Whatever your combination of travel needs may be, chances are you’ll be able to arrange a tailor-made trip. The best way to do this is through a travel agent; while you’re busy planning your wedding, you’ll appreciate the expert advice of someone who has all the information needed to pinpoint the perfect destination. The travel industry today is highly specialized; some agencies employ honeymoon travel consultants, and some offer bridal registries that allow your wedding guests to put money toward the cost of your honeymoon as a shower or wedding gift.
After carefully selecting the agency that best suits your needs, work closely with the agent to select the ideal location for your honeymoon. He or she should be able to make interesting and/or economical suggestions based on up-to-the-minute information not usually available to the general public. This could include unusual travel packages, seasonal bargains on flights or accommodations, or the most streamlined itinerary if you have to make several connections during your trip. Don’t hesitate to ask questions concerning your transportation (“Which is the most comfortable pair of seats on the plane?” “Will baggage transfers be taken care of?”) and your destination (“Can you guarantee a room with a view?” “Do we need inoculations?”). Other questions to ask your travel specialist include:
Service charges
"Is there a fee for your services?" Usually there is no charge for an agent’s services, but if long-distance calls or telegrams are necessary to confirm your reservations, these will be charged to you. Some agencies may charge a fee for particularly complicated travel arrangements, so it’s always best to ask at the outset.
Travel Package
"What is included in this travel package?" No matter which package you are considering, define "all-inclusive." Get the bottom line on expenses before you book.
Documentation
"What sort of documentation is necessary? Will we need passports, visas, or international driver’s licences?" If you’re travelling within Canada, a birth certificate or driver’s licence should be all you’ll need. Immigration officials at some non-domestic destinations are relaxed, demanding only legal identification, such as a birth certificate, but a passport is the most dependably acceptable document. If you don’t already have a passport, you should apply for one at least three to six weeks before your trip. It may also be wise to carry a copy of your marriage certificate—particularly if your airplane tickets bear your new married name and your passport your maiden name.
Currency
"How does the local currency compare with the Canadian dollar? When is the best time to obtain some local currency? Which brand of travellers’ cheques is best for the destination? In that country, is there a law concerning the amount of money one can enter or leave with?"
Packing and Baggage
"What should we pack?" Check with your travel agent about average temperatures, climate, and customs regarding dress. On some Caribbean islands, for example, local attitudes about proper dress are quite conservative. Try to travel as lightly as possible—you should be able to get away with packing a medium-sized suitcase each for a trip of one to two weeks in length.
Food and Drink
"Can we safely consume the local food and drink, or should we be cautious?" Don’t wait til you get there, read up on our healthy travels article to be sure you are in great health before you arrive!
Customs
"What are we allowed to bring back into Canada?"
Cancellation & Insurance
"What charges will apply if we have to cancel our travel plans? What happens if one of us takes ill while we are away, or what if we lose our baggage en route?"
Using these tips, some careful planning and a little bit of compromise will help to make your first trip as a married couple one to remember for the rest of your lives. Bon voyage!
