Any suggestions for winter honeymoons? It's high season in both snow and sun country.
1. Be specific about what you want to do -- lots of sports, or just lie on a beach -- but be flexible about your destination. That way, your travel agent can seek out the best values. Note: While December prices are highest because of the holidays, there's a bit of a drop in January.
2. Check Sunday newspaper travel sections to get a sense of where the bargains are.
3. Use a travel agent who's familiar with the type of travel or destinations you're looking into.
Departing from the East Coast: Base your decision on airfare when considering the Caribb ean. Puerto Rico has some very nice upscale places, and because it's a hub airfares tend to be lower. Jamaica is also filled with hotels and since it's a hub for Air Jamaica, airfare is lower.
Departing from the West Coast: Mexico happens to be really good value these days, thanks to the strength of the dollar versus the peso. Since so many airlines fly there, fares are competitive. Pick one of the less populous resorts, since prices tend to be lower and more negotiable.
What's your best advice for saving money on a honeymoon?
You can save if you're willing to give up certain things -- like room service availability. Condos, a popular option in Hawaii, are a good choice for some couples. You make your own breakfast, and you get more space for the money.
But don't go for just a bargain: It's only a good deal if it's what you want. The trade-off has to be acceptable to you. If you're not looking for location, if you don't mind walking across the street to the beach instead of being right on it, you'll pay less.
What's worth splurging on -- and what isn't?
Accommodations. Book a nice room with a view; you'll spend more time there than you think.
An incredible experience. If you're in Hawaii, take that helicopter ride. Don't let $100 or $200 stop you from doing something you will remember for the rest of your life.
One or two great meals. But you can also save money and have a wonderful time eating a picnic lunch made from local items. In Tahiti, for example, the fruit and the French bread and cheeses are incredible, and you can pull it together for next to nothing.
What's important to pack?
Basics like sunscreen can be expensive at destinations. In your carry-on, pack an extra pair of prescription glasses if your wear them and any medicines you need. And birth control. It also pays to bring along a sense of humor. Things never go 100 percent as you think they will, and flexibility goes a long way.
Do you find that the Web is playing a larger part in brides' honeymoon planning?
For some, yes.
Do you recommend booking a honeymoon online? Why or why not?
Most people are using the Web for information, and it's wonderful for that. If you book online, know whom you're dealing with. There are scams on the Web. The danger is that you'll pay money and the vendor will disappear. Your credit card is some protection, but you're still not 100 percent protected.
Is there anything you'd like to add?
Travel agents vary quite a bit in expertise, so it's important to find one you have confidence in. If one pushes something you don't want, go elsewhere. It helps to work with someone who has lots of experience and comes recommended. Failing that, look for credentials like CTC (certified travel consultant) and DS (destination specialist who's been through training in a particular area).
It's also a good idea to plan a honeymoon as a couple. It's fun to do together. And you discover yourselves in the process.
