All-Inclusive Cruise Options???

[mrsfuzzmo]

Does anyone else out there think that an all-inclusive cruise option would be the way to go. I see the AI resorts absolutely booming as is the resort package industry. As an at-home agent, 90% of my customers want an all-inclusive package (air/room/food/drinks). It is just becoming the wave of the "relaxing vacation" future. I, myself, like all-inclusive resorts...but LOVE cruises. I love the whole cruising experience. I love the ocean, the wind, the rocking of the ship, the cozy cabins, etc. The only thing that makes me go back to the resorts is the all-inclusive thing. How nice is it to not have to have any kind of money, card, or ID or anything and just eat and drink to my hearts desire. Always pulling out that silly card really gets annoying. Am I the only one that feels this way? I haven't really heard much about it. With the great success of the AI resorts, does anyone know of a line that is considering this option?

 

I know there will be people out there talking about all the "drunks" and obnoxious people etc. etc., but I have been to a number of AI resorts and there are just as many on the cruises as there are at the resorts. You'll always run into those that overindulge...it's their vacation and it's bound to happen, whether they have to pay for it on the spot or not. I myself would definitely pay a higher price for the luxury of an all-inclusive option. I have a lot of friends that won't go on a cruise because the "final bill" scares them, though if they paid upfront, they would definitely go.

 

Anyone else out there with me? Maybe we can convince somone.

 

Mrsfuzzmo

[kitty9]

There are all inclusive cruise options. Silversea and Seabourn offer all drinks included, some included shore excursions, and no tipping. How much more all inclusive do they want?

[CaptData]

I for one do not pull out that silly card too often. I do not drink much so I hate paying for everyone else at the resort. You still have to pay for spa at the resorts and excursion and some motorized sports, so it is not all inclusive as people think unless you stay at that place and don't go anywhere and only eat there.

[mrsfuzzmo]

I don't want to do Silversea or Seabourne. Maybe some day when I'm 60. Too fancy schmancy/hoity toity for my taste. I am much more into the relaxed, dancin at the pool to the reggae band, singing at the top of my lungs in the piano bar and getting crazy in the casino. No, I am not some kind of wild party child, but I do like to have fun. RCI, NCL, Carnival and Celebrity have all given me that!

 

I know there are extra costs involved in staying at an all-inclusive, as would there be on a cruise ship. Was just wondering if anyone else out there thought it would be a good idea. Not really looking for reasons people don't do all-inclusives. I am well traveled and have been on many cruises, to many resorts and have done plenty of custom trips as well. I enjoy them all, even though they are all very different, and I have come to know that they are all wonderful experiences, and I always spend a lot of money, so it isn't the cost thing that is an issue. I just thought it would be fun and have a lot of friends that agree so I thought I would throw it out there to the cruise community and see if we are the only ones that think it would be fun.

[marco]

Actually, Mrsfuzzmo, Silversea is consdierably LESS fancy than most "regular" lines, and a lot more laid back than most people who have not been on it think it is. The ships are smaller, fewer people, overall older demographics, but not "old". Mostly well traveled and GREAT cruisemates. We had a GREAT time. Yes, everything is included, but it is still at least $400 p/day - p/p. (and usually clsoser to $500), and yes, that's a lot of $$$$$. We certainly enjoyed the experience, but honestly, do I think we got what we paid for? No. There just wasn't enough bang for the buck. I have seen MANY all inclusive land packages for half that and even less being offered and they continue to gain in popularity. If you're looking at a Caribbean vacation, an all-inlcusive looks mighty attractive and at some point when they are at 100% occupancy for the entire season, and ships are going out with empty cabins, maybe the cruise lines will pay some market reseacrh company some outrageous amount of money to find out why.

