Should You Consider Using A Travel Agent To Plan Your Honeymoon?
Organizing a vacation of any kind from the ground up is often stressful, to say the least. The pressure is even more magnified when you're arranging a honeymoon — aka that one trip that is supposed to be among the best vacations you'll ever take in your life. Because the stakes are high, you may want to consider enlisting the help of a travel agent.
Now that technology has advanced enough that an AI-powered chatbot can plan an entire trip with just a few clicks, the idea of working with a travel agent might seem outdated and unnecessarily costly. But their personal touch can spell the difference between a subpar honeymoon and a trip you'll keep reminiscing about for years. Victoria Fricke, owner of travel agency Vic's Vacations, exclusively told Islands that with a travel agent, you're essentially partnering with an expert who is committed to realizing your dream vacation, even if you're still figuring out what that dream looks like.
"The benefits are endless when choosing to work with a travel agent to plan your honeymoon, but the biggest one would be to guide you to the right resort and or destination," Fricke explained, noting that an agent can help you dodge misleading information available online. "The internet is riddled with inaccuracies and deceiving photos. If a pristine beach is the most important part of your wish list, a seasoned travel agent can ensure you go to the resort that offers that... not the one with photoshopped photos implying one."
A travel agent can help troubleshoot issues during (and after!) planning
Planning a milestone trip like a honeymoon is no easy feat, but with a travel agent, you can rest assured that you have someone to rely on should complications arise at any point in both the planning phase and the vacation itself. Victoria Fricke explained to Islands that this is possible because agents have a global network of connections, allowing them to provide unparalleled assistance. "The hidden secret sauce is that we have relationships on property and with the brands we book with to ensure should you need support prior to or during your trip, we can help you in a way a 1-800 number can't," she said. As a bonus, their wide network nets you access to deals you won't be able to find elsewhere.
Speaking of discounts, Fricke noted that even if you choose to buy a honeymoon packaged trip that includes everything from flights to travel insurance, a travel agent can still prove invaluable, as they can save you from falling victim to shiny deals that don't offer the best bang for your buck. "A travel agent is imperative to ensuring you pick the right package," she shared. "Sure, you may find a great deal for a package to the Maldives, but if you don't have a travel agent to help you understand the difference between all-inclusive and half board, you might book a package that leaves many elements not included in the package such as dinners and alcohol."
Reach out to an agent sooner rather than later
While a travel agent can significantly ease the stress of honeymoon planning, it doesn't mean that they can organize a trip on such short notice. It's best to reach out to them and plan your honeymoon well in advance so they can properly assist you in crafting a trip that fulfills all your specifications and adheres to your budget.
"Most of our clients reach out 6 months to a year prior to travel, which works great for many destinations," Victoria Fricke told Islands, adding that you ought to add more leeway if you want to head on your honeymoon during busy travel times like Christmas and spring break. "Some hotels can be booked as far as 3 years out, while others are 1 year. The earlier you reach out to your travel advisor the earlier you can get a full picture of if your budget is realistic, what you should be saving to get your dream honeymoon, and if they have any suggestions on when/how to book what you want."
But at the end of the day, a travel agent is not there to dictate how you want your trip to be; they're a valuable resource if you want a seamless honeymoon experience. "A travel advisor is there to do just that... advise," Fricke continued. "We travel throughout the year and all over the world to ensure our first-hand knowledge can lead our clients to their dream trip."