HoneyLuna's honeymoon registry and travel blog

A Happy HoneyLuna Honeymoon Bridal Gift Registry Client

2012-03-28T14:03:00.000-07:00

WOW!! Just another testimonial we had to share that HoneyLuna is the best honeymoon registry! Thank you Lillian!

"I just wanted to write and boast about our experience with Honeyluna. We used the site 6 years ago for our honeymoon to Hawaii and it worked perfectly. We already lived together and really did not need another toaster, so when I came upon this site I was excited. We were gifted $800 from our friends and family through this site. We used the money from my honeymoon registry and they got to enjoy particpating in our honeymoon experience. We sent postcards from each place we visited and it really made it special for us and our "sponsors". Since then I tell everyone I know who is getting married about Honeyluna and a few have used it (including my Sister In Law who just registered). Thanks for helping us to create memories!"

Why Honeymooners Should Work With A Travel Agent

2012-03-13T10:58:00.001-07:00

For most couples, your HoneyLuna will be your first big trip together. You want it to be special. You want it to be easy. You don’t want to have to worry about anything. In the middle of all your wedding details, you also don’t want to be spending countless hours surfing the net trying to figure out where to go and what’s best for you.

Working with a travel agent gives you the peace of mind that comes with knowing a professional is handling and / or has handled all of your travel arrangements for you.

Working with a travel agent gives you the peace of mind knowing that help is a phone call away should you encounter any problems on your honeymoon.

In the event of a problem, your agent will act as your advocate, ensuring that a solution is reached and, where appropriate, restitution is made.

In addition to booking the air and hotel for your honeymoon, your travel agent can help you plan what you will do once you arrive. Through their own personal travel experience, travel agent education and travel agent “familiarization” trips, agents gain extensive destination knowledge and can often recommend restaurants, activiites and attractions. Many agents also help honeymooners get extra "perks" through their connections that you can't get on your own.

There is a myth that travel agents cost money, or that booking at trip with a travel agent costs you more. While there may be times where some smoking internet deal beats a travel agent’s price, more often than not, a good travel agent will always find a great rate.

Not to mention, agents save you time and money by doing all the necessary research to find the best deals for your money and travel needs. A travel agent is a trained professional who offers expert travel guidance to insure you pick the right honeymoon destination, the right hotel or cruise, and help you find it for the right price.

Do you want to trust your honeymoon to a “smoking deal” in a place you know little or nothing about? The Internet is a great tool that can help you do some preliminary research, check on weather during your honeymoon period and general information about destination. It is a great resource… but A travel agent provides the knowledge, expertise, counsel and peace of mind that an online site cannot provide.

Let a travel agent help you and insure you have the honeymoon with fantastic memories to last a life time. A good travel agent will make your honeymoon a stress-free and memorable experience (for all the right reasons!) And, chances are you will have enjoyed the experience so much, they will become your travel agent for life!

And of course, don't forget to to share your HoneyLuna honeymoon registry with all of your friends and family. Between having the most amazing honeymoon booked by your travel agent, and fabulous pieces of your honeymoon as your wedding gifts, you are on your way to a beautiful new life together!

Book Your Grand Cayman Honeymoon Package for 2012 at the Westin Casuarina Resort & Spa

2012-02-03T10:22:00.000-08:00

Are you getting married in 2012 and looking to book the perfect honeymoon? Look no further!

Book your Grand Cayman Honeymoon Package in 2012 at the Westin Casuarina Resort & Spa, Grand Cayman to experience all the Cayman Islands have to offer. The Westin Casuarina Resort & Spa, Grand Cayman is the ultimate paradise experience. Guests enjoy the powder white sands of Seven Mile Beach, our luxurious pool and pool bar, snorkeling, delicious restaurants, and treatments at our signature Hibiscus Spa.

Newlyweds that book our Grand Cayman Honeymoon Package in 2012 enjoy:

A Bottle of Champagne
One Day Jeep Rental
Sunset Cruise for Two
A Couples Massage
Room Service Breakfast for Two
10% Discount On Clothing at All Red Sail Sports Shops

Create your perfect honeymoon by registering for our Free Honeymoon Registry. Add items to your registry to plan your dream Grand Cayman honeymoon. Use our announcements and emails to inform friends and family of your honeymoon registry. Have wedding guests purchase from your honeymoon registry, collect registry gifts and enjoy the honeymoon of your dreams!

Cross one thing off of your “Wedding To Do List” and book your honeymoon now. To book your Grand Cayman Honeymoon in 2012 at the Westin Casuarina Resort & Spa, Grand Cayman call 877-782-0149 and mention rate plan HYMN.

Check out the Westing Casuarina's blog for more ideas and info!

http://www.westincaymanblog.com/westincayman/2012/01/book-your-grand-cayman-honeymoon-package-for-2012-at-the-westin-casuarina-resort-spa.html

Let Go of the Spatula: Reconsidering Wedding Registries

2012-02-02T10:44:00.000-08:00

Read more: http://www.foxbusiness.com/personal-finance/2012/02/02/let-go-spatula-reconsidering-wedding-registries/#ixzz1lFbz9tfU

This post is from staff writer Tim Sullivan.

Written by Tim Sullivan

Published February 02, 2012

GetRichSlowly.org

My brother, my best friend, and my girlfriend's sister are all getting married in the upcoming year, so I've heard a lot about wedding registries lately, and there seem to be many pros and cons. Personally, one of my least favorite things in life is going to Crate and Barrel, walking around with my scanner gun, and seeing that the only things that fit into my price range are wooden spatulas and the saucers to espresso cups (the cups already purchased). “Congrats on your everlasting love. Here's a steamer basket.” I've always thought there has to be an alternative.

Here are two numbers I found interesting:

In 2010, 1.5 million engaged couples, or 88% of all couples with pending nuptials, set up a registry, according to the Knot Market Intelligence annual wedding registry survey.

According to research by the University of Denver, more than 70% of couples getting married are living together before the wedding.

Okay, so 70% of engaged couples are living together, and 88% of engaged couples are registering. According to the survey, more than 90% of registered items are bakeware and kitchen appliances. Here's my question: Those couples that are living together, do they not have spatulas, steamer baskets, and toaster ovens yet? Is their apartment filled with mismatched plates and saucers and an uneven fork-to-spoon ratio? Do they not already blend their own smoothies?

The point I'm trying to make is that the majority of couples are living together, and I assume they have a functional household complete with everything they need. As for the couples who aren't living together, it's rare to have someone move out of their parents' house and into the house of their betrothed. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the median marriage age in 2010 was 28.2 years old for men and 26.1 for women. In the 1960s, it was 22.8 years old for men and 20.3 for women. Compared with our parents' generation, the 30% of currently engaged couples not living together have an extra six years to accumulate not one, but two sets of IKEA kitchen starter sets and warped cookie sheets.

Apparently, I'm somewhat alone in this thinking.

Things you wouldn't buy yourself

My brother brought up that he would never buy a $500 blender, but it'd be nice to receive it as a gift. Perhaps then a registry is a collection of things you'd never buy yourself. I know that GRS readers are impossible to generalize, but I can't help but think that if we're itching for a Vitamix, most of us would forgo the $599 one from Crate and Barrel and substitute in the $499 one off Amazon listed “like new” (or better yet, chose a different Vitamix then the currently hip 500 professional series and get whatever Vitamix was hip last year, for half the price). We're conscious about where our money goes, and I'd like to take into account my friends' money, as well. (I don't mean that literally…at least, I think I don't.)

