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Last-Minute Hawaii Honeymoon Deals Done

September 14, 2011 By

Not every couple plans their honeymoon months in advance.  Or, some plan far in advance but their plans can change at the last minute! In either case, if you find yourselves trying to plan your honeymoon at the last minute, there is still plenty that you can do and plan for your Hawaii vacation.

Budgeting

One of the biggest stresses, if not the most stressful, aspect of planning your honeymoon at the last minute is the cost!  How much exactly will this trip set you back?  We have some excellent articles providing information on budgeting and saving money in Hawaii:


Don’t Think You Can Afford a Hawaii Honeymoon?
Deals For Your Hawaii Honeymoon
Six Ways to Eat Cheap in Hawaii

Last-Minute Cruise Deals

Cruise lines often have trouble filling every single room on their ships, so last-minute deals can be easy to find.  Hawaiian cruises either sail from Los Angeles or Honolulu and can last from seven days to thirty days.  When couples plan a cruise vacation, they typically start with the cruise line and go from there.  At the last minute, you may not have that luxury.  Start with looking at discount sites that list all the available cruises.  A fantastic site is Vacations To Go, where cruises that sail from ports all over the world list their last-minute deals.  A more thorough list of discount cruise sites can be found on in our cruise article.

Hotel Deals

If you’re looking for a single hotel on a single island for the entirety of your honeymoon, it can be quite daunting if you’re trying to find something available at the last minute!  First, decide which island you would like to stay.  Next, go to travel sites such as the list found in our article How to Find Hawaii Honeymoon Vacation Packages and begin searching for all hotels on that island.  Alternatively, if you know which hotel is best for you, call them directly and see what they have available for that time period.  Don’t be shy calling! The worst they can tell you is that they’re completely booked.  Just don’t get frustrated in your search; hotels abound on every island and there are always deals to be found.

Renting a Car

Once you have figured out where you’re going to go, be sure to secure a car rental before you get to Hawaii.  Again, go to travel websites and shop around for the best deal.  Waiting until you get to the island to rent your car can be a huge headache.  Know which rental company you’re renting your car from so that you are able to go directly to the location for pickup.

Meal Planning

If cost is not a huge concern, then feel free to fully explore the island and eat wherever your fancy takes you.  If, however, you’re on a tight budget, try to plan out how you’ll be spending your money on food before you get to Hawaii. Go to websites such as Groupon or Restaurant.com to secure some great deals before you get there.  Or find out if there is a supermarket near your hotel where you can do some grocery shopping, thus saving huge amounts of money simply by making sandwiches for lunch or eating some cereal for breakfast.  Look into whether or not your hotel offers complimentary meals and take advantage of those.

Activities

Activities on the islands are easy to plan once your arrive at the island.  Go to the hotel front desk and inquire about activities, and they will be happy to show you what you can do and where.  Also, if renting a car you can plan your own activities on the cheap by just driving and exploring!  There’s nothing more romantic than packing a picnic basket and driving randomly until you find a romantic beach to watch the sunset.  Plus, that kind of activity is budget-friendly!

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How to Find Hawaii Honeymoon Vacation Packages

August 3, 2011 By

couple kayaking in HawaiiBy packaging together different parts of your Hawaii honeymoon vacation, rather than purchasing everything separately, you will save quite a bit of money.

What exactly goes into a Hawaii honeymoon vacation package?  The first basic is accommodations, which for most couples means staying in a Hawaii hotel or resort.  Other accommodations may include a private rental (such as a condo) or a timeshare.  For most Hawaii package deals, a hotel stay is provided.

The second thing you should be thinking about is transportation, which typically means a flight.  Other means of transportation could include a cruise, which can be bulked into a package deal through some sites.  The third part of a vacation package is a rental car, which you two may or may not want depending on your particular destination. Unless you’ve booked a cruise, consider renting a car so that you have an easy way to explore the rest of the Hawaiian island on your romantic honeymoon.

But where to start with these packages?  It can seem overwhelming trying to find exactly where to look for deals, and it can be even more difficult determining whether or not you’re actually saving money.  Let’s start with a list of some very helpful sites to get your search going, where each site easily guides you through the three basics of a package: hotel, flight, car:

Kayak – search most sites all in one place!

Expedia

Priceline

Orbitz

Hotwire

Funjet - scroll to the bottom of the page and enter your departure city to find current package deals.  This site has some really awesome offers!

