Cruising vs. All Inclusive Resort

[jocap]

We've done 2 AIs, Corfu and Sharm el Sheikh, and they were so OH could snorkel every day.....I didn't enjoy either very much as I'm not a beach person, nor can I sit in one place for long. The heat was too much for me to get around, so I wandered from shade to shade....

Cruising is all about itinerary, and sometimes we'll take one where he can swim, such as the Greek Islands, and I can sight-see. If beaches are your thing, then you'll find joy both with AIs or somewhere like the Caribbean....

[nissach]

Cruising and AIs are completely different vacations.

If we go on an AI' date=' which I'm trying too book for after Christmas (!), we want to relax. You can take excursions, but it's a much slower pace. Yes some people drink to excess, but there are lots of places that have most people asking responsibly.

If we take a cruise, we are looking for a higher energy trip, with lots of different places to see in a short time. Someone has already talked about how you can't really judge a country by a short visit while in port, but it can give you a feel for a place. For example, on our last cruise we fell in love with Belize and would definitely book a land trip to go back. OTOH, Roatan just wasn't to our liking, which surprised us as we had tentatively planned a land trip back for this year.

I also find AIs to be easier to budget, since cruising has many extras such as up charge restaurants, excursions etc. At an AI, it is very easy to stay on the resort, leave tips for the staff and that's it.

We tend to alternate between AI/land based trios and cruising, that way we get the best of both worlds :)[/quote']

 

I agree, could not have said it better myself!

[Waynetor]

If you don't drink alchol you may want to pass on the AI as you are paying for drinks in the price. There are similar resorts where you pay as you go or some include just breakfast. These are great for those that don't drink or eat a lot and that like to explore the area the are staying in.

 

The cheaper resorts tend to have mostly all buffets with not a lot in quality items, few sports options and lack of chairs around the pool. Chair hoggings in some resorts can be a big problem.

 

As you move up in quality and price you get more resturant options that are prepared to order, more water sports, and multiple pools - 1 for fun and 1 that is quite.

 

In some places there is nothing around except other similar resorts but in places such as Cancun there is lots of close by things to see or do.

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

New place every day

[kloos5]

I spent 10 days at an AI in Riviera Maya Aventura Spa Cove and Palace in Nov last year. I have never been on a cruise and am going on a Christmas cruise on Carnival Dream to the Western Caribbean on the 22nd Dec for the first time. Having said that I have been to 46 countries and lived in 4, I have always stayed in small hotels, mingled with the locals and never took organized tours until my AI vacation in Riviera Maya.

I am 33 years old and other than AI Aventura Palace being an absolutely beautiful place, Palace resorts have nothing to offer for me other than lounging by the pool or the beach, drinking, and eating. During the 10 days I was honestly arranging excursions outside of the resort for almost every single day- these excursions were fun and very active, but at the same time very pricey. I hardly spent any time at the resort itself, didn't eat many meals or drink alcohol there; so for me it was a complete waste of money and time.

My advice is this, if you are active, love exploring new cultures and what a particular country has to offer than DO NOT GO TO an AI; you will be secluded and bored out of your mind. Can't vouch for a cruise, have heard good and bad, but decided to give it a go for one time.

[sjcruiser]

Been on both cruises and AI, although not to an AI since I started cruising. I love being on the ship, and visiting a different island or country every few days. The food, entertainment, etc, IMO is better on the ship. I indulge in libations, but I'm not a heavy drinker, so the free booze doesn't matter to me.

[bonsai3s]

It's like asking if blondes or brunettes make better lovers. Some are good and some are not.:)

But I'll take either one.

 

It's the quality of the individual - Cruise or the AI that is the thing of importance

 

Yes, I'll take either one also...now that I've stopped laughing, perhaps I can give my 2 cents worth...

At AI's, rooms are typically bigger and better...better beds, larger bathrooms, oversized tubs...and with towel animals as well. AI's weve been to had several restaurants to choose from and the food quality was equal to a cruise. AI's also have entertainment at night and events throughout the day. The spa and fitness center are typically bigger and yes, those who love to drink would probably prefer to go to an AI's than cruise.

That said, we still prefer to cruise. For a number of reasons. One, the outstanding service on cruise ships. Two, it is easier to make friends on a ship than it is on land...we have friends from trivia we met 30 years ago...simply amazing! .....and lastly, I'm saying it with genuine humility but no one would say it....after years of cruising, we now get a lot of great perks...there I said it. :)

[Travelcat2]

In many ways this thread is comparing apples and oranges. IMO, there is nothing similiar between an all-inclusive resort and a cruise where you pay for a glass of orange juice. We have been to many (20+ all-inclusive resorts throughout the world and 15 all-inclusive cruises). During the years we did "land" travel we loved the AI resorts. Now we prefer cruising but would certainly do another AI resort.

 

Not sure why one is more relaxing than the other. You can lie on the beach at an AI resort or lie by the pool, on your balcony (if you have one) or on a beach at one of the ports if that is what you want to do on your cruise. If you want to be very active -- you can do so on land or on a cruise.

 

So, IMO, this is a matter of personal preference.

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

AIR are great for drinking..