I'm not saying to throw caution to the wind and leave yourself open to getting a bunch of gifts that don't fit your tastes, but if you're looking for something that doesn't come from Macy's, there are other options for registries. In my continuing conversations about registries with those closest to me, I've come up with a list of a few fun suggestions:

The Honeymoon Registry. Okay, this one has been gaining a lot of steam in recent years. Websites like honeymoonwishes.com or honeyluna.com provide an easy way for guests to help a couple afford a honeymoon. What's in it for the gift giver? Whether it's chipping in for the hotel room or scuba equipment for a coral reef adventure, you can be assured that you'll be investing in memorable experiences, as opposed to another turkey baster.
Big Ticket Items. My best friend and his fiancée were looking at their 500-square-foot Brooklyn apartment and couldn't bring themselves to fill it with more Stuff. They decided to register for big-ticket items. I've seen couples register for anything from new cars to a new mattress, each attendee pitching in a portion. Sites like My Dream Home Registry make it easy.
Give to Charities. I've talked to couples that want friends and family to simply attend the wedding, not worry about buying the perfect gift. A good alternative is to pick favorite charities for your friends to make donations in your name. Justgive.org has a wedding registry section that's easy to navigate and not only celebrates love, but generosity. (That's their line, not mine.)
Do It All. I have to admit, I love this couple's wedding site. Cheri and David were getting married and moving to France. The site had all the wedding info and R.S.V.P. forms, but it also had their registry. They decided their tastes didn't fit into one store (and definitely not into a suitcase). They put together a list of things, some objects (everything from one-of-a-kind antiques to easy-to-find box store items), some services (such as Internet for their first three months in Paris or passes for Velib, Paris' citywide bike rental system), and some high-ticket items (trip to Japan or a new dining room table.). You could choose to contribute to an item and that item would be marked off the list. What's even more exciting is that Cheri and David's idea was so popular that they started their own registry site, Merci Registry, and where couples can create their own blend of small boutique items, handmade artist goodies, and travel desires.

Weddings truly are big business and even creative couples who try to circumvent some of the higher costs of the big day itself often fall short in their creativity for registries. Couples can create registries that are personalized without relying on the mainstream box stores.

And to my brother, I love you bro, but when you move four times in the next five years, I know it's going to be me carrying that Vitamix up four flights of stairs.

What are your ideas for creative wedding registries? If you're married, what did you like about your registry process, and what would you do differently?

The original article can be found at GetRichSlowly.org:

Let Go of the Spatula: Reconsidering Wedding Registries

Read more: http://www.foxbusiness.com/personal-finance/2012/02/02/let-go-spatula-reconsidering-wedding-registries/#ixzz1lFcPNIQK

HoneyLuna Honeymoon Registries Are An Acceptable Bridal Registry Option - (a nice little "say so" from Real Simple!)

2012-01-11T12:56:00.000-08:00

We LOVE this! Yes, HoneyLuna honeymoon registries ARE an acceptable bridal registry option!

Thank you for the kudos Real Simple!

P.S. The Emily Post Institute of Etiquette also says honeymoon registries are an acceptable bridal registry option!

Honeymoon Budget: 25 Ways to Honeymoon for Less shared with you by HoneyLuna

2012-01-09T10:58:00.000-08:00

Don't hitchhike to your honeymoon! Use HoneyLuna!

Here is a great article on the Knot.com with 25 Ways To Honeymoon For Less - we especially like #3!

The secrets to getting the most bang for your honeymoon buck are to shop around and plan ahead. Keep in mind that you can avoid paying full price about 99% of the time -- even some early-booking discounts apply to peak times. Here are 25 money-saving tips to help you plan the romantic vacation of your discount dreams.

1. Set Your Priorities

First decide what your goals are for the trip and exactly what you can and can't live without. Let's say you have $1,000 for the honeymoon. If pampering is first on your list, book a long weekend in the suite of a nearby spa resort. If getting away from it all is most important, use that same amount of money to take a week-long camping trip complete with gourmet eats and treats.

2. Work With A Travel Agent

For one-stop, stress-free trip planning, a travel agent can't be beat. They can save you money with air/hotel or fly/drive/hotel packages (thanks to their high business volume), they have the skinny on last-minute or ongoing sales, and can offer the wisdom gained from years of travel experience. For savings at sea, call an agency that specializes in booking cruises. And be sure to let the travel agent know your priorities so he knows exactly what to cut and keep from your itinerary.

3. Consider A Honeymoon Registry

Here's how it works: Some travel agencies and tour operators offer a registry service by which they collect, track, and apply contributions from your wedding guests toward your honeymoon expenses. Some services, such as www.honeyluna.com, even allow guests to "sponsor" specific activities such as a sunset cruise, scuba trip, spa treatment, or meal at a romantic restaurant.

To read the rest of the article, please visit http://wedding.theknot.com/honeymoons/honeymoon-planning/articles/25-ways-to-honeymoon-on-a-budget.aspx

Top 10 Swim Up Bars for your HoneyLuna honeymoon!

2011-12-27T12:00:00.000-08:00

This is a great top 10 list from Trip Advisor (www.tripadvisor.com) If you're looking for the perfect honeymoon resort with a swim up bar, then be sure to check these places out -- Trip Advisor has included some fabulous photos as well! After you've booked your honeymoon, be sure to include "cocktails at the swim up bar" on your HoneyLuna honeymoon registry!

1. Dreams Punta Cana
Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

See all pool photos

2. Beaches Turks & Caicos
Providenciales, Turks & Caicos

See all pool photos

3. Excellence Playa Mujeres
Playa Mujeres, Mexico

See all pool photos

4. Holiday Village Rhodes
Kolimbia, Greece

See all pool photos

5. Riu Touareg
Boa Vista, Cape Verde

See all pool photos

6. North Beach Plantation
North Myrtle Beach, SC

See all pool photos

7. Hotel Mountain Paradise
La Fortuna de San Carlos, Costa Rica

See all pool photos

8. Hilton Rose Hall Resort & Spa
Montego Bay, Jamaica

See all pool photos

9. Padma Resort Bali at Legian
Legian, Bali, Indonesia

See all pool photos

10. Room Mate Grace
New York City, NY

See all pool photos

Found this great post from a bride about HoneyLuna on a TheKnot.Com

2011-12-21T14:26:00.000-08:00

Like Our FaceBook Page and Enter to Win A $50 Gift Card

We used www.HoneyLuna.com and were thrilled with the site. It's beautiful, easy for our friends to use and our friends and family LOVED IT!

They all agreed that it was better giving us a fun, romantic or experiential gift on our honeymoon than something we didn’t need that would just end up in a closet or being returned. We too lived together and had everything for our house -- we just did not want or need more STUFF. In no way were we being "grabby". In fact, when we initially did not register anywhere our friends were outraged - they all said "but we have to get you something." We took pictures of all the activities our friends bought for us and sent them in our thank you notes. That way that saw that we enjoyed our gifts and now have a memento of us enjoying their wedding gift.

As for the service fee - I don't get why people are so hung up on that. We paid everyone else involved in our wedding for their service - the photographer, the minister, the reception venue, the caterer... This was another great service that made our lives easier, got us wonderful wedding gifts and our friends were happy. Totally worth it.

And btw, do you not think there is a fee at a department store? The registry may be free but the gifts are marked up 40-50% -- so the 7% we paid with HoneyLuna was a real bargain.

(Actually, we chose the option where our friends covered that fee - and they didn't mind as they didn't even have to leave their house to buy the gifts and knew we wouldn't be returning it!) So use www.honeyluna.com and go have the honeymoon of your dreams! Enjoy!!

Thank you from HoneyLuna!

A Fabulous Cruise Through French Polynesia on the m/s Paul Gauguin (Bora Bora Day 2)

2011-11-30T08:04:00.000-08:00

The m/s Paul Gauguin (left) in Bora Bora

Bora Bora is a small island - only 22 miles around - but is such an amazing tropical playground I could stay there forever! Thankfully, the Gauguin itinerary stays in Bora Bora for two full days! There are an abundance of amazing shore excursions on Bora Bora and I do recommend you do them all!!! Diving, snorkeling, jeep safaris, shark feeding.... all unforgettable!

A lovely view from the beach

And of course, these are all activities that you can include on your HoneyLuna honeymoon registry (www.honeyluna.com) or your Paul Gauguin honeymoon registry (www.honeymoon.pgcruises.com). I highly recommend taking pictures of the two of you enjoying the activity or shore excursion and that your friends purchased for you as your wedding gift and sending it to them in a "thank you" note when you return home. Your friends will love seeing you having such a good time on your honeymoon cruise on the Paul Gauguin!

Bora Bora Beach Day

The diving and the snorkeling are fabulous in Bora Bora so definitely if you are into water, make a snorkel and dive trip happen. One of my favorite land activities is the jeep safari. This is really a great way to see the island, have some fun and more importantly, get to higher elevation so you can see from up high the stunning amazing spectacular views of the Bora Bora lagoons. There really is nowhere else like Bora Bora on earth! Click here to see your shore excursion choices http://www.pgcruises.com/excursions/default.aspx

A couple enjoys the motu beach

Another option to kick back and relax is to take the tender to the Gauguin's private beach on a motu in Bora Bora. The Gauguin has a private, lovely white sand beach on the motu with spectacular views back to the main island and Mont Pahia and Mount Otemanu. You can enjoy a shore excursion in the morning and relax on the beach in the afternoon. There are limited services on the beach but you can still enjoy a refreshing beverage as you soak up the sun, snorkel, relax and thank your lucky stars you are in paradise!

