Honeymoon Do's and Don'ts

With honeymoon season coming up in just a few short months, many couples are making their plans. Here are a few quick tips for those who are tackling their once-in-a-lifetime trip.

Let's start with the "Do's".

DO:

• Keep in mind that all aspects of marriage require an open mind, communication, and some good ol' fashion compromising.


• Have a chat with your soon-to-be spouse about what you envision for your honeymoon. Compare notes, and see how closely you are to agreeing on "the perfect trip".


• Use a travel agent. Their expertise, guidance, and attention to detail will save you time, eliminate confusion, help you find the perfect fit, and ensure that you haven't missed an important detail.


• Set a budget and clearly communicate this to your travel agent. Be realistic about what your budgeted amount will buy. We would all like a fabulous 5 star trip to an exotic destination, but that isn't going to happen on a shoestring.
  


• Pick one or two destinations that seem to be a good fit for what you are looking for.
  


• Consider a Honeymoon Registry whereby your wedding guests can contribute toward your trip.
  


• Include travel protection in your budget. The small cost of the protection is a wise investment in your peace of mind (and one less detail to worry about).
  


• Make the worthwhile effort to plan your trip well in advance of your wedding date. At least 6 months in advance is ideal, especially if you are traveling at a peak travel time. Leave too short of a timeframe and you may be disappointed in what's available.

Now for the Don'ts....

DON'T:

• Listen to your friends about what they did or didn't like about their honeymoon. They may be well-intentioned, but they are not you. They may have LOVED their cruise, but you might be a land-lubber. They may have hated their resort - for reasons that wouldn't bother you. Smile, listen, and forget it.
  


• Dismiss a viable option without proper consideration as to its merits. You might think you want to go to Jamaica but find that Belize is a better fit.
  


• Feel that you absolutely, positively have to leave early in the morning on the day after your wedding. A day in between can offer a much-needed respite. Dragging yourself out of bed at 3:30 in the morning (or pulling an all-nighter) to board a flight is over-rated. Few things are as miserable as boarding a plane exhausted and woozy.

With these do's and don'ts in mind, you will find the honeymoon planning process to be one of the more pleasant tasks on your plate. It sure beats trying to figure out the reception seating plan!

Have any other tips to add to the list?

Compare Apples to Apples

Let's face it, people like to shop, and they like to get a good value for their dollar. Many travelers will go shopping for travel on the large "Do It Yourself" (translation: no service) sites and consider purchasing what looks like a very good deal. Here are a few things that they aren't going to tell you about, but we will!

Be sure that you are comparing "Apples to Apples". The beachfront, luxury, Caribbean all-inclusive is going to have a higher upfront price tag than the "European Plan" - no meals or drinks included - off-beach, 3 star property. Remember to add the cost of meals and drinks into your budget. Dining on the islands is relatively expensive because all the food is flown in. So, be prepared for higher meal costs than you would have back home. When all is said and done, you might wish you had opted for the all-inclusive.

When looking at flight options, check to make sure that you have no more than 1 connection, your layover is reasonable (less than 4 hours), and you aren't leaving at an undesirable time. Who wants to depart from home at 3:00 pm when you won't arrive until midnight? There goes Day 1 of your vacation, and you haven't even seen the beach yet! Or, on the other end, why get up on your last day of vacation at 4:00 am to make that 7:50 am flight home? You might find yourself wondering why you paid for the extra hotel night when you didn't get an extra day to go with it! Funky air arrangements can easily eat up 2 or more days of your precious vacation time.

The next time you see a price on "CheapoVacation,com" that looks too good to be true, you might very well take a look at the details and find that the savings aren't worth the aggravation, inconvenience, and lost time that you would endure if you were to purchase. It might be a cheap price, but it's NOT a good value!

Packages Can Save You $$$

One of the very best ways to save money on your travel arrangements is to buy all of the arrangements together as a package. There are several reasons why it costs less to book everything together. Let's break it down and look at each of the pieces.

First, let's look at airfare. Large vacation providers, such as Apple Vacations & Funjet, buy "bulk", "contracted", "negotiated", or "charter" airfare. In exchange for buying large numbers of seats (or the entire plane!), they get a discount. They pass these savings on to you when you purchase a package. Many airlines also have their own offerings of discounted airfare - as long as you buy it in combination with at least one hotel night. US Airways Vacations, Delta Vacations, and Southwest Vacations are just a few examples.

Often, if you purchase a package through a travel agent, in addition to getting the lower airfare, you also can put a reduced deposit on the package and hold your arrangements with a small "down payment". For example, if you purchase a US Airways Vacations package through a travel agent, the deposit is only $150 per person. That gives you the opportunity to hold your travel arrangements without paying in full.

