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| AP Photo Archive |
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| A couple walks on a Nicaragua beach. The most popular honeymoon destinations are tropical. More Americans honeymoon in Hawaii than anywhere else. |
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For some people, the sky’s the limit when planning a honeymoon; but when money is tight, a fun and memorable honeymoon can sometimes seem like an unattainable dream. There are many ways to save money and still have a trip that will be remembered for years to come.
Planning is the most essential part of finding a good deal on a memorable trip.
For out-of-town destinations, airfare will be the biggest expense. A national newspaper can be one of the best resources for finding cheap airline tickets. Many airlines publish discounted prices in the newspaper. However, there is usually a limited amount of tickets, and the deals don’t last long. It’s a good idea to keep a close watch on the newspaper and pay attention to the stipulations involved in the deal.
Web sites can also be a good money-saving tool. One Web site is www.priceline.com which allows customers to bid on available flights, vacation packages and hotels. This can help with budgeting.
Similar to Priceline, www.travelocity.com offers vacation services. Travelocity also allows customers to track airfare deals as they become available for favorite destinations as well. Travelocity prices are non-negotiable. Also, be willing to fly at not-so-convenient times or tweak arrival or departure dates based on the flights available.
Next to airfare, hotels can be the biggest expense. Be willing to sacrifice a view of the ocean or the mountains to stay in a nicer hotel. The price for a room with a view of the pool is usually cheaper.
Call the hotel directly to find their best deals. Tell them that the booking is for a honeymoon and they might offer some extra perks. Because everyone needs to eat, food can be one of the most unexpected and bank-breaking expenses.
“It’s not much more expensive to get a room with a kitchen, but it will save you so much money,” said Sarah Cain, BYU-Idaho alumna. Sarah and her husband, Micah Cain, a senior from Rexburg went to Hawaii for their honeymoon.
Finding a hotel room with a kitchen is a good idea because cooking breakfast or lunch can save money for dinner splurges.
Excursions, as many hotels call them, can also be an unexpected expense.
“Don’t go on the excursions. You can do it yourself for a lot less,” Cain said. “We rented scuba gear and just took the bus.”
Vacation packages can save some of the hassle of searching for good prices. Most packages include airfare and hotel. All-inclusive packages can include everything from the gratuity and meals to resort activities and entertainment.
Cruises are an option for all-inclusive vacations. On most cruises, food and some entertainment is included in the price of the cruise.
Weekend honeymoons often do not permit for far-away destinations, so consider honeymooning close to home.
A.J. and Jen Evans, both juniors from Manassas, Va., were married in May in Washington D.C. They went on their honeymoon to Williamsburg, Va., which is only three hours from their homes in northern Virginia. A.J.’s grandparents had a timeshare in Williamsburg, so they stayed for free. “There was a theme park and the beach was only an hour away,” Jen said.
When choosing a destination close to home, it is good to keep in mind its proximity to other places of interest. Driving to destinations close to home can alleviate the cost of renting a car and provide an opportunity to visit multiple places in the area.
Jen said there is nothing they would have changed about their honeymoon.
A great honeymoon can be done on a budget; it just takes planning, some travel-savvy and a dream.
