All-inclusives compared to cruises

[bo didy]

What is your opinion.:)

[deena26]

Not even a thought from me. If I cant wake up in the middle of the ocean, have coffee on my balcony while looking for dolphins, walk from the bar or casino up to my room, sleep like i'm on a cloud, I'm not spending my money..No competition in my eyes!

[Douglase]

We have been on 13 cruises and enjoyed them all. Havent tried the resorts but would like too sometime. People have told me that have been to resorts alot that they arent happy with cruising.....

[klfrodo]

Apples to oranges.

 

9 cruises,,, 5 all inclusives.

Both have advantages and both have disadvantages.

If I were to judge the island of Jamaica by taking only cruises, 1 time would be the last time. Staying in Jamaica for a week at an AI you get a complete different perspective and experience. Some/most AI's have wonderful entertainment, All you can eat or drink with the basic price.

Cruiseship, different islands and cultures in 7 days. See something you like, come back and stay for awhile. Hurricane comes up? Ship can sail away, at an AI, you hunker down or evacuate.

 

Both are great for their own unique experiences.

[pjhootch]

For us it is purely a budget driven decision. For just two alcohol drinking adults an all-inclusive can be a very peaceful and relaxing vacation. Since we frequently drag our kids with us and two of them are just now 20 and the other 30... it isn't very cost effective for us. We have one non-drinker and two that barely drink at all. Cruises work better for our style of family vacation. My husband and I will ditch the kids someday soon for an AI, but we just haven't gotten around to it yet.

[ib4cruzn]

Since you didn't elaborate I'd pick a cruise on Celebrity or better over an AI.

 

Anything less I'd spend my week at Sandles in Jamaica...

[lazydayz]

Both have their advantages. We have done 20 cruises and 10 or more AIs. Living in Florida, cruises are so much easier for us than having to fly. While I enjoy being at sea, we would pick AIs more often if flights were a little more affordable and more enjoyable. But if I had to fly to a cruise port, I think the AIs would win most often. Costs are comparable but drinks and many fun activities are included at the better AIs. And the food is much better. You get more of a feel for the country you are visiting in the AI. But it is hard to beat a day at sea. Both are great vacation options.

[vermonter16]

It's a hard pick for me....definitely benefits to both but as another poster put it - nothing beats waking up ON the ocean as opposed to beachside. I love it! I love all-inclusives too. I've been on 5 cruises (going on number 6 and 7 here soon) and been to 3 all-inclusives - great experiences with both!

[ib4cruzn]

Both have their advantages. We have done 20 cruises and 10 or more AIs. Living in Florida, cruises are so much easier for us than having to fly. While I enjoy being at sea, we would pick AIs more often if flights were a little more affordable and more enjoyable. But if I had to fly to a cruise port, I think the AIs would win most often. Costs are comparable but drinks and many fun activities are included at the better AIs. And the food is much better. You get more of a feel for the country you are visiting in the AI. But it is hard to beat a day at sea. Both are great vacation options.

 

Well said and I agree totally.

[nhraformula00]

We have never done an all inc, don't like the idea of being at one place for more than a day or two.We have never spent more than 1600-1700 for 7 day cruise including airfare.Just wondering what a good all inc is costing for 7 days with air?

[blondietink]

Having done both, I would pick a cruise over an AI any day. What could be better than waking up in a different place every day? The cost is also a big factor for us. The 4 of us can go on a 7 day cruise for less than 1/2 the cost of an AI including the airfare. We can get relatively cheap AI's out of Toronto, CA, much cheaper than in the states. For a mid-range AI it will cost about $1200 per person plus some outrageous taxes. For our upcoming cruise, the total including taxes was $1800.00, plus the cost of our drive which is about $500.00 RT for gas (keep those gas prices coming down!). With an AI, you get all the cocktails, beer, pop, juice you could ever hope for.

[travelchap]

What is your opinion.:)

 

Have done both and they each have their advantages and deltas. Both allow you to unpack for the week and have entertainment. Both have the ocean and multiple activities. Only one has all you can drink ( if that is your choice ). The cruise does allow for multiple locations and watching the wake. Tough choice but there is no bad one. What a shame:)

[rockbock]

Is anybody aware of any affordable AI resorts in Florida, or any other US locations? I've tried to find some that we could drive to, but there don't seem to be any affordable ones in the US. I'd love to try one, but I HATE flying.

[lazydayz]

For flights and seven nights, probably 2400-3000.

[rdler]

I am a dedicated Carnival and RCI cruiser, but I have to admit, I like a good AI far better. There is the airfare, but you get to see a place much better than you can from a Senior Frogs on the dock. The free drinks also are great, if that is your style. Both allow you to unpack and relax. All in, I've found the AIs to be cheaper once you account for booze and excursions. My experience is that there is far less nickle and diming during AIs, plus you don't have irritating Cruise Directors (or good ones, either).

