This time of year Angel and I start thinking about where we may want to visit for the year.  If you are thinking wow...you may be right.

Angel and I are lucky in the fact that we get to travel 3-4 times a year.  Many of those trips are great but some are not so great.  Maybe that is how your trips are?

Being travel agents we usually travel to to see the resorts that we are sending folks to or maybe resorts that we would love to know more about.  On those trips it is not always great.  Why you ask? 

For starters if your travel agents says they have visited a place ask them if they have stayed at that resort overnight.  We once took a trip through Mexico and saw as many as 6 resorts a day.  You do the math but I can tell you it was not fun to me although we did learn a few things.

I have to say that an overnight stay will show more than a 2 hour prepared for visit.  Many of the resorts know that a group of travel agents may be coming and tend to be on their best behavior.  We has agents sometimes think the level of service could be higher than it really is.

Once on a tour with a group of travel agents Angel talked to a couple near the pool about what they thought about the resort we were at and they told her  that it was fine but the day we were there was the best day for service and for entertainment. 

I have to say Angel is great when it comes to this.  She never misses a chance to talk to folks and find out what they think and how they were sold the resort that we may be at.  This helps us do our jobs when folks ask.

Once we do a massive tour with other agents we then look at taking time off for us.  This is when we really do our best travel work!

We always have a few resorts on our list of places that we want to stay at.  I don't mean for just a night I mean 3 or more nights, maybe even a week.

This is why I can't stop dreaming!   I am thinking of the Caribbean and not sure where we will vacation this year.

Why does this matter.  It does since if you are planning a honeymoon or vacation of a lifetime you want your travel adviser to have first had knowledge of where you are going.  That is what I would want and I am sure you do to.

Like earlier post ask the right questions.  So how many times have you visited the resort?  How many nights have you stayed at the resort.  Those question will help you determine if your travel agent really has the knowledge of the area that you maybe looking for. 

This may be the thing that is most frustrating to me, Why are you waiting to book your honeymoon or vacation?  I know there may be 10,000 reasons and some I can't think of but I will try to give you a few that may lead you to book that great trip soon.

The main reason I hear is that many folks think they will save money if they wait.  I say maybe and maybe not.  In the past few years the airlines have really got their business act together.  When is the last time you flew on a flight that was not at least 70% full?  They just are NOT giving away their product like they were a few years ago. 

Airlines are ensuring that the planes are full and they have done a great job of ensuring the right planes on the right routes.  Most airlines that fly outside of the US ensure they have the right planes with the right capacity on those routes.  Years ago, I remember going to Cancun and only have the plane 40% full.  Not anymore!

With the airlines consolidating and merging many of the Caribbean Islands have less flights.  If you wait you may not get a seat!  Surely the price will NOT be cheap.  This is true of many overseas flights.  Why are you waiting?

But, I see hotels discounting prices 4-8 weeks out and I want to take advantage of that.  OK, are you willing to stay at the best available resort?  Unlike the airlines the resorts can't fly a different plane to reduce load and cost.  If they have 200 rooms 6 months out they have the same 4 weeks out.

If you go this route make sure not to have your heart set on one resort or the other.  Don't believe me?  See what type of room you can book at your favorite resort now 4 weeks out.  I bet you could be surprised.  I bet the lower category rooms are all gone.  You will have to take what they have and that could cost you lots of dollars.

But, I just don't have the dollars now to book that resort.  No problem, if you have your heart set on a special honeymoon then just call your local travel agent.  Many times we can package the air, resort, transfers etc. and only require a deposit, not the whole payment up front.  Make sure to ask your travel agent how that works since it can vary by agency etc.  Ask questions. 

So again, Why are you waiting to book your Honeymoon?

What to do when you have issues at the airport?  The books we could all write.  Angel and I do lots of special trips, Honeymoons, Resort Wedding and other special trips.  We have seen over the past few years that airlines are flying at 100% or booking even more to ensure they fly full.  Can you blame them?

Thinking back on my first big trip it was back in 1977, New Orleans to Asheville NC.  It was great, I had both planes almost to myself!  I can't believe how many flight attendants they had but it sure was lots.  Later, I got to travel all over the US and most flights still were not completely full.  It sure was great to fly back then. 

Sorry, back to the topic at hand.  I am stuck in a strange city and have no flight.  What should I do?

Most folks and sites will tell you to print out the airlines contract of carriage.  This could be helpful but I bet you do not want to lug what could be pages of documents around.

