For expecting moms and dads, the arrival of a new baby means the coming of sleepless nights and dirty diapers. But now, there's something else for parents-to-be to look forward to.

Caribbean Resorts Baby Expecting Couples

The U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism is joining the babymoon trend and offering couples an opportunity to pamper themselves before their little one arrives. Book their new "Time for Two" package at participating hotels in St. Croix and St. Thomas between January 1, 2008 and February 2, 2009 and receive amenities and treats that will help make your last getaway as a couple memorable.

Couples will not only receive a romantic dinner for two, but can participate, free of charge, in a round of golf, his and her spa treatments and a cozy sunset sail. Expecting moms and dads will also receive gifts to help them remember their babymoon, including a U.S. Virgin Islands baby T-shirt and cap, a front-pack baby holder, a professionally taken pregnancy photo and shopping certificates.

Participating hotels on St. Croix include The Buccaneer,Divi Carina Bay and Carambola Beach Resort; hotels on St. Thomas include Bolongo Bay Beach Resort, Frenchman's Reef Marriott and Wyndham Sugar Bay Resort and Spa. The "Time for Two" package is complimentary with any seven-night stay at the resorts, but the trip needs to fall between April 1, 2008 and May 31, 2009 and prices will vary between resorts.

Though this may be the last chance for parents-to-be to travel alone, their baby can take part in the fun as well. After the baby is born, parents can enter a photo of their newborn in the Beautiful Baby contest. The grand prize is a four-day, three-night family trip back to the U.S. Virgin Islands and publication of the photo in a local newspaper. For families who don't win the contest, but would still like to return, they'll receive a free night's stay on a return visit of four nights of more.

Washington State Resort Babies Expecting Couples

For couples who prefer a shorter trip, Rosario Resort & Spa on Orcas Island in Washington State is offering a package that includes two nights' accomodations, two spa treatments (expecting mothers have the choice of a pre-natal massage) and $20 dollar dining credit. Couples are greeted with a bottle of Martinelli's sparkling cider, homemade cookies and a baby gift from the resort's boutique when they arrive. Prices change according to the season, ranging from $459 during the winter to $719 during the summer for two nights.

Florida Pampers Pregnant Golfers

Ponte Verde Inn & Club in Ponte Verde Beach, Florida -- famous for its golf courses -- also offers a two-night babymoon. Expecting moms get special spa services, including a maternity massage, manicure and pedicure... and they don't even need to swing a club. Couples receive a baby basket upon arrival and are treated to a full American breakfast every morning. Rates are $382/N during early spring, but can go as high as $632/N during the late spring and summer months.

Georgia's Ritz-Carlton Reynolds Lodge Comforts Moms-to-Be with Weird Cravings

If you get some of those notoriously odd cravings during pregnancy, the Ritz-Carlton Lodge, Reynolds Plantation (800/241-3333 or 706/467-0600), just 75 miles outside of Atlanta, Georgia, may have the perfect babymoon package for you. "Lake Moons, Baby Swoons" offers peanut butter and pickle turndown service, a maternity massage and a private dinner overlooking Lake Oconee, complete with "virgin-tini" drinks. Even the soon-to-be-father gets pampered with his own round of golf on 99-holes of manicured greens.

The package is valid from now until November 22, 2008 and starts at $689/N per couple. With lakeside accommodations, breakfast in bed and an in-room butler-drawn bath with soothing herbs and oils, the Reynolds Plantation, a AAA Five Diamond resort, may just be the perfect get-a-way for expecting parents before their special delivery.

Exotic Babymooners Head to South Africa

For an exotic locale under African skies, head to Cape Town's Twelve Apostles Hotel (27/21-437-9000). Voted as one of the best spas in the 2006 "Best Of" Travel + Leisure, this five-star boutique hotel is a member of The Leading Small Hotels of the World. Located just 15 minutes from the city of Cape Town and five minutes from Camps Bay, it is conveniently situated at the foot of the Twelve Apostles Mountain Range in a nature reserve. Guests relax by their own personal marine World Sanctuary right at the foot of the hotel.

The Twelve Apostles is currently offering their own babymoon package for ultimate luxury and relaxation. Features champagne cocktail or Virgin Mary upon arrival, luxury accommodation, full breakfast for two daily, one dinner for two in the in the Azure restaurant or room service, midnight snack to fulfill those pregnancy cravings, chocolate truffles and lit aromatic candle at turndown. Moms-to-be are treated to a Moya pregnancy package with choice of manicure, pedicure, tension and alleviating head experience, Swedish spa treatment, and massage.

To keep her off her feet, round-trip local destination transfers for rail or air, one-year subscription to Living and Loving magazine to assist in that formative year, complimentary scheduled transfer service to Camps Bay and the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront between 8am and 8pm.

The babymooners package is available April 1st through December 19th, 2008 with rates from $4807.50 ZAR (or approximately $589.34 USD) per room, per night based on a 2-night stay, not including a 1% tourism tax.

It looks like the babymoon trend is here to stay and expecting couples who want a bit of fun and sun before their new bundle arrives should take advantage of the growing number of babymoon packages.

For more information on babymooning, check out FTF's article "Spas For New & Expecting Mothers."

by Patty Lee, Susan Finch and Jillian Ryan

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