I need help finding a nice, romantic and interesting place for my honeymoon next May on a budget of about $3000. I was thinking of maybe a cruise but everything I've been quoted from a travel agent (UGH!!) has been over my $3K budget. Is this possible to take a cruise for under $3K after taxes/tips, excursions, etc?

What are some other places that we may both enjoy and not break my bank? The travel agent wasn't very helpful in suggesting anything on that budget.

We live in Dallas, are in our mid-20's, and want to get out of the state. We don't necessarily need a "warm" vacation spot. Just someplace that has something other to do than hang out in the hotel room (not that we won't do some of that).

Thanks for you help!

Sounds like an EASY request if you ask me! I travel often to the Caribbean and always find specials in that price range. Go to www.applevacations.com and look at speials from your city. I usually find speials from Chicago to aruba and Jamaica and Bahamas under $1200 person. These include airfare and a lot of the resorts are all-inclusive with meals tips and drinks. You only pay extra for day long tours you may wish to take. I personally LOVE all-inlusives for a honeymoon especially when you have a budget. You know the price up front, no surprises, don't have to carry around cash and don't spend so much the first few days that you can only afford peanut butter or McDonald's for the last! Also try www.funjet.com and my personal favorite www.airjamaicavacations.com, they have some great speials to St. Lucia!

Scott: There are plenty of 1 week cruises you can take for $3000. Under no circumstances pay the brochure rate, many are discounted between 25% and 60%. If you're young and looking for a fun time try the Carnival line, they are the largest and most agressive in discounting. As a general rule the older the ship the cheaper the cruise. Also the biggest discounts are offered in the Caribbean since there is so much competition. Try some of the cruise discounters on the web or in the local newpapers. I've have used cruise411.com and have been very pleased with the prices quoted. Also check the fodors cruise forum for lots of cruise ideas and pricing and consider posting your message there. Let us know how you make out.

Puerto Vallarta. Great "bang for your buck." Airfares from Dallas should be reasonable.

I recommend going to one of the adults-only all-inclusive resorts in Cancun. The Aventura Palace and El Dorado come to mind. AP even has jacuzzi tubs in the rooms! From Dallas, you should definitely be able to do a week for under $3000, including airfare. Check the Dallas Morning News on Sunday for specials through Adventure Travel and Fun Jet.

That's one reason I have so little use for travel agents, Scott.
If you're on a budget they'll ignore you or screw you since they often get paid based on how much you spend.

Lots of good advice above.
I'd actually avoid cruises over 3-4 days at that rate because for a honeymoon you might not feel like the quality is up to your hopes/expectations.

What about the Rockies...Aspen, the St. Regis hotel, etc.?

Martha's Vineyard is still somewhat cool at that time but can be a very romantic, secluded feeling place if you choose your accommodations well.

Santa Barbara would be a very nice choice.

Aruba can be pretty cheap with air/hotel packages.

Cayman is a great choice if you can find a package deal.

Watch out on cruises, you can still rack up the extras. No drinks are included. We ended up with a $500 bar bill at the end! (This included soft drinks and the VERY overpriced mixed drinks on cruises) Furthermore, most require $12/day for each person for tipping. Some of the new ships also charge extra for specialty restaurants whicch are reservation only also the pizzeria and ice cream shops, not inluded in regular price. I think all-inlusive is the way to go with a budget. Cancun is a good budget destination. We went to the Moon Palace for 4 days last year for only $750/person including airfare from Memphis. I will say that I prefer the Caribbean over Cancun and the rest of Mexico though.

Shoot, two of us went to Paris for 12 days for $3000 in December. Think Europe! You can find lots of suggestions on the Europe Travel Talk.

Hi Scott,
Congratulations on your upcoming marriage! You've had some interesting suggestions already, and I'd like to add to the list. As an old married person (26 years), my advice would be not to go to the usual honeymoon places, but take advantage of your youth and sense of adventure. How about the wine country in California? May would be before the busy season, and it's someplace you won't go when(if) you have children. I'm sure you could find some packages, and I think a hot air balloon ride is just about as romantic as it gets...Cruises are okay, IMHO, but you can never feel alone on those ships. I'd suggest making it as special as possible, even if the costs require you to cut a couple of days off your trip. Please write back and let us know what you decide! Good luck!

Scott, since you're not zeroing on in a warm place, you have a multitude of options for under $3,000. Depending on what you consider romantic (my husband thought the Soviet Union was romantic and I have to tell you I had a fabulous time), you can easily go to Europe as May is still shoulder season and cheaper than the summer months(Paris is a snap to do under $3000 in May, really most anywhere in Europe)or even to somewhere more exotic like the Far East or Morocco.

I have to agree with the poster who said that cruises aren't particularly romantic. Lots of people all the time, small cabins (at least they would be for under $3000), eating meals with other people.

Good luck and congratulations!

OK if I could do it all again..

My faviourite place is Carmel - I could'nt afford to stay at the best inn - but there were nice restaurants, and lots of things to do..

OK you may have been there before, but I think it's a great place for romancing - Though around May time not sure about the weather?

Things to do site
http://www.carmel-california.com/

Looks like a classy hotel (but never been)
http://www.ticklepink.com/rooms.htm

Interesting homes
http://www.carmelwalks.com/