Couples come to us with the honeymoon decision framed as a destination question — Bali or Bora Bora, Italy or Jamaica. But the choice that actually shapes the trip comes first: one resort, or a cruise? Both can be spectacular. They deliver completely different weeks. After three decades of planning honeymoons from Nashville, here’s how we help couples pick.
What an all-inclusive resort honeymoon feels like
You unpack once. Every meal, drink, and most activities are prepaid, so the week has no running tab — a bigger deal than it sounds after paying for a wedding. Days have no schedule unless you make one. At the adults-only resorts we book most (Sandals, Excellence, Secrets), the atmosphere is built entirely around couples: swim-up suites, candlelit beach dinners, no kids at the pool.
Choose the resort if your honeymoon fantasy is doing nothing beautifully — sleeping late, one beach, one pool, each other. It’s also the more romantic option for couples who want privacy over novelty.
What a cruise honeymoon feels like
A new island every morning, dinner and a show every night, and a sense of momentum. Cruises suit couples who get restless after two days on a lounger and want their honeymoon to feel like an adventure they had together. The “included” math is different — the fare covers cabin, meals, and entertainment, while drinks, specialty dining, and excursions are extra unless you add a package. Suites with a balcony and a dedicated concierge make it feel far more private than the ship’s passenger count suggests.
Choose the cruise if you want variety, you’re planning a longer honeymoon (10–14 nights of Greek islands or the Mediterranean is a classic), or you’re the couple who’d rather see five places than perfect one.
The money comparison, honestly
For a 7-night Caribbean honeymoon, a premium adults-only all-inclusive and a balcony cabin on a mainstream line land in a similar range once you add the cruise’s drinks package and two excursions. Where they diverge: a luxury resort suite (butler level, over-the-water) costs more than a comparable cruise suite, while a European cruise costs more than any Caribbean resort because of the airfare. We price both for your dates — it’s the only way to decide on facts rather than brochures.
The hybrid most couples don’t know about
Marry at a Sandals resort — the wedding package is complimentary with qualifying stays, which is why so many of our destination-wedding couples honeymoon there — then take the cruise for your first anniversary. Or split a two-week honeymoon: a week of Caribbean resort stillness followed by a week of sailing. As a Certified Sandals Specialist, we see the resort-side promotions the booking sites don’t carry.
Three mistakes to avoid
- Leaving the day after the wedding. You’ll sleep through the first two days. Build in one recovery night at home.
- Booking the honeymoon last. Peak honeymoon suites and cruise dates sell out; book 8–12 months ahead, alongside the wedding venue.
- Skipping travel protection. Weddings get postponed, weather happens, and honeymoon bookings are often the least refundable travel you’ll ever buy. See our travel insurance page.
Frequently asked questions
How far in advance should we book a honeymoon?
Eight to twelve months for peak seasons and specific suites; four to six months is workable with flexibility on dates and room category.
Do honeymooners get perks?
Often — resorts and cruise lines offer honeymoon packages (room upgrades, sparkling wine, a couples’ massage, dinner) when the booking is flagged in advance. Tell your agent; it’s free to ask.
Is a travel agent worth it for a honeymoon?
Yes, and it costs you nothing extra — suppliers compensate the agency. You get a planner who knows which resort’s “ocean view” is really a parking lot, and someone to call when a flight cancels.
Start with our honeymoon packages page, or explore romantic getaway ideas from Nashville.
