtime. We have 2 at sea days + a couple of the ports are simply relaxing ports (Santorini, Dubrovnik, etc). So, we get the best of both worlds. FM if you want details.
2003fallwedding
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Re: How did you pick your Honeymoon?
We went to Hawaii. I have always wanted to go there. The day I put the deposit down on my hall I went back to work and started planning my honeymoon! I had it planned by the end of the day
nicknmb
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Re: How did you pick your Honeymoon?
We just knew that we wanted to go to Hawaii. Cost is an issue, but not really a big one. The way we think about it is that when are we going to be willing to spend this much money on a vacation again. And when else are we going to have 2 weeks to take a trip. This is just our method of thinking.
patti08
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Re: How did you pick your Honeymoon?
We had been considering a cruise for part of our honeymoon. We decided against it for 2 reasons mainly because the locations/dates just didn't work for us and a little bit because it would be our first cruise and although we are both very comfortable on fishing boats we didn't want to risk a seasick honeymoon.
We made our decesion on where to go based on time of year and flights. Too cold for Europe and otherwise we have no desire for a flight over 10 hours. So the carribean worked for us. St. Lucia was the quiet mellow, luxurious setting we wanted and the travel Agent suggested a few resorts (we didn't want sandals but did want all inclusive) so that's how we found the Jalousie Hilton.
Happy planning!
nferrandi
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Re: How did you pick your Honeymoon?
FH and I are going to Acapulco for one week and Puerto Vallarta for one week. We decided on it because we are complete beach people by day, but we also like an active nightlife on vacation. We don't go out too often anymore, so we love to go out drinking and dancing when we're away. Initially we considered Tahiti, but there's really no nightlife. Then my parents offered us the use of their timeshares and that made it an easy decision.
GettingMarried0402
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Re: How did you pick your Honeymoon?
My dad is paying for the honeymoon. He is a travel agent and so I let him pick the place. He decided he would book us a cruise around the Caribbean for 7 days. It leaves from the Dominican Republic. Once we come back he's booking us a 4-night stay at a resort in the Dominican Republic. I've never been on a cruise so I am very excited plus I love the Caribbean and I'm looking forward to visiting the different islands.
livestar24
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Re: How did you pick your Honeymoon?
We decided to go to Tahiti because as soon as we started talking about honeymoons I just felt as though I wanted to go to Tahiti. I really wanted to do something different for our honeymoon, but my fiance didn't want to do Europe. We wanted the beach and we wanted seclusion and Tahiti was just screaming my name whenever I looked at the brochures. Just go with where you and your fiance will be happy, and go with the place that screams out to you.
lvdolphins
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Re: How did you pick your Honeymoon?
Simple..I've never been to Disney and DH told me he wanted to take me. He went to agency planned the whole thing by himself and surprised me.
Tjay
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Re: How did you pick your Honeymoon?
I went to the travel agent and narrowed down a few. We are in tight budget...so I had to do alot of research. We narrowed it down to Sonesta Maho Beach Resort in St. Martin, Secrets Excellence Punta Canta in Dominican Republic and the Radission on Cable Beach, Bahamas. After pulling my hair out I went back and looked into Sandals. Sandals was expensive but I still tried to play with dates and flights, still to high, UNTIL TODAY, turns out there is a 40% sale going on with Sandals at the Bahamas and Jamaica. We bk'd Sandals Royal Bahamian. For us, it took us alot of time checking numerous websites for deals. I can't wait. I am so excited. FYI-From what I heard St. Martin is nice. It is half Dutch/French. The resort is on the Dutch side with a Casino and alot of night life. An older hotel but fun. The DR, only from what I heard took a hard hit from Jeanne, but the food is not that great and it is not to safe. All in all, I researched all 3 and all seemed to offer similar things. If you want more info. FM
