The Answer Nobody Wants to Give You
A honeymoon costs whatever you decide to spend — and the range is enormous. We have planned honeymoons for $3,000 total and honeymoons for $30,000. Both couples came home happy. The question is not what the right number is — it is what is realistic for your priorities and what the money actually buys at each level.
Budget Level 1 — $2,000 to $4,000 Total for Two
What this looks like: 5 nights at Hyatt Ziva Cancún or Sandals Negril in a standard room, flights from Orlando included, all-inclusive.
What you get: A genuinely beautiful resort, all food and drinks included, pool and beach access, entertainment. The experience is excellent — this is not a budget compromise, it is smart allocation.
Where the money goes: Mostly the base room rate. Leaves very little for excursions or upgrades.
Budget Level 2 — $4,000 to $8,000 Total for Two
What this looks like: 7 nights at Excellence Playa Mujeres or Sandals Negril, balcony or junior suite room, flights included.
What you get: A luxury all-inclusive experience with a private balcony or swim-out suite, multiple dining venues, full spa access, and budget remaining for one or two excursions and a specialty dinner.
Typical breakdown:
- Resort package (7 nights, balcony): $2,800 to $4,500 for two
- Flights from Orlando: $400 to $800 for two
- Excursions (1 to 2 experiences): $200 to $400
- Spa treatment: $150 to $300
- Gratuities and miscellaneous: $200 to $400
This is the sweet spot for most couples — genuine luxury without financial stress.
Budget Level 3 — $8,000 to $15,000 Total for Two
What this looks like: 7 to 10 nights at Sandals Royal Barbados in a butler suite, or Excellence Playa Mujeres in a master suite, or a combined Caribbean plus European itinerary.
What you get: The top tier of the all-inclusive experience — butler service, priority reservations, upgraded room category, multiple specialty dinners, spa treatments, and one or two premium excursions.
Where to spend it: The biggest upgrade at this level is the room category — going from a standard suite to a butler suite or overwater bungalow. The experience shift is significant.
Budget Level 4 — $15,000 and Above
What this looks like: Sandals Royal Barbados overwater bungalow (7 nights), Maldives overwater villa, multi-destination European honeymoon, or a luxury Mediterranean cruise in a suite.
What you get: The best of everything — complete privacy, extraordinary settings, bespoke experiences. Overwater bungalows, private beach dinners, helicopter excursions.
Where to Splurge vs. Save
Always worth the upgrade
- Balcony or suite over standard room — the private outdoor space changes the experience at every resort. Do not skip this
- One specialty dining experience — a private beach dinner or chef's table is a memory that lasts longer than almost anything else
- Travel insurance — non-negotiable. If something goes wrong with $5,000 in non-refundable deposits, you want to be covered
Where to save intelligently
- Excursions every single day — one or two exceptional experiences beat five mediocre ones every time
- Upgrading flights when the destination is short — Cancún from Orlando is a 2-hour flight. Business class upgrades rarely make sense for short hauls
- Premium drinks packages at moderate-drinking resorts — do the math first. Packages only pay off above a certain daily consumption threshold
What Your Travel Agent Costs You
Nothing. Tina is compensated by the resort when you book — meaning her full planning service, resort knowledge, room placement expertise, and ongoing support costs you the same as booking direct. The difference is you get a specialist advocating for your best experience rather than a resort call center rep whose goal is to fill rooms at the highest available rate.