This is paradise!

The m/s Paul Gauguin leaves Bora Bora tonight. You cruise out of the magficent lagoon just as the sun sets. I promise you, you will never forget your two days in Bora Bora!

Tomorrow, Moorea Day 1.....

Definitely not Iowa!

If you need help booking your Paul Gauguin cruise or your stay at the Intercontinetal Bora Bora Thalasso Resort and Spa, please email us at info (at) honeyluna.com and we will connect you with one of our expert travel agent partners to help you!

A Fabulous Cruise through French Polynesia on the Paul Gauguin (Motu Monday and Bora Bora)

2011-11-29T08:33:00.000-08:00

Cruising into Taha'a

I must confess, this was my second time cruising through Tahiti on the m/s Paul Gauguin. (The first time was in 2001 and I loved it so much I knew I had to come back!) So I already knew that my favorite day was "Motu Monday". Motu Monday is a "Robinson Caruso" kind of day, spent on Paul Gauguin's private island just off of Taha'a.

Cruising to Taha's (Bora Bora in back)

To get there, we pulled up anchor in Raiatea and cruised slowly over to Taha'a. No matter where you look, the scenery is amazing. On one side of the ship you can look over to see Bora Bora in the distance. On the other side, you see the beautiful island of Taha'a. It is so beautiful, it's actually almost impossible to understand and believe that it's real!

Paul Gauguin's Motu!!

There are several shore excursions on Taha'a, and it is possible to enjoy a shore excursion and also spend time on the motu! (Click here to see PG's shore excursions! http://www.pgcruises.com/excursions/default.aspx ) Since I had been here before, I opted to do just a full day on the motu. And a full day is not long enough!! The motu is staffed with Paul Gauguin's gracious employees, who bring you water, cook you lunch, mix cocktails, serve you coconut water in coconuts, offer you kayaks.... it's just truly an amazing, enjoyable day!

Vow renewal on Motu!

One couple had opted to enjoy their vow renewal (after 17 years!) on the Motu. The Paul Gauguin staff can arrange weddings or vow renewals on the ship or several different places / choices throughout the cruise. The motu of course is the perfect place for that wedding or vow renewal in paradise! The ship's captain and the cruise director performed the ceremony -- and of course the staff did an amazing job of setting up the "venue".

Happy Couple!

After the ceremony, they enjoyed cake and champagne before taking that celebratory dip in the South Pacific!! What better way to "seal" your commitment?!

Strolling around the motu!

The Stunning Intercon Thalasso

It might be a slight exaggeration to say I cried shamelessly when we left the motu, but I was clearly very sad! However, Bora Bora was our next stop (2 days!) so at least I had something to look forward to! We planned a day to the stunning Intercontinental Bora Bora Thalasso Resort and Spa. This is also a day trip you can book as a shore excursion. The resort is all over the water villas and offers stunning views wherever you are!

The pool and beach.

The resort truly is a paradise and again, their amazing Concierge (Laure Salabert) and her team go out of their way to make your stay as spectacular as possible. And oh my goodness, the Spa.....

View from the Wedding Chapel

The Intercontinental Bora Bora Thalasso Resort and Spa is also a fabulous place for a wedding or vow renewal. There are several places on the property to get married on the beach with a view, or they have a stunning chapel built out over their lagoon....again with amazing views. The team will put together an unforgettable service to say your "I Do's" in paradise.

I can't say enough about this property.... and... if time and budget allow, I highly recommend actually adding a few extra days pre or post cruise for a stay at the Intercontinental Bora Bora Thalasso Resort and Spa. It will truly be some of the best days of your lives!!!

And I forgot to mention, the Intercontinental Bora Bora Thalasso Resort and Spa also has a honeymoon registry where you can register for the items and activities of your honeymoon at the Intercontinental Bora Bora Thalasso Resort and Spa as your wedding gifts! Check it out! http://www.honeymoonregistryborabora.com/

For more information on the Intercontinental Bora Bora Thalasso Resort and Spa you can visit their site at http://tahiti.intercontinental.com/

Tomorrow's post.... Day 2 Bora Bora.

If you need help booking your Paul Gauguin cruise or your stay at the Intercontinetal Bora Bora Thalasso Resort and Spa, please email us at info (at) honeyluna.com and we will connect you with one of our expert travel agent partners to help you!

A Fabulous Cruise Through French Polynesia on the Paul Gauguin! (boarding the ship and Sunday Raietea)

2011-11-28T10:34:00.000-08:00

Teahupoo

The m/s Paul Gauguin doesn't leave Papeete until 10 p.m. Saturday night. Our flight landed in Tahiti at 5 a.m.! After clearing immigration we grabbed a cup of coffee, got some French Pacific Francs (there is both an ATM and a money changing machine at the airport), rented a car and hit the road to explore the island.

Beautiful water lily

Driving on Tahiti is very easy -- and you really can't get lost. It's worth it to rent a car and spend the day exploring this gorgeous island. Being an avid wannabe surfer, we set out immediately for Teahupoo - the legendary surf spot on Tahiti Iti. It is literally at the "end of the road" and just a gorgeous paradise. The day we were there, the surf was small. Plus the break is about 1/4 mile from shore - so we didn't see much, but at least I can say I've been there!

Black sand beach on Tahiti

After Teahupoo, we drove to the lookout at the Taravao Plateau. Not only do you drive through a gorgeous plain, the panoramic views form the top are breathtaking. Highly recommend this side trip! We continued our drive around Tahiti Nui to the black sand beach near Tiarei - this is also a great place to hike / explore "Les 3 Cascades".

Moorea from Intercontinental Tahiti

We ended our day of exploring with a stop at the Intercontinental Tahiti Resort. This is a large, lovely property with stunning views over the pool to the island of Moorea. We enjoyed an ice cold Hinano as we relaxed in the sun, absorbed the ambience and counted our blessings that we were in Tahiti!

The lovely m/s Paul Gauguin

Now it was time to board our home for the next 7 days, the m/s Paul Gauguin! We dropped our car at the airport (total rental by the way was about $60 USD - well worth it if you're up to exploring on your own!) and took a taxi to the port. There the m/s Paul Gauguin stood proudly, looking luxurious and elegant, waiting for her next group of passengers to dazzle!

Our beautiful stateroom

We were just a few minutes early to board but no matter - the crew was already there to provide service. They welcomed us warmly, offered us cold water and tagged our luggage. They seemed genuinely happy to see us!

A balcony stateroom is a MUST!

As you can see, the staterooms are gorgeous! They are roomy, well appointed, plenty of storage and offer large bathrooms will a full tub/shower. I encourage you all, to definitely book a stateroom with a balcony! Yes, it does cost more, but it is worth it! We spent lots of time relaxing on our balcony. Being early risers we were up with the sunrise about 5:30 and have coffee delivered to us every morning to enjoy on our balcony while we soaked up the view and started our day!

By using HoneyLuna's honeymoon registry (www.honeyluna.com) or Paul Gauguin's honeymoon registry www.honeymoon.pgcruises.com ) you can let your friends and family buy pieces of your Paul Gauguin honeymoon as your wedding gift and have those additional funds to pay for a balcony stateroom!

Exploring Raiatea

Saturday night we "set sail" or technically, began motoring / cruising to Raiatea. When we awoke Sunday morning, we were still several hours from Raiatea but could already see it in the distance rising from the Pacific. It was so beautiful watching the island as we got closer and closer... Although not a touristy island / as well visited as others in French Polynesia, Raiatea is a lush, beautiful island and I LOVE IT!

Raiatea

Raiatea is called "The Sacred Island". It was the first island settled by Polynesians and is considered the cradle of Polynesian culture. My favorite shore excursion on this island is the combo Faaroa River cruise
with the jeep safari (which also takes you to the Taputapuatea Marae). One of the great things about cruising on the m/s Paul Gauguin is that it does visit some of the smaller islands and you do get to spend a lot of time on each island - which gives you plenty of time to do some shore excursions as well as to explore on your own if you wish!

Local dancer welcomes us!

After our day of exploring, we stopped by the Grand Salon for a Polynesian Dance Show / Welcome put on by a local dance troupe. The children were lovely, charming and gracious and the show really put us in the mood!! I even got up on stage and danced a bit.... I might have blown my back out trying to swing my hips like these girls but it was really fun!!

