All Inclusive versus a cruise

[Mary El]

I said that I would post the pros and cons of an all inclusive versus a cruise. We have cruised Celebrity 25+ times, usually Concierge Class and mostly 11+ day cruises or 7 day back to back. We decided to try an all inclusive and chose an all inclusive in Playa Del Carmen in the Playacar area, a 5 star hotel. We were there for 7 days.

 

What was the same: excellent meals. All the dining was a la carte, at 5 restaurants. We had the option of a la carte for breakfast or buffet.

They served cold drinks (booze or non-booze) at the pool, came around with cold towels, and offered fresh fruit all the time.

On check in we were greeted with champagne, and our bags were taken to our room.

 

Cons: no waffles. It’s been so long since we were shown to our room and our bags taken upon boarding. The menus at the restaurants remained the same.

 

Pros: I would say that the service at the all inclusive was much better than Celebrity. They were extremely attentive.

We did a couple of tours through the hotel: Coba, and Chichen Itza. They were much cheaper than through Celebrity and I would say much better. I can only judge what Celebrity has done for Tulum tours and ours through the hotel was lots better. We’ve done Tulum through Celebrity 3 times.

No worry about arriving a day early.

 

That’s about it in a nutshell. Any questions and comments?

[hugger]

what resort you stayed at?

Also, wondering if they had entertainment available?

How did you keep busy - was it mainly sun and swim?

We've been thinking of trying a 5 Star resort somewhere. However, have been worried about keeping busy.

DH really likes the casino LOL

Yet he keeps saying he'd like to try an all inclusive at some point.

THANK YOU for taking the time to share your expereince with us.

[Sky Sweet]

I said that I would post the pros and cons of an all inclusive versus a cruise. We have cruised Celebrity 25+ times, usually Concierge Class and mostly 11+ day cruises or 7 day back to back. We decided to try an all inclusive and chose an all inclusive in Playa Del Carmen in the Playacar area, a 5 star hotel. We were there for 7 days.

 

What was the same: excellent meals. All the dining was a la carte, at 5 restaurants. We had the option of a la carte for breakfast or buffet.

They served cold drinks (booze or non-booze) at the pool, came around with cold towels, and offered fresh fruit all the time.

On check in we were greeted with champagne, and our bags were taken to our room.

 

Cons: no waffles. It’s been so long since we were shown to our room and our bags taken upon boarding. The menus at the restaurants remained the same.

 

Pros: I would say that the service at the all inclusive was much better than Celebrity. They were extremely attentive.

We did a couple of tours through the hotel: Coba, and Chichen Itza. They were much cheaper than through Celebrity and I would say much better. I can only judge what Celebrity has done for Tulum tours and ours through the hotel was lots better. We’ve done Tulum through Celebrity 3 times.

No worry about arriving a day early.

 

That’s about it in a nutshell. Any questions and comments?

 

Hi Mary E:)

 

Thanks for comparing your experience with an all inclusive resort to a Celebrity Cruise.

 

My husband and I are thinking about trying an all inclusive, but I have one main concern.

 

Since I have very fair skin that burns easily, I am not a beach person. Are there any interesting activities at the resort itself during the day for people who are not beach oriented?

 

Is there a live band for dancing in the evening or any entertainers? I remember when that was standard at resorts in "the mountains" during my youth.

[richsea]

Hi Mary! How would you compare the costs of each vacation?

[retired1998]

I too would like information about nightlife (entertainment) at an all inclusive. My DH and I were just talking about trying one instead of a cruise next winter. Also, he is not a beach person either.

 

8/99 Alaska Celebrity

8/01 Scandinavia/Russia Princess

1/05 Western Carribean Celebrity

10/05 Hawaii Norwegian

1/07 Panama Canal Celebrity

8/07 Hawaii Norwegian

1/08 South America – Celebrity

[BobBeaSea]

From the description I'm guessing the OP stayed at Royal Hideaway, or something close to it. For others with questions about AI's there are a few things to consider. First of all stay at a good one -5* or better. AI's are everywhere in Mexico and the Caribbean, literally hundreds if not thousands of them.

