Honeymoon Hangup

martiac225

So, I have honeymoon worries.  It's not really in our budget to go on a dream-like honeymoon, but we can definately make something work.  Initially, I wanted to book a weeklong all-inclusive Jamaican honeymoon and leave a few days after our April wedding, but it is SO expensive.  I recently had a co-worker offer me her week long time share with the Marriot for $800.  Places to choose include: Hawaii, Aruba, St. Thomas, Spain and Thailand.  Having stayed at timeshares before, I know that this will not be all-inclusive by any means.  We'll have a kitchen to cook in and the freedom to go to any restaurant without the guilt of not taking advantage of the all-inclusive meals/drinks. I just worry that it won't feel like a honeymoon, does that make sense? Does anyone have any thoughts or experience with this?  I need to book the timeshare soon if we choose that route.
Don't know what to do...

graysquirrel

Just a thought, but what if you were to go to a cheaper all-inclusive for less time? That way you could get the luxury and the ease of it all, but wont have to pay for a full week. Have you looked into places in Mexico? There are tons of AI's that are pretty decently priced. The family-friendly ones are also cheaper than the adults only. 

martiac225

I have thought about it, but I am pretty set on at least a week and somewhere other than the states (excluding HI ) and Mexico.  I want to go somewhere new to us and tropical.  We've both been to several Mexico destinations and I've been to Oahu...and if we are traveling a distance I would hate to feel like we have to leave days after getting there. Ya know?

graysquirrel

Then I guess I'd go with the timeshare since you can get your exotic locale at a good price. 

hkiesling

I have no experience with a timeshare, but we didn't have a ton of money for our honeymoon either.  We ended up not planning anything and then just went wherever we could get the best deal on.  It turned out to be Washington DC (Thurs - Sun everything under $700).  Then, we saved up for a year and went to Australia and New Zealand for 2.5 weeks.  It was the big once-in-a-lifetime trip, and very much worth the wait (Connie Campos at www.springboardvacations set it up for us).  Maybe an option for you is a minimoon and then save up for a big honeymoon.

shan87

I like Heather's Idea. We can't take a honeymoon right away so we are saving it for the winter after our Spring Wedding. (still up in the air on exact time as its a cruise)
 

Are you guys cruise ppl? I know that a lot of them run deals on winter cruises because they are the off season. Plus they are AI for Food and you can get reasonable Drink packages.
Just a thought. That way you can go 5-9 days or w/e and hit multi. tropical locations.

martiac225

We've never been on a cruise...I'm afraid I would get sea sick and be miserable
We might just have to wait until the following winter to be able to do what we want, not a bad idea....I like the thought of a mini-moon though. We have to do something!

veijes

Like Heather, we also did a mini-moon right after the wedding and waited until winter for the real honeymoon (Which is in two weeks YAY). I am really glad we waited to do our honeymoon for 2 reasons: 1- It was really nice here in June and too hot for us in the Caribbean, and 2- With the excitement of the wedding, I feel like the honeymoon would have been a faded memory too, I like looking forward to things

We went to the East coast for our mini-moon for a week and ate a TON of amazing seafood and did some site seeing, segway tour, etc. and that was really fun and cheap. We have saved up and used some of our wedding gift money for our honeymoon that is coming up.

One more thing to add, my SIL used someone's timeshare for Hawaii and they had a blast but spent a ton of money on food an activities. I feel like when you are on your honeymoon you splurge on everything (which is a good thing, but bad for your wallet). So I personally think AI is the best option, at least for us. I'll do a review of our place when we get back if you are interested. Our honeymoon excluding airfare is $2,600 for 8 nights in St. Lucia.