[Happy ks]

I tend to feel the same way CaptData does, I don't care to foot the bill for someone else to over-indulge. And...... you know this is exactly what would happen on a main line cruise. Just walk through the buffet after breakfast or lunch to see the waste, the same would be done with alcohol and soft drinks. Not to mention the added availability of alcohol to minors with this plan. We don't eat a lot or drink a lot, so our final bill is not excessive. I also don't think I would necessarily be happy with the limited choices of all-inclusive. My favorite drink is a glass of wine, I shudder to think what the choice would be.

 

I've never cruised the premium lines, but I would if we could afford to. I don't tend to look at them as fancy schmancy or hoity toity, probably more classy and understated elegance.

 

We have never stayed at an all-inclusive resort and really, it doesn't appeal to me and the DH.

[SouthernCaribbean]

The question is...How much would you be willing to pay for a "AI" experience on one of the mass market cruiselines? They generate revenue from the very thing it sounds like you are trying to eliminate...liquor sales. What incentive do the cruiselines have to do this???

[mrsfuzzmo]

HappyKs, then the options are there not too. Unfortunately, I would like a few more options to choose from.

 

I am not saying all lines should go this way. But one or two, even a couple of cruises a year to choose from would be great. I would like more options than the standard AIs in Mex. and Caribbean. A cruise would be a lot of fun in my opinion...and no, not for overindulgence, just for simplicity and ease.

 

If you have been to an all-inclusive, you'd see that there isn't an excessive amount of waste. People eat and drink at free will just like on a cruise. There will always be wasters, but they are everywhere. The only difference is that on a cruise you pay for your cocktails after you've cruised, with having to show a card and sign a slip everytime. At an AI you pay for it when you book your trip. Other than the resort staying in one place, and people coming and going all throughout the week, an AI is almost exactly like a cruise. Same type of entertainment, same type of clientele, same types of food options, the only difference is having to carry a card around with you to get a beverage. I have cruised over 12 times (with another one next spring) and I have stayed at AIs a number of times (with another on in Dec.) and just thought it would be a great option.

[hajekfam]

I wouldn't like an all inclusive and that is why I never go to an all inclusive resort - why should I pay a higher price so someone that drinks more than I do get all their drinks free? How much more would cruising go up if drinks and even airfare were included? I know I can usually do much better on air than the cruiseline for a round trip cruise. As a previous poster stated, I like certain wines and Celebrity has a good wine list with a variety of prices - if wine was included would it be one that I would normally order?

Seeing as how I love to do spreadsheets, I once compared an all inclusive resort to a do it myself vacation and the do it myself vacation came in much cheaper based on what I eat, drink and do.

[mrg0433]

I figure a cruise is pretty much all inclusive. Pack your own booze or simply cruise Norwegian and buy 2 for 1 drinks at 11pm. You can buy a 6pack and get one free and fill the fridge in your cabin every day and enjoy your balcony--just don't fall overboard. Perhaps indoor cabins is the way to go in that case.

[aztecr3ina]

I have to agree with you, but then you seem to enjoy the same type of vacation that I (and my honey) do: Nothing where people might be too concerned with the elegance of it all to let their hair down a bit and have fun.

At the AIs that I've been to, there didn't seem to be much more waste than at any other cruise I've been on. There are always those few people who take advantage of what's being offered to them. But I can honestly say I have never seen any excessive drunkenness. People who drink are going to drink what they can handle whether they are paying for it or not. They're just going to enjoy it more if it's already included in their tab. :)

[mrsfuzzmo]

Great...at least my husband, myself and our friends won't be the only ones cruising on the AI cruise ship! Maybe we'll see you there someday! Cheers!

[CaptData]

I have been to an A1 too. I am single, disabled so they ignored me most of the time. They would not even get me a diet coke. They like the ones who are drinking as some of them leave tips.

 

 

I'll be doing a different Ai in a little while. If I like it I may go back. As for the cruise ship, I drink less then $60.00 on an 11 day cruise so I consider it all-inclusive already except for air (whcih I book myself). At the A1 my airfare was included and it equaled the cost of my cruise and air.