 

The better AI's have wonderful facilities, great restaurants and lots to see and do. They are NOT just beach and pool joints. The only area I give the nod to ships over a great AI is entertainment, IMHO it is better on the ships.

 

People staying at AI's have access to all the excursions cruisers do and more as there are many excursions not available to cruisers due to time constraints. At the better AI's at least 2 of your excursions are included.

 

I have only been on 5 cruises but have stayed at many more AI's. Both are great ways to vacation. In comparing costs a 5* AI is less money for us than mass market cruising (all in). Depending on where you live and what you do on vacation, this may or may not be the case for you.

[tbelian]

Hi Mary! How would you compare the costs of each vacation?

 

I have the same question.

 

This could be the big 'missing factor' in the comparison.

[seaqueenie]

BobBeSea:

 

May I ask at what AI's have you stayed at?

[Mary El]

what resort you stayed at?

Also, wondering if they had entertainment available?

How did you keep busy - was it mainly sun and swim?

We've been thinking of trying a 5 Star resort somewhere. However, have been worried about keeping busy.

DH really likes the casino LOL

Yet he keeps saying he'd like to try an all inclusive at some point.

THANK YOU for taking the time to share your expereince with us.

 

We stayed at Royal Hideaway Playacar, Playa del Carmen Mexico

 

Yes, there was entertainment available, but we picked this resort because it wasn't necessarily a party resort. It was low key.

 

We kept busy by going to Chichen Itza, Coba, Playa del Carmen, and other things. We too aren't necessarily beach people. I get antsy after about 1 hour of lolling around.

 

No casisnos in Mexico, I believe.

 

Hope this helps.

[SusieV]

We also made the same choice this time and we are anxiously awaiting our trip to Aventura Spa Palace in February.

 

We had a fantastic deal booked on Solstice but we're the type of people to run up an enormous Seapass bill and between that and excursions, we decided it was better to postpone.

 

Palace Resorts include lots of excursions as well as the food and good quality liquor, and it prices out to cheaper than a cruise per day when considering what we spend onboard.

 

I hope our experience is as good as yours. We also heard to book a highly rated AI or else drink well booze and eat marginal food. We chose an adults only AI to get away from families.

 

I do wish there were casinos in Mexico though!

[BobBeaSea]

BobBeSea:

 

May I ask at what AI's have you stayed at?

 

There are too many to mention. A partial list is Secrets Excellence Riviera Maya (Mayan Riviera, south of Cancun), Paradisus Palma Real & Paradisus Punta Cana (both in Punta Cana, DR), various Palace Resorts in Mexico, various Superclubs Resorts (Lidos and others in Jamaica). Oddly, I haven't yet tried any of the Sandals properties yet, although there is a relatively new Sandals property in Jamaica I am looking at. Both Superclubs and Sandals are Jamaican companies, I was always partial to Superclubs without trying Sandals - sort of like cruise lines :). Both of these companies were the innovators of the total AI concept (Club Med doesn't count , IMHO) however both are getting a wee bit "tired" and there is some great competition out there for the AI business. Countries I've stayed at AI's in: Mexico, Jamaica, Bahamas, Dominican Republic and so on etc.

[Mary El]

In reference to cost: I would say about the same for a 7 day cruise, Concierge Class cabin. Including airline. Remember that in AIs usually tipping is not required and not asked, at least it was where we stayed. However, we would slip a dollar here and there.

 

I did lots of research before we decided to where to stay. There are lots of AIs out there to choose from.

 

I found Trip Advisor to be very handy on the write-ups that people gave, both pros and cons. Where we stayed were lots more pros than cons.

[BobBeaSea]

We stayed at Royal Hideaway Playacar, Playa del Carmen Mexico

 

Yes, there was entertainment available, but we picked this resort because it wasn't necessarily a party resort. It was low key.

