For anyone who has ever planned a wedding, or who is in the midst of planning a wedding, you know that it isn’t easy. For most couples, planning a wedding takes several months, and some couples even start making their wedding plans a year or so in advance. There are so many little details to remember and vendors involved that your wedding planning and wedding day can be really stressful! Having a honeymoon after the wedding is meant to help the couple relax after the stress of planning their wedding. But if you think about it, vacations can be pretty stressful as well. From dealing with travel and transportation, meals and activities you’re planning on doing, that can be pretty overwhelming as well. This is what makes all inclusive honeymoons so worth it.

What are All Inclusive Honeymoons?

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There are some people who love cruises, some people who hate them, and others who’ve never done one before and aren’t quite sure if a honeymoon cruise is right for them or not. In my last article, which went over some basic advantages of a honeymoon cruise, this article is going to give you another perspective of cruises, to help you see the full picture and maybe help you to see if a honeymoon cruise is right for you. You definitely want to have a great time on your honeymoon, so glean as much information as you can about the different travel packages that are available to you so that you can have best honeymoon available to you. The last thing you want is to have a miserable time on your honeymoon, either disappointed in your location, or strapped for cash with unexpected expenses. There are a lot of great things about a honeymoon cruise that make them really attractive, but there are also some things you will need to be aware of as well.

Having Little to No Privacy

On a cruise ship, you’ll find hundreds of people all on the same cruise ship. This means that you may find that getting some private time with your new spouse may only be found in your cabin. For some people this isn’t much of a problem because they love being around and meeting new people. But for others, it could turn into a problem.

Watch for Hidden Fees!

This is something that you’ll need to watch for whether you go to a resort on land or choose a honeymoon cruise. An all-inclusive honeymoon cruise typically only applies to the flights, room, and food. So that means that if you’re going to do anything extra, such as some excursions in some of the locations, that they will cost extra. Also, be sure to read the fine print to find out just what is covered in your all-inclusive plan. Some cruises don’t include alcohol or snacks into their deals, and you’ll need to plan accordingly or be prepared to bring some extra money.

Being on a Schedule

One of my favorite things about a vacation is that you’re on no one’s schedule but your own…unless you’re on a cruise ship.  The cruise ship will stick to a rigid schedule, and when it’s not in port all you’ll see is the open ocean. While there can be activities on board to entertain, they’re not always of interest to the passengers. Plus meals are typically only served at certain times so you’ll need to schedule your time around that as well. If this is a problem for you, then look for a cruise with the least amount of travel time so that you can find entertainment at the different ports you’ll be visiting.

Taking a honeymoon cruise may not be for every couple, so you’ll need to consider both the advantages with the disadvantages to help you make the best decision for your tastes and preferences. If you would prefer to be on your own schedule and have a ton of private time, then a honeymoon cruise may not be for you. But it’s always best to look at the options you have available to you so that you can feel comfortable with whatever decision you make on whether or not to go on a honeymoon cruise.

You know, planning a wedding can be a funny thing. The bride to be is staying so busy with her wedding planning, getting quotes from caterers and fine tuning all of the details and the costs…and there are a lot of them. Statistics show that the average American wedding costs around $30k. But what I find funny is that while the bride is handling these large bills (somewhat in stride - knowing how much these things can cost), the groom is freaking out over $300 plane tickets to the honeymoon of your choose. What many couples planning a wedding today don’t realize is that they DON’T have to spend that much money on their wedding and honeymoon, and still have great results. There is no harm in looking for deals, or learning how to get the best prices without trading it for quality. That especially applies to honeymoon deals. Knowing and understanding a few simple tricks can help you save thousands on a great honeymoon deal while not putting you into unnecessary debt. Here are some important factors to consider.

Location Location Location!

Your honeymoon destination of choice will play a huge factor in the overall cost of your honeymoon. Face it, a trip to a deserted tropical island  will cost more than a trip to sunny tropical Mexico, and even less will be a romantic honeymoon throughout your own home country.  But every couple has their own particular preferences when it comes to their honeymoon, and your honeymoon destination should fit your tastes. So talk to each other and get a feel for each of your ideal honeymoon spots.

Planning Early

There is a moderate amount of controversy over this one. Many people believe that early planning will get you some great deals on a hotel and flights. Others believe that if you wait until closer to the trip to book everything, sometimes the deals can be discounted to encourage people to come. My advice? Plan early to get the honeymoon destination and hotel you want, and then get the rate insurance, if it’s available. It’s a little bit of extra money, but if the cost of your honeymoon decreases and you spot it (it will require checking periodically), then your rates will be reduced to the amount of the new lower cost. My husband and I saved several hundred dollars this way.

Consider a Cruise or All-Inclusive Honeymoon Deal

Some people love cruises, and some people hate them. If you’ve never tried one before, and are pretty cautious about it, then maybe try for another idea. But the great thing about cruises is that you can visit a list of exotic and tropical locations for a fraction of the cost. Not bad! We went with an all-inclusive honeymoon deal, and really enjoyed the benefits that came along with it. All restaurants, bars, room service, tips, transportation to and from the airport, and other services were covered in our fee for the honeymoon, and we really didn’t have to worry about taking our wallets or anything like that. It was great. Just be sure to read the fine print on what is covered with the all-inclusive deal you are considering so you’re not stuck with a huge unexpected bill later.

Your honeymoon should be an excellent time of relaxation and spending time together as a newly married couple. You shouldn’t have to be stressed out about money or finding the next place to eat, or any other  nightmares some couples face. The great thing about finding a great deal on a honeymoon? Nobody has to see the price tag but you.