<p>If they want to be sure to avoid the possibility of a hurricane, Aruba is their best choice. It is outside the hurricane belt, but it is more of a desert island. Beautiful beaches and resorts. I’ve been to a number of Caribbean islands, and Aruba is my favorite with a nice blend of Caribbean and Dutch culture. Driving around the island is easy because of the desert landscape and small size of the island.</p>
<p>St. Lucia is very popular with honeymooners. We were there this summer, and the airport was full of young couples. There is snorkeling, ziplining, hiking, and other activities. Just be sure to choose a resort on the southern end of the island, unless they are OK with a long bus or taxi ride to the northern end of the island. The scenery and resorts are absolutely stunning.</p>
<p>$6000 is doable for Hawaii. Is this for next year? Cause Sep is almost over. I checked the airfare is about $1500 for a couple. It could be cheaper. A week in Hawaii is about $2000-$2500 for a week and the rest for food.</p>
<p>1) Harvest time in Mosel River valley: vineyards in fall color, castles, charming towns & wine, wine, wine. Mosel is much more interesting than the Rhine. Fly into Frankfurt. Rent a car. Europe drives on the same side of the road as US. Visit Trier.</p>
<p>2) Start in Sorrento and go visit Pompeii & Herculaneum. Work your way down the Amalfi coast. Side trip to Capri.</p>
<p>3) Bali. See the art scene & gorgeous tiered rice paddies around Ubud. Take surfing lessons on Legian beach and see & be seen at Ku De ta. Go diving.</p>
<p>We did an Mediterranean cruise for our honeymoon: greece, turkey, italy.</p>
<p>I would absolutely NOT recommend the Caribbean during hurricane season. Just too iffy in my book, why worry about it and it truly is a possibility. For the money, I would definitely do Hawaii. </p>
<p>Hawaii. Or what about Paris? Or Italy. They could hike on the Amalfi coast, and relax as well. $6000 should be fine, and the weather in September will be lovely.</p>
<p>I’d also thought of a cruise (hurricane season notwithstanding), but they plan to leave on the Mon after the wedding (which is in 2015). Are there weeklong cruises that leave on Mon?</p>
<p>Can someone with knowledge of the Arenal region of Costa Rica recommend some specific resorts? S1 and FDIL would certainly do their own research, but a starting point would be helpful.</p>
<p>Hawaii would be nice too. What islands would give them the balance they’re looking for in beach time and activities? Which hotels/condos would be nice enough for a honeymoon, but not bust their budget considering they’d be flying to Hawaii from the east coast and would want to have the money to fund their activities as well?</p>
<p>The European choices are great, but as I said upthread, they’re not interested in going there at this point. I’ll keep those suggestions in mind though should they change their minds.</p>
<p>We honeymoon in HI 2-3 times a year. In Maui, our favorite place is Honua Kai. Here is a little secret - their studios are as big as some other places’ 1 bedrooms, have full kitchen, and all face the ocean. Depending on the floor, you will get a varying degree of “oceanview.” With the kitchen, all a couple needs is a stop by Costco and maybe a market to get some fresh fruits and veggies and drinks. The hotel has a Duke’s restaurant which serves awesome food and is not that!expensive. Maui is amazing in early September.</p>
<p>On the Big Island, I highly recommend Fairmont Orchid. The food at the hotel is expensive, but very, very good. A cheaper option is the Marriott in Waikoloa. Waikoloa shops has a grocery and a number of restaurants ranging from fast food to Roy’s. If one get wine and champagne at Costco or even at ABC Stores and sips it while watching the lush greenery and sky blue water from the lanai instead of going to a restaurant, it is huge savings. </p>
<p>One thing about Hawaii - if your kids are into nightlife and clubs, the only place that offers them is Honolulu. Everyone goes to bed early in HI. :)</p>
<p>Thanks for the specific suggestions, BB. They’re not into nightlife and clubs (FDIL doesn’t drink), so they’d probably be happy with someplace where they could take a moonlight walk in the evening.</p>
