Honeymoon Destination: Mexico

Mexico is a favorite place for many couples to spend their honeymoon. In fact it is still the world’s number one choice for their honeymoon destination. It really isn’t so surprising since 4 of their islands are voted in the top ten. They also have some of the highest rated resorts and hotels in the world. You can tell that Mexico has gone out of its way to make them the favorite destination of any traveller.

Its popularity among the Hollywood crowd has also increased its visibility. This is where celebrities such as Julia Roberts and Gwyneth Paltrow chose to spend those magical days of newly wedded bliss.

There is much to recommend Mexico as a honeymoon destination. The weather for one is warm here. It is sunny most of the time but do note that Mexico is subject to hurricanes. Hurricane season officially begins in June and ends in October - which understandably is why this is the low season for tourism in Mexico. It mainly affects the Southern peninsula and the Yucatan Peninsula. If you are not inclined to face such inclement weather, plan to have your wedding for the months of December to April.

If you are expecting nothing but desert you may have been watching too many cartoons or movies. There is more to mexico than the dry sands of their northern region. In fact, you might want to spend your honeymoon on the Mexican Caribbean.

Most honeymooners prefer to celebrate their honeymoon near water and Mexico can easily oblige. After all, they have some of the best beaches in the world. Some places that you may want to stay at if you choose Mexico for your honeymoon:

• Cancun - This is the most popular resort in Mexico. It was located in the first area designated and developed for tourism in Mexico, we are forever grateful they chose to develop this place. Cancun boasts of sand so fine it is like talcum powder. You can spend time sunning, swimming or enjoying the many water sports available here. If you get tired of the beach, the island is connected to the mainland and you can easily go sightseeing. You are a but a short distance away from some of the most amazing archeological structures in the world.
• Playa del Carmen used to be a mere fishing town until it was discovered by some visitors to Cancun. The advantage of going here is that your holiday won’t be as commercialized as the experience you’d get if you chose to go to Cancun. You’ll also find some cool craft shops just in case you’d like to take home souvenirs. If you want a simpler honeymoon, try Playa del Carmen.
• If you are thinking Caribbean, you might have Cozumel in mind. It is the original Mexican Caribbean Island and a very popular stop with the cruise ships. In spite of its popularity, the place is surprisingly laid back. The pace is faster while cruise ships are at port but as night falls, once the cruise ships leave, the atmosphere changes dramatically. You may want to take the cruise then stay over til the next one comes by.

More places to go in Mexico coming up.

Destination Weddings : The Love Boat

Love…
exciting and new
Come aboard
we’re expecting you

This is the first verse of the theme of the TV show Love Boat. For many couples, it inspired romance. What was there not to to enjoy. The adventure of going on a cruise, stopping at new places and enjoying a tour of the Carribean or Mediterranean while one was at it was extremely tempting to many.

If you’ve been inspired by this show and have decided to have your destination wedding on a cruise, there are a couple of things you should keep in mind so that your wedding matches your dreams. The last thing you want is to be on the ship but not having any fun. Nor would you want to be on board but unable to get married because something got left undone.

For example, the actual wedding is held at a port on one of the stops of the cruise. This means that you need to check that you have the necessary papers so that you can get married there. This therefore means that you need to know the route that your cruise will take before you start on your paperwork.

That being said, you have two things to do. The first is choose your cruise line or ship. The second is to find out the requirements to get married in the port or country of your choice.

If you want to be on the Love Boat, you’ll want to choose the Grand Princess Cruise Ship. This was the ship used for the the TV show. It truly is a beautiful choice. If you’re open to suggestion there are many other options.

Not all ships will allow you to get married on board. They may have wedding packages but their set-up for your wedding will most likely be done on the beach, which really isn’t a bad alternative. Those couples and guests who aren’t particularly good travelers by sea will surely thank you for the opportunity to have solid ground beneath them as you get married.

These cruise lines will allow you to get married on board:

• Carnival Cruise Line
• Norwegian Cruise Line
• Holland America Line
• Princess Cruise
• Royal Carribean Line

These two will not:

• Crystal Cruises
• Cunard Line

Since this is a destination wedding of a very special kind, this means that your guests are either all on board or flying to the port where your nuptials will be held. It is best to make sure that the ship will allow your guests to board if they won’t be sailing with you. Again, there is an advantage to the fact that you are getting married at the beach instead of on the ship.

If you will hold it on the ship, don’t expect that the captain will perform the wedding ceremony. Unless he is also a judge, a priest, a minister, a justice of the peace or a notary public, he is unlikely to be your officiant. The cruise lines though will usually provide one if you tell them ahead of time and it is part of their services.