Now, let's look at hotel and resort rates. Vacation providers and airlines negotiate discounted rates with the hotels and resorts and hold those rooms to be sold to their own customers. This is known as "blocking" rooms. They purchase a large number (a block) of rooms in advance and hold them in inventory until they are sold. The vacation provider is acting as a wholesaler, and you get the benefit of their discounted pricing. Because these rooms are held by the vacation provider, they are not in the resort's inventory. This is why sometimes a resort can be "sold out" but rooms may be found through another channel.

Rental cars are also subject to the same wholesale pricing. A rental car can often be reserved as part of a package for a lower rate than if you were to reserve the car separately.

Purchasing everything together allows you to get the best discounts on all the components of your vacation. Booking separately might allow you to get a good rate on one component, but the benefit might be outweighed when you have to pay full price for the other pieces.

Try "Off Peak" Travel

One of the best ways to make the most of your vacation dollars is to consider traveling "off peak".  Exactly what does "off peak" mean?  It means that you travel at a different time of the year than many other people who visit that same destination, often at a reduced cost.

Here are a few examples:

• You decide to visit Alaska late Spring or early Fall rather than peak season, the Summer.  Rates on Alaskan cruises are lower during this "shoulder" season, the weather is pleasant, the crowds are less, and the wildlife may be more active.
  


• European tours & cruises offer similar values.  Try a "Christmas Markets" cruise in the late fall to do your sightseeing (and Christmas shopping), or visit Italy in the winter.  Be creative!
  


• Costa Rica is a very popular destination in the winter as the climate is warm and tropical when it's cold in the USA.  Try this - take a tour or plan your vacation for the summertime when it is "green season" in the jungles.  Yes, this means you may get a bit wet, but the showers usually pass, the foliage is in full bloom, and certain species of turtles are nesting. Some consider "green season" the best time to visit.
  


• Think it's too hot to visit Mexico in the summer?  You might be surprised to learn that the average high in Playa Del Carmen (in the Riviera Maya, Mexico) in July & August is high 80's with a nice ocean breeze. Resort prices in Mexico are generally much lower in the summer than they are during the winter and spring. It's a great time to visit and will likely be more cost effective (and less crowded) than visiting many domestic beach destinations.

With a little creative thinking, you can stretch your vacation dollars to see many destinations for far less than you might have initially thought!

Book Early to Save Big

One of the best ways to save money on your vacation or cruise is to plan well in advance of your travel date.  And by "well in advance", I mean at least 6 months out from your travel date.

Many resorts offer Early Booking Rates for those willing to commit (and deposit) for their vacation stay.  The benefit to the resort is that they can better control occupancy rates by planning ahead.  As the date draws closer, the early booking discount may decrease or disappear all together. This is because the hotel is approaching full capacity and doesn't need to fill the remaining rooms at a discount.  The benefit to you is that you save (sometimes more than 50%!) by planning ahead.

In some unusual circumstances, a resort may have more rooms than they anticipated available at the last minute and may drop their rates.  Some travel protection plans, such as the AV-OK plus option offered by Apple Vacations, will allow you to re-book at the lower rate.

Cruise lines offer their best rates early (or last minute) as well.  Many cruise itineraries book more than 1 year in advance of the sailing. Book as far out as possible to get the best rate.  If the rate drops prior to your final payment being made, travel agents can, in most instances, re-book you at the lower rate with no penalty.  Remember, with a cruise, your deposit is fully refundable up until 75 or 90 days prior to departure (rules vary, check with your cruise line), so go ahead and put the deposit on while the rate is low.

If you wait until the last minute hoping to get the best deal you may be disappointed.  The sailing may be full, staterooms may be selling at a premium, or the cabin type you wanted (i.e. a balcony) may be sold out.  If you know that you want a particular ship, itinerary or stateroom type, booking early will ensure that you aren't disappointed.

When you book at an early booking rate, airfare for your trip may not yet be available. Airlines book up to 330 days in advance.  If you find a good rate on the resort or the cruise, book that piece - you can add your airfare later.

Now sit back and relax, knowing that you purchased wisely.  Bonus: the "been there, done that" smug feeling that comes from being organized and checking those items off your To Do list.  Cheers!

Avoiding Post-Vacation Sticker Shock

Many people set aside a certain amount for their vacation, only to be surprised at how much they ended up spending.  The credit card bill comes in, and the reality hits home.  "Whoa, that vacation cost a whole lot more than I thought it would!" Never fear, there are ways to predict - and plan for - these "hidden costs":

1) Unforeseen Airline Expenses (my pet peeve....)

