Very inexpensive honeymoon, would you take it?

[SarahLovesJS]

So some of FI''s family is talking about helping out with the honeymoon as a gift. Right now we''ve booked the Cancun Ritz (I''ve never stayed at a Ritz before I admit

) and we haven''t bought plane tickets yet. We''ve both really wanted to go to Hawaii, but did not want to go into crazy debt to do it and we want to hold on to most of our cash left after the wedding for savings and whatnot..so we settled on a few days in Mexico. Well, FI''s family is offering for us to use one of their timeshare networks for a week oceanfront in Maui and for them to pay for the flight. I think it sounds great and I am so excited/grateful that they would give us such a wonderful gift! However..I like to have control over my trips and whatnot and I am a bit nervous. Anyway, would you take the trip? I definitely like I said feel very grateful that they would do this. I''m still waiting for the list of hotels/condos available so we haven''t 100% committed or anything and we can cancel our Mexico reservations until at least a month out.

 

[cocolaw]

As far as trips are concerned (for me), the location is important, but so is the hotel. You will be in a warm and exotic place with either location. Granted I have never been to Hawaii, but I would pick Cancun only because it would mean being spoiled and pampered at the Ritz (have stayed in these . This is a very personal choice though! If your hotel options are great with the timeshare, then that''s a good option too. I just wouldn''t want to have my honeymoon in a condo or anything...I think part of the fun is the luxury aspect! Again, just what I would do!!

 

[katamari]

Would they let you help select the location if there ended up being options? That might help you feel more in control. Also, Hawaii (at least in my option) is generally more beautiful and gives you more options of things to do than just lay around on the beach than does Mexico (unless you were planning on renting a car while you were in Cancun). And, the Ritz might be nice, but staying in a nice hotel never makes a vacation or the memories associated with it. It is what you do when you are not in the hotel that is memorable. Plus, with a timeshare you could do things like have lunch or a bottle of wine at home instead of eating out every meal and use your saved money there to have nicer dinners.

I would absolutely take this offer. If they hadn''t wanted you to take it, they wouldn''t have offered. It sounds like one heck of a wedding gift to me!

 

[blondebunny]

I would take the free trip.. you cannot beat that.. and you can ALWAYS go to Mexico again...and you may never get the opportunity to go to Maui for free again.... seriously.. take the free offer..... lol

I mean you would save money, and have a blast there... My parents have a timeshare and it was at hotel.. Not sure how they are everywhere or what your FI''s parents have.. but I mean it cant be that bad.. and how much would you reallly be in the hotel room?? Im sure you are going to be on the beach and out exploring..

 

[Loves Vintage]

Maui!!! No question.

You mentioned that you both really wanted to go to Hawaii and now you can! And for a week as opposed to just a few days in Mexico!

Sometimes things just work out, even when you least expect it.

**AND**, since you''ll have a week at the timeshare, if you want, you can always book a room at a hotel of your choice (maybe on another island, I don''t know, I''ve never been) so you can still have fun planning where you''ll stay for those additional days AND your HM will be even longer!!!!!

I''m sure the timeshare accommodations are lovely too!

 

[BigDiamonds]

What a generous gift!

That would be very hard to pass up. However, as someone who has recently gone through a "favor" debacle, let me just add something for you to think about: when someone is doing you a favor, you lose a LOT of control. In this case, it may mean that you won''t have your choice of flights, your ideal hotel, your desired dates, etc. If you''re flexible on those types of things and you won''t be bothered by them, then by all means take them up on a great offer! But if you want to have control over every little detail (that''s me

), then definitely think about whether you will still be happy if your honeymoon isn''t exactly what you had in mind. Of course, there is a very good chance that it will be perfect and wonderful and a great deal...just weigh your options.

