Need honest opinion...RCI Vs. All Inclusive

[happyteacher1214]

Hi Ya'll!

 

So I have a question for those of you who have done both an all inclusive, and RCI (or any cruise for that matter). How comparable are the ALL Incl. to a cruise? The reason why I ask is before this will be my BF first cruise, but he has been to the all inclusive in Dominican Republic, yet I have done cruising before and have never done A.I. How comparable is the service and the food. Obviously not the destination...but is it a totally different feel??? Please be open and honest....be candid! I just dont want him to be totally disappointed if he has been to good resorts down there and he is expecting something better (better product) in a cruise ship....

 

Thanks,

 

Nervous girlfriend:eek:

[happyteacher1214]

I meant All Inclusive Beach Resort!!!

[Jiffymom]

We love the seas. So RCCL is my vote

[Powriv]

I have never been to an all-inclusive and one reason is that cruising is more my thing.

 

Going to at least 3 different ports with some sea days in and around port days allow one to do as much or as little as you want. While there isn't the water activities onboard like at an AI, ports allow one to sail, lay on the beach, kayak, snorkel that one could do at an AI.

 

One thing in AI's favor is alcohol and soft drinks are included in the price, whereas you have to pay for those things on board.

 

I would like to try an AI perhaps in Cuba or Dominican, but worry that I would be bored with not much to do but lay on the beach or use the alotted time limit on water activities.

[joyfulmarsh]

To me, an all-inclusive resort and cruising are practically the same concept (with some exceptions like transfers, excursions, tipping, some drinks, etc.). What makes cruising a better value for us is that depending on the itinerary and the ports-of-call, you get more than one singular resort and or location. Even when compared to an all-inclusive beach resort, with a cruise, I could conceivably visit a new resort every port day (resorts with day-passes). The caveat with going off ship to a resort for day-use is then any food and beverages at that resort/location is out-of-pocket. Most of the time, the most fun come about when trying something new and spontaneity. Whatever you chose, have a great time! Joyful Marsh

[crazy about crusing]

We did both an all inclusive and a cruise last year. We stayed at the Iberostar Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic.

 

We love to cruise much more. The night life at the all inclusive was pretty boring. The food is much better on a cruise.

 

We do love the idea of not having a huge bar bill at the end of vacation, so I am sure your BF will be in shock of how quickly the drinks add up.

 

We have been on 30 cruises and only 3 all inclusive vacations, so I guess we really do like cruising better.

[billsgal]

We've done both AI's and cruises a number of times these past two or three years. Both have advantages.....you don't have to sign a slip every time you get a drink at an AI, but you don't have the scenery changing every day, either.

Food has been pretty comparable, but depending upon whether he stayed at an upscale resort of a middle of the road resort, food may be better or worse.

We've stayed at Paradisus, (upscale) Palace Resort and Sunset Beach resorts(middle of the road) and some meals have been much better on the ship and some meals at the AI's have been better than on the ship. Service has been comparable.

 

Just tell your BF to relax and enjoy the difference. AI's seem to be more relaxing, just sitting on the beach all day, and there are so many things to do and see on the cruise. If he decides he prefers the AI experience, just make him take you the next time:D

 

Rita

[Debde]

Nervous girlfriend

Don't be nervous!!:D

I alternate vactions between cruising and AI's. I love both vacation options.

Because it is his first cruise-he probably will love it. Nothing like that first time you step on a ship.

Cruising gives you many options as for seeing many places in a short span of time. Many things to do on a cruise. Down time-keep the pace-you are free to keep whatever pace you choose. Service and food are just as comparible on a cruise ship as it is on AI's.

Many people feel cruising is a good deal compared to an AI but I can not disagree more. With drinks and most beach activities included-at the end of the trip-you will find-even more so now with the economy that a good AI resort is much cheaper then a cruise.

I do both because I enjoy both. I find them different in many ways but enjoyable all the same.

[cruiserbryce]

the ships offer more variety as far as destination...the value is certainly there either way but I love the cruises so I would pick RC

[happyteacher1214]

Wow you guys are amazing! I am not sure which hotel he stayed in, I beleive he stayed at the Bavaro Palace, but not sure. We are going in December only for five days on the Navigator. I am so looking forward to going....

