Honeymoon suggestions/comments....yeah I'm a procrastinator.

So August 1st is going to be here before we know it. The fiance and I have been researching honeymoons since Jan, but simply can't make up our mind. We were originally set on Sandals (primarily St.Lucia), but we don't want to drop $5K on it, and we don't like the idea of a two day flight. We then turned our attention on the Sandals of Jamaica and the Bahamas. Prices are still in the $3800-$4800 range, but the flights are more tolerable, and we know we want an all inclusive resort for sure.

We played with the idea of Punta Cana, but I don't like the fact that the country is VERY shady, poor, and generally unsafe. The resorts are CHEAP there, though, and the beaches are gorgeous from what I hear.

Mexico is out, because...well...it's Mexico...sorry:d

So, anyone who travels, or who has traveled to the Caribbean, any suggestions for me? Anyone stay at a Sandal's? If so, how did you like it?

Ideally, I don't want to spend more than $3K, but definitely no more than $4800, which is why I was originally thinking Punta Cana, but I still don't like the idea of the transport from resort to hotel, and what I might encounter.

 

Matt, I stayed at Sandals St. Lucia. We went Sunday to Saturday for about 3500 for everything. Call me if you head there, I have serious suggestions for you on which of the 3 resorts to stay at it may surprise you and save you some cash.

 

Matt:

I won a vacation to Punta Cana through work a few years ago. I stayed at the Grand Palladium Bavaro Grand when I was there, and it was really a great place. I would go again if I were to plan another vacation to the Caribbean.

We arranged ahead of time to have a shuttle take us directly from the airport to the resort. I literally never spent time outside of the resort other than this trip, and a few walks through the local shops on the beach next to the resort. You definitely realize you are in a third world country when on this commute, but I never felt out of place or in danger. With that said, I would not have wanted to venture out of the resort without the shuttle.

There are enough restaurants, bars, etc within that resort so that you wouldn't ever want to leave really unless going on one of the guided excursions they sell for cheap. We did horseback riding on the beach, fishing, and Lisa did some snorkeling I think when I was fishing.

I looked at rates, and without your plane tickets it would be roughly $1200 for both of you just to stay. That's pretty cheap for all inclusive......

The food was good, the drinks were good, and the service was spectacular. The resort itself was clean and well kept, and was honestly a really nice place. I would go again without a doubt if I were planning another tropical type of vacation. Quicksilver told me he had his wedding at the same resort, and actually went back for another vacation afterwards for a second trip, if he sees this I'm sure he will chime in soon.

 

Matt we're heading out on our honeymoon next monday until the following sunday. We'll be at a the Sandals resort in Antigua. We bought our plane tickets in March and were lucky enough to get straight through flights. Once we get back i'll have more info for you. Good luck.

 

Aruba - Divi divi

 

Aruba and St. Thomas are both very nice. Saw both on a cruise a few years ago.

 

Any of the Hedonism resorts..should get you off to a great start.

 

Fly fishing in New Zealand.

Thank me later.

 

Concur with RJ. Go to a major resort in Punta Cana. I have stayed at the one he mentioned and it was great.

I spent quite a few nights in the Dominican Republic while I was stationed at USCG Airsta Borinquen, PR. Santa Domingo and Puerta Plata are also nice destinations but the Punta Cana beaches are the most gorgeous. The food and drink are outrageously good and the prices are excellent. The eye candy will be excellent so don't get caught gaping at the local, dusky beauties on your honeymoon.

Shuttle bus direct is a good idea for safety.
Stay within the resort - there is no reason to leave.
Don't buy the Cuban cigars unless you can seperate the fakes.
Your cell phone will probably not work.
Have a Presidente Cerveca for me!

 

Been there twice. If you do an island make sure you go all-inclusive. Otherwise plan on paying through the nose for everything. I wouldn't do the islands in summer kind of a waste if you can't capitalize on weather. When I got married we went to the mountains for our honeymoon. For our 5 year we went to Aruba I gave her the trip in August and went in March. My vote is save the coin go someplace cool and make an adventure out of it. Good luck

 

lol

 

We stayed at the Sandals resort in Monetgo Bay, Jamaica. The entire trip was just a little over 3 grand. That Sandals is the closest to the airport so you can spend more time honeymooning instead of riding in a cab/bus. I highly recommend Sandals. They take care of you.

Here's a few pics.

View from our room


Good food


Good times

 

Hey Matt, We are headed for our Honeymoon on August 9th through the 14th, We're just about ready to click the mouse on Sandals Montego Bay. We had tossed the idea of this and I was talking with Donnie(Finch) and he had been there done that, and gave us the assurance we needed.

Our whole trip Non-stop flight from Charlotte NC is going to run right over 3k with insurance.

 

About ready to click the mouse? Whats taking you so long? :D August 9th is coming quick for ya.

 

Sandals is the way to go. We went to the Sandals in the Bahamas for our honeymoon in April. You can't go wrong with the all inclusive. Food was fantastic, service was great, and it had it's own private island

 

Thanks, guys. Finch, I remember seeing those photos. Montego bay was second on our list. Only issue I had with that one is the lack of pools. How many were there? What size? Crowded?

 

Honestly, I only remember a few. We didn't get in the pools any though. There was one directly in front of our room called the Piano bar pool. They had a swim-up bar which was pretty cool. They weren't really that big. You gotta remember...this was the very first Sandals resort to open is doors. Despite its age...its still a nice resort. Good luck on your decision!

 

Matt you say your a procrastinator. cant you just kept putting the wedding off and save that doe for a new Bow?.

 

PM me a list of where you want to go and when. My wife is a trip hooker and loves finding deals.

I went to Jamaica to an all inclusive for my honeymoon for 6 days and 5 nights. Our total bill for two of us including airfare was $1200.00. It was October though so prices were cheap but the food was great and all the booze you could drink. They even let my wife teach them to make drinks at the pool bar.

We also went to Rivera Maya for 6 days and 5 mights all inclusive for $1400.00 total, we stayed at the resort that Chris Angel swam onto the shore of in one of his episodes. Killer bar in the middle of the pool with a waterfall.

 

save the cash for something that matters???? :D