Booking honeymoon.. What is the best way?

Totally following!!

You have to be careful booking through secondary sites like Expedia or Priceline. Airline flights are ALWAYS overbooked. Should passengers have to be bumped from the flight, these are the passengers that will get moved first. I always use them as search tools only and book directly with the airline. The flights are the same price and aren't really much of a savings.

As for the vacation part, if we go to an all inclusive resort, I always go through a travel agent (unless I'm doing something like cruise or just a hotel stay, then I book direct). The travel agents have the tools to actually get you the best possible deals and its easier to get upgrades. They can search for packages based on what you are looking for in a vacation and point you towards the best properties and things like that.

We used a travel agent at allinclusiveoutlett.com

She made things so much easier and even chose a destination based on our budget. We first looked at travel sites but they were more expensive or the same price as using an agent. Also. Using an agent is much less stressful.

We started out using a travel agent. He was helpful in narrowing things down for us. However, he ultimately couldn't really stay inside of our budget and we ended up booking an all inclusive on our own. I have used Expedia and similar sites for years with no problems, but Maltese is right about those bookings being bumped first if something gets oversold. Same deal with Groupon - and usually their trips are discounted for a reason. Use an agent to get started and research wherever you are going thoroughly. You will be fine. Have fun planning!

I used APple vacations in December to go to Jamaica, it was actually for a DW, so there was 20 of us.

I would definatly go travel agent route. They will make sure everything is all set, all you ahve to do is get to the airport with a suitcase. THey took care of my transportation from the airport to resort, and everything. it was really easy.

I highly recommend a travel agent! There's no fee to use their services, and ours was invaluable in answering questions. As we started planning I didn't realize how many questions I had! He helped us narrow down our choices- the online reviews were overwhelming and didn't really help as much as I thought they would. Plus, his price was as good as some of the deal sites, but he got us a bunch of perks not included in the regular honeymoon package offered at our resort!

Depending on where you want to go and the time of the year I would recommend looking into tour companies as well. We got great quotes for some trips through Gate 1 and Kensington Tours.

Kensington put together a quote for us that was 8 nights in Vietnam with in country flight, private cars, guided english speaking tours, breakfast every day, in country travel and accommodations included for about $1,600 per person. All we would've needed was our international air.

I used a travel agent, and she saved us at least $600 on our honeymoon. She also took the headache away from booking the trip and made it a lot less stressful.

We used Bookit.com. prices were cheaper than applevacations or cheapcarribean.

We used a local travel agent. We compared her price, and couldn't find the same trip cheaper anywhere online. It was also really nice because she knew many of the resorts and could give us honest feedback about what to expect, which resorts are better, etc.

I always go with the cheapest option. Usually the best pricing I can find is internet pricing, whether through expedia, cheapcaribbean, costco, etc. Then I'll contact a couple of travel agents and see if they can get me a better deal. They want to win your business. I've had a travel agent match the lowest price and then throw in a couple extras. Other times, expedia has been the cheapest option and if the travel agent can't match it, I'll book online. If I'm just booking a flight, I'll start with expedia or something similar and then book directly through the airline. Some discount airlines will not show up (like southwest), so make sure you search those flights separately. If I'm booking a vacation package, a lot of times you have to book directly through a site like expedia because they give you crazy discounts for booking flight/hotel together that a travel agent can't give you. It's all about doing research. That said, if you want the easiest/fastest option and don't mind paying more, a travel agent is probably the way to go. Be careful in letting the travel agent pick your hotel...make sure you do your own research/read reviews before booking.

One of my work friends mother is a travel agent. She booked my honeymoon and was also used to book another work friends vacation a couple years ago- both of which were cheaper through her than what we say online. In addition to having insurance, I also like know if there is any issue we have our TA to call. I also am a horrible fiance and incorrectly gave my TA FH's birthday (i was one day off). She was able to easily fix anything that I had incorrectly given her. She was also able to provide insights into different hotels that we were looking into. I am all for booking online for normal trips- but this is your honeymoon- make it as stress free as possible!

I've booked on apple vacations a dozen of times and have had no problems. You might find things cheaper on other sites, but Apple includes your transportation to the resort and back and if you have any issues they are able to help during your vacation as they staff someone at your resort.

Make sure transportation is included on other sites otherwise it can be expensive, difficult to find or sometimes sketchy.

Why aren't agents more widely used? They sound amazing! I never bothered to look into one until people suggested it for the honeymoon. And yeah I've heard Costco/Sam's Club/BJs have good deals too.

I'd say go with an agent and do research to make sure they're getting you the best deal.

Thanks for all the opinions - I didn't realise that it was okay to consult with an agent then price compare ... I would probably end up just booking through them, being too shy. I have noticed huge price differences across websites. Does anyone know if all inclusive resorts include activities as well, or if that is just the all inclusive vacations which are bundled with the plane? Thanks!

Fiorella- it depends on what activities you are talking about and depends on the resorts. Some include activities such as kayaking & snorkeling in their "all inclusive price" and some resorts do not. If an activity is off the resort it's most likely not included in the price (but not always). When I was looking at all inclusive packages I noticed that some of the resorts pretty clearly outline on their website what is and isn't included in the price.

As a travel agent we recommend you use one, if not us, use a local agency you feel comfortable with.

Most travel agents do not charge a fee for their service. We are paid by the resort and/or tour operator BUT work to get the best rates for you. We are here to answer any questions, we have relationships with resort personnel which we can use for special perks. We have been to many resorts or know a client or other agent who has been there, for first hand experience.We have access to special, promo codes and deals that the OTA's do not have. Travel agents can price match just about any deals you find and you get the personal service, not an 800# or an auto reply help desk. You can spend many hours searching the internet or let us find your perfect honeymoon at no cost to you. With all the things that you have to plan for with your wedding, why not let someone else help plan your honeymoon? :-)