For many of us, traveling with your spouse/fiance(e)/girlfriend/boyfriend is a big step in a relationship, and there are few trips as life-changing as a honeymoon. Amidst the excitement of wedding planning, couples don’t often consider the potential challenges that may arise before and during their honeymoon. Here are some tips on how to travel with your soon-to-be spouse and what to consider when planning your honeymoon to make sure you return from your trip still happily married.
Anticipating Issues
A variety of issues can cause tension between couples before and during a trip:
Different Travel Styles: One likes to be on the go while the other wants relaxation; one likes cruises and the other doesn’t.
Different Experience Levels in Traveling: One is well-traveled and the other has no idea what to expect in the security line at the airport.
Different Expectations: Who is responsible for logistics, reservations, etc. Discussing these issues prior to traveling can contribute to a more enjoyable honeymoon.
During the planning process, it’s important to communicate with each other to minimize the stress that comes with traveling to a new place. Talk about previous trips you’ve taken and what you liked or didn’t like about it. If one person is well-traveled and it’s the other person’s first time on a plane, be sure to figure out a game plan of getting to the airport on time and going through security.
Have the basic logistics figured out such as accommodations, airport transfers, and rail tickets. Being in a new place is stressful enough without needing to figure out these items on the spot. You don’t need to have a detailed itinerary ready, but at least have some form of structure so that you can free up some brain space to enjoy each other.
Delegate duties and responsibilities, who will handle the documents, who will handle the navigating, and who will bring the snacks. As with many things in marriage, find a compromise if neither of you can completely agree. For example, one of you may want to go on a cruise but the other doesn’t want to spend so much time on a mega-ship. Perhaps look into something like a river cruise or small ship cruise that combines both a cruising experience with a more port-intensive itinerary.
One of the best ways to make sure you are covering all your bases for your honeymoon and future travels together is to work with a honeymoon planner or travel advisor. They will know the right questions to ask, including the ones most people won’t even think to consider. Travel advisors work with couples and families with different tastes all the time and can give you expert opinions and unbiased advice. In addition, they can handle the important travel details for you so that you can simply enjoy each other.
About the Author:
Theresa Chu-Bermudez, owner of Get Out! Custom Travels is a Central Florida-based travel advisor who specializes in custom honeymoon experiences for couples.