I suggest before you leave to sign up for flight alerts from the airline you are flying on.  Angel and I did this 4 years ago and got a text while in a huge line in Cancun that our flight from Miami to New Orleans had been canceled. While still in line Angel found out there was a huge snow storm that had closed most of the east coast.  While she did that I got hold of the Airline and found out it would be 2 days before we could fly from Miami to our home.  Guess what?  We stayed 3 more days in the Cancun area! 

Next, if you did not get it from above have the 800# of your Airline in your cell and an international number if you are leaving the country.  You can with quick knowledge jump ahead of a few people and may be able to get on an earlier flight if events stop you from taking your original flight.

Be NICE.  I get it that it may be the airlines fault(maybe not) but honey will always attract more bees so to speak.  Shouting will get you nowhere.  If you are on a special trip let them know this nicely.  Yes, I know the weather is bad and I am sorry you are dealing with this, we are having a small issues also, it's our Honeymoon.  This can work if you are NICE.

If you booked through a travel agent 9 out of 10 times on your documents you will have an emergency contact number to call while traveling, use it.  We talk to many folks that just sit down for hours and really have no clue what to do next since sometimes you may need an overnight stay in a strange place.  Use that number and make a call.  Call your travel agent.  Those are all phone numbers to have with you. 

Did you purchase trip insurance?  If you did you may be in luck since if you are stuck in an airport through no fault of your own they may also be able to help you.  Call that number.

Did I say do NOT check your bags.  Do NOT check your bags until you are sure what your plan is.  Had Angel and I checked our bags in Cancun we would have gotten stuck in Miami with no clothes.  Sometimes this just can't be helped but if you can not check then wait until the last second.  This is why a carry on works great, if you think you may get stuck because of an alert you received from your airline switch some of your items around so you have a change of clothes in your carry on and not souvenirs.

If you happen to be a member of the airlines club that is a perfect place to get help.  They only allow so many folks in and if the issue is not system wide you may be able to get help in that club.

Again, have those numbers with you and it will make flying a whole lot easier!

We have been to Antigua several times and I thought I would jot down a few thoughts for those that are thinking about traveling to this island.

Antigua is only 108 sq miles with almost 70,000 people living there. Half of the population lives near the capital of St. Johns.

It boast 365 beaches, one for everyday of the year!  Angel and I have not been to all of them but we have been to many and they are speculator.

There are many good choices here for your stay.  Both Angel and I liked the Sandals Grande on the island.  Angel love the Mediterranean Village and I preferred the Caribbean Grove area.  Curtain Bluff is also a great choice on the island.

Jumby Bay is on it's on small island and is another wonderful choice.  In fact it would make a perfect spot for a destination wedding.

There are many activities in Antigua with most focused on the water.  Angel and I loved sailing to Barbuda, Antigua's sister island.  You can also zip line here and my favorite ride ATVs. 

Want to be by yourself for the day?  Try www.miramarsailing.com  where you can have a super day for just the two of you!

Getting around is easy since you are almost always just 30 minutes from where you want to go since the island is so small.  Taxis are everywhere and can easily be had by the hour or by the day.  Car rentals are also easy to arrange but they drive on the wrong side of the road!

If you are looking for great beaches, warm water and great people Antigua just may be the spot for your Honeymoon or just a getaway.

Should we book an all inclusive resort or not?  That is a question we are asked many times a week.  Our answer is always the same, it depends.

Why are you traveling?  Honeymoon or just a quick getaway.  Are you looking for the cheapest upfront price or value?

Not all inclusive resorts are the same.  Not even close in some areas.  Find a good travel agent.  They can help you through this.  Angel and I have been to many all inclusive resorts and can tell you first hand there are huge differences.  Knowing this and finding out what you value is key to answering the question All Inclusive or Not.

Most all inclusive do give you drinks.  The real questions is what?  When we tour resorts we take pictures of the bars.  You can tell me you have top shelf liquor but I want to see it.  We were just in Antigua and the resort we were at had lots of great names, problem was each bar had a little something different.  Usually the more you pay the better the alcohol. 

Like wine?  Is that also included?  What kind and when.  Angel and I are not big drinkers so this really is not that important to us. It may be to you.  An all inclusive will let you know up front what the price will be Vs buying your drinks one by one.

How about food.  Same as before, the more you spend the better the food.  If you are a 3 meal, 2 snack eater then an all inclusive may be for you.  Last year Angel and I were in Mexico at a fairly new all inclusive resort that had one of the best steak houses I have ever eaten at before.  Yes, you could eat their every night if you wanted to, it was all included.  By the way we got our choice of several different cuts of steak and choice of several different kids of seafood. This quality would have been very expensive if you ate out like this nightly.

