When booking your honeymoon....

a+b=u&me

Did you go through a travel agency? FI and I are trying to book a honeymoon. We would only be away for 5 days. We are using a local travel agent, but when I look online at the places, the prices seem to be way cheaper. So far, this is what we've been quoted:
**They are all inclusive for all of these, so will include, air, eating, drinking, hotel, transfers... basically everything except tours.**
So we have...
Gran Caribe Real in Mexico $2556.
Couples Negril in Jamaica $2630
Riu Paradise Island in Bahamas $2753
Palace Resort in Mexico $2811
Sugar Bay Resort in St. Thomas USVI $3228.
Occidental in Aruba $4289

IDK where to book!!! I like to say the word "Bahama".... maybe I will become a "Bahama Mama".... LOL
I really like Mexico. I also like Aruba, but that seems to be the most expensive. I was just there in Nov. and we paid like $4000... and it was 7 nights, 8days... now for 4 nights/5days, its more expensive. She said in March is spring break time so air fair gets jacked up. UGH!!!!!

So, how did you book yours, and where are you going?

JCWhitey

We went through a TA since it was for the wedding, too, and I didn't want to coordinate everyone.  But even if I was traveling on my own I'd probably still go through a TA.  I've had a few instances where something has happened as far as a flight delay or cancelation goes and it's always so nice to just get on the phone with my TA so she can fix the problem while I sit at the airport bar having a drink and watching that huge line at the desk as people scrambling to fix the problem with the airline.  Usually I'll have my new flight confirmation before the line has even moved 3 people!

So, if things go wrong, they are nice to have.  Also, when we went to Jamaica our TA got us an AMAZING room upgrade (over 3 levels up to the second highest room available!).  THAT was a nice perk.  She also sent us a fruit platter which was a nice gesture.  

Yeah... in general, I love my TA!  She rocks.  I wish I could use her more!  

OH!  And have your TA get your a price quote for Couples Swept Away.  I find that, in general, CSA is cheaper than Couples Negril but the resort is on a much nicer part of the beach than Couple Negril (they are both in Negril).  I don't know why but most TAs push their couples toward Couples Negril but everyone I know who has stayed at both much prefer CSA.  I've never stayed there myself but visited that last time I was in Negril and I was drooling!  That resort is to die for!

JCWhitey

Gah!  Sorry for the long response.  But to help you pick which resort you want (rather than just looking at the names!) I'd make a list of the things you want in an all-inclusive resort because some are actually more inclusive than others.  Like are they family friendly or couples only?  Do they offer room service?  What about in room bars and mini fridges?  Do they charge to eat at the specialty restaurants.

For instance, I stayed at RIU Santa Fe in Cabo last year and when I got there I was soooo bummed to find out that they don't have room service or an in-room bar!  I was hungry and thirsty and had to actually leave the room just to get a glass of water and a bite to eat (and it was inbetween meals so I even had to wait an hour to get food!).  RIU Jalisco in PV did have an in room bar, but still no room service.  Moon Palace in Mexico had both, along with super comfy beds and a spa tub in each room that looks out the window at the ocean.   So out of those three I'd go back to Moon Palace first because I love ordering room service and then mixing myself a drink before going out for the night.  

So figuring out your priorities will help you pick a resort!

w+c3

I booked with a TA to save my sanity. It is true that TAs can sometimes get you very nice room upgrades. And it depends on the prices where your getting them. Usually if you show a TA a better price they can match it.

And half of the problem with our honeymoon was air fare. It does go up so much for sb.

jml1981

We used cheapcaribbean.com when we went to Jamaica 2 years ago. It was an all inclusive trip for the two of us for 5 nights and it was about $800 a person with flight. We stayed at the Grand Palladium. We are just staying in New Orleans for our honeymoon. 

brittandjp

We used JP's mom because she's a TA. Honestly though, I probably wouldn't have used one if it weren't for her.

jbrook12

We just booked directly through Carnival Cruiose Line. That was just easier for us. We looked at what they had for the time we were needed and picked one together and booked it then.

bstengler

we booked strait through sandals.com. and were staying in jamica @ the grand caribbean resort.