"We had a wonderful time and wanted to let you know we appreciate your hard work and attention to detail. Italy was amazing and we loved it. I would not change a thing, except perhaps staying even longer."
A good travel agent works on your behalf as both travel expert and consumer advocate. At Honeymoons By Design, hands-on agent education is an important part of our business. We travel to the destinations, inspect the hotels, and keep up to date by attending training seminars. This is an ongoing investment in our knowledge – and we pass it on to you.
Our agents compare options and give you unbiased information by dealing with various suppliers. We investigate, compare and explain prices and promotions to get the best option for you. The cheapest may not always be the best – but you need to know why.
Think of us as a ‘one stop shop’ for all of your honeymoon travel needs. We answer your questions and make suggestions about what to see and do, what to pack and how to budget. If there are any problems, we act on your behalf with suppliers. After the trip, we follow up with a quick call to make sure you had a wonderful time.
The internet is a useful tool for researching various aspects of your honeymoon. But when it comes to booking your trip, internet booking sites focus on one thing: your credit card. Most of the large online agencies are programmed to simply take your information and make the sale. They are not interested in your questions. They rarely offer any feedback. Likewise, if you have problems while away – internet help desks can be difficult to access from overseas. A live travel agent, who has made it their job to fine-tune the details of your trip is always your best bet.
3. How far in advance should we book our honeymoon?
Most couples start thinking about their honeymoon at least six to eight months prior, but this can vary depending on the type of trip. For instance, if you are set on a particular resort with a small number of rooms, you may need to book up to a year in advance. Some hotels and cruise lines offer generous discounts for booking early. Planning your honeymoon for the peak months of summer, late December or mid-March? You may want to check into the flights well in advance, as certain dates and destinations book up very quickly.
This is the most memorable and important trip that you will take together, so why leave it to chance? Waiting for a sell-off is taking the risk that you may have to settle for something else. Worse, what you’re waiting for could sell out or never go down in price. Remember, most couples are quite busy in the weeks leading up to the wedding – this is not the time to worry about your honeymoon!
Last minute sell-offs generally occur during the ‘off’ season, but it’s not always possible to predict what will be reduced and when. While not always the case, this could be a time when weather is not at its best or a resort is under some construction. Although there are benefits to travelling in an off-peak time (ie. lower prices and fewer crowds) it’s always recommended that you plan and book your honeymoon well in advance.
Honeymoons By Design is a full service IATA agency that can issue tickets on major airlines and charters. We offer competitive prices on international and domestic flights. If there isn’t a ready-made package for your dates and destination, then we will put one together to suit your needs.
Collected a ton of air miles with your favourite airline or credit card? This is the perfect time to use them. Most airlines let you book up to 330 days ahead, and certain destinations book up very early. If you’re planning on Hawaii or Europe in the summer, it is best to check with your provider at least 6 – 10 months in advance. If an airline’s direct flights are sold out, ask if they have a partner airline with connecting flights.
The weather can be a major factor in choosing your honeymoon destination. Generally speaking, summertime is rainy in the Caribbean, and most couples are wary of ‘hurricane season’. That said, there are Caribbean islands such as Aruba that are dry and unaffected by storms. Similarly, seasonal weather patterns can vary drastically throughout Asia, Europe and South America. Whichever part of the world you’re considering, we will recommend the best travel times for your destination.
Regardless of the actual cost of your honeymoon, it is an important financial and emotional investment for each couple. We strongly recommend that you protect your investment with travel insurance. We know you don’t want to think about cancellation or illness on the most special vacation of your life. In reality, many flights and arrangements are completely non-refundable or have change fees. What would be the real cost if you had to delay your trip or return early? A misconnection, illness or delayed bag may be the last thing on your mind, but they can throw a wrench in your plans if you don’t have protection. We offer insurance through RBC Voyageur and can help you select the best option.
TICO is the Travel Industry Council of Ontario. This organization governs all registered travel agencies and wholesalers in the province according to the Ontario Travel Industry Act, 2002. TICO also operates a compensation fund which is totally financed by its travel industry members. When you book with a registered Ontario agent, subject to TICO regulation, your money is protected should the airline, cruise line or tour operator go bankrupt.
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