Activities is where Angel and I look for the most value.  Since we are going to go snorkeling, sailing and diving we want to know up front what those cost are going to be.  These can be a huge value depending on where the resort is located if not included in your price. 

How about getting around.  Does the all inclusive have any shopping tours or other site seeing tours they may add value to your trip?
Maybe the transfers to and from the airport are included with the all inclusive.

There are many all inclusive that are adult only.  Again, this can make for a very quiet time around the pool.  It also tends to make nightly dinner much more subdued without children needing attention.

When touring resorts that are not all inclusive we try and take pictures of  the menus and restaurants nearby.  This gives our clients a sense of how much meals may cost.  We were just in the Bahamas and a mixed drink near Atlantis was $12.00.  Yes, their were places cheaper and more expensive but are you really going to shop around on your honeymoon?

Usually when given a price for an all inclusive that is the whole amount.  Tipping is usually included and so are all taxes etc.  Make sure if you are trying to compare The All Inclusive to the Not,  the Not has added all fees into the price.  My favorite is the dreaded resort fee.  This is usually in the fine print when booking on line.  This fee could add an additional $20 or more per person.  Some hotels let you pay this up front, others require you to pay it directly at the hotel/resort.

If you are on a budget we suggest you look at both choices.  Choose the one that give you the best value.  Many times it will be the all inclusive if you are active and plan to use the resort facilities.  If not consider the not all inclusive resort.

The big lesson here is to ask questions.  Get the answers and have a great time!

Don't forget you can visit our website at http://www.kerryf.allabouthoneymoons.com/

Recently we have received lots of travel magazines and other magazines with ratings in them.  To be honest those are my favorite issues.  My guess is you also like them since many magazines always have some kind of ratings in them.

First before you look too hard at those ratings, it would be nice to know who made them.  Did the readers vote?  Did the editors vote?  Did they get paid to do this rating from their advertisers?

Second how long did the readers, editors, etc have to vote.  Was this only open for 1 day, 2 weeks or 3 months?

Third and very important to me is can you vote more than once?  Can I log in or send an email 1000 times?

My two favorite travel magazines just came out with polls.  Just like anyone I agree with some of the ratings and others I have to wonder what went wrong.

I get those publications and scream how can they get it so wrong!  My real issue is this, Angel and I visit many resorts every year and  we see these resorts first hand and know the good and the bad.  There are a few bad ones that keep getting in the top every year.

Maybe folks going to those resorts really love it.  Maybe folks going to that hotel answered the email to vote and others did not reply.  Or maybe some of those folks have never been to other hotels or resorts and just have no idea how to compare them.

MAYBE.  I caution our couples to be very suspect of all ratings.  Buyer Beware.  

In fact I just stayed at a 4 diamond resort this past weekend.  You have to be kidding me.  Everything outside of the room was very nice but the room was a dump.  I just could not believe it.  I guess it got enough points for the nice pool and the great bar that it got a high rating. I am glad I did not pay for this room.

This is the one big reason you should find a travel specialist to help you through the maze of resorts and hotels that are around the world.  Your travel agent has been there or knows another agents that can give them feedback.  

Beware of polls, ratings etc. unless you know and trust the source.

We recently got to attend an event where we got to interact with lots of people thinking about their honeymoons.  We were at a local bridal show. 

The one question we get more than almost any other question would be, "Is this or that place really worth the $$?"

Since Angel and I have been doing this for awhile I usually give my quick 5 second handy reply, "It depends"!

What a hard question to answer about travel.  So I go here are there because I can save an extra $ or because there is some extra value with that choice Vs the other? 

It really comes down to what is important to you.  Anytime you are leaving your home you should think about what is in it for me.

Do I want to relax?  Eat and sleep?  Be really active during the day and dance the night away.  Do I like to fish or surf?  Does the room really matter with a great view or is looking at the bushes all day just fine.

Do not look at your choices in the total $ cost.  This will be a huge mistake.  Yes, we all have budgets and we must stick to them but does your travel agent know this?  Why are you looking at honeymoon trips that cost $7,000 for the week when you should be looking at the $3500 honeymoons?

Narrow your choices down to 3 that do fit your budget then look at what each offers.  Does the resort give you free breakfast?  Maybe one choice throws in a tour of the area.  Another may have an upgraded view of the ocean.  Can I relax at this resort or do they provide many activities? I think you get the point.

