Help with planning a Honeymoon

[Carp]

Getting married on June 14th. Trying to get the honeymoon booked in the next couple weeks and I need some help plz.

We are looking for all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean currently. Anyone have any experiences they want to share? How did you book your vacation (websites, travel agents, etc.)?

Trying to stay on a budget of under 3 grand if we possibly can. I've looked at Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic, but my fiance is a bit of a hypochondriac. And she read where people need to take shots to visit the DR and now she's freaked out about it.

[The Chosen One]

Congratulations on your wedding, and man isn't it something when people come to this community for personal advice! lol

No idea on the honeymoon thing though.

As with every Latin-American country, stay near the tourist district, once you venture out of the tourist areas you could be targeted for kidnapping! lol

[Carp]

Thx SAV!

And yeah I've cruised several times to the Caribbean. But never stayed on any island more than a few hrs doing excursions or local shopping/site seeing.

[BRule]

Travel agent is your best bet if you're looking to avoid a ton of work (which I assume you are since you're getting married) give them your budget and sit back and wait.

[Tapate50]

We did Punta Cana at a place called the Zoetry Agua Punta Cana. Small, all inclusive and quiet. If you want the Sandals type thing with activities and kids everywhere it would not be my choice.

It was EXACTLY what my wife and I wanted. About an hour ride from the airport, but a scenic ride. Well under 3gs for sure. Food was impressive and this coming from two "food snobs".

I booked through a site called www.luxurylink.com . They only deal in high end vacations and won't lump you into a place that doesn't meet their expectations.

I would recommend Punta Cana or any of the Zoetry properties (DR, Mex - Riveira maya, and Cabo). I cannot recommend LL or Zoetry any more. It was awesome. They only have about 50 rooms I think.

http://www.zoetryresorts.com/agua/

[zitothebrave]

I would second the travel agent. Mainly because you'll have other **** to worry about. That's the route my brother and sister in law went, they are pharmacists so they didn't have a ton of time to plan.

Also I think most places you travel internationally you need shots. At least to be up to date on your shots. I've never been anywhere or known anyone to go anywhere aside from Canada and maybe Mexico they didn't need shots. Even then there are recommendations to be up to date.

[NinersSBChamps]

Congrats!

Travel agent for sure. You are going to have your hands full with stuff and worrying about the honeymoon is only going to add to your stress level. Never been to where you two want to go though. Bring sun screen. That's all I got.

[Hawk]

Do people still hire travel agents? Lord.

http://www.flyertalk.com is a wealth of information; reviews, deals, suggestions, etc.

also

http://www.cheapcaribbean.com/

Before you book ANYTHING, make sure it has been well-reviewed on TripAdvisor (other websites are essentially worthless in collecting reliable, accurate reviews).

[Carp]

Yeah I've reviewed every place I've looked at so far. My cousin recommended a travel agent as well, I just wasn't sure what type of deals you get going through them.

The Reserve at Paradisus Punta Cana is my favorite place so far.

[goldfly]

was going to try to help

but i don't really know much on the resort front.

good luck man

i would suggest Cinque Terre for a honeymoon though if you are willing to not go resort. the sunset at ‎Vernazza is beautiful

[Carp]

Would love to go to Italy or anywhere in Europe ideally, but airline expenses are a little steep for our budget. I haven't found any round trip tickets for less than 1000 going to Europe.

[Hawk]

Check out Norwegian Airlines. They just started a no-frills (paid carry-on, no free meals/drinks) longhaul operation (on the Dreamliner) out of JFK/Ft. Lauderdale to Oslo/Stockholm/Copenhagen. I've seen fares as low as $319 roundtrip dependent on the dates. Another cheapie airline is Condor (based out of Germany). Of course, summer is high season across Europe.

Two great sites for flight searches are: ITA Travel Matrix and Hipmunk.

Italy is nice, but can be needlessly pricey; you could get a very similar experience in Croatia (Dubrovnik or Split) for 1/10th of the price and live like an absolute king.

[Bj1133]

My wife and I stayed at Dreams Resort in Punta Cana for our honeymoon. Spent about a week there and it was less than $3,000. We didn't leave the resort and didn't really feel the need to.

[gilesfan]

ive stayed at Paradious punra cana i hated it looks nice in pics but thpught it was not very well takwn cade of. i did stay in a cheaper portion of the hotel. You will get harassed on the hotel grounds by people trying to sell stuff where other hotels limit the vultures to one or two days per week i ordered king bed and got 2 uncomfortable twin beds instead for me and wife. there is also a shady casino on site i believe. Long story that maybe i'll get into later. You also have to pay fpr a tourost card at the airport in order to get in. outside of the resorts is a ****hole.

ive been to Cancun, Jamiaica, Bahamas, Bermuda among others. Bermuda is by far my favorite . small island and you are safe to go anywhere. It is probably most expensove though. I would recommend sandals in Jamaica. no need to travel agent, u can find deal online

i have never gotten shots. not sure what Zito is talking about

[goldfly]

never gotten a shot for any of my travels

[Carp]

I also would love to go Bermuda, but it is very expensive to travel there.

Anyone been or know of anyone who has been to Anguilla? If so, would you say it is safe? It looks gorgeous from the pics I've seen. Only down side being that they have no all inclusive resorts on the island.

[Dalyn]

Hope this helps -

[Carp]

Do people still hire travel agents? Lord.

http://www.flyertalk.com is a wealth of information; reviews, deals, suggestions, etc.

also

http://www.cheapcaribbean.com/

Before you book ANYTHING, make sure it has been well-reviewed on TripAdvisor (other websites are essentially worthless in collecting reliable, accurate reviews).

Flyertalk.com definitely seems to be helpful. Thanks for the tip!

[Tapate50]

All inclusive really let's you enjoy your time without a certain worry to it . Anything at a whim and you don't have to carry around loads of cash. We did venture out to the Hard Rock in Punta Cana, and it was crowded, loud, and smokey if that's your thing. It seemed like a ton of Europeans there on vacation. It's upscale, but not what we had in mind for a honeymoon.

[Carp]

All inclusive really let's you enjoy your time without a certain worry to it . Anything at a whim and you don't have to carry around loads of cash. We did venture out to the Hard Rock in Punta Cana, and it was crowded, loud, and smokey if that's your thing. It seemed like a ton of Europeans there on vacation. It's upscale, but not what we had in mind for a honeymoon.

So did you stay Paradisus or did you stay at the Hard Rock?