 

We kept busy by going to Chichen Itza, Coba, Playa del Carmen, and other things. We too aren't necessarily beach people. I get antsy after about 1 hour of lolling around.

 

No casisnos in Mexico, I believe.

 

Hope this helps.

 

I kinew it! From your description in your opening post I figured it was Royal Hideaway :). How did you like Chichen Itza? Fantastic - isn't it!

 

For those who want a casino on the property or nearby, Punta Cana is an option.

[Mary El]

I kinew it! From your description in your opening post I figured it was Royal Hideaway :). How did you like Chichen Itza? Fantastic - isn't it!

 

For those who want a casino on the property or nearby, Punta Cana is an option.

 

Chichen Itza was the best. Been to Tulum and love it, but Chichen Itza took my breath away. Too bad that it's so far away that cruise ships can't offer it as an excursion.

 

I really did like Royal Hideaway. The pictures don't do it justice. As for the service .... it was the best. When our tour operator picked us up for our tour of Coba he said that Royal Hideaway is the best hotel, and that's coming from a local who seemed to know lots.

[TRadle]

Oddly, I haven't yet tried any of the Sandals properties yet, although there is a relatively new Sandals property in Jamaica I am looking at.

 

Is this Whitehouse? If so don't hesitate to go. The beach is stunning and all of the rooms have ocean views.

 

This is the only AI we've been to and we did compare it to our cruises. We found this resort to be more expensive than cruising in a Junior Suite on RCI or a Sky Suite on Celebrity. Unless you have a butler suite there is no room service. Also, the food was nowhere near as good as the food on any cruise we had and the drinks were small and weak.

 

What we did like better than the cruise was that it was a beach vacation with all water sports included in the price. We could swim at night in the pools unlike Celebrity. Also, it never felt crowded...which was really nice.

 

These are just different vacations. We are thinking of doing an AI in St. Lucia for our vacation next year. :)

[Giorgi-one]

From the description I'm guessing the OP stayed at Royal Hideaway, or something close to it. For others with questions about AI's there are a few things to consider. First of all stay at a good one -5* or better. AI's are everywhere in Mexico and the Caribbean, literally hundreds if not thousands of them.

 

The better AI's have wonderful facilities, great restaurants and lots to see and do. They are NOT just beach and pool joints. The only area I give the nod to ships over a great AI is entertainment, IMHO it is better on the ships.

 

People staying at AI's have access to all the excursions cruisers do and more as there are many excursions not available to cruisers due to time constraints. At the better AI's at least 2 of your excursions are included.

 

I have only been on 5 cruises but have stayed at many more AI's. Both are great ways to vacation. In comparing costs a 5* AI is less money for us than mass market cruising (all in). Depending on where you live and what you do on vacation, this may or may not be the case for you.

 

Agree with all your comments except one. I would not go to an AI in Mexico if I was not a beach or pool person. They do have some other activities but most revolve around the outdoors. Also, AIs in Mexico have no Casino and entertainment is nowhere near what is offered on Cruises. Different type of vacation but I like them both. Also, you cannot compare 5* AI price with inside or ocean view cabins. Really need to compare to a suite.

[dmk]

Before cruising 5 years ago, we only went to AIs. We went to Mexico, Jamaica, Barbados and the Bahamas. They had good food, drinks included often, beautiful locations and mediocre entertainment.

The big difference for us is that you are NOT on the sea. This, for us, is why we enjoy cruising over land vacations.

It is so beautiful to sit on the balcony and watch the sea...so relaxing. I love to open the curtains in the morning and see a new port. There is a sense of adventure that everyone seems to share on a ship.

Our days of sitting by the pool, or on the beach, all day are finished. On a cruise, we have options of other things to do during the day besides beach sports etc.

Give me a cruise any day...especially a Transatlantic.:D

p.s. I do consider Club Med the first AI in the World

[Giorgi-one]

In reference to cost: I would say about the same for a 7 day cruise, Concierge Class cabin. Including airline. Remember that in AIs usually tipping is not required and not asked, at least it was where we stayed. However, we would slip a dollar here and there.

