Need Honeymoon Advice

[Jack Ryan]

So my wedding is in a year and I will be marrying my high school sweet heart so please NO DONT DO IT's.... its a done deal, its happening so lets just work with what we got.

Problem comes to the honeymoon.... cruises are pretty expensive and when i came home from iraq i promised myself that i would NEVER leave this country again and i plan to stick with that....

we are looking into resorts but want something all inclusive.... this means three meals a day or is cheap enough to go out to lunch and dinner every day.... 4-6 nights depending on price..... i for the life of me cannot find any honeymoon resorts.... or any resorts for that matter that offer all inclusive packages...

does anyone out there have any good ideas or links to good deals?

Story Indiana general store.

Story Inn | Brown County Indiana Bed and Breakfast

Go down there and screw yourselves silly. Congratulations, it's the best move you'll ever make in your life.

 

[Scutter01]

Smoky Mountain National Park is right at the end of the strip. We've only driven through parts of it, but I would imagine there's some fantastic hiking there since the Appalachian Trail runs right through it. We did hike up to Clingman's Dome the last time we were there visiting friends (check out the Native American shop in the building that has the ski lift -- our friends own the shop). It was pretty neat to see icicles on the side of the mountain when it was 90*+ in the city.

Yeah, the traffic sucks, but the Great Smokey Mountains are AWESOME and there's lots of Park-related stuff to do and see if you want to get out of the traffic of Gatlinburg for a day. Cherokee, NC is 40 miles away (about an hour over the mountain) and is about 10 degrees cooler (which makes it good for camping). Clingman's Dome is almost halfway between Gatlinburg and Cherokee, and it's right on the way. In the Cherokee area, there's a scenic train ride, canoeing, whitewater rafting, and lots more, even a casino! We went down there every year for 7 years and still didn't feel like we'd done everything.

 

[DHolder]

Many years of camping (If you call an RV camping) I've found, that this time of year, the U.P. of Michigan to be a comfortable vacation. Temps are nice in the day, and cool at night. Lots to see, there is some pretty country up there, the Great Lakes are a great place to fish too. Start out at Niagra Falls and work your way back home. One draw back.... understanding them people from Michigan.

 

[El Cazador]

I married my HS sweetie 31 years ago. Probably saved my life .

Anyways, did you say you were really wanting a beach, or just a mostly inclusive package deal? Tennessee/Pigeon Forge/Nashville has the package deals, and plenty to see and do, and there's plenty like that in the Rockies, too. There are a couple of places like dude ranches (no beach tho'...) that are fun and the views and scenery are spectacular out there. There are some beaches out there, just probably not what your gal is hoping for.

And I think I'd avoid Mexico for a while, cruise ship or not...

Oh, and I think Jack Ryan's idea of the Story Inn is a good one, too. There's plenty to see and do right here in the state, and still get plenty of honeymoon time. Good way to have a lot of fun for a lot less money.

 

[Bill of Rights]

I'm told that Alaskan cruises are quite nice... Although most leave from California, and you'd have to leave the US to get to your departure point...

Blessings,
Bill

 

[1032JBT]

For an all-inclusive deal look at the Ceasers Pocono Resorts. Lunch is on your own and alcohol is not included but they do have things to do on the grounds and you can leave to sightsee if you want (and to buy booze if needed). The room prices vary and can get very expensive, but some of the rooms have swimming pools in the rooms. Yes, it is kind of like the cybris thing in Indy, but this place doesn't rent rooms by the hour .

Wife and I went there a few years ago for a long weekend and we did enjoy it.

 

[wtfd661]

Saw your title and was going to say my advice is not to get married and then your post spoiled it for me. Have you thought about Disney World? I thought it would be totally lame for adults and I had a blast. There were lots of newlyweds with micky and Minnie ears that had veils and top hats on them. I hope to go back with just the wife someday.

You can get hotel and food packages straight through Disney, I believe. It can be much cheaper if you stay in a non Disney resort if you drive there. If you fly and stay in a Disney hotel, they have shuttles to take you everywhere you need.

+1 on this, my wife and I started going there before we had kids and since then we've been 8 times with them, we love that place and will continue to go after our kids move out on their own.

 

[hornadylnl]

Whatever you do, make sure there isn't any cake at the wedding. Scientists have proven that wedding cake reduces a womans sex drive by 90%.

 

[Caleb]

You can do the old Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge thing. Lots of fun things to do there, although it's touristy. We camp in Cherokee, NC, right over the mountain and spend the day in Gatlinburg.

imho, that's a cheesy honeymoon....

if you want something kinda fun, go with Disney world otherwise Hawaii makes an awesome honeymoon. Either of those aren't cheap but at least you'll won't hear how cheap and/or cheesy your honeymoon is/was. Colorado in spring/early summer ought'a makes a nice outdoor honeymoon(cabin, not tents)...I would stay away from any place that's touristy.

 

[Caleb]

Whatever you do, make sure there isn't any cake at the wedding. Scientists have proven that wedding cake reduces a womans sex drive by 90%.

unless it's made from pure chocolate

 

[jeremy]

Whatever you do, make sure there isn't any cake at the wedding. Scientists have proven that wedding cake reduces a womans sex drive by 90%.

Are you sure that is not the ring or the vows...

 

[jeremy]

If you are still in the service go to military one source and see what kind of specials you can get there.

Go someplace classy, someplace that you two will remember in 20, 30, or 60 years and look back and go that was nice, we had a good time there. Try to stay away from trendy and cool. If you do Vegas then do it in style like you never will be able to do it again, and stay someplace like The Bellagio.

