Honeymoon Planning-- Working with a Travel Agent

Honeymoon Planning: Why you should work with a Travel Agent

Choosing a honeymoon is different from other vacations. For a honeymoon, you have in your mind's eye the idyllic start to your life together and is a fulfillment of a dream.

Working with a travel agent that is a honeymoon specialist is beneficial as they will take great care to ask a lot of questions and offer you the benefit of their experience, both as travel agents and real life experience in the destination, resort or cruise ship for your honeymoon.

Researching your trip online is easy and fun, but when it comes to booking your all-important honeymoon, the advantages of working with a travel agent are myriad. Agents can offer you the benefit of their globetrotting experiences; inside lines to discounts not widely advertised; package deals and a range of itinerary options; one-stop shopping for air, car, and hotel reservations; and, last but not least, peace of mind. They are your saviors and advocates when travel plans go awry.

Here are some points to help you find the honeymoon of your dreams while working with a travel agent:

DO YOUR HOMEWORK. Decide what type of trip you're interested in and approximately what you want to spend. The more specific your destination and activity wish list, the less time you'll waste on vacation dreams that are beyond your budget.

SPEAK WITH YOUR AGENT. Good agents are patient, they ask lots of questions, maintain rigorous quality standards, are forthright about a destination's drawbacks, and have a genuine interest in clients' feedback. Good agents will entertain your dreams with an open mind and present a range of options. Seek out someone who feels like a kindred spirit; their opinion will jive most closely with your likes and dislikes.

DON'T FREAK OUT ABOUT CONSULTATION FEES. When working with a travel agent, some will have fees for their services and expertise. If you trust and like the agent, consider it a small price to pay for their expert advice and a perfectly planned honeymoon.

EXPECT EXPERIENCE. What's one of the most important agent credentials? First-hand experience. An agent who has visited a specific destination or resort knows which room has the best view and for cruises, they would be able to recommend specific cruises and cabin types. Best of all, they may have an inside line and be able to make special requests on your behalf. Online travel agencies may have descriptions, however they don't offer you first hand experience.

When working with a travel agent, look for an agent that takes advantage of Familiarization Trips (FAMS) which provide in-depth training about destinations, resorts and cruises. Agents do extensive site inspections to better find the best honeymoon or vacation that fits what you want at the best price.

KNOW YOUR BUDGET. Be up front and honest about your air/hotel budget and stick to it. Don't be embarrassed or feel uncomfortable speaking about it. Telling your agent only helps them find the best honeymoon for you. When figuring the budget, know thyself: What are your priorities? For example, if being in the center of a city's action is more important to you than a super luxury room, tell the agent. Knowing what you can and can't live without will help them build a custom-fit itinerary within your budget.

STAY OPEN. You'll have greater access to discount fares and other promotions if your time frame is flexible, even by just a few days on either end.

TIME IS MONEY. How much is your time worth? Do you really have a lot of time to dedicate to planning a honeymoon in the midst of planning the wedding? When working with a travel agent, they can compare deals from all suppliers (tour companies, cruise lines, etc.) to find the lowest prices available so you don't have to!

BRING AMMUNITION. Tell your agent about all airline, hotel, car rental, travel award, and travel club programs you participate in so that you can earn more points while on your honeymoon. Also, some programs may have upgrades available for members only!

BE UP FRONT. Any medical, diet, exercise or lifestyle (i.e. same-sex couple) needs? Tell your agent. Also mention whether you prefer nonsmoking or smoking accommodations. Tell your agent any special requests that you would like to make and they will do their best to make them a reality for you. Please keep in mind that everything is a request and is not necessarily guaranteed.

ASK LOTS OF QUESTIONS. No question is stupid, so don't be shy! Ask your agent about the nitty-gritty details of your trip, including airport connections, bus and taxi services, tipping, foreign currency conversion, and safety concerns such as government-issued travel advisories and warnings. Most important, get phone numbers that you can use for after-hours emergencies (at the airport early Sunday morning after your wedding, for instance) and on your trip.

Contact me today about working with a travel agent at lisa@traveldivalisa.com or call 330-329-9178!

Sandals Resorts Set to Drop the Royal Plantation Brand

The following is a reprint of an article from TravelPulse, a travel agent news source with the latest news about Sandals Resorts and the Royal Plantation resorts brand:

Published on: August 10, 2010

Sandals Resorts International (SRI) Chairman and founder Gordon “Butch” Stewart said that beginning Sept. 1, the Royal Plantation Collection brand will be retired and properties operating under the Royal Plantation banner will be folded into Sandals Resorts or operated independently. Stewart said the move has been in the works for the past year and is part of an overall strategic plan that began nearly a decade ago to elevate the Sandals Resorts experience.

“We have been on a long and determined journey for the last 10 years to develop Sandals Resorts into a true luxury product,” Stewart said. “When we introduced the Royal Plantation brand in 2000, it allowed us [Sandals Resorts International] to acquire properties, talent and practices that have now become part of the Sandals Resorts Luxury Included experience. Our reasons for a second brand no longer exist. Sandals Resorts defines luxury within our company. We are confident in our product and feel now is the time to bring the family together.”

Officially launched in 2006, Sandals Resorts’ Luxury Included concept was aimed at setting a new standard of luxury at Sandals Resorts, featuring better service and amenities, including suites with private plunge pools and Jacuzzis, exclusive dining options and partnerships with the London-based Guild of Professional English Butlers, Beringer Wines and Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia. In February 2010, Sandals introduced a 500-acre beachfront resort, Sandals Emerald Bay, Great Exuma, Bahamas, as the first Sandals Resort offering butler service to all guests, a championship golf course designed by Greg Norman and a world-class marina.

As a part of the brand restructuring, Royal Plantation Ocho Rios, Jamaica will become Sandals Royal Plantation, Ocho Rios, Jamaica; and like all Sandals Resorts, will no longer offer an EP plan or accept singles. The resort will remain open during the transition and guest services will not be interrupted. Sandals Royal Plantation, which offers 74 oceanfront suites, joins sister property Sandals Emerald Bay in providing every couple with a professionally-trained butler during their stay and will embrace all of the amenities that Sandals Resorts is known for including a Red Lane Spa, gourmet a la carte dining and luxury accommodations.

With regard to the villas operating under the Royal Plantation brand, Royal Plantation Island, Exumas will revert to its original name, Fowl Cay Resort, while Royal Plantation Private Villas, located in Discovery Bay, Ocho Rios and Whitehouse, Jamaica, will retain its name. These properties will not become part of Sandals Resorts and will be marketed independently.

If you have any questions or would like to know more about Sandals Resorts, let me know! I am a Gold Certified Sandals Specialist! Contact me at lisa@traveldivalisa.com or call (330) 329-9178.

Questions about Hurricanes?

Check out this post on Twitter from NASA....

  

How do Hurricanes form? Will they become big storms? Ask your Qs here: http://bit.ly/cFZebo


If you have any questions about traveling during hurricane season, please contact me at lisa@traveldivalisa.com or call (330) 329-9178.


Happy & Safe Travels,


Lisa  :o)