Anita Thomas, Head of Emirates in Ireland, shares her expertise on popular honeymoon destinations and offers valuable tips on how to enhance your travel experience with the airline and make the most of your journey.
Have you noticed any changes in what couples are booking for their honeymoon?
In addition to traditional honeymoon hotspots like Dubai and the Indian Ocean, which remain hugely popular, more couples are actively seeking adventure-style trips in destinations such as Vietnam, Singapore, and Thailand.
Many honeymooners are also choosing the best of both worlds by including a stopover in Dubai either on their way to or from their destination, which is a great way to take in multiple destinations and experiences.
And interestingly, some couples are even choosing their destination so they can experience our Emirates A380 aircraft, the double decker of the skies, drawn by the unique experience and the opportunity to visit the iconic Onboard Lounge for Business and First Class passengers
What are the most popular honeymoon destinations with Emirates, and what makes them special for newlyweds?
The Indian Ocean continues to be the top choice for honeymooners, with destinations like the Maldives, Mauritius, and the Seychelles leading the way. We understand that the lead-up to a wedding can be stressful, and these destinations offer couples a chance to unwind in a serene and exotic environment, with a variety of adults-only resorts available.
A stopover in Dubai complements these destinations as there is so much to see and do, great night life, fantastic beaches, shopping, entertainment, cultural and historic sites and the option of additional pampering and relaxation.
Does Emirates offer any special honeymoon packages or promotions that couples can take advantage of?
We collaborate with Emirates Holidays, the airline’s tour operating arm, and all other major tour operators in Ireland to ensure our customers receive great value for money. Onboard, honeymooners can enjoy all of the extras that Emirates offers such as a generous baggage allowance, and delicious meals and wines.
If flying through or to Dubai with Emirates, honeymooners can take advantage of My Emirates Pass, where they can enjoy exclusive offers and discounts at hundreds of locations in Dubai and the UAE. They simply present their boarding pass to enjoy incredible discounts at selected restaurants, spas, shopping outlets, private pools and so much more. The current My Emirates Pass is valid until 31st March 2025 and it really adds to the Dubai experience.
What in-flight services or amenities do you provide that cater specifically to honeymooners?
We receive a number of requests from family and friends to order Champagne and cake for the happy couple, which can be purchased in advance of the flight making it even more special. Our cabin crew are also happy to take a “preserve a memory” polaroid picture onboard to capture the start of the honeymoon and a special memory.
The majority of our honeymooners now travel in Business Class, which gives them access to our complimentary Chauffeur Drive service (up to 80kms from Dublin Airport) and access to our East Lounge at Dublin Airport as well as our lounges across the network.
Onboard they can enjoy Champagne and fine wines, gourmet meals, luxury Bvlgari amenity bags, VOYA products from Sligo in the washrooms, lie flat seats as well as Chauffeur Drive transfers upon arrival. It truly is, as we say at Emirates, a Fly Better experience.
Are there any special baggage allowances or considerations for honeymooners travelling with extra luggage, such as wedding attire if they are also marrying at the destination?
We are delighted to assist honeymooners or couples travelling abroad to get married, and we offer to take the wedding attire onboard for them, which is included as part of their baggage allowance.
How can honeymooners benefit from Emirates loyalty program, and are there any special perks for newlyweds?
Emirates Skywards is the loyalty programme of Emirates and flydubai, and the best thing about earning Skywards Miles is that the member decides how to spend them. They can of course be used for flight rewards and upgrades, but Miles can also be spent with our worldwide partners including partner airlines, luxury hotels, attractions and even for a wide range of sporting and cultural events.
Once married, a couple can join “My Family” to pool all the Skywards Miles earned into one account and enjoy rewards faster.
What travel tips do you recommend for couples planning their honeymoon, especially regarding booking flights and managing travel logistics?
I highly recommend booking well in advance, especially for long-haul trips. Consider including a Dubai stopover as part of your honeymoon and depending on the destination and flight schedules, decide whether it’s better to do so on the outbound or return journey.
While we usually suggest booking an activity for the day after arrival to encourage exploration, for honeymooners we recommend taking a couple of days to relax and unwind before venturing out.
What support does Emirates offer for honeymooners in case of travel disruptions or emergencies?
At Emirates, our duty of care to customers is our top priority. No matter the nature of the disruption or emergency, Emirates is available 24/7 for assistance. We have dedicated teams ready to step in, provide support with re-booking, re-routing, or any necessary arrangements to ensure our customers are well taken care of.
Are there any lesser-known romantic destinations that your airline connects to that you would recommend for a unique honeymoon experience?
The one that has certainly piqued my own curiosity is Madagascar, off the south eastern coast of Africa. Despite being one of our newest network destinations, it is already showing demand from honeymooners. It is beautiful, unspoiled and relatively untouched and despite not being a honeymooner, I cannot wait to visit Madagascar with my husband.
Finally, if you were planning your own honeymoon, where would you go and how would you travel there?
This is a difficult one, as I had my honeymoon in South Africa, which I absolutely loved and would go back to in a heartbeat. However, I think I would now like to explore Vietnam a little more. I visited once and was genuinely enthralled by its diversity, beauty and history, it really has something for everyone. I would of course travel with Emirates via Dubai and incorporate a stopover on the return journey for three or four nights. That would be my idea of the perfect honeymoon.
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