Discussion
Looking to go here for our honeymoon around March next year.
Probably not the done thing to ask... but what's about the minimum spend I'm going to get away with for this destination for just flights and accommodation (say breakfast is the most that's included with the accommodation) for two weeks. No water villa requirements but it must be a decent standard. I guess I'd like to get it down to somewhere around £4/5k if possible, I've no idea at the moment how realistic that is.
What's the best way to book - any recommended travel agents or would I be better off booking flights and accommodation separately myself?
Any recommendations appreciated. TIA.
Probably not the done thing to ask... but what's about the minimum spend I'm going to get away with for this destination for just flights and accommodation (say breakfast is the most that's included with the accommodation) for two weeks. No water villa requirements but it must be a decent standard. I guess I'd like to get it down to somewhere around £4/5k if possible, I've no idea at the moment how realistic that is.
What's the best way to book - any recommended travel agents or would I be better off booking flights and accommodation separately myself?
Any recommendations appreciated. TIA.
Maldives is almost always cheaper to book as a package with an agent.
I'd recommend all inclusive as the cheapest option. You're a captive on the island, so it doesn't make sense to do it any other way.
Always recommend to budget £1k per person per week for a semi-decent place. Try and fly Emirates if possible, it doesn't help going Monarch to start a honeymoon!
I'd recommend all inclusive as the cheapest option. You're a captive on the island, so it doesn't make sense to do it any other way.
Always recommend to budget £1k per person per week for a semi-decent place. Try and fly Emirates if possible, it doesn't help going Monarch to start a honeymoon!
cs02rm0 said:
Looking to go here for our honeymoon around March next year.
Probably not the done thing to ask... but what's about the minimum spend I'm going to get away with for this destination for just flights and accommodation (say breakfast is the most that's included with the accommodation) for two weeks. No water villa requirements but it must be a decent standard. I guess I'd like to get it down to somewhere around £4/5k if possible, I've no idea at the moment how realistic that is.
What's the best way to book - any recommended travel agents or would I be better off booking flights and accommodation separately myself?
Any recommendations appreciated. TIA.
You should be able to get a decent all inclusive resort for that kind of money. If you do not go all inclusive, you will possibly break that budget as you the local prices for food and drink are high in a decent resort.Probably not the done thing to ask... but what's about the minimum spend I'm going to get away with for this destination for just flights and accommodation (say breakfast is the most that's included with the accommodation) for two weeks. No water villa requirements but it must be a decent standard. I guess I'd like to get it down to somewhere around £4/5k if possible, I've no idea at the moment how realistic that is.
What's the best way to book - any recommended travel agents or would I be better off booking flights and accommodation separately myself?
Any recommendations appreciated. TIA.
Royal Island resort http://www.royal-island.com/ is a tiny spa island with a 5* standard of accommodation - all water edge bungalows and good food / sports / pool facilities. The reef is full of fish in the shallows, and the big stuff (turtles, mantas etc) cruise around the reef edge further out. It is the only resort on the island - well it is only 400 x 200 yards. We went a couple of years ago, and it was exactly what we expected - pampered luxury on a paradise island - and not too many Brits either.
You can book it in many places. We booked through Thompson, flights were on new aircraft, seaplane flight to the island as its a way away from Male airport.
I reckon that you will struggle to get a fortnight there for 5k all inclusive, but should do a week. You might do a fortnight half board, but you will spend a fortune on everything else, running your budget closer to the 7-8k all inclusive figure that seems to be coming up on the Thompson website.
Frankly, a fortnight in the Maldives would be too much for me - there just isn't the variety of things to do, but if you like lazing around and watersports 24x7 (or other honeymoon activity
), then perhaps it would be ok for you.Wherever you go out there, you will not experience the quality, attention and natural beauty too often anywhere else.
Puggit said:
Try and fly Emirates if possible, it doesn't help going Monarch to start a honeymoon!
times 1000Budget on at least 2.5k all in for the package and spends depending on the island you choose. We went to Meeru http://www.meeru.com/ and it was sensational; the weather (natch), the food, the sunsets, the wildlife (the giant fruit bats were majestic), the snorkelling, the fishing, and the people. Just wonderful.
But for the love of all that's holy, don't fly there with Monarch.
Thanks guys. No way we'd be flying Monarch, especially as I'm 6'5! Guess the next step is to get myself around a few travel agencies and see what they can offer. We'll almost certainly go all inclusive, the wife to be will moan about it a little but I'm sure that way we can justify a few very nice meals out in the UK afterwards.
Believe me, I'll cope just fine having not very much to do!
Believe me, I'll cope just fine having not very much to do!
The all inclusives in the Maldives are not the same type/standard as Med resorts frequented by Wayne and Waynetta.
We're talking great nosh, especially Maldivian currys and plenty of fresh fruit. I put on soooo much weight on honeymoon, despite all the athletic exercise (snorkling, obviously)
You also need to factor in the price of drinks. It's all imported and very expensive. Due to the high temps and humidity you need to be constantly drinking water - the prices soon stack up. All inclusive makes sense.
We're talking great nosh, especially Maldivian currys and plenty of fresh fruit. I put on soooo much weight on honeymoon, despite all the athletic exercise (snorkling, obviously)
You also need to factor in the price of drinks. It's all imported and very expensive. Due to the high temps and humidity you need to be constantly drinking water - the prices soon stack up. All inclusive makes sense.
Kuoni are worth a look. Went to Kuramathi (Spa) for our honeymoon a few years ago. We booked online (well under your budget). Very pleased with the whole thing. If you have a chance travel to/from your resort by Seaplane. We flew Monarch 
but in the posh bit ('Premium' and thought it rather good).
but in the posh bit ('Premium' and thought it rather good).So I've got to do something special for a belated 20th anniversary and the Maldives sound right on the money (literally I expect) but is it the right place to go in August?
We're talking less than a week (probably 4/5 nights)and the links in the above posts are seriously tempting. Would appreciate any advice on the time of year etc.
We're talking less than a week (probably 4/5 nights)and the links in the above posts are seriously tempting. Would appreciate any advice on the time of year etc.
August is low season in the Maldives - what we're talking about here is not day upon day of miserable cold rain, but a daily short sharp shower, and otherwise sun and broken cloud.
During a July trip I did suffer one miserable day - but the rest of the trip was better than a December (peak season) trip.
Luck of the draw...
During a July trip I did suffer one miserable day - but the rest of the trip was better than a December (peak season) trip.
Luck of the draw...
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