 

He says the food was good, to great. But then again he is NOT picky so who knows....also the drinks is what he liked the most of course so yes a bar bill will be quiet a shocker for him....oh well we are only paying $399 and no airfair so I guess he wont be so shocked!

 

The only thing that concerns me with an AI is that you are studck there in the island the whole time.... unlike a cruise..

 

I am willing to try the AI, maybe next year during the summer....yes he did promise to take me next year...

 

Thanks again...

 

Claudia

[cruiseguy1016]

My wife and I did an AI a few years ago and that was, by far, the best vacation we had ever been on.....until we went on our first cruise! At the AI we loved the fact that everything was included and tipping was not allowed. Our money went into the room safe and stayed there unless we left the resort to shop. Life on a cruise ship is not entirely different. Although you have to pay for drinks, everything is done with your Sea pass, no need to carry cash.

 

Many of the activities on the ship are free i.e. the shows, rock climbing, ice skating so you don't need to spend a lot of money if you don't want to. I think the food has been as good or better than what we had at the AI.

 

The best part about cruising is the multiple ports. You get to see so much more on a cruise than you do at an AI. All in all the cruises that we have been on have been cheaper than, and offered so much more than, the AI that stayed at. We might do another AI some day but for now we are hooked on cruising.

[Ladylouwho]

Wow you guys are amazing! I am not sure which hotel he stayed in, I beleive he stayed at the Bavaro Palace, but not sure. We are going in December only for five days on the Navigator. I am so looking forward to going....

 

He says the food was good, to great. But then again he is NOT picky so who knows....also the drinks is what he liked the most of course so yes a bar bill will be quiet a shocker for him....oh well we are only paying $399 and no airfair so I guess he wont be so shocked!

 

The only thing that concerns me with an AI is that you are studck there in the island the whole time.... unlike a cruise..

 

I am willing to try the AI, maybe next year during the summer....yes he did promise to take me next year...

 

Thanks again...

 

Claudia

 

Welcome to Cruise Critic Claudia!

 

I like both vacations. We do both type of vacations, although we tend to cruise more.

 

For $399 you are getting a great value. In this economy cruises are probably the cheapest they have been in a long time and if you have no airfare then it really becomes a less expensive alternative to the A.I., even though you will pay for your drinks.

 

The concepts are similar but some differences will be that most A.I's do not have casinos. So if you enjoy the casino the ship will be more fun. There are generally more bars and more types of entertainment on the ship, especially the newer large ships. A.I.'s tend to quiet down in the evening earlier.

 

At an A.I. your room will probably be larger and nicer with a full size bathroom. Probably the biggest shock to a 1st time cruiser is the tiny bathrooms in cabins, unless of course you are in a large full suite.

 

There is generally more action going on on a cruise ship. A.I.'s tend to be more laid back.

 

On the other hand, an A.I. can be totally relaxing, fewer crowds, not as noisy. And one can still take land excursions or go into towns (especially Cancun) to go to the Clubs.

 

Both are great ways to relax. Your BF will probably really enjoy the cruise, especially since it is his first. And you have that A.I. experience to look forward to next.

 

 

Colleen

[monicajay]

I'm sure he will love it!

 

We have done many more A.I. beach holidays than we have cruises. We like them both and will continue to do both. We also do traveler style holidays where we rent a car and go adventuring or rent an apartment or condo and just hang out.

 

It always amazes me the people on these boards that only cruise. You don't get the same view of a place when 3000 people all visit at the same time. Change things up and enjoy all the different types of traveling.

 

His first cruise will always be special. Enjoy and he will too.

[Mark_K]

Wow you guys are amazing! I am not sure which hotel he stayed in, I beleive he stayed at the Bavaro Palace, but not sure. We are going in December only for five days on the Navigator. I am so looking forward to going....

 

He says the food was good, to great. But then again he is NOT picky so who knows....also the drinks is what he liked the most of course so yes a bar bill will be quiet a shocker for him....oh well we are only paying $399 and no airfair so I guess he wont be so shocked!

 

The only thing that concerns me with an AI is that you are studck there in the island the whole time.... unlike a cruise..

