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Comments (3)
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Save/ShareThanks to everybody who submitted questions, and special thanks to folks who chimed in with resort reviews and insights about their all-inclusive experiences.
We'll be publishing a full story on the topic in an upcoming issue, but for now, here are some quick thoughts on questions that were submitted:
Ways to Avoid Single Supplement?
Many resorts discount or completely waive normal single supplement charges during the "off" season for all-inclusive resorts. That generally means late spring, summer, and fall. Bear in mind that much of this period is hurricane season, and that even if you're not paying a single supplement, you're probably not getting quite as big a discount as if you were sharing a room in typical double occupancy fashion. Club Med is good about publishing its special rates for solo travelers. Check out its 2009 singles offers.
Best Times for Deals?
Other than hurricane season, that is? Two brief periods are good bets for storm-free weather, no crowds, and low prices. Try the few weeks in early December, just after Thanksgiving but before students leave school for winter break, and also the couple of weeks just after New Year's, starting on January 5 or so. These are lulls for resorts, and there are often great discounts.
All-Inclusive Versus Cruise?
Both experiences are similar in that, in hassle-free fashion, they provide all your meals and lodging, along with lots of activities. Cruises tend to be much more social: You typically sit with other passengers during meals, and the folks who go on cruises tend to be a chatty, gregarious bunch. You'll find outgoing personalities at all-inclusives too, but at such resorts it's much more common to see someone lounging on a beach for hours happily all alone, or to spot couples chilling out in their own little worlds. Another difference is that all-inclusives generally include more in the room rate. Alcohol, for one, is almost always included at land resorts, but costs extra on cruise ships.
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I have done both a cruise (to 5 southern acribbean ports) and an all-inclusive (Majestic Colonial, Punta Cana, DR) and have to say I liked the DR better than the cruise. I'm not a big drinker, but it was nice to know that I wasn't going to be charged for every water, soda (and when I felt like it), beer. Also, ALL meals at ALL restaurants are included. On a lot of cruises the main didng room and buffets are included but if you want the nice steakhouse you have to pay the supplement. Snorkeling, sunfish boats & other activities were all included, whereas on the cruise, we had to pay a lot of money for excursions. PLus the pool is really small, and it was nice to have a large pool and a beach to simply relax at. The rooms are MUCH nicer and bigger, and over all I find it a better value. I'm glad I got to see the islands that we cruised to, but I didn't feel relaxed when I came home because we were so busy getting on and off the boat every day.
Posted By Nycole on September 18, 2009, 3:34 PM
I have cruised often and also have experienced the all inclusive resorts. Both are fun and good family experiences. You do have to read the fine print; in the all inclusives all water sports were NOT included; sailboats, personal water crafts, etc. were extra; only snorkeling equipment was included in the package. Also at times open air restaurants in the all inclusives are hot, there are birds and insects at times, etc. If you like your creature comforts at all times, take a cruise.
Posted By josie on September 21, 2009, 4:09 PM
We have cruised 3 different lines in the Mexican Rivera, Southern and Western Carribean, and The Bahamas and have really enjoyed most of the experiences but the all-inclusive trip to Puerto Vallarte was a nice departure. We wouldn't have had to spend $1 more than the package if we'd never left the resort. As it was, we took a snorkeling excursion as opposed to using the hotel equipment and took a cab into town. It was nice to have all drinks, tips and airport transfers included. But extra special to have a buffet, pool-side burgers and tacos, and 3 very nice dinner restaurants to choose from for meals. All in all we'd do the all-inclusive again but we still like to cruise.
Posted By Norm & Vicki on September 23, 2009, 1:57 AM