Enjoy cruising but looking at All Inclusive Resorts

[what to go here and there]

I usually do a cruise and an AI at least once a year. The Domincan Republic is nice, thou i would do Punta Cana over Porta Plata, Bayhide over Samana,

 

I am Canadian and i go to Cuba.... love love it. Yes I know USA citizens not allowed unless you get special permission. But when you do get permission I would go BUT do at least at solid 4 star or better...

 

The reasons i cruise, i get to see a country a day, it gives me a taste of the food, the culture, the beach.. At the end the question is would i go back to that country for a week.

 

Mexico yes

Belise No

Rotan Yes Yes

Costa Rica yes

Grand Turks Yes Yes

Grand Cayman Yes No

St Thomas Yes Yes

San Juan No

Jamica Yes

Bahamas Yes Yes

 

For us we find cruising more expensive than an AI... when we have to fly in for cruises that increases our cost, add to our cruising cost, a hotel, liquor, and shuttle cost

We don't include excursions in our cost as we would do those if we had an AI vacation drive to airport, from there on everything is included in cost.

 

It is 50 of one 50 of the other.

 

We will still cruise but now are taking specialty cruises.. ie Alaska next year.

[mark13]

We love to cruise and wondered the same question. In January went on an AI vacation at the sugar bay resort in St. Thomas for a family wedding for one week.

 

We had fun, but we also got bored and I felt a little (lack of better term) land locked. The fun came from simply being with my family, but certainly not because of the resort or AI.

 

Needless to say we are cruising again and frankly like many others said, this cruise is costing me at least 1/3 ( and I am estimating and including my bill post cruise) less.

[Zoedokey]

I had been looking at some of the Iberostar resorts online. Do you all book your own airfare or take the travel deal with air and resort together?

[oncruisecontrol]

We loved Excellence Playa Mujeres. Buy the time you buy drinks and do excursions, a cruise is usually MORE expensive than an AI. We felt the food & drinks at EPM were great.

Is that the resort on the northwest tip of Isla Mujeres, just off the coast of Cancun?

[natdalton]

WOW! That sounds like an amazingly awesome deal. I wonder how much you paid for your vacation, though.

 

We stayed at Aventura Spa Palace and whoever mentioned the fact that they don't have a real beach there, is right.. but i had researched it alot beforehand and we went there knowing what to expect. For 2 adults 7 night, including airfare alittle over $3000. The price of the resort alone is do-able.. that airfare is what kills the affordability of it for us.

 

there are alot of different Palaces.. all the others are right on the beach i believe.. i want to go to Cozumel Palace next.

[Waynetor]

The first thing I would do is to think back to the ports you have been to - are there any that stick out as worth further exploring. Are there places you would like to see that ships don't go to?

Some things that differentaite various resorts are the quality of beach, # of dinning option and menu versus buffet, water sports included, being close to town for other activities, and whether thye serve just local liquor vs international brands. The more childrens activiies offered, the more likely the number of children will be higher.

[cruzinlisa]

I agree with everyone who has suggested Riviera Maya/Playa Del Carmen area. It is very nice. We stayed at Now Jade Rivera and it was awesome. I love AIs, maybe even more than cruising (sorry) but right now cruising works for me better because of the age of my little one and being leering about taking her to Mexico right now (never worried about it when it was just DH and I). I suggest checking out trip advisor.

[cruzinlisa]

I had been looking at some of the Iberostar resorts online. Do you all book your own airfare or take the travel deal with air and resort together?

 

I usually look at the vacation packages that the major online TAs (like E, O or HW) have and go with that. Its usually cheaper that way. We went for 7 days in May 2010 (to NOW Riveria not Iberostar) and stayed in the VIP section and it was only like $1400 for the two of us (had an amazing deal and wish I could find something like that again!)

[ferretface]

Is that the resort on the northwest tip of Isla Mujeres, just off the coast of Cancun?

 

It's not on IM but across the bay. EPM is north of Cancun along the coast. IM has a mini Palace resort.

 

Our next trip is a cruise to go with a group of newbie friends. After that we'll be back to an Excellence resort, Secrets Maroma or a place on Isla Mujeres. It'll depend on if we want total relaxation (EPM or Secrets) or relaxation, activity and incredible food (Isla Mujeres).

 

EPM's also adults only. Nothing against kids, but sometimes like the quiet.

[KPfromCT]

I used to be a travel agent, and I cannot say enough about SAND**S!! Couples only, relaxing, upscale, great food, and NO KIDS!!!!:D:D Definitely a little pricey, however, you will have a grand time. They have resorts in the Bahamas, Jamaica, Antigua, and St. Lucia. Check it out!!! You won't be disappointed.

[ineedavacation!]

There are definitely some wonderful AI's out there! Highly recommend checking out the adults only options that are available. I know they've been already mentioned but we really love Excellence Playa Mujeres and Excellence Riviera. Great food, drinks, rooms and service! :o The Iberostar Grands are really nice too as you have all the benefits of the AO but you can enjoy all the neighbouring Iberostar resorts as well. TripAdvisor.com is definitely a great tool for researching all of the choices out there. Is there a certain area that you'd like to stay in particular? The AI's are nice as the costs are pretty much all up front other than what you choose for tipping, souvenirs, and excursions. How busy you'd like to be depends completely on you. Most resorts offer lots of activities so you can choose to either participate or relax and lounge... It's totally what works best for you! :D

[zqvol]

The current hot spot for AI's is the Dominican Republic.