 

[Tuckins1]

Take it!!! We did the same ting for our honeymoon... My parents gave us their time share for 2 weeks in Mexico (We stayed at 2 different resorts) and his parents bought us our airfare, so we just had to pay for incidentals. What were you referring to when you said you "like to be in control" of your vacations? Did you mean the other people paying for stuff thing, or the time-share thing? Because when we were at the time share (both of them), we didn't HAVE to do anything. We were free to do whatever, whenever!

ETA- I have been to both Cancun and Maui... Take MAUI!!!!!!

 

[rockzilla]

I am not a maui expert, but I have stayed at the cancun ritz and I will say that it is PHENOMENAL - the best service, so beautiful, best hotel I have have been to. Cancun itself was not amazing, but we did take a day trip to chitchen iza which was really interesting and educational.

Probably doesn''t make your decision any easier, but hopefully gives you another data point...

 

[Bliss]

Oh, how WONDERFUL!!!!!

I would go to Maui in a HEARTBEAT! There is something very very magical about Hawaii. And Maui is the perfect introductory island... there is SO much to do and you also have the unspeakably gorgeous beauty as well. You will never ever forget it for the rest of your life - some people start weeping spontaneously when they first see Hawaii. Others just return home to pack up everything they own and go live there. It is that magical.

A timeshare would be fantastic! You would rent a car and have freedom to roam anywhere you want... do whatever you want. You could go out to eat, cook there... bring delicious food back home... sounds like a win-win for you!

We just got back from Kauai and already I am planning next year's trip! There are always specials to Cancun year 'round...whenever you feel like it you can go. But the timeshare and the SPECIAL MAGIC of a honeymoon -- HAWAII, BABY!!!!!!! Go to Hawaii!!!!!!

It will have special magic for you forever. That's how the magic of Hawaii works! LOL. I should be a freaking travel agent. But it's special to us so maybe I'm biased!

 

[iheartscience]

I would totally go for it!

 

[KatyWI]

As a bride to be with very little cash flow and a very desperate desire for a honeymoon of her very own, TAKE THE FREE ONE! Especially in Hawaii! I dreeeeam of Hawaii!!!

 

[marchswallowbird]

Go, go, go, Hawaii is beautiful, ESPECIALLY Maui, ESPECIALLY for free!

There is so much to do on Maui that you probably won''t spend that much time in the timeshare anyway, so who cares if it''s not a luxury hotel? During the day you will be snorkeling and seeing the sights (there are LOTS of them) or hanging out on the beach. At night there are fabulous restaurants, sunset cocktail cruises with dancing on board, where you might have a close encounter with a humpback (I did!!), and hot clubs in Lahaina (at least last time I was there).

 

[PilsnPinkysMom]

Get some additional details on the timeshare & area, and if you like it, TAKE IT!

We''ve actually been given the same wedding gift by FI''s uncle/our officiant... We''re thrilled & I hope you are, too! What an awesome opportunity!

 

[Guilty Pleasure]

Take the trip to Maui for sure. As someone else said, you can always spend a night or two in a five star. Here''s an option - spend a night or two in a fabulous hotel in whatever city you are located, and then leave for the honeymoon and stay at the timeshare. FI and I are planning on staying at a really romantic winery the night of our wedding and then flying to Greece later in the week. (that''s the hope anyway!) I''ll be glad to get a minute to breathe between the wedding and honeymoon.

 

[kittybean]

Take the Maui trip! What an amazing opportunity to go to a magical, unbelievably beautiful place you wanted to visit, AND to save a little money! I would go in a heartbeat, even if it meant I didn''t have full control over the vacation. There is so much to do on Maui, and you can spend your cash on amazing stuff like helicopter trips, sunset cruises, wonderful dinners, renting a fun convertible, snorkel expeditions, and lovely Hawaiian jewelry. Hawaii is such a romantic place--perfect for your honeymoon.

 

[honey22]

Take the trip, for two reasons. It''s a free honeymoon in a great location. And two, they have graciously offered you this generoud gift, it would be a little rude to knock it back. So, it''s a win win situation.! Enjoy your honeymoon!!!!