Hawaiian Airlines

CheapTickets

Pleasant Holidays

Another great way to find a deal is to contact American Express if you’re a cardholder.  You’ll get bonus points by booking with them, plus points by using your American Express credit card.  Even if you think that you may save money by booking through a separate site (such as from the list above), checking out offered packages won’t hurt!  Just remember to factor in the savings that you’ll get from the points by booking with AmEx.

Are you a AAA member?  Did you know that you can book Hawaii honeymoon vacation packages with them? Well, iIf you didn’t, now you do!  Members receive specials discounts, so why not take a look?

Am I actually saving money?

Most often the answer is Yes!  But just to put your mind at ease, once you’ve found the deal that suits you best, do a little research.  Contact the hotel directly and find out how much it would cost to book that number of nights for the particular travel dates.  Then do the same for the airline and rental car, when applicable.  You’ll be shocked at the price difference!

Filed Under: Planning 101, Travel Packages Tagged With: , ,

Hawaii Travel Packages: A Plan of Attack

May 8, 2011 By

couple kayaking in HawaiiAfter deciding that an all-inclusive package is the way to go, there are many different kinds of Hawaii travel packages for you to explore when planning a honeymoon. They relieve the stress of that horrible, time-consuming planning process that goes into a vacation. Instead, kick back and simply enjoy the experience.

Hawaii travel packages take care of scheduling flights, booking hotel rooms and finding activities for your trip. You can choose Hawaii travel packages that cater to any of the six major islands: Molokai, Oahu, Hawaii, Maui, Kauai and Lanai.

Tip: If you want to avoid the large commercial resorts and tourist trappings, choose to honeymoon along the shoreline of the Big Island in Hawaii.

One of the easiest ways to search for a Hawaii travel package is to visit online travel websites.  Make sure they are well-known and reputable travel websites such as Pleasant Holiday or Hawaii Aloha. If your travel dates are still unconfirmed, spend some time checking different options, like leaving on a Sunday versus leaving on a Friday. Especially if you’re planning your Hawaii honeymoon during the off-season, you’ll find that the price of Hawaii travel packages goes down.  Don’t forget to utilize the tools to customize your search, since these websites cater to a huge audience. We also recommend signing up for any available newsletters, but again, make sure to customize your preference. This will give you a front row seat to some of the best Hawaii travel packages.

If you’re not so into the idea of booking this yourself, then consider a travel agent. This approach is convenient and more personal. It also limits the tedious travel research you would be doing on your own.  Remember that travel agents are mostly just focused on giving you an awesome Hawaii honeymoon, as opposed to finding you the best deal.  Which is great if you have the funds; but if you’re sticking to a limited budget and would prefer an experience  (like snorkeling or whale watching) to paying a travel agent for convenience, then go with your gut!

Another resource for killer honeymoon travel packages, is the resorts and hotels themselves. Don’t limit your search to travel websites—consider which Hawaii hotel or resort you plan on stay at and then explore their website. There are even options for little thematic niche packages, which add to the luxury of your Hawaii honeymoon experience. If you haven’t picked a destination yet, you should check out this article on popular Hawaii resorts, many which feature some of these smaller packages.

 

 

Filed Under: Travel Packages

Trying to Find an All Inclusive Hawaii Honeymoon? Who Isn’t.

February 21, 2011 By

It can be quite difficult to find an all inclusive Hawaiian honeymoon, especially compared to other romantic destinations.  But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with a nice little list of some of the popular all inclusive Hawaii honeymoons!  Because it doesn’t make wedding planning any easier when you have to worry about planning your honeymoon too!

Kauai Beach Resort

This resort, complete with multiple pools, stunning views and nestled alongside miles of beach (be aware that the beach is for lounging, not swimming), is perfect for honeymooners looking to just get away.  Even better, you have all inclusive Hawaiian honeymoon choices!  With hawaii-aloha.com, you’ll get five days stay including all breakfasts and dinners, Waimea Canyon and Hanalei Valley tours, some alcoholic beverages, and more for only $999 per person.  The only thing this doesn’t include is flight, which you can easily find on your own using sites like Expedia, Hotwire, etc.

Another all inclusive option at the Kauai Beach Resort can be booked through Aloha Hawaii Vacations.  Their deal includes round-trip airfare, seven days at the resort, meals, Waimea tour, a Swedish massage for each of you and more for $2,825 per person.  If you book your own flight, deduct $815.

