Though the "I do's" are done, life together has just begun. Now it's time to celebrate by going on a honeymoon.

No matter the destination, drama and catastrophe can threaten the romantic trip.

For example, a smooth ride into honeymoon bliss can suddenly become potholed when transportation plans crumble.

"Our car broke down in the middle of nowhere," Bonnie Norske, from Boise, Idaho, said, "We had to hitchhike in the pitch dark until some foreigners picked us up in a white, dirty van and drove us to the nearest town, about 45 miles away."

Avoid driving at night, and take a plane when possible to prevent mishaps, Norske said.

Rental cars are another popular alternative, but for couples under 25, the rental process can be long and expensive.

"We reserved a car in advance, but stood in line for at least four hours, camping out on the floor, waiting for a car," said Tera Hamilton, a senior from Mesa, Ariz., studying business management.

The rental process corrupted the schedule of a their jam-packed honeymoon, Hamilton said.

Though the rental process is long, be aware of all the papers being signed and the people working for you, advised Jason Morris, a junior from Reno, Nev., studying accounting.

"It was kind of fishy, they needed a deposit and credit card before we could rent the car, and we had to sign a lot of papers," Morris said.

Later that day, their credit card was mysteriously charged $600 for computer equipment.

"We got scammed by someone who we thought would be honest and just do his job," Morris said.

Honeymoons can bring profits to jewelers, as well as scam artists.

Many people loose their rings, because they aren't used to wearing them and don't realize finger sizes fluctuate in water, said Brittany Howard, a sales representative from Zales.

"At least 90 percent of the one's I have seen were lost in water," Howard said.

Taking time to correctly size the ring can save disappointment and big bucks, Howard said.

All honeymoons include food. Daily rich dinners or luxury continental breakfasts don't always settle with the stomach.

A nauseating experience can create undesired memories. Becky Russell learned from experience.

While Russell, a master student, from San Diego, Calif., studying health promotion, was on her honeymoon New Year's Eve, she ate a fettuccini alfredo shrimp entrée for dinner.

"At midnight, when we were supposed to be celebrating, I was in the bathroom so sick," Russell said.

There is travel insurance available to attempt to shield unpleasant, unforeseeable circumstances.

Travel insurance can protect you from sudden cancellations, missed flights or connections, lost or damaged luggage and emergency medical care.

"I highly recommend travel insurance, and never travel anywhere without it," said Tim Rubacky, consumer affairs correspondent for Anne Campbell's CruiseMates.
Copyright Brigham Young University 13 Feb 2003