[ComeSailWithME]

We did an all-inclusive for our honeymoon and it was great.. but had it downfalls. I highly recommend the Royal in Playa del Carmen. Great resort, nice beach, in town (literally, across the street from 5th avenue - shopping, clubs, bars, restaurants) and close to Mayan & Cancun attractions.

 

However, we are used to more entertainment. After about 9 pm, there was nothing to do. The entertainment was not that great (if there was any at all), no casino, no dancing.. we just prefer a cruise. We enjoyed ourselves, because it was our honeymoon, and we were mostly looking to chill.. but had it been another vacation, we would have been bored.

[LovesCruising]

Alot of great AI suggestions here. We did our first this past July - Valentin Imperial Maya in Riviera Maya Mexico - we LOVED it! Can't wait to go back - Adults only.

[maplevale]

We always do AI's and are trying our first cruise this fall!

 

I am finding it more $$ then a week AI (we are from Canada and generally vacation to Cuba. A 5* there - maybe a 4* elsewhere you can ger AI for under $1000)Mexico, Dominican, Panama you can get some great deals. The eastern Carribean is more expensive and there are usually less true AI options.

 

I recommend Trip Advisor and some interpretation.... someone said trow out the top and bottom reviews... yup!

 

We love the beach and pool - and I am thinking I will miss that on the cruise!

[klfhngr]

We're like you, done many cruises and was burnt out on cruises. We did Secrets Capri in PDC and Couples Negril this year. We enjoyed both but would go back to Secrets Capri in a heartbeat! Also tried another in PV, but was disappointed. Stick with Secrets!

[ib4cruzn]

stoopid fingers...

[nbsjcruiser]

I think they are great if you drink a lot and dont want to get that "OH OMG!" bar tab at the end of the cruise LOL

 

I think it may be against CC policy to list names of specific resorts, but

There are some great ones in Mexico. (Xcaret, Costa Maya, Cancun area. Also look into Dominica and Jamaica.)

 

One drawback is hoping for good weather. You can move a ship, but you can't move a resort no matter how All Inclusive it is. :)

 

Very true. My siblings do AI's all the time. A few years back they spent 10 days at a resort in the Dominican, 4 or 5 of which were in the rain

[ib4cruzn]

Hi,

 

Husband and I have been cruising faithfully for the past 12 years. On our last cruise on the Liberty, we thought about trying something new next year. We enjoyed our cruise in July but it seemed like something was missing. Maybe cruising is too familiar now? I know I sound kinda crazy.

 

Anyway, can anyone recommend a great AI resort in the Caribeean. We enjoy the beach, snorkeling and fine dining. We like a party atmosphere but not too crazy. We are in our early 40s. We don't have any children.

 

Thanks in advance for your time.

 

I highly recommend Sandel's Negril. It's as laid-back as you want it to be. It cost me less than my last Carnival Cruise (adding-in bar and decent food).

 

The Wyndham Sugar Bay is very good if you don't mind a few steps to climb; a bit spendy though.

 

The Catalonia Royal Tulum (Xpuha) is one of our favorites. That is, if you don't mind being around Europeans (which we don't). Most spoke English.

 

Until they dumb these down for the masses I see these as the true vacation bargain alternative.

[grozas]

I love AIs. I like how relaxing they are. We have done several in Playacar just below Playa de Carmen. $4 taxi ride into town if you want night life. At a AI, for some reason I can sleep in or go take a nap without guilt that I am missing some activity or wasting my vacation.

[ib4cruzn]

I love AIs. I like how relaxing they are. We have done several in Playacar just below Playa de Carmen. $4 taxi ride into town if you want night life. At a AI, for some reason I can sleep in or go take a nap without guilt that I am missing some activity or wasting my vacation.

 

Honestly it's the only way to truly experience the Caribs. You can experience as much or as little as you like.

 

Most port stops visited via cruise you might as well have never left Miami.

 

YMMV

[cruisefamily1]

I see a lot of recommendations for adults only. What about good family ones? We have three kids ages 10-16. Thanks.

[LamenLaur]

My sister in law just got back from Now Jade Riviera Cancun and she had a phenomenal time. My husband and I had a great AI experience in St. Thomas at the Frenchman's Reed & Morning Star Marriott Beach Resort.

[grozas]

For kids - look at the Gayla in Playacar - great kids club. Our kids loved it.

 

As a note - because of the weak dollar - the guests at these AIs can be very European heavy. Kinda fun seeing your kids playing with kids from Italy or Germany. Kids did not seem to be bothered by it.

[ib4cruzn]

I see a lot of recommendations for adults only. What about good family ones? We have three kids ages 10-16. Thanks.

 

Homey don't play that...

 

I'm sure there are some out there. I think. Maybe...