Let me just say that for each and every night on the cruise we enjoyed the MOST amazing dining experience! The food was wonderful, the wines magnificent, and the service was just spectacular. So I won't go into a lot of detail about what we ate (there's really not enough room!) but suffice it to say, it was all great. The dinners are a la carte (no buffets!) with a wide range of excellent choices. Also, I will say that I'm a vegetarian -- and I had so much to choose from that it was never a problem for me. My cruise mates enjoyed the fish and meat dishes and assured me they were fabulous as well!

Next post, Motu Monday! (My favorite!!!)

Take a look at the amazing / fun / adventurous shore excursions offered by the m/s Paul Gauguin http://www.pgcruises.com/excursions/default.aspx Of course you can include the shore excursions in your HoneyLuna honeymoon registry!! Your family and friends will love purchasing for you these fantastic experiences that you will cherish for a life time!

If you would like help booking your Paul Gauguin honeymoon cruise, please email us at info (at) honeyluna.com and we will refer you to one of our preferred travel agents!

Start your honeymoon registry now! Visit HoneyLuna's honeymoon registry (www.honeyluna.com) or Paul Gauguin's honeymoon registry www.honeymoon.pgcruises.com )

A Fabulous Cruise Through French Polynesia on the Paul Gauguin!

2011-11-27T14:49:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of cruising through Tahiti and Her Isles on the m/s Paul Gauguin. What a fabulous 7 days it was! And I couldn't help but think, EVERY honeymoon couple should be spending their honeymoon doing exactly this!

If French Polynesia is heaven on earth (and it is!) then the Paul Gauguin is the vehicle that gets you there!

The best part is, you can use either HoneyLuna's Honeymoon Registry (www.honeyluna.com) and select the Paul Gauguin registry template (when registering and selecting your destination, go to Cruises - Paul Gauguin and you'll see the available itinerary registries) or you can use Paul Gauguin's site for their honeymoon registry. With the Paul Gauguin Honeymoon Registry, gift monies go to the ship for on-board credit to use for the shore excursions and spa treatments that are purchased for you. Check out their honeymoon registry site at: http://honeymoon.pgcruises.com/

In addition to using the honeymoon registry to receive pieces of your m/s Paul Gauguin honeymoon as your wedding gift, the m/s Paul Gauguin is the best value in French Polynesia! It is truly truly ALL INCLUSIVE! If you want room service, it's included! If you want glasses of champagne every afternoon at La Palette after your busy day of sightseeing, it's included! The food is amazing, the wine list is fabulous and the staff and service will and do make you feel so special!

I will be posting a "day by day" review of our cruise with pics -- I highly encourage you to check back for each day's update and to share this great experience with me! If you haven't yet decided on your honeymoon location, do check this out -- PG Cruises has some great deals going for 2012!

If you would like help booking your honeymoon cruise on the m/s Paul Gauguin, please email us at info (at)honeyluna.com and we will get you in touch with one of our travel agent partners to assist you!

Creating A Successful HoneyLuna Honeymoon Registry

2011-06-28T11:15:00.000-07:00

Jenny and John had a succesful HoneyLuna honeymoon registry!

When Jenny Johnson and John Ericson got married, they didn’t bother registering with the traditional registries. They already lived together, owned a home, and had the household items they needed.

Instead, Jenny and John registered with HoneyLuna, the Honeymoon Registry Service, (http://www.honeyluna.com/), and received “pieces of their honeymoon” as wedding gifts.

Jenny and John had a very successful honeymoon registry! “Our honeymoon included Spanish Language courses in Cusco and hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu in Peru,” says Jenny. “It was so much more fun creating a gift registry that included these experiential gifts we would always remember. Our honeymoon was filled with fantastic adventures we will never forget, and allowed us to tie these special gifts to our loved ones back home.”

Honeymoon registries today are no longer “alternative” and are acceptable wedding registries. HoneyLuna's Honeymoon Registries offer the opportunity for families and friends to give the couple something worth remembering for their honeymoon. However, because many people are not aware that honeymoon registries exist, it is important that the bride and groom (and their close friends, maid of honor and best man) let people know that their honeymoon registry exists and to “educate” their family friends about the concept. This will insure that they have the most successful honeymoon registry possible.

HoneyLuna provides many tools to help create a successful honeymoon registry and to “get the word out” such as:

Easy to use honeymoon registry templates to create a dynamic and customized honeymoon Registry announcement postcards to send to family and friends letting them know about your honeymoon registry
FREE Wedding Website with your own unique HoneyLuna URL which allows you to add up to 17 pages of information about your wedding, honeymoon and your HoneyLuna honeymoon registry!
Email announcements via honeyluna.com to send to family and friends letting them know about your honeymoon registry
An easy to use website to for friends and family to view your itemized registry and purchase your gifts.

Although HoneyLuna provides some great tools to help you have a successful honeymoon registry, the bride and groom can also help make the honeymoon registry successful. Here a few things you can do to create a successful honeymoon registry.

1. Be Creative - Have fun with your registry. Don’t’ just ask for cash – include fun items and activities your friends and family can get excited about. HoneyLuna’s registry page allows you to include comments and even links to the hotel or activity to personalize your registry even more.

2. Include Gifts In a Variety of Price Ranges - When creating your registry do include a variety of items in different price ranges. You don't want to leave anyone out, nor make anyone feel uncomfortable. With a wide variety of price ranges, guests can contribute anywhere from $20 on up – more if they want!

3. Upload Photos – Be sure to upload a photo for your HoneyLuna honeymoon registry page -- as well as lots of photos to your wedding website. The photo on your registry page makes it more personal for your friends and family when they are shopping on your HoneyLuna registry..

4. PROMOTE YOUR REGISTRY – Don’t be Shy – PROMOTE YOUR REGISTRY! For a successful registry let everyone know where you are registered. Include registry announcement cards in your engagement letters, shower, and wedding invitations. Advise family members and bridal party of your gift wishes, so that they may be actively involved in communicating directly to your guests. Use HoneyLuna’s email announcements as a follow up close to the wedding date. People DO want to buy you a wedding gift, so you might as well make it as easy for them as possible.

Here is an example of some language you can use in email notifications or on your own wedding website:

Dear Tom and Susan:

We would like to share with you our honeymoon registry.

We have registered for the items and activities of our honeymoon as wedding gifts through HoneyLuna, a Wedding Registry for Honeymoon Travel! The gifts from our honeymoon registry will help us create memories that will last our lifetime! And, you'll be really connected with our honeymoon!

If shopping on line is not your preference, please call HoneyLuna at 1-877-699-5884. You may also find our registry on line at www.honeyluna.com/nancyanddave.

Thank you so much for thinking of us. We look forward to seeing you and sharing our special day.

Nancy and Dave

Remember, the more you promote your honeymoon registry, the better your chances of having a successful honeymoon registry. Wouldn't you rather have some fantastic honeymoon experience as your wedding gift rather than a zebra head cookie platter or another turkey baster?

Tell your parents and their friends about a Celebration Travel Registry!

2011-06-22T10:25:00.000-07:00

AMAWATERWAYS - the ultimate Celebration Registry!

HoneyLuna, The Honeymoon Registry Service launched in 1995 -- and was the first online bridal registry for honeymoons! Since then, HoneyLuna has pioneered honeymoon registries. Throughout the years, people came to HoneyLuna and asked if they could use HoneyLuna as a "travel registry" for a significant life event -- 50th wedding annviersary, graduation, retirement, 40th birthday -- all great reasons to throw a party and take a trip!

Over the years, more and more people began using travel registries. Now one of HoneyLuna's sister companies offers Celebration Registries for any trip! So if your parents or friends are having a big wedding anniversary, significant birthday or maybe a retirement trip, tell them to create a celebration travel registry.

Many of AMAWATERWAYS cruises
have pre or post cruise stays in Paris!

If you - or someone you knows, wants a truly special life event / celebration travel registry, one of HoneyLuna's partners, AMAWATERWAYS has celebration registries for their stunning river cruises with ships sailing in Europe, Russia, Vietnam and Cambodia. Wouldn't it be great if you could buy a piece of an amazing river cruise for your parents anniversary or friends big birthday?

Check out .http://celebrationregistry.amawaterways.com/

HoneyLuna and the Question of Service Fees

2011-06-20T12:30:00.000-07:00

TO FEE OR NOT TO FEE?.....

In my opinion, there is truth in the oft heard phrase..."You get what you pay for".....

