5 Tips That Could Save Your Honeymoon

5 Tips That Could Save Your Honeymoon

All Inclusive Resorts May Not Be Your Best Bet

All inclusive resorts are a great idea of a lot of couples or families when traveling because they are extremely convenient and save you from the surprise you get upon check out when you have been charging cocktails and poolside snacks to your room the entire trip.  But, be sure to consider how much time you plan on being at the resort.  Do you plan on lounging in your bathing suit by the pool sipping frozen cocktails and visiting the resort’s restaurants, or are you the type of couple that plans on booking day long excursions (which may include a meal and drinks)?  If you like to explore and do not plan on spending a lot of time at the resort, perhaps an all inclusive is not the best bet.  If you do go the all inclusive route, research the food options available.  If you are paying for an all inclusive and have 7 days of fried food buffets, you may not be too happy.

Take Online Reviews With a Grain of Salt

Nowadays, we don’t buy anything or eat anywhere without reading a series of online reviews.  Websites posting consumer reviews are an invaluable resource, but should be taken with a grain of salt.  As you are researching your honeymoon, check out Tripadvisor.com, for example, for reviews on your resort/hotel, restaurants, and activities.  Don’t panic if you have booked something that has a negative review.  You never know what may have motivated that person’s review or what their expectations where.  I’m sure if you looked up your favorite restaurant in your home town, you are sure to find negative reviews.  When in doubt, consult a travel expert like viking travel.  While online reviews are helpful, they are not written by people staking their professional reputation on the outcome of your trip.

Money Matters

Find out if you need to exchange your money to the local currency before leaving.  Credit cards are usually the best bet, but it never hurts to have a little cash on hand for tips and shopping in the local markets.  You can visit your bank, which should exchange your currency for free, or you can always visit a currency exchange, which will likely charge a fee to exchange.  When it comes to your credit cards, call your credit card companies before you leave and let them know when and where you are traveling.  Most credit card companies scan for suspicious transactions and may inactivate your card if they assume it has been stolen.  Most cards are widely accepted in all areas, but it never hurts to check with your credit card company before leaving.  A couple recently told us that they traveled to Cancun Mexico assuming their Discover Card would be accepted, but it was not.  Don’t get stuck, call ahead.  NOTE: Your transactions will automatically be exchanged to US dollars, but your credit card company will charge you a fee.  Generally the fee is between 2 and 3%.

The Name Game

As an engaged bride to be, you plan for months, if not a year or more, for your wedding day and honeymoon.  If you are assuming your husband’s last name, be aware of the implications. When it comes to your travel plans, it’s best to wait just a little bit longer.  If you are leaving for your honeymoon immediately following your wedding, it is impossible to get a new driver’s license and/or passport to reflect your new last name.  The solution: book everything under your maiden name.  It’s no secret that airline security is tight and having an itinerary that does not match your ID can give you an unwelcome headache and can make it difficult, if not impossible, to travel.

Avoid The Allure of the Freebie

On your honeymoon you will encounter savvy salespeople that will offer you dinner, drinks, or a complimentary cruise in exchange for a moment of your time.  Beware: these people are trying to get you to come to timeshare presentation.  You may think, “Hey, we’ll claim our prize and sit through this, no big deal.”  Unless you want to spend hours of your precious honeymoon time wrapped up in a high pressure sales presentation, pass on these every time.  If any perk they are offering sounds that cool, book it yourself, it will be time and money well spent.