All-inclusive honeymoons are touted as an easy, convenient, stress-free vacation.  Offering vacation packages that include everything for one price, all-inclusive resorts are typically opulent, beachfront resorts with gourmet restaurants and finely appointed rooms.  For honeymooners there is the added appeal of couples-only resorts such as Sandals and Couples along with bonus options, such as free weddings, offered by some of the resorts. 

What's Included?  What's Not...
At most resorts the package price will include lodging, meals (other than room service), alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, all taxes and gratuities, most watersports, entertainment and activities.  Some resorts also include airport transfers.  Usually outside excursions and shopping are not included so you may still need some additional cash above and beyond the package price.  However, many couples choose to spend their entire time on the resort because of the wide variety of activities and amenities.  Also some resorts offer packages which include airfare, some do not. Some resorts also offer spa services offering a full range of services from facials to deep tissue massage.  Most spa services are not included.  

Tips on Choosing a Resort
Almost everyone has probably heard of Sandals, the premier couples-only resort that caters to honeymooners.  There are many other first-rate all-inclusive resorts and here are some of the things to consider when comparing resorts.  

Some resorts are couples only resorts, some are singles only resorts and some resorts cater to families, couples and singles. A couples only resort such as Sandals may be more attractive to some honeymooners than a resort that caters to families simply for the fact that no children are around.  

Since your meals are included you will want to check to see how many restaurants the resort offers and whether they offer buffets, sit-down meals or both.  

Many resorts include alcoholic beverages, some offer premium brand drinks at no additional fee, some offer premium brand drinks only for an additional charge.

Ask the resort if they have any amenities that are exclusive to their resort.

For watersports and activities check to see what is included.  Some resorts do not include scuba diving and golfing, some do.  Decide ahead of time what activities are most important and check the resorts you are considering to see if this is included in your price.  Also check to see if gear-rental (scuba, snorkeling equipment) is included as well.  

Ask the resort if they offer offshore/off-resort excursions and if so, are they additional, or included.  Sometimes you may save money by splitting a taxi with another couple and heading off for sightseeing on your own.   

When choosing your room, consider what features are important.  Ocean view rooms tend to be more expensive but at some resorts you may find all rooms have an ocean view.  Other extras such as a whirlpool or sauna can also increase the price of your package so plan ahead by deciding what features are most important.  

Review carefully what's included in your package.

Review cancellation/refund policies.  Always a good idea.  If a family emergency or anything else came up where you had to postpone or cancel your honeymoon, find out about the resort's refund and cancellation policies and have a copy of these policies in writing - just in case.  Also note that some resorts even have a hurricane protection policy.  Sandals, for example, has a Blue Chip Hurricane Guarantee.*  (See the Sandals website or a Sandals brochure for details.) 
*Subject to change

Getting the Best Deal & the Best Resort
These days there are an overwhelming number of travel sites and promotions that urge you to book right away for the best deal.  Annoying pop-ups on websites urge you to take advantage of special promotions in 20-minutes or else. Or else what?  Don't be misled by the annoying pop-up offers.  In reality, travel agents can often offer just as competitive packages, if not better ones, than what is offered on the internet.  Because you need airfare to most resorts - travel agents often can get a better price on the airfare and every month the agents have different promotions and specials.  

We like the idea of using a travel agent for two reasons.  One, a travel agent will know which resorts are better than others - often they have been to the resorts themselves.  Second, a travel agent will help you coordinate all your plans and has a physical base or office locally.  If your tickets don't reach you from an internet order????...then, what?  In other words, pricing isn't always the bottom line and contrary to popular belief, you may find better pricing and overall service at a travel agent.  

Another thing to keep in mind, resorts can vary in quality.  Which ones are the best can vary from year to year and there are many very biased sources of information, particularly on the internet.  Message boards can be an interesting source of information about travel but if you find a message board on the website of a particular resort perhaps negative comments are edited out.  One interesting ratings source we found was on the website www.debbiescaribbeanresortreviews.com. 

Passports/Important Papers

Before you go be sure to check what forms of I.D. are needed, especially if you are planning on getting married at the resort.  Do you need a passport?  Are additional forms of identification needed?  Also bring your scuba diving certification if you have one.  

Some All-Inclusive Resorts 
Listed below are just a few all-inclusive resorts and links to their websites.  Keep in mind that travel  information is subject to change without notice.  AtlanticCityWeddings.com makes no recommendations regarding the resorts and provides this article for informational purposes only.  

Additional Resources

Magazines:

Caribbean Travel & Life Magazine
www.caribbeantravelmag.com

Travel & Leisure Magazine
www.travelandleisure.com

Books:
Your local library may carry these titles.  Also available below through Amazon.com.  

100 Best All-Inclusive Resorts of the World
By Jay Paris, Carmi Zona-Paris

The Most Romantic Resorts for 
Destination Weddings, Marriage Renewals 
& Honeymoons
by Paulette Cooper, Paul Noble

100 Best Romantic Resorts Of The World, 3rd Edition
by Katharine D. Dyson

100 Best Resorts of the Caribbean 
(Best Resorts of the Caribbean, 5th Ed)
by Kay Showker 

The New Honeymoon Planner:  Selecting the Ideal Location and Planning the Trip of a Lifetime  by Sharon Naylor

Travel Agents:

Also be sure to check with the travel agents listed in our services section under honeymoons for special all-inclusive honeymoon packages.

Check out some of our many honeymoon articles on everything from cruises to all-inclusive resorts in our Honeymoon Article Archives