 

[Scutter01]

imho, that's a cheesy honeymoon....

if you want something kinda fun, go with Disney world otherwise Hawaii makes an awesome honeymoon. Either of those aren't cheap but at least you'll won't hear how cheap and/or cheesy your honeymoon is/was. Colorado in spring/early summer ought'a makes a nice outdoor honeymoon(cabin, not tents)...I would stay away from any place that's touristy.

How is Gatlinburg any cheesier than Disney? Disney is practically the definition of a honeymoon cliche! Gatlinburg is also 1/3rd the cost. Besides, Disney without bringing a kid is b-o-r-i-n-g.

 

[ATM]

Gotta give the nod to Gatlinburg here. Get a chalet on the mountain with a hot tub.

Sweet Pancake Houses for breakfast, Hillbilly Golf, a hot tub. What more does a honeymoon really need?

 

[Indy_Guy_77]

Hi,

By limiting yourself to just the United States, you're going to find it VERY very hard-pressed to find an "all inclusive" resort. You're also keeping yourself from seeing some absolutely gorgeous parts of the region.

In my humble opinion, I highly suggest that you expand your travel area to at least include the Caribbean. Most of the islands and island nations have dozens of all-inclusive resorts (including alcohol); many are quite moderately priced. And most are also relatively easy to get to.

If you decide to expand your travel area, I personally recommend the Dominican Republic. When I was shopping for our honeymoon destination, I discovered that the DR was just about the least expensive place (on average) in the Caribbean. Could stay an extra 2-3 nights there, in our honeymoon suite, than we could just about any place else. I would go back in a heart-beat.

And if you decide on sticking to the "USA" only route...what about US territories? I would like to see the US Virgin Islands... You might even be able to take and carry a pistol when you're there, too.

If you DO decide to head towards the Caribbean, be sure and get travel insurance. Cheap peace of mind.

 

[Fletch]

I'm told that Alaskan cruises are quite nice... Although most leave from California, and you'd have to leave the US to get to your departure point...

Blessings,
Bill

Skip the cruise, just go to Alaska. If you want to be somewhere that freedom and personal responsibility is a way of life rather than a bumper sticker, Alaska is the place to be. There are plenty of lodges and resorts up there that cater to honeymooners too, or you can find some nice bed & breakfasts. Being able to carry with no permit, OC or CC, is just the icing on the cake. You'll want to marry it and have like 10,000 of its babies.

 

[Boilers]

Here are the sites that I use to look for travel. I would highly suggest that you sign up for emails from these sites. I get up to a dozen a day or so. They vary in what you can get in emails, but some of them are pretty customized.

Also, I follow Rick Seaney on Twitter. He tweets many times a day on good deals. Just go here to read them - Rick Seaney (rickseaney) on Twitter

My personal recommendation is to go to Hawaii. My wife and I did BK (Before Kids) and it was fairly cheap. Like $600 per person round trip air and hotel. I think prices are not that far off of that, too, now. You can find some good deals. And as far as I know, the cruise line that goes around Hawaii is the only USAmerican-flagged ships (cruise) in the world. But, that would add to your cost. In my opinion, ANY destination to Hawaii is GREAT. So, don't worry about one versus the others if cost prohibits one.

I will post what I can find for you here. I like looking for deals. Even for someone else. But please, let's keep the smoochy smoochy, sick stuff out of here. If you guys decide to do THAT, better left unsaid!!!

So, bookmark the following and explore them. I would spend a couple hours a day at first looking, unless something just jumps out at you. But on the other hand don't get into analysis paralysis. Oh, in order to help we need exact date and times that you will or can depart and return. And if you are willing to travel to Cincy or Louisville airports to save a bit of money. Or even Chicago? All that info is variables. And if you'll be checking any AR-15s into baggage.



Travelocity.com
Expedia Travel
Yahoo! Travel
Priceline
Hotwire.com
Lowestfare.com
ITA Software: Login
BiddingForTravel.com
Kayak.com
Orbitz
SideStep
Site59.com
Mobissimo Travel
farecompare
airfare watchdog
Faircast (MS)
CheapAir.com
ZUJI
Cheapflights
Airline Consolidator
Yapta
BootsnAll Travel Network
SmarterTravel.com
Vacation Packages
Cheap Travel Scout
Vacation Rentals By Owner

Not all-inclusive, but private owners of rentals might be willing to make good deals if they are desperate. Hawaii Vacation Rentals - VRBO® Vacation Rentals by Owner Hawaii - Hawaii Travel


Here is one Hawaii email I have received. Just FYI

Another recent one I received from Farecompare

Fare Compare Email

 

[Boilers]

Not sure of all the legal implications, but your INGO family might be able to pitch in to help cut costs of your honeymoon...

https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=p/xcl/rec/donate-intro-outside

I also have a cousin in the hotel biz. Not sure if he could swing a deal or not in Hawaii.

 

[Caleb]

hmm...maybe I should try the donation thing when we go on our honeymoon...


Needless to say, you can't go wrong with Hawaii..just think of all the "sexy times" that promote. Waterfalls, sunsets, beaches, oceans, etc. etc.

 

[Caleb]

How is Gatlinburg any cheesier than Disney? Disney is practically the definition of a honeymoon cliche! Gatlinburg is also 1/3rd the cost. Besides, Disney without bringing a kid is b-o-r-i-n-g.

Gatlinburg is just, idk.....very business-y and feels very commercialized. I only suggested Disney because my fiancee is obsessed with anything Disney so that would be an experience I know without a shadow of any doubt that she would enjoy. It's all about how well you know your fiancee and what she likes...