I often read the wedding website forums and bridal chat rooms and see that many bridal couples think that charging a service fee for a honeymoon registry is a crime. Obviously I understand that every bridal couple wants a good deal and are looking to save money wherever they can! But do read on to learn how thinking saving with a "free" honeymoon registry could actually harm you in the end!

Although I could probably write pages on WHY HoneyLuna charges a fee and why either paying the fee or having your guests pay the fee is a WISE decision, I will narrow it down to a few key points.

First, let's look at all of the things that brides and grooms DO pay for -- and are WILLING to pay (often exorbitant prices) for -- for their wedding -- excluding the necessities like location and hard goods such as food, let's focus on "services"

Caterer
Florist
Minister
Photographer
Musicians or DJs
ValetsWedding Coordinator
Psychic (just kidding.... maybe...)
And the list goes on....

Let's be honest, couples pay for these services because they want them "just right", classy, to be fun/good for their friends, and they want plain old good service.

HoneyLuna is a service. It is a service that provides not only the bridal couples with an exceptional honeymoon registry experience, it also provides LOTS AND LOTS of other tools that bridal couples love -- like a FREE wedding website (yes, it IS truly FREE), online wedding photo albums, wedding blogs and a comprehensive, easy to use, looks beautiful honeymoon registry.

I think it warrants a SPECIAL mention that our registries are AD FREE!

Did I mention that we have a toll FREE phone # for you to call with questions. And yes, your guests can call too if they have a question or want to place their order over the phone? We have dedicated customer service staff to provide both you and your guests excellent customer service!

Now let's talk about your guests' experience. Many of your guests may not have heard of a honeymoon registry. As such, it's especially important that their experience is a happy one. So let's consider, what does your honeymoon registry look like? Is it aesthetically pleasing? Does it have professional images for each item with a descriptive narrative of the items? If it's fun and exciting to read, your friends and family will have more fun shopping for your gift.

Now back to your guests... does the registry allow them to actually complete their transaction with a credit card? With some of the free registries couples have to have a paypal BUSINESS account for their guests to use credit cards!

And if they can't pay by credit card, they are only "pledging" to give you cash or a check at your wedding. That brings me back to the "classy, easy, positive user experience" I mentioned above. Which I think warrants a second mention -- the "free" honeymoon registries have ADS all over your honeymoon registry page!!

(And ironically, some of the ads are for the competition!)

In my mind, classy and elegant is out the window. What they have done is traded a service fee revenue to support the business with selling advertising space so that in order to have a free registry your friends and family are inundated with ads on your registry page. That may be good for some, but personally, I prefer -- and don't mind paying for -- fees when a good service is provide!

Now, let's look at actual gifts received -- with HoneyLuna, the average gifts received is $2,500/ registry (actual amounts vary of course and depend on many factors -- but this is "average")

By their own accounts, free registries receive MUCH LESS than $2500. One company posts that their "free" registries receive on average just over $1100... hmmmmmmm....

I can't help but wonder if it's because friends and families don't like the look and experience of the free registry -- and don't like pledging cash or checks. I wonder if it's because for a small fee, guests actually LIKE ad free registries, the convenience of paying by credit card, and knowing they can call a real person to talk to, ask questions, and place an order. So for saving a 7% service fee, you LOSE $1400?..... Free registries just don't add up!

For the record, I've never had a call from a gift giver that was mad/upset about the service fee. In fact, most calls are happy callers and LOVE HONEYLUNA!

In the end, my feeling is that many couples choose the "FREE no fees option" thinking they will come out ahead -- but in reality, for a small fee, couples using HoneyLuna will have more wedding tools, more gifts, and happier guests!

CHOOSE HONEYLUNA! The Premier online bridal registry for honeymoons since 1995!

Lastly, many people comment with companies like HoneyLuna, that, in the end, the couple is still just receiving cash. Yes, that is true. But it's a much more elegant and sophisticated way of receiving the cash to pay for the items and activities of they honeymoon. If a couple chooses to dupe their friends and family by not using the gifts for which they were intended, well that's their karma.

But, if this is really a sticking point for some, then take a look at some of our partners' sites where the gift monies actually go the resort or cruise line for the couple to spend on the actual gift while they are there...

Starwood Hawaii
Paul Gauguin Cruises
Intercontinental Bora Bora Thalasso and Le Moana
Starwood Caribbean

and many more!

Paul Gauguin's fun "Meet Me in Tahiti" Facebook App

2011-06-17T09:23:00.000-07:00

If you're considering (or fantasizing) about a honeymoon in Tahiti, be sure to play around with Paul Gauguin's FB app "MEET ME IN TAHITI" and enjoy a "virtual vacation in Tahiti".

Enjoy a virtual vacation in Tahiti a la Paul Gauguin Cruises!

Remember you can use HoneyLuna's Honeymoon Registry to create your own fabulous honeymoon registry for your Paul Gauguin Honeymoon! Having a HoneyLuna honeymoon registry (AND FREE WEDDING WEBSITE!) is a fantastic way to receive the amazing "experiential gifts" available on a Paul Gauguin honeymoon cruise!

HoneyLuna now offers FREE Wedding Websites with a Wedding RSVP Program!

2011-06-14T10:34:00.000-07:00

HoneyLuna is pleased to announce that it now offers FREE wedding websites to couples who create an account with HoneyLuna!

While HoneyLuna has always offered a wedding webpage, we now offer a comprehensive wedding website program as our GIFT to HoneyLuna couples! (Similar sites charge $99 / year!)

The most popular features of our site are:

Online Wedding RSVP program
Photo Albums
Wedding Blog

Your HoneyLuna site will even have your own unique URL ex: HoneyLuna.com/samandsusie

The HoneyLuna wedding website has 17 possible pages for HoneyLuna couples to create, upload pictures and share details of their wedding with their family and friends.

1. Welcome

2. About Us

3. Our Story

4. Proposal

5. Our Wedding Party

6. Our Wedding Blog

7. Photo Albums (engagement party, bachelor/bachelorette parties, bridal showers, honeymoon, etc.)

8. Our Family and Friends

9. Ceremony

10. Reception

11. Dedications

12. Wedding Events

13. Honeymoon

14. Travel Information

15. RSVP

16. Gift Registry

17. Notes

‎2/3 of all bridal couples have a wedding website -- shouldn't you?

To create your own free wedding website, just create an account at http://www.honeyluna.com From your HoneyLuna.com dashboard, click "create wedding website" and select the multiple page option! HAVE FUN!

Sample HoneyLuna Wedding Website

Send Thank You Notes to your HoneyLuna Honeymoon Registry Gift Givers

2011-04-12T12:23:00.000-07:00

GREAT TIP: This is a real HoneyLuna Honeymoon Registry couple that took this photo in Bora Bora and then sent it in their thank you notes to all their friends and family that contributed to their dream honeymoon! Don't forget to thank your loved ones with special photos, notes and postcards!

Combine your HoneyLuna Honeymoon Registry with a GREEN / Eco Friendly honeymoon! It's a WIN! WIN!!

2011-04-11T09:50:00.000-07:00

Go GREEN by booking your honeymoon with one of Apple Vacation's Eco-Friendly Hotels or Resorts

More than one million Apple Vacationers will hit the beach in 2011, but with the help of the growing eco-friendly vacation trend, their impact on the environment can be minimized, protecting the fragile ecosystems of our beloved jungles, beaches and oceans and enhancing relationships with the local culture.

Eco-friendly travel is more just than a buzzword; it is a way to preserve beautiful destinations for future generations and for the locals lucky enough to live there.

HoneyLuna and Life Events Travel are proud to partner with Apple Vacations, giving our honeymooners looking for eco-friendly many fabulous and romantic options. Apple offers a variety of resorts that have made an extra-effort to preserve our planet. Eco-friendly resorts can fit any budget and will leave travelers with a more authentic vacation experience, due to a deeper understanding and respect for the places they visit.

CLICK HERE to learn more about HoneyLuna's honeymoon registry.

from Ask Amy - A GREAT response about Honeymoon Registries and Etiquette!

2011-04-06T11:06:00.000-07:00

Smart Answer for Smart Brides about Honeymoon Registry --

Honyemoon registries through companies like HoneyLuna become more popular every day. There is still some confusion though about the etiquette for honeymoon registries -- some think it's still not "acceptable".