• Baggage fees (these can really add up when you travel with a family)
• Food & drinks
• Premium seating (If you want extra leg room, plan on paying for it)
• "Express" seating (the first few rows of coach on some airlines)
• Pillows, blankets, headphones

2) Excursions/Extras

• For cruise passengers, plan ahead for each port to determine how much additional spending can be anticipated.
• For resort guests, be sure to factor in your expected costs for snorkeling, scuba diving, sailing, zip-lining, golfing etc.  Some resorts include many of these activities (yes, even scuba diving!). Most do not.  Be sure to evaluate exactly what is included.
• Spa services can be a wonderfully relaxing part of your vacation or cruise. Ask ahead for the spa menu, so that you know what each service will cost.
• Souvenirs (need I say more?)

3) Alcohol

• Cruise ships make lots of money from bar bills.  If you like to party every night, this can add up to hundreds of dollars over a week-long cruise.
• Hotels that are not all-inclusive, are going to charge you for each and every drink (see cruise ships, above)
• Resorts that are all-inclusive often include beer & liquor, but not bottled wine. If you like wine with dinner every night, plan on paying extra for it.

4) Transportation

• From the airport to your resort or ship (aka transfers)
• At your Destination (Dining out, shopping, sightseeing)

5) Tips

• Some "Super Inclusive" resorts prohibit tipping and include it in their pricing.  This is not the norm - most resort staff members, cruise ship workers, tour guides, bus drivers, etc. appreciate and/or expect a gratuity.
• Many cruise lines are now adding gratuities onto your room charges, often at a rate of $10 or $11 per person, per day.

6) Foreign Currency Exchanges

• Every time you exchange currency you will lose a little bit of value.  Pay attention to the posted rates to make sure you are exchanging at a fair rate.
• Credit Card fees can add up, especially if you make some big purchases.  Your credit card statement will reflect a foreign exchange fee for every time you use your card in a foreign country. Check with your card issuer before you leave to determine what the rate will be.

7) Car Rental Extras

• Even though you may have paid for and reserved your car in advance, taxes are often due at pick up.
• Your credit card may cover insurance in the US, but not in a foreign country.  Be sure to verify with the card issuer before you leave.
• Additional charges will apply for child seats, GPS, additional drivers. etc.
• Gas. Be sure you ask the rental car company how you will be charged for gas. Return the car with less than a full tank and you may be charged a premium for the missing fuel.

Plan ahead for these expenses.  They can add significantly to the total cost of your vacation (and your post-vacation blues).

Successful Vacation Planning

Congratulations! You've decided to splurge and take the vacation that you've been dreaming of. But where do you begin? The options and the choices are so overwhelming, and the travel websites sites are no help at all. There are so many choices, the reviews vary greatly from one traveler to the next, and there's a lot riding on this decision. So, what's the best way to begin sifting through all of this information?

The very first step - one that is oh-so-important but frequently overlooked - is to sit down, preferably with your fellow traveler(s) and define what it is that you are looking for. Start by identifying what you want to do and what is important to you. Think about your previous vacations: Where did you go? What did you like about it? What was missing? What activities do you enjoy? These questions will allow you to avoid repeating your past mistakes and build on your prior successes.

Now, think about your ideal experience and what you expect to get from your next trip. Are you looking for a destination with many available activities and excursions? Or, is a vision of private thatched cabanas on a secluded beach dancing in your head? Be forewarned, you may have to compromise! If you want a primitive adventure filled with action and variety but your partner wants pampering and spa treatments, there is going to be some serious negotiating. Get agreement from everyone who is traveling and write it down. Your list may look like this:

• All-Inclusive
• Must have swim-up bar
• Needs white powdery beach
• Adults only!
• Excellent food and variety of restaurants
• Must be serviced by non-stop flights
• Pre-arrange couples massage
• Budget $abc
  

Or like this:

• Want to see live volcano
• Zip-lining is a must
• White water rafting
• Sport fishing
• Move around and stay at different places
• Food not important
• 2 or 3 star accommodations are fine
• Budget $xyz
  

This list you just made will make it so much easier for you (and your travel planner) to find the perfect match. This magical list of agreed upon criteria will virtually guarantee that you will not arrive at your destination in a state of bliss only to find a black cloud descending on your travel partner. It will also serve to narrow down your options so that the choices don't seem so overwhelming. It is your first step toward taking control of your next vacation experience.

There, now that you've made your list, don't you feel better?