 

I am willing to try the AI, maybe next year during the summer....yes he did promise to take me next year...

 

Thanks again...

 

Claudia

I'm going to agree, my guess is shock at the bar bill and a preference for AI. If your top priorities are a warm, sunny place with free drinks, you're going to get more value out of an AI.

[cb at sea]

The food will be comparable---neither are 5 star. You will pay for all alcohol and sodas on the ship....at an AI, that's all included.

[crisndeefromde]

we are doing our first all inclusive in cancun next march. Yikes for the price even using a timeshare trade. I am not sure we are going to eat over 2300 in food and drinks. We are not big drinkers. Going with friends so good times to enjoy. So I guess we will get our first experience to compare with cruising.

[kooljamming]

I have done all inclusive resorts in Jamaica and Mexico and cruised on RCCL, Carnival and Princess all within the past 5 years. This year we did 2 cruises (both on Princess) and one all inclusive resort in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico. I have another cruise booked for February (RCCL: Mariner OTS) and yet another all inclusive resort for the summer (Jamaica: Sunset Jamaica Grande). I prefer land vacations because they give me the opportunity to explore the place, the people and the culture. I have a swim-up bar for a week, a beach for a week, a room with a view and time to relax and enjoy the destination. Cruising gives me a the glorious feeling of waking up in a new place everyday. Cruising starts out cheap but to have a comparable to land vacation, ESPECIALLY if you like the taste of liquor they could easily cost more. As for the amenities, if you eliminate ports and liquor, a cruise is a floating all inclusive resort on water. Depending on where you choose, you have a wider selection of All inclusive resorts, size, family, adult only, and clothing optional:eek:. There are certain places I have no desire to see for a few hours, so cruising to them would be out. Living within 2 hours of 2 ports (LA and San Diego) cruising is a very nice get-a-way. Once you add flight, over night hotel stay, parking, traveling when the kids are out and excursions in each port, then cruising can be downright expensive .

[houlacruiser]

Personally I get bored with an AI. We did it for our honeymoon which was nice, but we only stayed 4 days 3 nights, and I was ready to go. I love everything about cruising - waking up in a different port every day, the ship's staff, being out on the open seas, sea days and the list goes on and on. I'm sure if you were to ask this on an AI message board you'd get much different answers.

[BroncosFan2010]

I like cruising because I get bored while on a land vacation. I can only lay by the beach for an hour or so before I am bored. All Inclusives often have few activities to do, and any of the good ones are often NOT included in the price. I love cruising because I can do something different every day in a different place. I can be active on the ship, or I can relax on the ship. I can snorkel and shop, or I can relax by the beach. I can explore a volcano one day, and go rum tasting the next. I unpack once and visit several different locations. I just get too bored while laying at a beach resort one day. However, if you want to do that on a cruise, you can!

[ccletzgo]

Hi Ya'll!

 

So I have a question for those of you who have done both an all inclusive, and RCI (or any cruise for that matter). How comparable are the ALL Incl. to a cruise? The reason why I ask is before this will be my BF first cruise, but he has been to the all inclusive in Dominican Republic, yet I have done cruising before and have never done A.I. How comparable is the service and the food. Obviously not the destination...but is it a totally different feel??? Please be open and honest....be candid! I just dont want him to be totally disappointed if he has been to good resorts down there and he is expecting something better (better product) in a cruise ship....

 

Thanks,

 

Nervous girlfriend:eek:

 

 

service.. the same

food... more variety on a cruise/ same quality

bar ... :eek: expensive on a cruise

pool... better at all inclusive. This is a real kicker for some people. Those

swim up bars are pretty alluring..

 

room... way better at an all inclusive

spa...better at all inclusive

 

variety in sceanary...way better on a cruise;) its different every day.

 

I love both.. and we mix them up. When I do an all inclusive I like the adult only with at least 5 stars. There are some really, really nice all-inclusive. BUT, when I walk out on my veranda every morning, its the same as it was the day before.:confused: I love the change with each day on a cruise..

 

You need to remind BF that you are on a ship. So don't even begin to compare a cabin at sea to a room at an all inclusive.