Well honeymoon registries are acceptable, and in fact are NO DIFFERENT than asking friends to buy you BBQs, expensive china or an espresso maker. The fact is, most couples today do not need another towel, toaster or everday china. Honeymoon registries are not about entitlement (as the questionner below says) they're about requesting a lovely, experiential gift that provides memories that will last a lifetime.

If it were me, I'd rather buy my friends a romantic experience or honeymoon adventure that they will never forget, appreciate forever, and it won't end up in a garage sale in 5 years!

In any case, that's just me.... BUT....

Here is a response from Etiquette Expert Amy Dickinson responding to one of those confused souls....

From Ask Amy

By Amy Dickinson

Dear Amy: Regarding registering for honeymoon contributions, what gives? Where do people get off thinking they’re entitled to something, even though they can’t afford it

I can understand a bridal registry — it’s the modern dowry for today’s couples. But come on, where does this entitlement complex come from?

If you want to take a trip when you get married, save for it and put your hand back in your pocket, not mine. — Suzanne

Dear Suzanne: A gift registry is meant to provide the couple with things they can’t buy. I don’t see the difference between registering for a china pattern or a trip to Colorado. Wedding guests don’t have to adhere to registries; they’re meant as gift guidelines.

Don't walk, RUN (or click really fast!) to register at HoneyLuna.com for your HoneyLuna honeymoon registry.

What Do You Mean You Want to Run With the Bulls?

2011-03-28T10:36:00.001-07:00

When planning your honeymoon, it is VERY important to discuss expectations and assumptions with your fiancée and your travel agent to avoid disappointment.

Although honeymoons are probably the biggest and at this point in their new lives together, most important, trip a couple has planned together, it is very surprising how little they have talked about their desires, assumptions and expectations for their honeymoon. This is probably the most critical piece in honeymoon planning!

Communicate about what you hope and desire for your honeymoon. Do not assume that he will want to see all the museums on your list. Do not assume that she will be ok spending hours along while you are out scuba diving (she can’t swim and is afraid of sharks…)

One of HoneyLuna's first ever honeymoon clients came to meet with me in our offices and had told me they wanted to honeymoon in Tahiti . So I filled the conference room with Tahiti brochures and sample itineraries. Their eyes were as big as saucers and they held hands as they looked at the beautiful pictures of this romantic paradise.

We began getting down to the details of planning the trip: specific dates of travel, islands to visit, hotels, etc.. Suddenly the groom says “Now there is golf in Tahiti, right?” I explained that there was a golf course on the island of Tahiti, but not on any of the outer islands. “So there is no golf on Bora Bora? No golf on Moorea?” No and No. (There is now also golf on Moorea but that wasn't an option back then) He became a little unglued so I suggested planning their last few nights on the island of Tahiti so that he could golf there before flying home. This did nothing to appease him and he kept asking “What about Rangiroa? Huahine? Is there golf there?” No.

Finally his previously beaming bride turns to him with a very red face and demands “Well just how much golf were you planning on playing on our honeymoon anyway? Aren’t you going to spend any time with me?” I stepped out of the conference room to give them some privacy while they talked about this very obvious difference in their “ideals” and after a few minutes they come storming out, pausing only long enough to say… “We’ll get back to you”.

Needless to say, they did not end up on a honeymoon in Tahiti. Fortunately for this couple, they were able to discuss, in advance (but obviously after their meeting with me), their honeymoon desires and expectations. Ultimately they did plan and have the honeymoon of their dreams. But the argument in our offices was an eye opener – they had different ideals of their honeymoon. After they left I emailed them a questionnaire and instructed them to fill it out together. This questionnaire asks questions of both the bride and groom about their expectations ranging from budget, activity level, romance, etc.. and should be completed individually and then discussed together.

Most couples find that at first glance, there are seemingly major differences in assumptions and expectations, but after discussing each item on the questionnaire, most couples come to a very important understanding of each other and are able to design a honeymoon based on compromise and mutual respect – rather than forging ahead in blissful ignorance.

The Tahiti/golf couple ended up honeymoon on Maui. Initially it seemed as if the bride had “given” in to his demand to go where there was golf. However, after talking with both of them extensively in the ensuing planning process, she shared with me that she learned that he had always dreamed of golfing on some of the luxurious and tropical high end golf courses in the South Pacific. He did not intend to golf their entire honeymoon – but since they were planning on immediately starting a family (and then severely restricting future golf vacations) he wanted to make sure he could fulfill his golfing dreams while they were in the South Pacific.

After learning that she envisioned a “much together” honeymoon with lots of down time on the beach and romantic hikes to waterfalls, he understood why she was so upset at the thought of “all that golf”.

Ultimately they both got what they wanted – she had massages and spa treatments while he golfed and they had plenty of time together for the beach and waterfalls. They are still happily married with three children. He still plays golf. She still has massages.

P.S. We really did have a honeymoon couple going to Spain for their honeymoon and the groom thought it would be fun to "run with the bulls" on their honeymoon. We agreed with the bride... probably NOT a good idea!

HoneyLuna's Honeymoon Registry

HoneyLuna's store -- The Luna Line

2011-03-15T13:03:00.000-07:00

Check out HoneyLuna's store - The Luna Line. The Luna Line has everything you need for your wedding and honeymoon.

All items in our store have been specifically selected for comfort and fit; whether it's for hot sultry days or warm evening breezes, you'll look stunning in any exotic location around the world.

The Luna Line has fun tropical dresses and beach cover ups, flip flops, jewelry, hats, beach bags, and more!!! CHECK IT OUT for all your HoneyLuna needs!!!

HoneyLuna Honeymoon Registry

A tropical paradise awaits you for your HoneyLuna!

2011-03-09T09:37:00.000-08:00

Costa Rica and Panama are unique destinations which appeal to eco-tourists, beach lovers, adventurists, history buffs, romantics and families. While both are blessed with rich bio-diversity, a myriad of protected natural resources and countless species of exotic plants, animals and marine life, each offers its own unique attractions, from Costa Rica’s incredible Arenal Volcano to theinfamous Panama Canal.

So much to See: Lush, emerald rainforests/exotic cloud forests/stunning volcanoes and hot springs/oceans, rivers and waterfalls/mountains/national parks/ exotic bird, marine and wild life/beautiful beaches/cosmopolitan capital cities with world-class museums, sites, shops, restaurants and clubs

So much to Do: Hiking-fishing-snorkeling-surfing-bird watching- white water rafting- canyoning-kayaking-zip lining-trekking and rappelling through jungles and mountains

GREAT honeymoon deals are available -- from $999 per person with air fare!! Click Here to check out packages at different resorts with air fares from your city! Or call HoneyLuna's partner Apple Vacations and speak to a honeymoon specialist!! 877-332-1097

Click here to visit HoneyLuna's honeymoon registry site.

The perfect Hawaiian vacation from Oahu, Maui and Kauai to the Big Island of Hawaii

2011-03-01T10:48:00.000-08:00

Here are some great tips for honeymooners headed to Hawaii! Be sure to add some of these ideas and activities to your HoneyLuna honeymoon registry!

By Mimi Towle from Marin Magazine http://www.marinmagazine.com/

Headed for Hawai‘i, not sure where to go? We asked veteran visitors and Facebook friends to tell us their favorite spots and why they go back.

O‘ahu: Waikiki or North Shore?

Waikiki The name Waikiki translates as “spouting fresh water,” referring to the days when freshwater springs and streams dominated the landscape. Hawaiians chose this white sand beach early on as a playground for the rich and royal. The first hotels for visitors were built in the late 1800s, including the Sans Souci, followed by the stately white Moana Surfrider, in 1901. In the late 1920s came the famous pink Royal Hawaiian, coinciding with construction of the Ala Wai Canal and subsequent draining of the wetlands, opening this one and a half square mile swath of land for development. Visitors to Waikiki come from all over the world; it’s not uncommon to hear five different languages spoken within earshot. And while you are not likely to run into your neighbor or coworker, San Francisco Bay Area is the second largest visitor market for this international destination.

