Many newlyweds decide to go on a cruise for their honeymoon, where they can travel with less stress and less money, and cover more ground than on a traditional vacation. On a honeymoon cruise, you can sail to places including Hawaii, Mexico, the Caribbean, Europe, Alaska, and more. Most people enjoy cruises because of the wide variety of entertainment and activities available. So whether you decide to sail in the Equatorial or Polar Regions, as long as you have a good cruise ship and you come prepared, you can almost always find something new to discover.
Make sure you plan your honeymoon cruise well in advance of your wedding day. Many unexpected surprises will probably come up as the day approaches, and you don’t want to have a million things on your plate – except maybe at the reception buffet. If your wedding will occur in the spring or summer, you will probably enjoy dreaming about and planning a cruise in the cold months of winter. Talk to people you know who have cruised before, and call professional travel agents. If you tell them some of the activities you enjoy, they can match you up with a cruise that’s perfect for your interests.
Many people like cruises because of the minimal economic planning involved. Almost all cruises come in all-inclusive packages so you pay one price, and everything is taken care of. A cruise package will cover your round-trip plane tickets, room, meals, beverages, ship entertainment, and sometimes shore activities, depending on the destinations. When you’re setting up a cruise plan, remember to ask the staff about honeymoon discounts. Cruise lines may accommodate you by giving you a free cabin upgrade, bottles of champagne, honeymoon cake, flowers, and fruits in your room, as well as sign you up for the anniversary club where you will receive discounts if you decide to take another cruise in the future. Also, sometimes you have the option of putting the cruise on your bridal registry if you’d like some help paying for it. Often, friends and family can give gifts of $25 or more toward your honeymoon cruise.
Some of the most popular cruise routes for honeymooners include the Caribbean Islands such as Antigua, and the British Virgin Islands. Remote Antigua has 365 public beaches with calm water, bird sanctuaries, and snorkeling where you can see shipwrecks. More than 50 islands make up the British Virgin Islands, with rainforest conditions, year-round 85 degree temperatures and wild gardens of plants and vegetation. If you’d like to explore more cultural areas, you can take a cruise in the Mediterranean Sea, ride a gondola in Venice, and see the Coliseum in Rome – all while enjoying the safety and serenity of the ship. If you’re considering Alaska, keep in mind that in March and September, the sun shines for about 12 hours, in June for about 20 and in December for about four.
Try to pack as far in advance as possible, and even though you should pack as light as possible, remember to include the following essentials:
- 24 hours worth of necessities in a carry-on; because sometimes your luggage won’t reach your room on the ship until much later than you do.
- A sweatshirt and a swimsuit — no matter how hot or cold the destination on your honeymoon cruise.
- Your visa.
- Maiden name identification. If you haven’t changed your name on your driver’s license and other identification, you should travel under your maiden name.
- A backpack will let you carry many items on shore excursions such as maps, guidebooks, a camera, a first aid kit, a wallet with traveler’s checks and water.
By Lisa Zyga