Also there will be a bar bill. Other then that.. He shouldn't go into culture shock...LOL

[BobbyD]

We have been to Sunset Beach Resorts in Jamaica and Iberostar in Dominican Republic. Sunset Beach was fairly budget (but exactly what we assumed it would be) and Iberostar was a bit more deluxe. We had great times at both (brought our 2 kids along to both). IMHO the overall food on a cruise is better as is the entertainment. Don't get me wrong, we had wonderful vacations on both but I love being out on the high seas! Would I go to an all-inclusive again? Absolutely, but my first choice is cruising. We had great deals at the all-inclusives so it was cheaper, I believe. Also, tips and drinks are included as well at the all-inclusives. I feel there is much more to do on a cruise.

[gerig]

I'm going on my first all inclusive trip on Thursday. I chose Aruba because I didn't want to be held prisoner in an AI in Dom. Republic or Jamaica. Those AI's are much cheaper than Aruba. We will be able to walk around town and other areas.

 

However I know the average daily rate that I've paid for my 17+ cruises is much less than this all inclusive. The average daily rate of our bar bill including wine is $100 per day which is still way cheaper than an AI.

 

Keep in mind you don't need to go on excursions, supper clubs, play bingo or gamble. There are people that go to all inclusives and do go on excursions, other restarants etc which drives up the cost of their vacation. There are people that go and do nothing but stay on the resort and eat, drink, and do nothing. All inclusives do not offer all the activites that a cruise does.

 

In the end if you compare cruise to the all inclusive a cruise is much cheaper - keep in mind I'm using the Caribbean as the comparison.

[Ginnyfyr]

My husband and I have been on two cruises and over 15 all inclusive holidays in the Dominican Republic...I think that tells you our preference, lol. I do enjoy the changing scenery that cruises offer, and the chance to explore islands that I otherwise probably wouldn't go to, but overall, I do not find cruising to be very relaxing or very cost effective (for us, anyway). My husband and I both love to laze on the beach or at the pool all day and not have to worry about any time restraints. Most AIs have a decent selection of activities to keep you entertained during the day, if that's your thing - water activities, beach volleyball, pool games, etc. The night life is definitely better on cruises, but we don't typically stay up too late on vacation and prefer to spend our evenings chatting with other guests anyway, so night life isn't a big selling point for us. We tend to stay in 5 star AIs so we have found the food comparable to cruises (better, in some cases). The wine selection is definitely far superior on a ship, but if you aren't into wine, that wouldn't bother you. It's also so nice not to have to worry about how much you've racked up in bar and other charges at the end of the week (we tend to rack up quite the bill, lol). Good luck with your decision! Either way, I'm sure you both will have a fabulous time...it's a week away from home where you don't have to work, cook, or clean so you really can't go wrong!

[kooljamming]

Personally I get bored with an AI. We did it for our honeymoon which was nice, but we only stayed 4 days 3 nights, and I was ready to go. I love everything about cruising - waking up in a different port every day, the ship's staff, being out on the open seas, sea days and the list goes on and on. I'm sure if you were to ask this on an AI message board you'd get much different answers.

 

LOL!

You were on your honeymoon but was ready to go after 3 nights. I wasn't ready to leave the Motel 6 after a week:D;) Somethings you need to give things a chance. With 4 days, apart of 2 were used for travel.

[kpcruise]

We have stayed at dozens of all inclusives, and cruised about 6 ships. I am a beach lover, really enjoy my room amenities, and love pool/beach areas. All inclusive wins for those areas, as well as, it is, ALL INCLUSIVE. We have left home with 200.00 for a 4 night trip and come home with change! All we purchased was sunscreen, a taxi into town for souvenirs, and magazines at the airport! You can get awesome deals and the price is the price. Period

 

I also love to gamble, enjoy lots of choices when I am done at the pool or beach as to what to do, and cruises win on those fronts. But make no mistake, your price will be much higher at the end of the trip! Every port you stop in is a money drainer. Great ports, beaches, activities each day on land. But you have to pay to do any of it!!! Not to mention drinks on the ship.

 

Overall I prefer an all inclusive, with a cruise thrown in every 2-3 years for variety. That way I enjoy the best of both.

You will have a great time, enjoy, and remember, you really aren't comparing apples to apples, so try to look at the cruise on it's own merits!