“My favorite part of the day in Waikiki is dawn. Except for a few tourists wrestling with their own wacky time change, I usually have the beach to myself, and the calming rhythmic lapping of the waves prepares me for the day ahead. As a child on the windward side of O‘ahu, I saw Waikiki, on the leeward side, as “the bomb”: the shiniest, loudest, happiest place on earth, at least as glimpsed through the car window when our family cruised Kalakaua Avenue en route to the Outrigger Canoe Club. As an adult living on the mainland, I’ve returned every chance I get—often with my girls in tow. We’ve taken surf lessons with Hans Hedemann Surf School, returning home with photos of us tandem surfing (somehow we look a lot goofier with our hands in the air, giving the world our best hang-loose shakas and biggest smiles, than we felt at the time). We’ve rented paddleboards to look for dolphins. And it’s no surprise that my girls love the International Marketplace—heaven for a nine-year-old with $20 to spend—with over 100 shops and carts selling rhinestone geckos, puka shell necklaces and a chance to find a real pearl in an oyster. And then there are my food fixes: Chef Mavro for the big night, Alan Wong’s any night, and I can’t be within two miles of the Diamond Head Cove without stopping for one of the acai bowls. Like to shop? Ala Moana is the world's largest outdoor mall, and the retail offerings of Waikiki always include something new: on the last visit my daughter was thrilled to find a Sanuk sandal store right next to our hotel. Waikiki is not a tranquil tropical escape—you can find that on the other side of the island, or any of the other neighbor islands. Waikiki is big, bold, busy and one of my favorite spots on the planet.”

Rooms:
Hilton Hawaiian Village, 3,500 rooms, $199–$4,900
Outrigger Reef, 639 rooms, $209–$1,299
Halekulani, 453 rooms, $435–$7,000
The Royal Hawaiian, 529 rooms, $295–$1,360
Sheraton Waikiki, 1,636 rooms, $205–$4,100
Moana Surfrider, 793 rooms, $250–$3,520
Outrigger Waikiki, 524 rooms, $199–$1,299
Waikiki Edition, 353 rooms, $195–$9,995
Trump Towers, 462 rooms, $329–$13,999

Mimi Towle, senior editor of Marin Magazine, still calls Hawai‘i home even though she’s lived on the mainland all her adult life. Waikiki has always been a favorite destination.

North Shore O‘ahu In 1898, long before the monster waves of Waimea Bay enticed throngs of dudes and chicks to seek their own endless summer, businessman Benjamin Dillingham opened a hotel on a strip of land between the beach and the Anahulu River. He named his hotel Hale‘iwa—hale means “house of,” and iwa is a local graceful frigate bird. Dillingham wanted to create a destination that would encourage an extension of the railroad to reach his sugar plantations. His plan worked: people visited, and eventually the town adopted the name Hale‘iwa. There are a few small lodging options in town, but the main resort is Turtle Bay, with five miles of its own wild beach, three great restaurants, a public golf course and miles of backcountry for horseback riding. Visitors to the North Shore are loyal to their favorite food haunts, from legendary burger joints to shave ice stands to the prolific shrimp trucks.

“One of my favorite drives on the island is a trip up to the North Shore. I always head up through the windward side, stopping at the Pali lookout to soak in the views of Chinaman’s Hat and Kaneohe Bay. For lunch, an absolute must-try is the shrimp scampi plate from Giovanni’s Original White Shrimp Truck. A dozen or so huge shrimp, sautéed up with copious amounts of garlic, a squeeze of fresh lemon, and hot sauce on the side. Delicious! The beaches on the North Shore are great, but it all depends on what time of year you visit. In the summer, the water is usually pretty flat and good for snorkeling or checking out the turtles at Laniakea. In the winter, stay out of the water and leave the big waves to the pros—all the big-wave surf tournaments are held here during the winter and you can watch right from the shore. When I’ve got a sweet craving, I have to visit Ted’s Bakery for the chocolate haupia pie and Matsumoto’s for shave ice. Turtle Bay is a wonderful and romantic stop for a weekend in the North Shore and a good home base for exploring the world outside Waikiki.”

Rooms
Turtle Bay Resort, 375 rooms, $309–$1,670
Ke Iki Beach Bungalows, 11 bungalows, $135–$230
Camp Mokule‘ia, 18 rooms, 6 cabins, $100–$1800

Malia Yoshioka is resident Hawai‘i expert at WhyGoHawaii.com and loves to explore the islands every chance she gets.

Kaua‘i: POIPU or Princeville?

Poipu!! The name Poipu translates as “crashing waves” in Hawaiian, and if you’ve been to its namesake beach on the “sunny-side of the island,” you’ll agree the moniker is accurate. The Poipu Beach Hotel was the first resort to open in 1962, followed by the Sheraton in 1968. The area's agrarian past is also celebrated at the Plantation Gardens restaurant, with photos and memorabilia of the Hector Moir family. Famously in the path of destruction of Hurricane Iniki in 1992, Poipu has been rebuilt and is back stronger (and luxer) than ever. Poipu is also popular for having accommodations to fit all budgets, and for superb golfing and water activities like body-surfing; the scenic drive west to stunning Waimea Canyon is considered a must.

“One of the first things I love about Poipu is getting there. Driving through the ‘tree tunnel’ on Highway 520/Maluhia Road, followed by charming Koloa town before heading down to Poipu, strips away all the stress from the mainland that I might have brought with me! The climate is sunnier and drier than the rest of the island’s, and most of the beaches are swimmable. It’s also a great central location, situated between the north shore and Waimea Canyon. When I get there, I love to body-surf at Kiahuna Beach or at the beach in front of the Sheraton, have lunch and a beer down the road at Brennecke’s and later dinner and champagne at the Beach House. My favorite spot to watch the sunset (glass of wine in hand, standing in the water) is at the protected cove called Baby Beach. And truly a stunning walk is out through the lithified cliffs to Haula Beach. I usually rent a home at Turtle Cove, but for clients who want a resort-type condo, I recommend Kiahuna Plantation. I love the grounds and the old plantation feel of the property—plus, it’s on Poipu Beach. If they want something more luxurious, the Hyatt.”

Rooms
Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i, 602 rooms, $440–$5,200
Koa Kea Hotel & Resort, 121 rooms, $329–$2,572
Sheraton Kaua‘i Resort, 394 rooms, $239–$3,600
Outrigger Kiahuna Plantation, 200 condos. $179–$545

Nancy Williams, founder of honeymoon registry website HoneyLuna, has been to almost every romantic part of the islands and to her favorite island, Kaua‘i, at least 10 times.

Princeville On the north side of the island, Princeville is renowned for its dramatic vistas (as well as its golf offerings). Hawaiians grew taro plants in the fertile Hanalei Valley. When Westerners first arrived they brought livestock and grew potatoes and fruit (which was exported to feed the California gold miners during the Gold Rush). Plantation owner Robert Crichton Wyllie named the area in honor of an 1860 visit by the young Prince Albert Kamehameha, Hawai‘i’s crown prince. The first major hotel, the Princeville Resort, built in 1985, is now The St. Regis Princeville Resort. Activities include swimming at Hanalei Bay and Kee Beach; horseback riding, zip-lining, snorkeling, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding and surfing; hiking the Hanakapiai and the Kalalau trails; browsing the shops in Hanalei town; and sightseeing jaunts to Hanalei lookout, the Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge and Lighthouse, and (by boat) the fabled cliffs of the Na Pali Coast.

“Hands down we love the Hanalei/Princeville (north shore) area of Kaua‘i. The weather may vary, but the local feel can’t be beat and there are many possibilities for extreme adventures—great surfing, kayaking, climbing, golfing, zip-lining. We stay at the Westin Princeville Ocean Villas; the all-inclusive nature of the resort is great for families. It’s also fun to rent a house on Hanalei Bay. Some must-dos on the north shore: golf at Princeville (best golf in the world), the ahi burrito at Kilauea Fish Market, and hanging on Hanalei Bay beach, watching the sunset with a mai tai.”

Rooms
The St. Regis Princeville Resort, 252 rooms, $375–$6,500
The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas, 358 rooms, $259–$1,535
Castle at Princeville, 34 rooms, $230–$555

Stephanie Ziegler, owner of Tiburon Pilates, has been going to Hawai‘i for nearly 20 years and has been to every island except for Lana‘i.

MAUI: Wailea or Ka‘anapali?

Wailea is named for a Hawaiian legend about a goddess named Lea who was transformed into a beautiful bird often seen flying over the wai (water) at five crescent-shaped golden-sand beaches. In 1957, the Matson Navigation Company purchased 1,500 acres of scrubland on the sunny southwest part of the island to expand its hotel operations. The first hotel, the Maui Intercontinental (now the Marriott), didn’t appear until 1973; today, quite an array of lodging options line the 1.5-mile coastal trail. Each resort offers its own unique experience, from the huge waterslides of the Grand Wailea to the super-luxe Four Seasons. Activity offerings include three championship golf courses at the Wailea Golf Club, with a David Leadbetter golf academy; 11 tennis courts at the Wailea Tennis Club; five spas plus fitness centers at the resort hotels; and shopping or dining at the Shops at Wailea. One of the most popular events here is the Maui Film Festival, which each June attracts celebrities and film buffs from around the world.