[zeroyankee]

This is a topic that some in our party have asked about as well. Glad to see some of the replies here as there are some great points to consider. Having never done an AI, I wasn't sure how to address the issue. They've indicated that they would like to try an AI before going on a second cruise with us. This will help to give them some perspective as it did for me!

[Sailor_Sally]

I have done both . Cruises are nice but AI are the ultimate in a relaxing vacation . If you love beaches AI are the best .

[mavis2222]

I havent done any AI but been on 17 cruises. Im willing to try sometime. Only advantage of a AI to me would be no excessive long lines for buffet and crowded pools and chair hogs..:D. Everybody is hearded like cattle and the hassle of comming and going with all the crowds, but I would still have to deal with customs line at airport. Otherwise cruising is allot better. I like the sea experance.

[PurpleDog]

My wife and I have been to Sandals in Jamaica 3 times and Sandals Bahamas once. We have also been on 2 cruises; one with Carnival and one with RC. Some random thoughts:

 

** The food at Sandals is one a whole different [better] level than on Carnival or RC ships.

 

** Entertainment is more varied on a cruise. There are some nights at Sandals that, unless you want to dance and/or drink, you are on your own.

 

** At Sandals, we encountered more than a few drunken guests. When booze is included in the price of the experience, many folks feel the need to "get thier moneys worth". My wife and I both drink, but there is nothing more annoying than dealing with drunken idiots. The ratio of drunks to normals is MUCH higher at Sandals than on a cruise. We might enjoy another all-inclusive someday, but only if booze is NOT included.

 

** We were reluctant to leave the properties in Jamaica at night on our own. In fact they suggest that you DONT.

 

** At Sandals, they advertise that once you arrive, you can lock your wallet in your safe and purchase nothing extra: and that is true. Excursions are extra - just like on a cruise. There is not the constant "sales" pitch that there is on a cruise.

 

Just my 2 cents =)

[serene56]

I have done both . Cruises are nice but AI are the ultimate in a relaxing vacation . If you love beaches AI are the best .

 

 

we cruises twice year-- once in February/September. We took a cruise to Aruba then stayed there for a week for a first time land vacation. We were never beach people- Found sitting on the beach boring UNTIL we went to Aruba.

 

The following year we got us a time share at the AI -considering that neither of us drink----lol

 

Yep- it is the ultimate in a relaxing vacation- I do not have to get up early to get to the excursion- (ok i do have to gt up early to get a lounge chair under a palapa since we want a first row seat.)

 

Last year we cruised the Pride for 1477 for 3 of us.

we are booked to Aruba for 3 of us- the hotel is 1324 plus 1500 for airfare.

No tips, all meals are included as in the ship. There are shows each night- as on the cruise ship.

 

I would rent some ones time share before I booked the hotel outright

[angel24_ga]

I vote all inclusive cruises! ;)

[k2]

Done both... Love both. We try to mix it up and alternate the 2. For us, a cruise is more active and AI is a bit more relaxing. Food is a personal choice but has been more predictable on cruises. Love being able to have a drink guilt free at the AI while on a cruise I have to limit the expense. AI's for our family of 4 have run cheaper in the past few years than cruising. I would never say is one is better than the other.. Love them both and love to mix them up!

[abitaturbodog]

I've looked at AI vacations in the past but the air fare for 4 people always pushes our budget too far. We're lucky to live in SC and can drive to the FL ports. Maybe we'll try an AI when it's just the two of us again.

[rlpolobear9]

I really depends on your price point to pay at an AI for the same price of a basic carnival cruise would be tough to stay at an AI resort that would be as good, but if you are spending between $2,500-$5,000 (the price of a trip on RCI or a Suite for a family on Carnival. The AI would win hands down depending on the chain bc you won't get nickel and dimed by having to shell out any extra money for anything (beer, soda, etc...) I've been on the carnival Victory and stayed at the Iberostar Grand Rosehall in Jamaica and let me tell you the difference was stark.

 

First of all I could have bottles of liquor delivered to my room whenever I wanted, eat lobster tails and oysters or Kobe burgers for lunch and Filets and Lobster every night among several other options. Or I could have the chef make chicken fingers and have them delivered to our room as my wife made them do twice and have any type of beer water snack delivered to the room for free. Plus my room was about 600 sq feet with an ocean view, needles to say it was a dream vacation.

 

But on the Victory I got to go to Puerto Rico and 6 other islands for half the cost for two people from NY. Yes the food wasn't as good and I had to pay extra for a lot of things, never got to go into the pool b/c it was way to small (nothing like 3 cascading infinty edge pools flowing into each other).

 

All in all I wouldn't trade either experience both where good, but money not being an option I would stay at 5 star AI every time just because there is nothing better than being pampered and being able to truly soak up one place for several days in uber luxury, where in a cruise you are always on the move.

 

This is just my humble opinion, I'm sure other will have different opinions.

[cruise77]

Hi,

 

Having gone on both, I don't drink and all-inclusives base their prices on how much the average person drinks. So I think it will depend on that. I love all-inclusives, but it doesn't work for me. They both have their good points, but like one of the posters commented, I get bored after a couple of days.