cleo22

We are planning on going to Maldives next September from SF for our honeymoon. We are not finding many flights or they are really expensive. Can anyone share their experiences?

We are considering staying at Soneva Gili. Feedback?

Thanks

rhkkmk

everything about the maldives is expensive so i guess flights should be too....try getting something from k/l on malaysian or from bangkok

Lindsey

Singapore Airlines has a direct non-stop to the Maldives. For that routing, last Nov we paid approx. $US420 RT. there are lots of good deals between the US and singapore now. Might be cheaper to buy two separate RT tickets.

tarocake

Hi Cleo22,

greetings from SF also! I've been to the Maldives twice (one from KL and once from Singapore). quite a long flight from SFO. yes, it might be cheaper to buy 2 tickets seperately, either to KL or singapore and then from there to MLE.

thx

kiki13

Soneva Gili is prob. one of the best (if not the best resort there) so feedback is hardly needed I'm sure it will be heaven!
Once you arrive they whisk you away to the resort by speed boat, so no need to stay on Male overnight like most do.

You can fly from SFO-SIN on Singapore Airlines and then SIN-MLE is a 5 hr direct flt. Flights to the Maldives run everyday on SIA.
You can look at SIA site and see the rates for SFO-SIN and SIN-MLE.

Can also fly SFO-KUL on Malaysian Air, but their only service from KUL-MLE is Wed. and Sat. I have found them to be cheaper than SIA though.
Malaysia Air website is useless...you'll have to call for prices.

There are NO cheap tickets to the Maldives.Least you can expect to pay is between 1200-1500$ pp for economy class.
Now add in 500-1000$ (room cost) per night w/out food/transfer/extras for Soneva Gili.

And sign up for Mileage points if you have'nt already, it's a long flight!

Good luck planning.

cleo22

Tarocake and kiki13-

Thanks for your help. I think we are going to buy two seperate tickets flying on united (using our ff miles)to Singapore and then buying another ticket to MLE.

Do you think it's too much to spend 12 days on one island? We are considering Soneva Gili and maybe another resort.

Ericka

There are so many fabulous islands/resorts in the Maldives. If I have 12 days, you could easily do 2 resorts. Also, each resort/island is different - some have great house reefs for snorkeling, some have great restaurants, some have great accomodations. Decide what things most interest you and take it from there.
In your price range, you might also want to consider the Four Seasons (and their Island Explorer yacht) or the Banyan Tree.

Are you aware that September is part of the rainy season in the Maldives? My husband and I are considering a trip to the Four Seasons Malidves between September - December of '04, but have been frightened off by the weather. What are your thoughts? What has your research found?

cleo22

Yes, i did hear that it will be the beginning of their rainy season. But, i also heard that it will rain only in the afternoon for a few hours. I haven't been able to find too much on the weather, but i've been trying to monitor it on weather.com to see what the pattern is for this month. If i find out more information i will post.

kiki13

Well good, you have FF miles...smart to use them for this trip since Maldives is soooo far from U.S

I spent 2 wks in Maldives for my honey moon at Soneva Fushi in 2000 and 1 wk at Kanuhura 2002.
2 wks was almost to much time...at least at 1 island.

Are you prepared to relax, relax and then relax some more?
It can get boring unless you're totally into reading,water sports ,sunning and well... eating.
But since this is your honeymoon you might stay "busy" w/ other things.

Do stay on 2 islands.
Those I mentioned are 5* and wonderful. Banyan Tree,Angsana or Cocoa Island as well as some others look very nice.

If you stay at Soneva Fushi (very private!)you may get good deal on rooms since you want to stay at sister resort Gili. Look into it by contacting the resort directly to ask.
It's your honeymoon so be sure to tell them that.They will provide things like upgrades or special goodies like free island picnic etc...
If you want the full low down on Soneva F. or Kanuhura let me know.

kiki13

I was just thinking...if money is no object for your honeymoon, then you might also consider some of these.

North Island-Seychelles
Fregate Island-Seychelles
Banyan Tree-Seychelles
Turtle Island -Fiji

In my opinion these make the resorts in the Maldives pale in comparison.

I love the Maldives, but if we'd had the the funds, I would have stayed at one of the above. Ultimate in luxury.

cleo22

kiki13-

Thanks for the recommendations. What month did you go to the Maldives?

We are looking into the Four Seasons, and the Soneva Fushi as well, But, i'll check out the other resorts as well.Anything you can share about Soneva Fishi and Kanuhura would be appreciated.

We are considering Turtle Island--it still may be an option. We change our minds ever day.

If we go to Africa, we are looking into Zanzibar. But, the packages were way out of our price range--it would costs us about $5000 for just getting over there. Mnemba Island Lodge looks amazing.

kiki13

hi,
We were in the maldives may/june 2000 and july2002. Weather was perfect both times.
We have a friend who has worked there as a scuba instructor so I'll tell you what she told me.
The weather can be unpredictible anytime.
She said: In April (great time go) it rained all month one year. And one month in rainy season it was sunny every day.
What can ya do?
I loved Soneva Fushi. I guess I'd say it's rustic luxury and very private.
But, I enjoyed Kanuhura better. Not so rustic and just little touches that made it nicer.Especially the huge open air bathroom-very cool. (Kanuhura has TV/vcr when you get tired of reading , soneva only videos to rent...no cable tv) Both islands are big, both great beaches.
I think Kanuhura's prices are better too.

Turtle Island would be wonderful. They have a special on their site for free flights from Cali. w/ room booking. Something to think about, and not as far to travel.
Could always do Maldives later w/ miles.
Ahh Africa...yes that's one we def. want to do.

cleo22

Kiki13, thanks for all your insight. I'll let you know what we decide. Thanks again.

JamesA

Try this site for cheap flights from SIN and KL to Maldives

http://www.airfares.com.sg. You could check for packages including resort, might be cheaper! Then use SIA or Malaysia Airlines from SFO.

If you have the time, there are charters from Amsterdam and package trips, flight/transfers/accommodation from Amsterdam. All Dutch travel agents know excellent English so it might be worth a try to check out what is on offer. Then get a cheap flight to AMS.

JamesA

A totally different option for that time of year could be somewhere like the Santiburi resort on Koh Samui Thailand, not the remoteness of the Maldives but still a great Honeymoon place and you get the chance to see and do plenty as well. Flights to Bangkok are reasonable in price, maybe an idea.