Allure or Beaches with an infant

[chief5286]

Hi all. I'm not sure if this is the appropriate place or not, but here goes.

My wife and I, as well as our son who will be 14 months at the time of our vacation in mid December, are currently booked in a hump balcony cabin on Allure of the Seas sailing the western Caribbean (Jamaica, Haiti, and Cozumel).

Neither of us have been on a cruise or a trip to the Caribbean (or for that matter, the beach, aside from when we were kids).

For about the same price as the balcony cabin on Allure, we could book a room at Beaches Negril in Jamaica. Flights to Ft. Lauderdale would be significantly cheaper, about $600 cheaper (and easier as one way could be non-stop), than would flights to Montego Bay. But per the advice here we would need to pay for a night at a hotel in Ft. Lauderdale b/c of flying in the day before, as well as transfers (which are included at Beaches).

On the other hand, Beaches includes child care (which is $8/hour during nursery hours on Allure), soda, alcohol (not huge drinkers but would like to partake), and several interesting activities (scuba (very appealing to me), sailing, etc.) that are not offered on the cruise or that are part of an excursion.

I’m not sure what would be better for us with a precocious 14 month old, and was hoping for some advice from those with more experience with cruising, even better if someone has been to an all-inclusive as well.

I guess I envision a Beaches vacation to be more relaxing while allowing us to do some pretty fun things (like scuba diving, which I’ve always wanted to learn, sailing, chilling on a beach), while on a cruise there would be a ton to do and see but it would be more hectic and busy. Is that the correct impression?

I am also thinking that Beaches would be more “all-inclusive” than the Allure (drinks, casino, child care, excursions (if we were comfortable leaving the boat without junior, which is a big if), and the rooms would obviously be larger at the resort.

But the idea of cruising on the Allure is appealing, and it is quite possible that whichever trip we do this time, we would do the other one next time.

One other thing, if prices were similar for a cruise and Beaches Turks and Caicos (they are not, Turks is more expensive than Negril), and I wasn’t worried it would be too cold in Providenciales in December (which I think is a strong possibility), I would definitely lean towards Beaches. But between Beaches Negril and the Allure, it is a much closer decision.

Thank you for your responses.

[mjkacmom]

I've been to Beaches with an almost 2 year old, and it was great! Loved the childcare, and it's MUCH more inclusive than a cruise (which we also love doing with our kids - now older). The food is better at Beaches, there's a lot to do, just playing on the beach with the kids, or in the pool (most cruise ships don't allow diapered kids, and if they do, it's just a splash area). There is just so much more room for a toddler on a land-based vacation.

[cb at sea]

A cruise can be as relaxing or busy as you want. Yes...there are plenty of things to do, but you don't have to do any or all of them!

 

Sounds like the things you enjoy are included in the cost of the AI...so that may sway you...on the ship, those things will be an additional cost.

 

The room in a hotel will be much larger than a ship's cabin...bear that in mind!

[ElsieToo]

Have you ever taken DS to the beach, and does he tolerate the heat well? If yes, I'm sure you all would have a fabulous time at Beaches. Cruising seems to fit our lifestyle better (we love the changing scenery and locations), but I honestly think you can't go wrong with either. Like you said - which ever you don't do this time, you can always consider for your next vacation.

[chief5286]

Thanks for the replies.

 

Our child has yet go to the beach or be exposed to much heat at all.

I'm leaning towards a resort at this point. A main reason is simply that I'm thinking there will be more space and ways in which to keep jr. entertained at a resort than there would be on a ship.

[Gatrcruzer]

I'm not big on Jamaica, and I love cruising, but given the situation you describe I think you are better off with Beaches. My sister went and raved about it, and nice to have the AI aspect. Most cruises are not inclusive, and definitely not the Allure!

 

Question: is childcare definitely included for a 14 month old at Beaches? I remember my sister paying to get a nanny there, but maybe that was just a personal preference.