All Inclusive vs Cruises

[rmc20]

Has anyone done an all inclusive in Caribbean or Playa, MX? I'm getting tired of cruising and looking for something else. How does the food quality compare to cruise? How about service etc? Any info would be appreciated

[tuggers]

The inclusives in Cancun are good. There is one I stayed at, can't remember the name, where you had access to the restaurants at about 5 other properties. That was nice because you can get tired of the same places in one property. I don't find the food to be al that and the booze they really push is the local stuff, tequila, rum, etc. Gives most people a headache!

 

 

I'll stick with cruising!

[Cruise Junky]

We've stayed at the Bahia Principe Akumal on the Mayan Riviera. Two weeks of bliss. Absolutely loved it, wouldn't hesitate to go back.

[hdawson]

I was at Royal Solaris in Cancun several years ago. Property was nice, but the buffets got a bit old except for breakfast which was very nice outside under a canopy. If I'm traveling to a foreign country the last thing I want to do is be cooped up in a compound preventing me from exploring and experiencing the local culture. Although not an all-inclusive, I will be returning to Merida, Mexico for two weeks in Oct. Mexico at it's best.

And then to Prague someday.

[Bisous3]

I used to work for Club Med.Its a great vacation. They have several nice properties in the Caribbean and Mexico, my favorite being a place called Columbus Isle on the island of San Salvador in the Bahamas. Now even the drinks are included (and there is no tipping allwed!) - they weren't years ago.

Suzanne

[donnaw]

We have stayed at the Moon Palace and are considering Aventura Palace (adults only) for next winter. This may be the chain that Gail was thinking of since you have priviledges at all the other resorts. Moon is out of Cancun but a quick bus (free) or taxi to town and most of the other properties (which are on a gorgeous beach). Absolutely beautiful property and rooms but no beach (made up for with the absolutely gorgeous pool). Food - good to very good (not quite to cruise standards and nowhere near the variety). Primarily, Mexican toned down for the American taste. We finally went to Hard Rock for a needed break. Had no problem getting top shelf booze though the lesser was self serve in many locations. The people that come out ahead are those that tend to have high bar bills on a ship. We probably broke even and did wind up drinking more than we would on a cruise.

[jerseygirl3]

Our friends stayed at Secrets Excellence in Riviera Maya and loved it. It was quite pricey; I believe they paid over $2,000 pp for one week. And that was in May, not high season.

 

We stayed at Couples in Ocho Rios many years ago and loved it. But again, sometimes these places can wind up costing more than a cruise. Of course, if you drink, it may offset the costs somewhat.

[dmk]

Before my husband and I started cruising 5 years ago, we went to Club Med for our holidays. Fabulous food and beautiful locations. Our favorite was on the Turks and Caicos islands.

[mlroberts23]

My sister and I have done all inclusives for 4 years and love it each time. We also stayed at Bahai Principe in Akumal and that is a lovely resort. This will be our first cruise so can't tell you which is better yet!!

[franma]

We stayed at Moon Palace as well and really enjoyed it. Be prepared as there is a poor beach there, but as previously mentioned the pool is amazing. You always have the option of going to the beach at their other properties. We were impressed with the service, considering it is an all-inclusive. The wait-staff was very nice and helpful, taking our trays in the buffet restaurants and finding seats, very friendly as well. There are many options for eating, including wait-service restaurants. The food was good, not quite up to cruise level, but I don't consider myself a "foodie." We are "older" so we look for different things maybe in a vacation, but our friends' 30-something kids have been there twice and really like it as well so I feel comfortable with the recommendation. From what I have heard there are many nice all-inclusives in that area. If you search the internet, there are some web-sites that give that info.

[trvlcarib]

good question

[dkdb]

We like to alternate between land vacations and cruising. We enjoy both for different reasons.

We have stayed at El Cozumeleno in Cozumel twice, Aventura Spa Palace, and will be spending a week at Secrets Capri in April.

For pure relaxation I think the all inclusive beats cruising.

We did get tired of the food at El Coz but enjoyed everything else.

The food at Aventura was good but did not compare to the food on Celebrity.

I love not having a bar bill at the end and being able to have a vacation with less scheduling.

Both are great!

[rmc20]

thank you all for your good responses. We are looking at Beaches Turks and Caicos, Moon Palace or Bahia Principe. Thanks for the update on Moon Palace, I have heard the beach isn't so hot. How big is Turks and Caicos? Is there alot to see/do outside the property? Thanks again for all of your help.

[skyview851]

We stayed at our first and last Club Med last year. While the resort was beautiful, the food & amenities weren't anywhere close to any of the cruises we have been on. Maybe we picked a bad club med? I must say the white chocolate bread was to die for, but that was the exception, rather than the rule in the dining areas.

[vshep]

We stayed at Beaches Turks & Caicos 3 years ago. Loved it! Best vacation ever. The food was better there than any other all-inclusives we've been to (we've been to 9 other AI's), and better than the last Princess cruise we were on. If you enjoy evening entertainment, it is definitely not up to cruiseline entertainment. We mostly played ping-pong, pool, and relaxed on the beach in the evenings. Absolutely nothing to do outside of the resort - watersports is it. The snorkeling and diving is amazing (200 foot visibility!!) and we took trips on the boats (included in the stay) everyday. We also learned to use the catamarans and windsurf (lessons are also included). No tipping allowed. If you are not a certified diver, they give great resort lessons which allow you to go on dive trips (also included). Usually quite expensive up front, but once you get there you will need no money. Great for adults and children. Would highly recommend that resort!

