We can't decide

Sarah&Eric2012

Hi everyone!  This is my first time posting on this board.  FI and I are getting married in the middle of Sept. 2012.  We're trying to figure out where we want to go for our honeymoon.  We did Disney right after we got engaged this year (which I could do every year of my life but won't force FI to) so that's out.  We aren't beach people at all so the Caribbean or Mexico isn't really an option.  Europe would be awesome but isn't within our budget at this point (maybe down the road some day).  We were considering an Alaskan Cruise because that's someplace that we'd both love to go but we're concerned it will be cold around the end of September when we'd be going.  We like the idea of a cruise because of the freedom and flexibility that it provides and also the relaxation.  Disney was anything but relaxing this year so FI would really like something a little low key but still exciting and fun.

Any ideas or tips from you all would be hugely appreciated.  We're kind of at a loss at this point.  TIA!

parrothead84

Of course it all depends on your budget... but if you like the idea of a cruise, check out the Europe ones. You can find some great deals plus you can see several countries. I would imagine that an Alaskan cruise would be amazing - but as you said, probably chilly. Though I've never been there, so I can't say for certain.

Other ideas off the top of my head: Vegas; Palm Springs; San Fran; Charleston, SC

GL!

AllyG303

It sounds like you kind of already have your minds made up!  I've never been to Alaska, but it looks beautiful.  (I am obsessed with cruises though!) Are you guys looking for warmer weather even though you aren't looking for a beach vacation? 
Looking on weather.com, it looks like the averages for September are in the 50s for the highs. 

Have you thought about going to Northern California (wine country)? San Juan Islands in the PNW?

What about a one way cruise (starts in Alaska or British Columbia, ends up anywhere fom San Fransisco to LA...or starting in California and ending in Alaska or BritishColumbia)?  Or a roundtrip to Alaska leaving from San Fransisco?  You'd then get a little bit warmer weather (highs in the low 80s) when you're in Northern California for the first and last couple days of your cruise.

ARJ6511

I think your cruise idea sounds like fun! And it would be a new experience for both of you. 

alithebride

what's your budget? do you want domestic or international? what are your interests besides not being beach people?

graysquirrel

It would really help if we knew your budget. You mentioned Europe-- there is a company called Viking that does river cruises through Europe. They always have a 2-4-1 deal going and can give discounts on airfare. They include at least 2 meals a day and a number of tours. They might be something worth looking into and have great deals.

luvbug1022

I vote the cruise!!  If you are not "beacg people" than you probably wouldn't be laying around in bathing suits anyway, right?  I have heard that cruise is fantastically beautiful!!  Go for it!!

KH 2012

holland america also cruises in europe!

thurmanpowell

I say go on the alaskan cruise, it's probably not THAT cold if they're still offering trips in september.

Also, have you thought about south american at all? Something like Argentina might interest you.

Sarah&Eric2012

I'm an adventure person I like to be going constantly, but FI and more of a relax and see the sights person.  We both love to go on wine tastings (it's our thing, every Presidents day weekend we take a trip somewhere local and tour a bunch of vineyards).  We've considered doing a trip to Northern California but kind of feel like that's something we can do anytime, we want a "once in a lifetime" type trip for our honeymoon. 

I'm not really sure what our budget is. I think I'd like to keep it under $4,000 after everything is said and done.  I think it depends mostly on what is going to be the best bargain.  The problem with the Alaskan Cruise is that by the middle of September they're not sailing out of Seatle anymore (the last sailing would be leaving on our wedding day, no good).  So flying into Alaska or British Columbia would raise the price of airline tickets significantly ($1,000 round trip to $2,000 round trip).

The more I think about it the more I'd love to do a cruise in the Mediteranian.  I will look into the South America idea too though, that sounds like fun!  I guess we have some time since most airlines won't even let you look at fairs for flights in September yet.  Thanks everyone for the advice!!

lopezalonso

The Alaskan cruise sounds wonderful. I wouldn't worry about the flight prices too much at this point because they are always VERY expensive this far out. My fiance and I are going to Thailand and are paying 1650 pp for our flight. There is no way that a flight to BC can be more expensive. We were pricing trips to Greece for a while and the cost was 1450 pp. It was ~1000pp to go to Barcelona. 

I think you would need to raise your budget a bit for the Mediterranean cruise. It's at least 2,000 per person for a 10-14 nighter plus the cost of the flight. Maybe if you did a shorter cruise? Just remember you loose two days in the flight. You could def do Europe with your budget you just have to pick economic hotels. Look at AGODA.COM. Great prices. I planned my HM through there.

What about Napa Valley for wine tasting? 

Maybe Costa Rica for an adventurous HM? You could stay in the jungle and not the beach. 

dawle77

My fiance and I did a Mediterranean Cruise the last week of March and the first week of April this year. It was a 9 night cruise. We went to Italy, Greece, and Turkey. We also got engaged on this trip But it was very affordable (affordable for a Mediterranean Cruise) at under $750 per person. It can be done!