<p>I personally dislike cruises. Hurricane season means the Caribbean is out unless there is a last minute plan B. So many islands are delightful for only lounging but lack other places to actively see. Hawaii seems like a best bet. They leave the east coast and return to the west coast- convenient. Still in the US so no foreign languages or currency exchanges to worry about. I wouldn’t be concerned about all inclusive places either since, unlike some island places, there will be plenty of safe dining venues (we were truly scared on some roads at night, especially the way the van driver drove). They should look at the Hawaii tourist information and figure out which island(s) have the side trips they most want. So many possibilities they won’t be bored, yet so many nice places to veg out. Condo rentals as well as hotel rooms. It could be a fun weekend planning the honeymoon.</p>
<p>I think that I would have them look closely at Costa Rica. Hawaii is a long flight from the East coast for one week. Bermuda may be another option but also a little iffy during peak hurricane month. Most cruises are Sat/Sun departures. How about San Diego? There are some wonderful resorts and small romantic boutique hotels from Coronado to Mission Bay, to Mission Beach, La Jolla, and the towns just north of San Diego on the coast. The beaches are beautiful in Sept. and there is upscale dining, entertainment and outdoor adventures from kayaking, snorkle, scuba, the Zoo, Sea World, Balboa Park, Torrey Pines, etc. </p>
<p>Cruises generally depart on a weekend, not on Mondays. One advantage of a cruise is that if there is a hurricane somewhere in the Caribbean, the captain would just do another route and you do not have to miss your trip. Several years ago, we took a cruise in September and there was a hurricane in the Southern Caribbean moving North-East… The captain just did the itinerary in reverse order and everything came off without a hitch.</p>
<p>We’ve taken several cruises and enjoyed them all…except for Carnival. We took an Norweigan (NCL) cruise around the Hawaiian Islands. We flew into Honolulu and the cruise stopped at each of the four main islands. The cruise was a great way to see each island inexpensively while still getting mostly all our meals on the ship…we flew in a few days ahead of the cruise and toured Oahu, Pearl Harbor, the Dole Pineapple plantation, etc. So if the couple flies out on a Monday, they can get aclimated to the time change and then pick up the cruise on Fri. or Sat. Better yet, fly into Calif. for a quick overnight and then fly to Honolulu. Flying from the east coast in one trip (stopping in Dallas along the way for us) was really long. This way they can extend their honeymoon longer than 8 days! ;)</p>
<p>ECmother…yes it’s a long flight from the east coast to Hawaii…but they are returning to the WEST coast…which isn’t so bad!</p>
<p>Another thought…we are going to Tulum for a wedding. We are taking a trip to Chichen Itza while we are there. Apparently there are many other things we could be doing…but won’t because of time. We are staying right in the village of Tulum, not in the resorts. Might be worth checking.</p>
<p>Following up on post #28, I like the Fairmont Orchid in the Big Island, too. I love the location. I’ve stayed there several times and have always managed to get deeply discounted package deals through airline websites. </p>
<p>My favorite island is Kauai, though. I think that would be a perfect place for a honeymoon. I’ve stayed at the Grand Hyatt several times but on my next trip I think I will try a condo rental in Princeville/Hanalei area through VRBO. </p>
<p>Yes, South Pacific was largely filed on Kauai–it has lovely beaches! There is also hiking or kayaking or swimming and other water spots. Some folks also love Poipu and also Waimea Canyon. Very pretty place to just hang out. Gaylord’s Restaurant has some movie stars, if you are lucky and look carefully.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the suggestions and advice. I knew I could count on CCers.</p>
<p>I’ll remind them of the hurricane potentials in the Caribbean (except for maybe Aruba). I’ll have them check on what the weather may be in Costa Rica at that time of year. Personally, I think Hawaii may make the most sense, but it’s definitely not my decision to make.</p>
<p>Ecmother, San Diego may fit their criteria, but they may be living in CA, so they could travel there for a long weekend sometime, not necessarily for their honeymoon.</p>
In Maui, our favorite place is Honua Kai. Here is a little secret - their studios are as big as some other places’ 1 bedrooms, have full kitchen, and all face the ocean. Depending on the floor, you will get a varying degree of “oceanview.” With the kitchen, all a couple needs is a stop by Costco and maybe a market to get some fresh fruits and veggies and drinks. The hotel has a Duke’s restaurant which serves awesome food and is not that!expensive. Maui is amazing in early September.</p>