 

[noelwr]

it would depend what the Maui timeshare looked like. does it have a nice pool, will it be overcrowded with old people and kids, how far is it from the beach, would it require renting a car to get around? I prefer luxury so I''d go for the hotel in Cancun. my vacations are also about NOT cooking and cleaning, which is why I''d prefer a hotel. even if you don''t use the kitchen I''d prefer not to see one my whole trip and I''d like someone to clean my bathroom and make my bed every day.

 

[galvana]

Date: 1/11/2009 5:23:34 AM
Author: noelwr
it would depend what the Maui timeshare looked like. does it have a nice pool, will it be overcrowded with old people and kids, how far is it from the beach, would it require renting a car to get around? I prefer luxury so I''d go for the hotel in Cancun. my vacations are also about NOT cooking and cleaning, which is why I''d prefer a hotel. even if you don''t use the kitchen I''d prefer not to see one my whole trip and I''d like someone to clean my bathroom and make my bed every day.

Wow this IS a tough one...........and I do agree a lot w/ this post here.
we have never been to Hawaii but have been to cancun and we LOVE it. we find there is a ton to do if you are staying on the strip. Most places you can walk to, and if its farther = take the city bus for 5 pesos, its easy.

Im wondering what FI and i would have done if we were in your same situation.
We would probably thoroughly research the Maiu timeshare options and find out exactly what we were dealing with and how many decisions could we make. I think that IF :
1) we found a timeshare we really liked enough and we could choose exactly where we stayed
and if we could choose
2) flight times and dates
then we might actually take mauii
i mean its free and what we (you) really wanted for the honeymoon.
right?

 

[CNOS128]

Oh, you MUST go to Maui! I went there for the first time a few months ago and even though I have a list of 50 other places I''d like so see, I''m dying to go back to Hawaii! It''s so unbelievably beautiful there...

 

[Haven]

Have you been to Cancun? If you have and you still want to go there for your honeymoon, then disregard what I''m about to say.

GO TO MAUI!!!! Cancun is not exactly a luxury destination, the hotel will be the nicest part of your stay. I love Mexico, don''t get me wrong, I''ve been there several times and visited several different locations. I would never go back to Cancun, but maybe it''s just not my type of place.

 

[meresal]

Didn't read the posts, sorry if I repeat...

If you've read any of my posts in the last week, you'll know that I HATE not being in control of my wants/needs. I'm not a fan of Cancun, but I AM a fan of the Ritz and a beach. Those hotels can make anywhere amazing.

With this said, Time shares (TS) usually mean you must fill them with your own food and make your own beds, and clean yourself. Not usually things I like on a vacation. Can you ask them if they will just give you the trip as a wedding present, and then use it later?? Also, I think I read that someone has TS's that were hotels; I would look into that. If there are some nice ones, then I would take them up on the Maui deal. However, I would be the first one to sit down and go over ALL the possibilities that could happen. Make sure they won't require that you take a 2 am flight, that you don't want to take, to save $200. Or require that you leaver a day early because the flight is cheaper. Ya know what I mean? I would put this all out there before you agree to take their very generous offer.

Best of luck!!

 

[musey]

Of course I would! Because:

1) It''s free.
2) Maui is AMAZING. (Coming from a self-confessed Hawaii addict)
3) You wanted to go to Hawaii in the first place, and Cancun was a band-aid option
4) Can we discuss the fact that it''s free again??


This seems like a no-brainer to me. It''s where you wanted to go originally but couldn''t because of the cost, and now you''re being offered your original dream honeymoon for free? Obviously even cheaper than your substitute option of Cancun.

C''mon, do you even need to ask??

 

[musey]

Also, with a such an INCREDIBLY generous offer from your future in-law family, how could you say no? What a kind, kind thing they are offering to do.

Say YES. Now, before they change their minds!