What is important to you?  Spend time with your partner planning what you want to get out of your honeymoon then you will have the answer to that question.

Just had this come up and thought I would share this story.

We recently finished a resort wedding.  They got married on the beach in the Caribbean.  This couple invited family and some friends to attend their wedding.  We set up all the arrangements and booked the rooms at the resort.  We helped the bride through the maze of options and made sure all was on track.

Just a note, you can have whatever you want in the Caribbean just like here. Rehearsal dinners, bachelor parties, wedding receptions and so on.  Just because you are near a beach does not mean you can't get the wedding of your dreams with all of the things you think should go with it.

Well this couple had a relative, let's call him Uncle Joe.  This guy was great.  We contacted him about the wedding and he went on and on.  He could find it cheaper on the Internet.  He could save so much money he was going to get them a bigger wedding gift.  He called us at least 3 times beating us up over the price of the rooms. 

I just looked though our emails and he sent us at least 6 notes about pricing.  Now mind you what he was finding did not have all of the cost involved.  We work with lots of folks who think they see a deal.  I just love how some online booking engine's don't add tax in when they give you prices.  Others don't add transportation to and from the airport to the resort.  You never really know what the real price is until you come back from your trip.  In fact my best sales pitch for those who think they have a deal is "call me with your credit card in hand and be ready to book when I meet or beat what you see". 

Anyway, Uncle Joe was convinced he could save lots of $$ and booked his two rooms himself.  I am guessing he booked the last thing he sent us and the cost was the same as what we put together.  He was not adding in a resort fee that the hotel would charge him when he got to the resort.  It was NOT included in his purchase.

Fast forward and the wedding is over and we are now talking with the bride and groom about their big day.  This is where we learn about what we did well and what folks really are looking for.  They had a great time and were talking about taking another trip back soon. 

I just had to ask, my wife did not want me to since we do this together I do try to listen to her but I had to ask about Uncle Joe.  Well he was there but did have a few issues.  Well that is too bad.  Even trips I have booked have had an issue or two that we have had to solve for our clients. 

First, he was at the airport for almost 3 hours before he got taken to the resort.  He had booked his airfare separate from his rooms and the transportation company had no clue when to pick up Uncle Joe since he did not let them know his flight arrangements. Had he booked with a travel agent this should not have happened.  In fact most of the wedding party did their own flights, using air miles etc.

Second, when he got to the resort there were not two rooms next to each other.  In fact they were on either end of a long building on different floors.  So the teenagers got a party room! The bride and groom thought this was great since they knew this irritated their Uncle.

Third, we had arranged late check outs for about half of the wedding party.  Those that did not have early flights checked out around 4pm.  Uncle Joe got kicked out at 11am and walked around with his family in tow for 5 hours.  Again, the bride and groom loved this because the kids got wet etc and this made for good watching from their hammock.


All in all I am sure Uncle Joe had a great time.  I guess?  Those are just a few things a good agent can help you with.  Why not pay the same price you see on line or lower and find a good travel agent?

Are all Travel Agents the same?  Are all people the same?  Of course the answer is no. But what is the real difference between one and the other agent?  How can I tell if this is the right fit for my needs?

We suggest you interview your choices.  Talk to them like you would any other service person you would use.  Ask them how many honeymoons have they booked recently.  Have you done many resort weddings?  What was your largest wedding you have done outside of the country? Where did you send these couples.  What is your favorite place to go when traveling.  And so on.

Some travel agents specialize in nothing.  They will do all types of travel. Business travel, family vacations, honeymoons, incentive travel etc.  We don't do it all.  We specialize in honeymoons, resort weddings and have started to do some family travel since after years of honeymoons we have clients that now have children and want us to help them travel since they got great service for their honeymoon. 

I guess it comes down to one word, "Experience".  So you want to book your trip on line and what do you get?  A whole lot to read and maybe just maybe the information you need to make a correct choice.  You then spend time on other web sites looking at reviews that may or may not have been written by real travelers.  You then look at the "Tourist Board" site of that country or area you want to travel.  Think they will give you negative information?

Why not spend your money with an agent who has been there and done that and has the resources to use if they have not.  Ask questions.  Your agent should be able to give you the same or better price Vs on line.  I will use us as an example of what you get if you were to use Angel and myself for your honeymoon or resort wedding.