“We started visiting Maui together about 15 years ago and eventually purchased a home in Makena, right next to Wailea on Ahihi Bay, which Jacques Cousteau dubbed one of his 10 favorite snorkeling spots. We chose the leeward side of the island because of the dry climate. It will be sunny here when it is raining everywhere else. Also, we love the views of Kahoolawee, Molokini and Lana‘i. Our first-night ritual is to dine at Joe’s Bar and Grill; we love Joe’s barbecue ribs and Sharon, the manager, is very knowledgeable about wine.”

Rooms
Fairmont Kea Lani Maui, 413 rooms, $479–$2,400
Destination Resorts Hawai‘i, 260 condos, $250–$2,800
Makena Beach and Golf Resort, 305 rooms, $289–$1,800
Four Seasons Resort Maui, 380 rooms, $465–$14,500
Grand Wailea Resort Hotel and Spa/Ho’olei, 780 rooms, $389–$1,294
Wailea Beach Marriott Resort and Spa, 544 rooms, $525–$3,250

Mary Constant and her husband, Freddy, split their time between Maui and Napa, where they own the Constant Diamond Mountain Winery.

Ka‘anapali Located just north of the historic whaling village of Lahaina, Ka‘anapali means “the rolling cliffs,” a reference to the wide, open ridges behind the beach that sweep upward to Puu Kukui, the highest mountain peak on West Maui. Legend has it this three-mile stretch of white sand was not only a favorite resting spot for Hawaiian kings and queens, but a training spot for warriors. Today these sands are home to weekend warriors visiting from around the world, looking for a slice of paradise. Development didn’t start happening here until the 1960s, with the Royal Lahaina, built in 1962, followed by a Hilton in 1963 and Ka‘anapali Beach Resort in 1964. The ’80s saw a second wave, with the Hyatt Regency in 1980, the Maui Marriot in 1982 and the renovation of the Maui Surf into a Westin in 1987. At the north end of the three-mile paved path is Black Rock, or Pu‘u Keka‘a, where ancient Hawaiians believed the souls of the dead leapt from this earth to join their ancestors in the spirit world.

“It’s all about the beach. Ka‘anapali Beach Hotel was developed in the 1960s along the mile-long Ka‘anapali Beach, a gorgeous stretch of golden sand on the leeward side of the island (less rain, more sun). Ka‘anapali is an all-inclusive, park-it-and-leave-it resort with a bewildering number of lodging choices in every price range, as well as golf, tennis, diving, etc. It’s not the fanciest (the Kapalua Resort up the road is far nicer), but it offers the best bang for your buck without being cheesy and cheap. It’s also family-friendly with tons of children’s activities that allow the parents some … personal time.

Even the locals like to hang out at Leilani’s on the Beach at Whaler’s Village. It’s by far the most popular place to drink and dine at Ka‘anapali. If you’re a fan of TS Restaurants—Sunnyside in Tahoe, Duke’s, Jakes in Del Mar—you know the vibe. Other highlights include the nightly sunset cliff-diver ritual at the Sheraton Maui, a sunset sail on one of the catamarans that dock right on the beach, and the nightly hula show at the Ka‘anapali Beach Hotel. Above all, make a plan to watch every sunset, every night. Nobody on their deathbed said ‘I saw too many beautiful sunsets.’”

Rooms
Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa, 806 rooms, $270–$7,000
Ka‘anapali Beach Hotel, 430 rooms, $143–$327
Sheraton Maui Resort and Spa, 508 rooms, $279–$5,00
Westin Maui Resort, 759 rooms, $299–$1,100

When former Maui resident and travel writer Matthew Poole of Mill Valley planned his first out-of-pocket trip to Maui, he remembered how much he enjoyed a press trip to the Ka‘anapali Beach Hotel. When he saw it included in the offerings of Pleasant Hawaiian Holidays, he booked a true vacation, leaving his laptop at home.

Big Island: Kona or Kohala?

Kona In the Hawaiian language kona means leeward, referring to the dry side of the island, as opposed to ko‘olau, which means the windward or wet side of the island. In ancient Hawai‘i, Kona was the name of the leeward district on each major island. The Kona on the Big Island was named Kailua-Kona for clarity. This popular retirement town is just south of the airport and was the original capital of King Kamehameha’s unified Kingdom of Hawai‘i. When the capital moved to Lahaina on Maui and eventually to Honolulu on O‘ahu, Kona remained a retreat for the royal family. The Kona Coast Hotel, Kona Surf and the King Kamehameha were the first major hotels in the area and have all been recently renovated; the Kona Surf is now the Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort and Spa. Known for its nearby black sand beaches, this town is also host to the Ironman World Championship triathlon, the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival and the Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament. Perhaps best of all, for travelers on a budget, Kona features great restaurants, abundant activities and newly renovated rooms for a fraction of the cost of most resorts just up the coast in Kohala.

“I still remember my first visit here. I had left Idaho while it was still quite gray and arrived in Kona where everything was in Technicolor. I felt like I had landed in Oz! People who wouldn’t want to move here say, ‘I would miss the seasons.’ I say, ‘We have seasons! They are just different than on the mainland. We have whale season (December to April), when the humpbacks come to warm water to give birth. We have jacaranda season (February to June), when the hills are filled with lavender-tinted trees. We have night-blooming cereus season (June to October), when the gnarled cactus along the rock walls blossoms until the morning light brightens, and of course we have Ironman season (October)!” There are many beautiful places, but I am so blessed to call Kona my home.”

Rooms
Sheraton Keauhou, 521 rooms, $189–$2,550
King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel, 452 rooms, $149–$499
Royal Kona Resort, 436 rooms, $115–$550

Barbarak Sasaki, a handbag designer, moved to Kona in 1994 after visiting only once before. “I fell in love with the culture and the people, and the weather wasn’t bad either!”

Kohala For regulars to the Kohala Coast the fact that this 20-mile stretch only gets seven inches of rain a year is not a surprise. Named after the oldest of the five volcanoes on the Big Island and estimated to be over a million years old, Kohala the mountain is just north of the hotels. The Kohala Coast boasts some of the iconic Hawaiian destination properties, including the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, completed in 1965, and the Kona Village, completed shortly thereafter. Besides luxurious hotels and top-of-the-line spas, this area boasts seven golf courses and excellent restaurants.

“We would go to the short game area at Hapuna Golf Course when Brody was two. He would go through a bucket, practice putting, and then enjoy a grilled cheese sandwich in the clubhouse; this was so much fun. Then we would head to the Mauna Kea to swim and he would catch waves on his boogie board. We also loved going to the Mauna Lani to see the turtles. When people came to visit, we would suggest they catch the sunset and get dinner at the Canoe House at the Mauna Lani, or enjoy island-style farm-to-table cuisine at Merriman’s in Waimea. If they were traveling with kids, Cafe Pesto at Kawaihae Harbor. One of our favorite things to share about the Big Island is the Onizuka Center observatory at about 9,000 feet on Mauna Kea—amazing clarity of sky and volume of stars.”

Rooms
Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, 258 rooms, $500–3,500
Hapuna Beach Hotel, 350 rooms, $415–$1,000
The Mauna Lani Bay, 343 rooms, $395–4,655
Fairmont Orchid, 538 rooms, $292–$3,900
Hilton Waikoloa, 1,242 roomss, $219–$1,199
Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort and Spa, 555 rooms, $385–$2,00
Kona Village Resort, 125 hales, $349–$1,280
Four Seasons Hualalai, 243 rooms, $625–$12,595

Belvedere residents Kim and Joe Root recently returned from a three-year stint of living on the Big Island, where their son, Brody, was able to enjoy his barefoot toddler years playing in the sand. Joe was the director of golf for five years at the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel and is now working on a new golf/residential project called Kohanaiki on the Kona Coast. Kim recalls their sunny sojourn.

Romance, Relaxation and Rejuvenation - Perfect for HoneyLuna honeymooners!

2011-02-24T11:57:00.000-08:00

Are you looking for the perfect honeymoon with lots of romance? Check out some of these spectacular options through Apple Vacations to help you have the honeymoon of your dreams! If you'd like to speak to a HoneyLuna honeymoon specialist at Apple, please call 877-322-1097