THE MALDIVES
The Maldives ticks all the boxes for social distancing. As a nation of scattered islands, the Maldives has a unique geographical advantage. Its beautiful surroundings encourage you to relax. The ‘one island, one resort’ approach means you will only meet other visitors and resort staff (if you want to). Perfect for honeymoons!
The Maldives reopened its borders to international tourists in July 2020. At the time of writing, travellers from England are unable to travel overseas until early December 2020, at the earliest.
Entry Requirements
You must comply with current entry restrictions on arrival in the Maldives*. At present, that means you must present a negative polymerise chain reaction (PCR) test, taken within a maximum of 96 hours before departure. Thermal screening will be also be carried out . Prior to arrival, you must register your booking in a tourist establishment with the Ministry. A traveller health declaration within 24 hours prior to travel must be submitted. You may have to take a further test within 72 hours prior to departure.
*Intended as a guide only as entry requirements are subject to change. Current requirements must be checked prior to booking.
Flexible Booking Conditions
Many operators now offer flexible booking conditions. The aim is to give customers peace of mind when booking honeymoons or holidays. For example, Kuoni has introduced Flex and Flex+ policies for bookings made before 31 December 2020.
Flex policies allow you to cancel or amend your holiday free of charge** up to 45 days before departure . You can also amend travel dates free of charge up to 7 days before departure if you or a member of your party are diagnosed with Covid-19.
Flex+ policies give even greater flexibility. This means you can amend your holiday up to 10 days prior to departure without any fees** and to cancel free of charge with a full refund up to 10 days prior to departure, for any reason, when booking a selected holiday travelling up to 30.06.21
**Subject to Terms & Conditions on booking.
THE CARIBBEAN
The Caribbean is another favourite destination for honeymoons. Entry restrictions vary among the Caribbean islands. Again, if you are in England, you are unable to travel overseas until at least early December 2020. However, we hope that will change soon and everyone can start booking honeymoons and holidays again to this idyllic location.
Entry Requirements
Requirements for individual islands are subject to change and you must check the up to date situation prior to booking. However, as a guide, you may have to show evidence of a negative PCR test in advance of your arrival. You may also have to submit online forms within a specified time prior to your arrival. Temperature checks are likely. In some cases, you may have a brief interview on arrival. Depending on all of the above, follow up checks may be required.
Sandals and Beaches Resorts
Sandals has numerous resorts in the Caribbean. As a Sandals guest, you have access to the private airport lounge reserved for Sandals and Beaches (for families) guests. There, you will be given some hand sanitizer, a complimentary mask and gloves and a cool drink. Guest temperatures will be checked on arrival at their resort. Public areas will be regularly cleaned and sanitised throughout the day. Staff will wear a mask (and sometimes gloves) while on duty. Sandals has also introduced a new cleanliness protocol. This involves added health and wellbeing requirements across all points of contact at every resort. These includes all common areas, e.g. restaurants, bars, guest rooms, and activity areas. Behind-the-scenes operations will receive the same treatment.
Sandals Weddings
More and more couples planning Caribbean honeymoons are choosing to add a wedding to their honeymoon. This is due to the current limit of just 13 guests to attend a wedding in the UK. If you stay at a Sandals or Beaches resort for 3 or more nights, you qualify for a free wedding and reception celebration for two. This includes the services of a wedding planner prior to arrival, preparation of wedding documents and a picturesque ceremony location. In addition, you will receive a bride’s bouquet and groom’s buttonhole, a musical accompaniment of your choice, a complimentary 5×7” wedding photo and a wedding cake. Finally, you will enjoy a signature cocktail for yourselves and a cocktail reception with sparkling wine and hors d’oeuvres.
If you stay 7 nights or more in resort, you can choose from additional wedding perks. These will increase if friends and family join you and you book 5 rooms or more. For those who can’t join you, Sandals are also offering a free ‘virtual wedding’ live streaming service for couples booking a 2021 wedding ceremony before 31 December 2020.
MAURITIUS
Mauritius boasts beautiful beaches and crystal-clear waters to enjoy diving and other water sports. If you’re a golfer, you will be spoilt for choice with championship courses and breathtaking views. All of this explains why it is popular for those planning honeymoons.
Entry Requirements
However, at the present time, in addition to a negative PCR test and other requirements, tourists to Mauritius must undergo a 14-day in-room quarantine.
When short-term tourists are able to travel to Mauritius again, it is likely that similar precautions as set out above will be in place, at least initially. These are likely to include the use of face masks, hand sanitisers and social distancing as a minimum requirement. Enhanced cleaning and hygiene procedures will be in place in hotels, particularly for high touchpoints. Temperature checks may also be required.
Other procedures may involve online check-in and check-out. Transfer vehicles may be disinfected between trips and luggage sanitised before it enters your room. Hotel keycards and rooms are likely to be disinfected, with menus available in-room via QR codes. In some resorts, buffet service may be curtailed or available only with live cooking stations and food plating.
Weddings
Mondial Travel works with trusted partners offering a choice of romantic, beachfront resort hotels in Mauritius, the perfect setting for your Indian Ocean wedding. Only one wedding a day at each hotel is guaranteed and you will have your own dedicated wedding planner in Mauritius. Three packages are offered:
- all legal fees & documentation, wedding location & recorded music during ceremony and the services of a dedicated wedding coordinator.
- As package (i) plus flowers, wedding cake, hair and make-up for the bride, glass of sparkling wine for couple and up to 10 guests, wedding breakfast the following morning for the couple.
- As package (ii) plus canapes for up to 10 guests, couples massage for the bride and groom, special romantic dinner for the wedding couple and 50 full colour photos with digital copies.
Interested?
If you’d like further information on any of the above destinations for either a wedding or honeymoon, please get in touch!
12 November 2020