We specialize in honeymoons, romance travel and resort weddings.  We do NO business travel, don't call us just for airline tickets or for Amtrak etc.  Can we do all of those things? Yes, but we are so much better doing just a few things well.

Would you like to travel to the Caribbean?  We have that covered.  This is a passion for us and has been even before Angel and I became agents.  St Lucia, I have visited there more than 14 times in past 22 years.  Jamaica we have spent more than 24 days there in the past 3 years.  St Thomas, St John, St Kitts, Martinique, St Martin, BVI, Puerto Rico, Aruba, Belize, Honduras,Costa Rica, Barbados, Anguilla, Antigua, I could go own.  No doubt we can give you current information of these area.  First hand knowledge that will effect your trip.  "Experience" 

We have also spent countless days in Mexico, Hawaii, Las Vegas, Key West and Niagara Falls.  I could go own and own but I will try not to bore you.  For those places that we have not traveled our selves we use vendors for our clients who have been there and done that.  I am thinking of one we use for Italy who has 20 years of romance travel in Italy and this person has lived and visits often to keep up with changes.

This is just some of what I mean by "Experience".  Want to get married in paradise? Make sure your agent has booked a group as large as what you are going to invite.  The average couple in the US invites around 150 folks to their wedding.  We have done a group larger than this for a resort wedding.  "Experience" Not all Agents or Travel Suppliers are the same.  We all have different talents and experiences.

When choosing your Travel Supplier look for Experience.  Ask lots of questions and you will save time, money and have a wonderful time!

Check out our website for more links and information at http://www.kerryf.allabouthoneymoons.com/

Enjoy!

Many people ask us what hotels or resorts do you like.  Where do you guys stay when you travel.  What resorts have caught your attention?

Angel and I travel lots and have stayed in many hotel rooms and resorts.  Some were great and many were not.  Those questions are kind of hard to answer since all resorts and rooms are not created equal.  We like to look at the whole experience.

Will you be spending lots of time in your room?  Are you looking for lots of activities on the resort or near it?  Is food important to you?  Is the hotel or resort convenient to the things we want to do in the area?

That being said here are a few that we love. 

Raffles Canouan is a luxurious five star resort surrounded by one of the world’s largest coral reefs and is on 300 acres of a 1,200 acre private estate showcasing 156 accommodations including spacious one to four bedroom rooms, suites and junior suites with garden or ocean views, and personality suites with private plunge pools. Located in St Vincent & the Grenadines deep in the southern Caribbean.  This is the kind of desert island I would liked to get ship wrecked onto!  Check out their web site at:
http://www.raffles.com/EN_RA/Property/RCI/

One & Only Ocean Club in the Bahamas.  Contemporary luxury defines each guest room, suite, and villa. Amenities include butler service for all rooms and maid service 3 times a day!  You also get full guest privileges at nearby Atlantis, Paradise Island.  This is the perfect place to unwind but close to many activities.  Check out their site at: http://www.oneandonlyresorts.com/flash.html

The Pearl Beach Resort in Bora Bora is without a doubt is romantic. Facing one of the most beautiful lagoons in the world and the mystical Mount Otemanu, this resort perfectly blends with nature and offers elegantly appointed bungalows built in the pure Polynesian style. The over water bungalows are outstanding for that special time away from home.  http://www.pearlresorts.com/bora/

Some may say these offer little value, how about a great all inclusive and the air fare will not sink your budget like some resorts above? How about the Iberostar Grand located in the Rivera Maya? The Iberostar Grand hotel is lavishness at its best. This is where adults come to experience a whole new level of luxury. In this five-star all-inclusive resort richness is all around you, from elaborate staircases and an extraordinary garden with every plant and flower conceivable to exclusive a la carte restaurants, and a cigar bar, concierge, and more.  Sounds too good to be true for an all-inclusive?  Angel and I have stayed here and the food was GREAT! 
http://www.iberostar.com/EN/Riviera-Maya-hotels/Iberostar-Grand-Hotel-Paraiso_3_117.html 

Need more ideas?  We suggest you contact your local travel agent.  They know the market and can fit you into the right resort for the right price.  Any prices you see on line your travel agent should be able to meet or beat.  Once booking you now have someone to follow up on all details.  Have a question about the type of beer or wine a resort serves.  No problem your travel agent and find this out for you quickly.  Want to make a spa reservation?  They can also do this for you.  These and other questions are easy for them to get answers for you and all for the same price as you booking yourself.  Why would you book without an agents help?

Don't forget about our website at http://www.kerryf.allabouthoneymoons.com