My finace &amp; I are trying to plan our honeymoon for the month of September 03. I realize that we will be honeymooning during hurricane season but our wedding date is already set &amp; we would like to go on our honeymoon immediately following our wedding. <BR>We are looking for a destination that is romantic, hurricane-free, that has a relatively short total traveling time from Chicago, has beautiful beaches, sightseeing, and a great nightlife!! <BR><BR>We are also looking for luxury-like accomodations (w/o the luxury pricetag/that will not break the bank- we would like to spend at/around $3,000) - all-inclusive preferably. My fiance are both in our late 20's &amp; just looking to have a good time wherever we go!!<BR><BR>We've already been to Jamaica twice (Montego Bay &amp; Ochos Rios) &amp; although many have recommeded Cancun we both really have no desire to go there. My fiance's top three choices are 1. the U.S. Virgin Islands, 2. the Bahamas, &amp; 3. Jamaica again. I was thinking about Aruba, St. Thomas, &amp; I have also been told that Punta Cana. D.R. is beautiful as well. <BR><BR>If anyone has some good recommendations, please pass them on we are a bit stuck &amp; want to get our trip booked ASAP.<BR><BR>Thank you,<BR><BR>Myra

I don't understand why so many people post &quot;I want luxury-like accommodations w/o the luxury pricetag&quot;. Sorry to tell you, the majority of the time you get what you pay for.<BR><BR>Aruba sounds like a good spot for you. This will keep you out of the hurricane belt. Going to Jamaica will have you stressed out. I honeymooned the first week in October, and a week before we were ready to leave I was completely stressed out because there were tropical storms/hurricanes everywhere! We honeymooned in Antigua, so we ended up being alright but I was thankful I was further south.<BR><BR>Good luck and congrats!

Thanks for the recommendation. It certainly is not that we do not want to splurge on our honeymoon,it is just that we can not due to the fact that we will be footing 1/2 of our wedding bill. <BR>However, I realize how silly the &quot;luxury-like accomodations w/o the luxury pricetag&quot; may be, how unrealistic it really is, &amp; that you most certainly get what you pay for so I guess perhaps a better question would have been asking for recommendations on moderately priced accomodations on any of the recommended islands. Perhaps THAT is too much to ask for but I do believe that is most certainly obtainable but will take a bit of shopping around. Perhaps we just won't be going the luxury-route this go round but I am pretty sure we will make the best of our honeymoon wherever we go/stay. ;o)<BR><BR>Thank you,<BR><BR>Myra

Hmmm, how long of a honeymoon were you looking for? Couples Resorts (Negril), is pricy, but all inclusive, with lots of stuff to do around the resort, not too happening on the night life though...you would have to venture out for that. But you may be able to get something for about $3,000.00 for 5 nights , six days.

Amy, that is EXACTLY what we are looking for as far as the duration of our stay- 5 nights, 6 days I believe that is about all our budget will afford us.<BR><BR>Thanks,

Also remember it is off season due to the hurricane possibility. I would think Aruba would be a good choice since it does put you out of the belt. <BR>You could also try a cruise. They usually try and avoid them at all cost. Sail around them. For $3,000 you could do quite well on a cruise. Just a thought. Good luck.

Myra, you could also try one of the nice smaller hotels. For example, Negril, JA has some really nice small hotels such as Charela, CocoLaPalm, etc. Actually, I did my wedding at Charela few years ago.

I would normally vote the bahamas, I was married there and we loved the island. Especially the nightlife! Although, I have never been to aruba you should check it out, a hurricane is the last thing you want to worry about, plan somewhere you wont have to worry, weddings are enough! Congats and good luck!

Yes, you should be able to get something for around that price at Couples Negril, it is a fantastic place, and couples only, so it is quite romantic. True, it is hurrican season, but from what I know, their rainiest months are May, October and November. You never know what you will get there, but it is still beautiful. We had one day that it sprinkled for a bit, but more of a sun shower, you will usually find the best sun early in the morning. If you want to be out of that hurrican belt, I heard Aruba isn't affected by them, but then again I think some resorts offer &quot;hurricane insurance&quot;, if you were for some reason to experience a hurricane while there. Let me know if u want to know anything else

MYRA- forgot to ask, where will u be flying out of? that makes a difference too!

We'll be flying out of Chicago-Ohare (ORD).