 

I did lots of research before we decided to where to stay. There are lots of AIs out there to choose from.

 

I found Trip Advisor to be very handy on the write-ups that people gave, both pros and cons. Where we stayed were lots more pros than cons.

 

 

Did you really stay a Royal Hideaway for same price as CC cabin? One probelm right now is that round trip air from Philadelphia to Cancun is running over $1000 per person.

[eandj]

We also made the same choice this time and we are anxiously awaiting our trip to Aventura Spa Palace in February.

 

We had a fantastic deal booked on Solstice but we're the type of people to run up an enormous Seapass bill and between that and excursions, we decided it was better to postpone.

 

Palace Resorts include lots of excursions as well as the food and good quality liquor, and it prices out to cheaper than a cruise per day when considering what we spend onboard.

 

 

!

 

We have been to this AI a few years ago. You would have to do quite a lot of drinking to make an AI more cost efficient than a cruise. From here, a week at Aventura runs about $2,000 a person for a decent view room. We can do a pretty nice 7 day cruise for less, for sure. We continue to do both AI, regular resort hotels and Cruises. But we have cut back from the drinking all day to just cocktails and dinner. So we are much better off at non AIs as far as cost. And the food at even the higher cost AI's is not any better than a cruise formal restaurant. That said, the idea of not carrying around a wallet makes for a nice vacation. :)

 

If you haven't been to Cancun, take the Aventura's shuttle there to check it out. The Aventura has no beach, just a man made area. So you'll appreciate the white sand and beaches in Cancun. Maybe stop at one of the Palaces on the south end of the strip for the nicest beach. Sun Palace is nice. There is nothing in the area of the Aventura. So you DO have to make an effort to find things to do. And not much of any night time entertainment. Cruises and non AI resorts do much better in that area for sure.

Have a great time! Some of the rooms are lovely. Especially the corner suites.

 

I'd take any beach vacation from cold Wisconsin winters!

[BrendaJ]

We have been to various all-inclusives in the Caribbean and Mexico over the years, and these are the reasons I prefer cruising now:

1. Although the land-based excursions may be cheaper than cruise line excursions, you're still based in one particular location. After visiting Jamaica, Playa del Carmen, St. Maarten, etc. multiple times, I really feel there is nothing left for me to see that I'm interested in seeing in those places. On a cruise, I get to visit a new place every other day or so. I actually prefer cruises in Europe where you can visit a port many times and still not run out of things to see.
   
2. I'm not that big a beach or pool fan. I couple of hours a day and after that, I'm bored and looking for something to do. I find the evening entertainment at most resorts pretty lackluster.
   
3. My biggest reason for preferring cruising is air conditioning. We've stayed at some pretty nice resorts, but for the most part, meals and entertainment are partaken of outside, often in hot, humid climates - possibly surrounded by mosquitos and flies etc. I love having the option of having my meals in air-conditioned, insect-free comfort.

That being said, if you're a big drinker and can spend the whole day on the beach or poolside, then an upscale all-inclusive can be pretty appealing from a cost perspective, although most all-inclusives I've visited don't have impressive wine lists.

 

Some day I'll probably try an all-inclusive again, perhaps in Spain again, or Portugal, where there is a lot to see within a few hours drive.

[SusieV]

We have been to this AI a few years ago. You would have to do quite a lot of drinking to make an AI more cost efficient than a cruise. From here, a week at Aventura runs about $2,000 a person for a decent view room. We can do a pretty nice 7 day cruise for less, for sure. We continue to do both AI, regular resort hotels and Cruises. But we have cut back from the drinking all day to just cocktails and dinner. So we are much better off at non AIs as far as cost. And the food at even the higher cost AI's is not any better than a cruise formal restaurant. That said, the idea of not carrying around a wallet makes for a nice vacation. :)

 

If you haven't been to Cancun, take the Aventura's shuttle there to check it out. The Aventura has no beach, just a man made area. So you'll appreciate the white sand and beaches in Cancun. Maybe stop at one of the Palaces on the south end of the strip for the nicest beach. Sun Palace is nice. There is nothing in the area of the Aventura. So you DO have to make an effort to find things to do. And not much of any night time entertainment. Cruises and non AI resorts do much better in that area for sure.

