To be sure you can relax and enjoy your honeymoon, take these simple steps to ensure that your home is safe.

Final Prep

You are almost there … just a few more things to do:

Go to the bank for money, traveler's checks

Double-check travel advisories

Go through the packing list

Gather your travel documents

Make sure you have TSA-approved luggage locks

Book or confirm airport transportation

Arrange with your mom or maid of honor to drop off any rentals, ship your bouquet (to be preserved), and deliver your dress (to the preservationist)

Confirm your honeymoon details including the following:

Call the airline to check flights, restrictions on luggage and carryons, security alerts, seat reservations, and special meal requests

Confirm reservations with the hotel

Confirm the rental car

Holding Down the Fort

Although you are on your honeymoon, back home life marches on. Make arrangements to protect your home, and you will have no worries while you are away, relaxing and enjoying each other's company.

Hire a house sitter or ask a neighbor to “watch over” the place while you are gone

Hire a pet sitter

Have your mail held

Have packages held or redirected to your parents, to a neighbor, or to a close friend

Travel Tips

Tipping often presents embarrassing and confusing questions when you travel. In some situations, you can ask your companions at the dining table in a hotel or on ship or the management, but it's better to understand the travel tipping structure.

TIPPING AT THE AIRPORT

• The porter: $1 per bag when you check in at the curb or have bags taken to check in for you. If the luggage is heavy, tip a little more. Obviously, if you go the DIY route, no tip is necessary or expected.

HOTELS AND RESORTS

• Bellboy: $1 per bag, plus $1 for hospitable gestures, such as turning on lights, opening windows. Tip on service.

• Chambermaid: $1 for each service, minimum $5 per couple per week. Tip each day; a new chambermaid may be assigned during your stay.

• Doorman: $1 per bag; $1 for hailing a taxi. Tip on service.

• Headwaiter: $5 per week for special service, $2–$3 for regular service — tip on your first day.

• Waitstaff: 15–20 percent of the bill when no service charge is added; some add 5 percent when there is a service charge. Tip at each meal.

• Room Service: 15–20 percent of bill in addition to room service charge. If the menu or bill explicitly states that a gratuity will automatically be added, you might add an additional $1 or refrain from tipping altogether.

• Other service personnel: the general rule to follow is to tip 15–20 percent of the bill, unless the person serving you owns the business.

TIPPING ON CRUISE SHIPS

The staff on each cruise line can outline tipping etiquette and procedures for their ship. Some ships are “no-tip” ships, some automatically add a gratuity to the bill, and others practice person-to-person tipping (each staff person is presented with an envelope on the last night of the cruise).

• Room steward: Tip: $3.50 per day per person. Tip at the end of the trip.

• Dining room waiter and busboy: Waiter, $3.50 per person per day, half that for the busboy.

• Bartenders, wine steward, pool and deck attendants: On almost all ships, a service charge is automatically added to the bar bill, making a tip unnecessary. Be sure to check.

• Other service personnel: should be tipped when the service is given, at the same rate as for service ashore, usually 15 percent.

• Maitre d', headwaiter: Seventy-five cents per day, per guest.