Okay, you can get a trip for about $2,600.00-2,700.00 for BOTH, check out their website and the pics, go to Couples.com, and click on Couples Negril, the resort is even better than the pics, and the rooms are EXACTLY as pictured! Anything else let me know, and congrats!

I appreciate everyone's feedback!! ;o)<BR><BR>Thank you,

Myra,<BR><BR>I do not know if this has been suggested since I only read half the posts but what about Grand Lido NEgril? The price is about the same as Couples and Sandals but the atmosphere is more luxurious and pampering. Grand Lido has been voted one of the best resorts many years running. The beach is beautiful, they have a wonderful yacht for sunset cruises (use to belong to Princess Grace and Prince Rainer), first class dining and service, very spacious rooms and just a beautiful resort.<BR><BR>In general too, Jamaica is going to let your dollar stretch further and Negril is the best side of the island - awesome sunsets, calmer waters.<BR><BR>Couples too, from what I have heard of the resort, is a good suggestion. You could also look at Sandals Ocho Rios. While the rooms are not the luxury grand (!), the resort is incredibley beautiful and romantic. <BR><BR>For resorts in Jamaica, as well, look on the web for good deals. You should be able to find a price that is far lower then going through a traditional travel agent. I do have sites that we have used so if youneed a heads up, just email me and I would be happy to pass onthe sites.<BR><BR>Where ever you pick, have a wonderful honeymoon!!<BR><BR>Penney

You are on a limited budget but you should also consider the weather and since it's your honeymoon I would suggest you try the Reefs in Bermuda or head for Aruba. <BR>The Wyndham in Aruba is a very nice hotel--we just came back--they have large rooms and a great beach. You will be walking distance to many restaurants and to other hotels so all inclusive is not necessary. We called the hotel directly for a special package so you might try that--website online. For that special dinner the onsite restaurant Pago, Pago is really nice. <BR>You can access different forums and get information online by typing out &quot;Aruba&quot; in Google or Lycos. <BR>Best wishes.<BR>

Forgot to mention that there is an all inclusive plan at the Wyndham and the restaurants are excellent. You will have a choice of five restaurants. Greenhouse for breakfast. Outside restaurant for lunch by beach. Inside are Pago, Pago (steaks, fish etc.), Cafe Baci (Italian) and Blossoms (Chinese and Japanese). Also a few island shows during the week thats included. You will also be allowed to dine off property 2 nights--choose from a list of restaurants.

In my opinion, the Bahamas WILL break the bank. Jamaica is nice, but for weather-related peace of mind, I would choose Aruba.

As one who was married in September, you've picked a difficult month as you already know. My first suggestion would be to avoid the mid and upper Caribbean and Bermuda just to take the stress factor out of an already stressful time. If you're stuck on the Caribbean, try the ABC islands - Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao and also Grenada and Barbados. These islands are generally far enough South that they miss most (certainly not all) of the hurricane action. I'm partial to Grenada and Barbados but suggest you do some research on both before considering either.<BR><BR>Second suggestion - seriously consider a cruise. If you plan on spending as much as $3000. you can do an awesome cruise and the captains know where the storms are and do their utmost to avoid them. With all that's been going on in the cruise world of late there have to be some incredible deals for cruising and it will give you experience with multiple islands. PS - on your honeymoon - treat yourself well and if there are balcony suites available on your boat - book one. They are awesome - you can actually sail with your slider open and get the full benefit on the evening breezes, etc. It's also a little more pampering and on your honeymoon you deserve it.<BR><BR>

My fiance and I are also planning a Sept. '03 wedding, so we are in the same boat, quite possibly literally! We are leaning toward Negril Jamaica, but also share the same hurricane concerns that you mentioned. Our travel agent said that the west coast (Negril area) is much less likely to be affected by weather/hurricane than the rest of the island, so we may take a chance there. We are looking at Negril Cabins...<BR><BR>This past December we went on an 11 day cruise that stopped in Aruba, and we decided that we wanted to honeymoon there, based on its location and climate. However, it became obvious early that it was out of our price range, so we will probably take our chances in Negril. We too are financing a large portion of our wedding, as well as the honeymoon, and are trying to come back with something still in the bank!<BR><BR>As mentioned in some of the other replies, a cruise is a good option, providing variety, luxury and sanctuary from the weather. <BR><BR>Good luck in your planning, let's share a drink at the swim-up bar!