Kona Village Resort

When you think all inclusive, you’re definitely picturing “a room and all meals.”  Just having your meals taken care of truly will ease your mind once you’re there.  Well, look no further than Kona Village; included in your stay are three daily meals plus an awesome bungalow.  There really is nothing else quite like  it anywhere else on the Hawaiian islands.  The cost may seem high, from anywhere between $300 and $1300 per night, but remember that this includes meals.  Just check out their website and the reviews on Yelp; you really will be blown away.

Royal Lahaina Resort

When most people think Hawaii, the setting at the Royal Lahaina Resort comes to mind: a warm soft breeze blowing through palm trees on white sandy beaches.  Maui is known for its amazing beaches, and the easily accessible Ka’anapali Beach does not disappoint.  There’s even a gorgeous golf course next door and nightly luaus.  AATPA offers an all inclusive option for this Maui resort, including some meals, daily sunset mai tais, open bar up to $50/per room/per day, catamaran sunset sail, and more for only $999 for five nights.  This is a fantastic deal for the quality Hawaiian experience you’ll immerse yourselves into.

Turtle Bay Resort Oahu

Turtle Bay Hawaii rooms and suites are all complete with beautiful private lanais and ocean views. Three or four bedroom Ocean Villas are available and include preferential access to the villas’ courtyard, large pool and Jacuzzi. A great idea for Hawaii honeymooners is to experience the private chef who will create a romantic meal for two. Check out the North Shore Romance package starting from $399 per night or the themed Wedding Wars Beach Cottage Package.

Other ideas

Try these other ideas for customized all inclusive Hawaii honeymoon packages:

Check out Pleasant Holidays and Apple Vacations where you can enter your departure point and when you’re planning your trip.  You can even enter where you would like to go.  These sites will then offer all inclusive options, including airfare and car rental.

Call a travel agent. This may seem old-school or unnecessary since it seems like you can find the same deals online, but for an all inclusive deal for your Hawaii honeymoon, this may be your best bet!

Filed Under: Honeymoon Tips, Hotels & Resorts, Kauai Hotels, Maui Hotels, Travel Packages Tagged With:

Sail, Cruise and Dine on Your Honolulu Honeymoon

October 13, 2010 By

Leave the Waikiki area to enjoy some scenery off-shore!

For most newlyweds, a honeymoon to Honolulu will likely mean relaxing on Waikiki,  taking in the sights, renting a car to explore the island, and of course, shopping.  But these are all land activities!  You’re on an island, and your trip won’t be complete without venturing off the sandy shores onto a ship or catamaran, even if just for a couple hours.  Honolulu has got you covered with a multitude of options for day cruising on a catamaran, sunset booze cruises and romantic dinner cruises.

Each link provided below will lead you to even more options with each company, such as high-speed sailing, watching fireworks from your boat, (Hilton lights up the skies every Friday night) and Dolphin tours.  Browse before you book!

Catamaran – Snorkeling

There are quite a few companies that offer sailing for a couple hours, whisking you away from Waikiki and into the ocean, stopping for an hour’s worth of snorkeling, then taking some time to sail around the coastline for some sightseeing and some great photo opportunities.  If you’ve never done this type of sail before, you’ll find some of the best catamaran snorkeling adventures in Honolulu.

Outrigger Catamaran has sailing and snorkeling in the morning every day of the week.  Reservations are required in advance.  The cost isn’t too bad, either: for $47 per person, you’ll get to sail for 2-1/2 hours, with snorkeling in between.   The crew of Outrigger make sure that you’ll have a great time with drinks for a few bucks and a visit to a cove filled with sea turtles.

Another fantastic option is the Maita’i Catamaran offering the Underwater Adventure Sail.  For just $45, you’ll board with their entertaining crew for two hours, eat an included lunch and snorkel at some of the best spots they can find.  This only sails on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, so plan in advance.

Catamaran – Booze Cruise – Daytime & Sunset

If you love to drink, meet new people, watch the sunset, drink, dance to some Hawaiian music, and drink some more, then you need to go on a “booze cruise.”  If you’ve never heard that term before, well, it’s pretty self-explanatory…cruise while you drink all you can handle!  Keep in mind that these types of cruises typically don’t offer food.

The wildly popular, colorful ship Na Hoku II departs five times daily (four daytime, one in the evening) for 1-1/2 hour cruises.  For just $25 ($30 for sunset cruise), you’ll get music, entertainment from the lively crew, and all you can drink.   This is a serious good deal!   The sunset sail is definitely more popular, so you’ll want to book ahead of time.