Have a great time! Some of the rooms are lovely. Especially the corner suites.

 

I'd take any beach vacation from cold Wisconsin winters!

 

 

We must have gotten a pretty good deal then, the cost of the resort for us was $1400 each for the week, and airfare wasn't too bad (we got direct flights to Cancun through AC, not a charter).

 

Yes, we know there is no beach but the lagoon looks nice from pics, and we can always visit one of the sister resorts as you mentioned.

 

The problem for us isn't the cost of the cruise... it's that pesky bill they slip under the door at the end that always makes me think they forgot to charge us for the cruise and are adding it back on! :eek:

[Cruise Junky]

I just did a price comparison from Vancouver taking cruise air. All Prices are per person.

 

Royal Hideway...

1 week in November with air $2,600 or $371 a day

2 weeks in November with air $ 4,100 or $292.85 a day

 

Celebrity Solstice 7 day Caribbean Cruise

Aqua Suite with air: $2,308 or 329.71 a day

Regular Balcony with air: $1,888 or $269 a day

Sky Suite with air: $3508 or 501.14 a day

 

You start adding in fuel surcharges, tipping, excursions, drinks, specialty restaurants, 14 days at the Royal Hideway is a steal.

[YOW]

My biggest reason for preferring cruising is air conditioning. We've stayed at some pretty nice resorts, but for the most part, meals and entertainment are partaken of outside, often in hot, humid climates - possibly surrounded by mosquitos and flies etc. I love having the option of having my meals in air-conditioned, insect-free comfort.

 

So glad you said that, BrendaJ -- for a while there, we thought maybe we were too picky or high-maintenance. Glad to see there are others who feel the same way. DW says one has to be an 'outside' person in order to fully appreciate all-inclusive resorts. We like our comforts, and not sweating and/or itching through a meal is a nice thing.

 

Having said that, Chichen Itza is on our list, so a land vacation in the area would be the way to go... when we find a 5-star (or greater) resort with air conditioned facilities at a decent price in the winter, maybe that trip will happen. Until then, we're quite happy cruising.

[Mary El]

So glad you said that, BrendaJ -- for a while there, we thought maybe we were too picky or high-maintenance. Glad to see there are others who feel the same way. DW says one has to be an 'outside' person in order to fully appreciate all-inclusive resorts. We like our comforts, and not sweating and/or itching through a meal is a nice thing.

 

Having said that, Chichen Itza is on our list, so a land vacation in the area would be the way to go... when we find a 5-star (or greater) resort with air conditioned facilities at a decent price in the winter, maybe that trip will happen. Until then, we're quite happy cruising.

 

 

All restaurants at Royal Hideaway, except the one by the pool are indoors. All are air conditioned. All restaurants are a la carte, except you have the option to have a buffet for breakfast, where you can eat indoors our outdoors. Never sweated or itched at our meals.

[BobBeaSea]

Agree with all your comments except one. I would not go to an AI in Mexico if I was not a beach or pool person. They do have some other activities but most revolve around the outdoors. Also, AIs in Mexico have no Casino and entertainment is nowhere near what is offered on Cruises. Different type of vacation but I like them both. Also, you cannot compare 5* AI price with inside or ocean view cabins. Really need to compare to a suite.

 

Yup! If you want a casino, the Dominican Republic is one place to go. I don't know what "package pricing" is like where you are but, from Toronto, AI's are inexpensive. The cabin we normally get is a Junior Suite on RCI (a larger balcony cabin) however, on an "all in" basis, the 5* AI is considerably less money for us. As I mentioned in an above post, entertainment at an AI is not good when compared to a cruise ship.