Honeymoon planning questions

Most travel agents now charge a planning fee. Neal does not. You pay the same as booking direct — and often less, because as a Cruise Planners® advisor he has access to exclusive promotions, resort credits and amenities that are not published anywhere. He is paid a commission by the resort or cruise line, at no extra cost to you.

Most couples spend between $6,000 and $15,000 for a week, for two, with flights. Under $6,000 buys a quality all-inclusive week. $6,000–$10,000 opens premium adults-only resorts and suites. $10,000–$15,000 reaches butler suites and overwater bungalows. Above $15,000 is safari and South Pacific territory. These are planning ranges, not quotes. Travel is dynamically priced — fares and rates change constantly and are subject to change and based on availability until your booking is confirmed and deposited. Neal quotes the real number for your dates.

Six to nine months out is comfortable for most resorts and cruises. But overwater bungalows, swim-out rooms and top suites go 12 months ahead — there are only a handful at any property. If you want a specific room, earlier is not optional.

Neither is better; they suit different couples. A resort means one beautiful home base and near-total inclusion. A cruise means you wake up somewhere new but pay extra for drinks, wifi, excursions and tips on most lines. If you'd get restless after three days on one beach, cruise. If you want to do nothing beautifully, book a resort.

Cancún and the Riviera Maya (nonstop daily from STL) and Punta Cana (nonstop four times a week) are the easiest and best-value. Both are sold as air+hotel packages, so flights, resort and transfers come in one price. Jamaica, Aruba, Antigua, St. Lucia and Costa Rica are one stop.

Yes. You don't have to travel to French Polynesia or the Maldives to enjoy an overwater bungalow experience.

You can stay in true overwater accommodations much closer to home at:

• Palafitos Overwater Bungalows at El Dorado Maroma – Riviera Maya, Mexico (the only true overwater bungalow resort in Mexico)

• Sandals South Coast – Jamaica

• Sandals Royal Caribbean – Jamaica

• Royalton CHIC Antigua – Antigua

These destinations offer the romance of an overwater bungalow with significantly shorter travel times than Bora Bora or the Maldives.

A honeymoon is often the largest non-refundable purchase a couple has ever made, and deposits generally aren't refundable. The deadlines matter more than most people realise: 'cancel for any reason' upgrades usually must be bought within 14 days of your deposit, and pre-existing condition coverage by final payment. Once a hurricane is named, it's too late to insure against it.

Seven nights is the classic and works almost everywhere. Ten to fourteen nights makes sense for Europe, a safari or the South Pacific, where the flight is long enough that a short trip wastes it. Four to five nights works for a Caribbean quick escape.

Usually not. At most all-inclusives the entry-level room exists to advertise a low price. The step up to a swim-out, Preferred Club or butler category is often a few hundred dollars and a completely different week. It's the most common regret we hear.

Only two are genuinely adults-only: Virgin Voyages (no children aboard at all) and Viking (no under-18s). Others offer adults-only areas or suite enclaves — Norwegian's Haven, Celebrity's Retreat, MSC's Yacht Club — which give you a private, grown-up experience inside a larger ship.

Yes. Flex Pay lets you book now and spread the cost over fixed monthly payments, and you can travel before it's paid off. Terms depend on your credit; not everyone is eligible.

Book your travel in the name that appears on your passport, not your married name. Couples get turned away at check-in over this every year. Bring your marriage certificate, and change the passport after the trip.