Outrigger Catamaran offers different packages for different folks, but their sunset cruise is one of the best booze cruises out there.  For $39, you’ll get to watch the sunset while sipping unlimited drinks served by Captain Rabbit (yes, Rabbit!).  If you want to ride the Outrigger other times of the day, you will have to pay for drinks.  For all you can drink, take the sunset cruise and book it well in advance.

Sunset Dinner Cruises

The Star of Honolulu offers a variety of options for every budget.  However, if you’re willing to splurge a little (it is your honeymoon, after all), we highly recommend the Five Star Sunset Dining and Jazz.  For $172 per person, your three hour cruise includes a welcome reception, a 7-course gourmet French style dinner (menu changes quarterly), three alcoholic beverages and live entertainment (jazz, Hawaiian musicians and hula).  For an extra $10 per person, a motorcoach can transport you from Waikiki.  For extra luxury, spend an additional $60 per person for a limousine to take you both to the ship.  In my opinion, this seems a bit frivolous; you won’t be spending much time in the limo!

For those on a tighter budget, Star of Honolulu offers more casual options, such as the Star Sunset Dinner and Show for $88 per person and the Three Star Sunset Dinner and Show for $128 per person.

An even less expensive option is the Ali’i Kai Sunset Dinner Cruise for $66 per person.  This much more casual option offers a buffet dinner (versus a sit-down dinner with Star of Honolulu), Polynesian dancers and live music.

Whichever option you choose, you’ll still experience a Hawaiian sunset from the deck of a cruise ship.  It doesn’t get much more romantic than that!

Filed Under: Cruises, Cruises By Style, Oahu, Romantic Attractions, Travel Packages Tagged With: ,

Is an All-Inclusive Hawaii Honeymoon the Way to Go?

September 2, 2010 By

Coffee, anyone?

Planning your honeymoon can seem so daunting when you’re in the midst of planning your wedding.   All-inclusive options are very appealing to visitors to Hawaii, particularly honeymooners as it’s so nice to kick back and not have to worry about a single thing, even where to get your next meal!

To get started in your planning, walk yourselves through these questions:

1) Do we want a truly all-inclusive honeymoon, meaning that every meal and activity is planned?

If you’ve taken other all-inclusive vacations before, such as to Mexico, be aware that there are no similar options for Hawaii, unfortunately.  In Hawaii, travel agencies and companies put packages together offering couples and families “all-inclusive” options; they’re not cheaper, just easier for the tourists to purchase.  One-stop shopping!

If this is the option you want, you need to recognize that this won’t be the cheapest option!    Basically, it will cost the same as if you had found all the options and put them together yourself.  To get started in your search, visit www.all-inclusive-hawaii.com where you can search by island.  Most options include flight, hotel stay for about a week, rental car, meals and activities.

One of the most popular resorts in Hawaii is on the big island in the Kona district: Kona Village Resort.  While they don’t include airfare in their packages, they do include meals and activities in one of the best vacation spots in the islands.

2) Are we looking for a package that includes just flight and hotel?

Now this is the more popular option that often does yield a less-expensive result than if you had booked your flight and hotel separately.  Deals like this are easy to find!  Sites like Pleasant Holidays, Apple Vacations and Expedia pack together those two most expensive costs, often with a rental car as an additional option.  You can also call your local travel agent for current deals.

3) On which island do we want to spend our honeymoon?

If you’re looking for the least expensive Hawaii honeymoon with the most package deals, choose Oahu.  Most flights, even for tourists headed to another island, land at the Honolulu airport.  There are tons of resorts and hotels in the Waikiki and Honolulu area that have seen less tourists in recent years, so if you’re looking to save some money while still having a wonderful time, consider Oahu first.  Just don’t forget to rent a car so you can see the rest of the island!

Other options include: The Big Island of Hawaii (lots of options in Hilo and Kona), Maui (very romantic!), Kauai (gorgeous and laid-back) and Molokai.

4) Do we want to go on a cruise to Hawaii?

If you’re thinking of “all-inclusive,” cruising may not be your best option.  You’ll still have to buy your airfare separately if you have to fly to your departure port, plus any costs such as rental cars on the islands you visit.  However, cruises are a great option if you’re looking for a luxurious experience that includes all meals, a room with a view or even a balcony, free room service, and lots more.  Plus, cruises that sail to the islands offer excursions at each port of call for an extra fee.

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