Sixteen Tips for your Honeymoon Trip!

Wes Nixon

When done right, the honeymoon cruise can be a hassle-free dream come true for the newly wedded couple. We've compiled some tips on how to make your honeymoon cruise the vacation of your dreams, while being as cost-efficient and trouble-free as possible.

DO YOUR RESEARCH. When researching your trip, visit web sites that publicize last-minute savings on cruises such as www.travelzoo.com and www.icruise.com. They deal in unsold inventory, so you may not get the best room, but you will get discount passage on the best ships at sea. This is the absolute cheapest way to travel, and savings can be between 50%-75% off the original cost.

BEING FLEXIBLE CAN SAVE. Bidding for a cruise at auction on eBay or www.allcruiseauction.com can also lead to tremendous savings for the honeymoon couple. You'll have to be flexible with your travel dates, and you'll have to do some research and know in advance what the real price of the cruise is so you don't over bid. To get an idea of what a cruise will cost, visit www.expedia.com or www.travelocity.com, which has a feature that allows you to compare cruises side-by-side.

TRAVEL THROUGH MAJOR CITIES. Find a cruise that sails from a port near your home and it will save you the cost of airfare. This can amount to very large savings. If you can't get to the port without flying, consider buying the flight independent from the cruise deal. In many cases, cruise ships fly passengers on charter planes, which are cheaper, but if you simply need to travel between major cities, you may find a less-expensive flight online.

AIR TRAVEL STANDARDS. Make sure you know what size carry-on your airline permits, and how many pieces are permitted on board. Standards are changing daily, so be aware.

ROMANTIC VIEWS. Consider your cruise cabin carefully. Most cost-saving cabins don't have a view. It may be worth the extra money for the honeymoon couple to have a romantic view. Remember, the higher you up go, the higher the price.

PARTY ABOARD. Most ships contain small wedding chapels, so onboard weddings can take place in the couple's home port, with guests disembarking before the ship sails. Research is important if you want to mix a large party with a cruise ship experience.

DINING ON THE CRUISE. Many cruise ships have fixed seating at dinner time and only a few tables set aside for couples. If sitting with others at large tables doesn't appeal to you, look for cruise ships that allow more flexibility in dining.

HONEYMOON REGISTRY. If doing a honeymoon registry, find out what the company's take is. The last thing that you want is to have the value of your gifts eroded by a high "service fee" that can reduce your take by as much as 15 percent. Every company handles these registries differently; be diligent.

SPEND WISELY. Most ships open up a charge account for you once you board. That makes it easy to overspend on non-essential items. Be aware of these traps.

ALL-INCLUSIVE CAN PAY OFF. If you drink, find a cruise where beverage costs are included in the deal. You don't want to be a drinker who passes on the all-inclusive alcohol package.

SAVE BY GOING LOCAL. Choose shore excursions carefully. Remember that prices drop dramatically when the crowds disperse. Instead of buying a tour on board the ship, walk a block into town and you'll find terrific savings.

INTERNATIONAL SERVICE. Avoid phone calls and Internet time on board. Both cost a fortune while being abundant and cheap in town.

DISCOUNTS ARE NICE. If you find a cruise line you like, stay loyal to it. Companies give extra discounts and other perks to returning guests.

HURRICANE SEASON. Remember that Travel insurance costs about 5% to 7% of the trip, and the hurricane season stretches from June 1 through November 30. Hurricanes rarely occur outside those dates and since most big ships can change course when they catch wind of a hurricane, few have codified storm policies.

TRAVEL INSURANCE. When considering travel insurance, ask if the policy covers bankruptcy of an airline, tour, or cruise, trip cancellation and interruption, accidents before or during your honeymoon that might prevent travel, missed connections, travel or baggage delays and emergency assistance.

SPACE SAVER. Lastly, and most importantly, when packing, roll, rather than fold, vacation garments. It saves space and also can cut down on wrinkles. Enjoy!