 

[lovesparklies]

This is a fabulous offer and I definitely think you should entertain it. However, I think you should do some more research before you commit to it. Timeshares can be hotels, condos, apartments, all kinds of things. Sometimes they''re nice and sometimes they''re not so great, or in a weird location or something. I can''t remember when your wedding is, but sometimes if you don''t book a timeshare a year or more in advance you end up with the "leftovers" that other people didn''t want.

That said, this is a super generous offer and Maui looks awesome -- I''m going there for my honeymoon too! -- so definitely check it out. In the end I think an acceptable place in Maui for a week *for free* vs. a few days at the Ritz in Mexico...definitely Maui.

 

[marchswallowbird]

FYI, a rental car is essential to get around on Maui, no matter where you are staying. But the island is small. Rent an inexpensive compact and you're good to go. I would go to Maui over Cancun in a heartbeat. Wouldn't even need to think about it.

Oh, and someone mentioned checking out what kind of pool the hotel has. To some people this is a consideration, but you have the BEAUTIFUL ocean and spectacular beaches right there!! To me, that beats a pool hands down every time.

 

[EricaR]

Maui. Don''t turn down a free trip! Save Mexico for your first anniversary.

 

[indecisive]

Date: 1/11/2009 1:24:37 PM
Author: meresal
Didn't read the posts, sorry if I repeat...

If you've read any of my posts in the last week, you'll know that I HATE not being in control of my wants/needs. I'm not a fan of Cancun, but I AM a fan of the Ritz and a beach. Those hotels can make anywhere amazing.

With this said, Time shares (TS) usually mean you must fill them with your own food and make your own beds, and clean yourself. Not usually things I like on a vacation. Can you ask them if they will just give you the trip as a wedding present, and then use it later?? Also, I think I read that someone has TS's that were hotels; I would look into that. If there are some nice ones, then I would take them up on the Maui deal. However, I would be the first one to sit down and go over ALL the possibilities that could happen. Make sure they won't require that you take a 2 am flight, that you don't want to take, to save $200. Or require that you leaver a day early because the flight is cheaper. Ya know what I mean? I would put this all out there before you agree to take their very generous offer.

Best of luck!!

Double check this with your in-laws because none of my families time shares are like this. I would def go to Maui if it were me. Cancun is very spring break so I would take the trip to Maui and then either pay for a night or two at a 5 star in Hawaii or a Ritz close to home with the Cancun budget. Then you get the best of both worlds. Virginia has some amazing b&bs (hubby and I love Poplar Springs Inn) Then you get a honeymoon and a min-moon!

"Make sure they won't require that you take a 2 am flight, that you don't want to take, to save $200. Or require that you leaver a day early because the flight is cheaper"

With that it is all priorities. DH and I went through 4 different countries and it took us 2 days there and back for our HM but it was SO worth it to us because our plane tickets were $50 instead of $1300 to Bali. Because of that we were able to spend more on luxuries while we were there and still had money to save for our house. I would never turn down a free trip though, so there is my perspective!

 

[Haven]

FYI--My family''s timeshares all have maid service, and they all come stocked with linens, kitchenware, etc. I would check on those details, too, before making the decision.

 

[pocahontas]

Okay, I''m so loving Musey right now

It''s like she''s in my brain. I would definitely accept the offer and run!

 

[sap483]

Another vote for Maui. I''ve been to both, and Maui is by far a better honeymoon destination. Cancun was fun to visit, however I wouldn''t consider it romantic (Playacar/Playa Del Carmen is a lot nicer and not to far from Cancun). Maui on the other hand was gorgeous, had some great restaurants, tons of things to see and do and none of the spring break crowd.

As for timeshares, my best friends parents own two or three timeshares and they''re all at nice places. For example when we were both in college both sets of parents decided to take a family vacation to Aruba the same week (coincidentally). Her parents used their time share and had this gorgeous 2 bed suite at the Mariott. I can''t remember if it was a JW Mariott or a Vacation Club, but either way it was gorgeous. So my advice would be wait to see what kind of timeshare they have. It may just surprise you!