[ABSCruiseLuvers]

Never been to Moon Palace but have stayed at Adventura and LOVED it!

[Gabbiegirl]

skyview-

 

I just have to hear more about the "White Chocolate Bread". Please tell me more!!!!

[jsaadat]

RMC,

 

Biggest difference in food is that most AI's are buffet style with several specialty restaurants that you can make reservations to visit. There is usually no extra charge for the specialty restaurants........ just have to make a reservation. In Cancun and in the Yucatan peninsula I have found the buffet foot to be as good or better than the specialty restaurants.

 

Also, as I am sure you are aware........ all of your drinks and usually all tips are included with AI...... must to get the best drinks and the best service in Mexico. most people tip extra.

 

Although we have not been there, I here Costa Rica AI's are very good.

 

J

[sassystyxfan]

 

We stayed at Couples in Ocho Rios many years ago and loved it. But again, sometimes these places can wind up costing more than a cruise. Of course, if you drink, it may offset the costs somewhat.

 

I loved Couples too! Met a nice Jersey couple there in '91. She was pregnant. Was it you?;)

[Giorgi-one]

We have been on 14 cruises and have 2 more booked. Never been to an AI, but I have been researching all inclusives in Riviera Maya. Based on user reviews, two of the best for the money seem to be the Iberostar Paraiso Lindo and Secrets Capri Riviera. Secrets has an edge for me since it is adults only. Both are supposed to have excellent ala carte restaurants.

 

Cruises have historically had an edge over AIs in food and entertainment. From what I have read, AIs are catching up on food and have added some evening entertainment. As cruise lines continue to raise prices and make cuts in food and entertainment, AIs will look better and better.

 

When you put all the costs together, it's about a wash based on a nice balcony cabin and a few drinks per day.

 

We are planning on trying a 4 or 5 night AI vacation in May to compare. Not tired of cruising, but am getting tired of some of the ports and the decreases in quality on most lines.

 

Also, no worries about missing the ship due to flight delays and you don't have to go a day early.

[skyview851]

Gabbiegirl,

White chocolate bread is apparently a Club Med "standard". It's a regular loaf of bread with white chocolate chips baked in. It really is fabulous.

[jerseygirl3]

Giorgi, I was mistaken. The AI my friends went to was, indeed, Secrets Capri Riviera. They absolutely loved it. They said the food was excellent and the service was outstanding. The pool area was very nice. Their only complaint was the beach. They said the sand was okay, but going in the water was dangerous unless you wore something on your feet. It was very rocky and she said you could easily cut your feet. Even with something on your feet, it was hard not to scrape up your ankles with all the rocks and shells. So if you're not too much of a beach person, and a pool suits your needs, I don't think you will be disappointed.

[cechase]

A year ago in December we went to the Sandal's AI in Bahama for a week. It is really hard to compare our experience there with our subsequent cruises, because they are so different. We had a one bedroom suite at Sandals and on our cruises had a Royal Suite. [At Sandal's be sure to get a one bedroom suite, and not a room in the older Manor block!]

 

The food was excellent - and in particular the breakfast and lunch buffet, which was really great. December is an iffy month, since you are in the northern Carabeean, and there are storms and rain at that time of the year, although we had several days in the high 80's. We loved the service, our fully stocked bar in our suite, and having a conceierge. We went into Nassau several times, and since Sandal's is on the main beach road, there are little buses that come along, and the fare is $1.00 - and we did jewelry row, as well as paradise island and the Atlantis, as well as take the bus to one of the casinos.

 

We loved it - however, from the west coast it takes all day to get there. Also, do not fly in so that you arrive on a Wednesday evening. Every Wednesday evening a 747 brings in a zillion people from Europe, and our wait to go through immigration was 2 and one half hours, standing and with no air conditioning. We would go back to this resort, although, we would fly to FLL or Miami the day before, and then fly out to the island in the morning, so that we could have a full day, and not get there at night, totally tired.

[Indiana Jones]

Last Feb we did an Apple all-inclusive from Chicago. 7 nights at the Riu Palace which was very, very nice for about $1,450 PP. We looked into this again but the prices had gone thru the roof..ended up booking the Horizon in March for 10 days at $750 PP for the cruise for a Cat. 5 outside cabin with air from Chicago to Tampa RT for about $250 PP.

[Tatka]

We've been to two Iberostars AI in Dominican Republic ( Punta Cana and Hacienda Dominucus (near Casa de Campo)) Loved both...beautiful , clean properties, great food. ( didn't even go to speciality restaurants except for Japanese rest. once) but buffet was great!

 

Great vacation for the money...Under 1000 pp with flight for 7 days.

 

My parents just returned from Natura Park in Punta Cana and they loved it...this resort has mangrove forest!

 

From my (and my friends and family) experience I would recomend Iberostar, Melia, Natura Park, Paradise A/I in Punta Cana.

 

The only thing that keeps me from going to A/I again , I am getting bored easily...can only spend 1 hour at the beach!!! That's why I prefer cruises as the opportunity to see different places.:)