[lovetocurl]

I have been on 4 cruises and done 2 AI's (Punta Cana and Puerto Vallarta). Prefer cruises because:

 

entertainment - better by far on cruise

dining - better on cruise (actually lost weight in Punta Cana)

excursions - more variety and felt safer on cruise excursions

general - liked atmosphere and comraderie with other guests on cruises, don't like excessive drinking @ AI's and don't want to expose my teen and young adult children to it. I felt trapped and bored on AI resort after first few days but never on a cruise.

[eliana]

We are taking our six grandchildren plu their parents on a speciall event holiday next Otober for one week. What cruise line and ship would be recommended. or would we be better to choose an all inclusive resot. we are based in the UK and prefer not to fly for more than about 4 hours

[Gunner22aa]

We do both every year for different reasons. Our preference by far is to cruise but we have children (adults) and grand children that we love to holiday with as well. At 2, 5 and 6 an AI with good childrens program is far better for the babies than a cruise in my opinion. There are lots but we have found a favourite in Cancun and spend 2 weeks there every year with the entire family. The children are entertained all day if they wish and often into the evening. There have been days that we see them for supper and then meet up with them again for the evening show, an ice cream on the way to the room and off to bed. The childrens program at this resort is run almost exclusivly by British trained nannys and graduates of early childhood educational programs. The kids love it and so do we. The little guy wasn't all that happy being left in the tots program the first couple of days last year and we kind of had to make a getaway without his seeing us. On the third day he was pushing us out the door saying good bye.

 

When it's time for just the two of us to get aways it is always a cruise. Except for once when mother sprung the "I've got 10 days off, lets take a trip" Great dear, when do you get off. Day after tomorrow! That was a quick week at Sandals in Jamaica.

 

We love to cruise for just about every reason already posted and then some. As we take longer cruises to more exotic locations there are very few children on our trips. Don't get me wrong, I love them it's just sometimes I like a peaceful adult environment as well.

 

Both work for us for totally different reasons

[moniquet]

Horses for courses:) Last 3 years we have done 1 cruise and 1 AI. In march we went to St. Lucia AI. fantasic value and good food. Doesn't have to be mainly a beach holiday if you choose a location where there is lots to see. One thing we like about landbased is not having to leave a wonderful beach around 3.30pm to get back to the ship and being able to stroll on an empty beach at sunset. On the other hand you are more pampered on a cruise, better service and a feeling of being "safe".

 

Leaving for a cruise in 2 weeks time but for late Feb we are looking at AI in Costa maya

 

There are cruiselines who do AI too.

[fi'fi]

Hubby and I have never done an ai. But are looking at one next year just to see if we like it.

[Alex71]

When staying in countries with good infrastructure, we prefer to book the resorts with half board rather than AI. This way, we feel less tied to the resort and more flexible to do some day trips or hit some bars outside the resort at night.

 

We did an AI in the DR which was fantastic and another one in the Austrian Alps that was also really good and so high up in the mountains that it would have been difficult to get down to the village at night, so we enjoyed staying up at the resort with all drinks included. It included also and activity card so that we could use everything that was offered in the area for free.

[lhdive]

Having worked for an AI for over 11 years and a cruise line for 6 months, they both have advantages and disadvantages. It depends on what your budget is and how active you are. The AI that I worked at had every type of sport with lessons at your disposal. So if you always wanted to learn the flying trapeze or windsurf, you could be a pro by the end of the week. Or you could grab some fins and a snorkel and head out with or without an instructor and go snorkeling you could when you want. The food was just as good as a cruise. However you were at one location for the week where on a cruise you got a sampling of a different location each day. Sometimes I felt that when the ship docks at 9am and you need to be back on at 4 or 5 pm, it did not give you much of an opportunity to really see and explore the locale. Having said this, price-wise AI are cheaper - no tipping, drinks are inclusive and sports are inclusive. Cruises are better to get an idea or an island or area you would like to see more of someday.

[printingchick]

For those of you who have visited AIs:

Does it more closely compare to a cruise which visits very few islands, where the "destination" has more to do with the SHIP (or in the case of the AI, the resort)? From the descriptions here and from friends who have experienced, it sounds like most things take place WITHIN the resort - not a great deal of exploring outside of the resort. Is that true, or is that just ONE type of AI?

[printingchick]

Having said this, price-wise AI are cheaper - no tipping, drinks are inclusive and sports are inclusive. Cruises are better to get an idea or an island or area you would like to see more of someday.

 

Would you say this even if the person is not a big drinker? I've never been able to match the value of a cruise on a land vacation. I like my Caribbean cocktails, but can't drink too many in one day and still remember my name! I've never eaten at a specialty restaurant on a ship, because I think the MDR is just GREAT!

 

Those AI's in the Caribbean always look beautiful, fun and romantic, but they seem VERY pricey to me.

[hi2mari]

I've done both and enjoy both very much.

 

Cruising has it's excitements with casino, dance clubs, and shows. Upside, you get to visit different countries and experience different cultures. Downside, the visits are short.

 

AI's have their own excitement with dance clubs and shows. Upside, you are there longer which gives you an opportunity to learn and experience different cultures. Downside, you're stuck in one country and one resort. Another dwonside for is is that most of the AI's we go to don't have casinos.

 

One thing I've learned by doing AI's???

 

If the only time I had ever visited Jamaica was by cruiseship?? I'd feel like most cruisers and never want to go back. By experiencing Jamaica via an AI, I learned that Jamaica is a very wonderful island with fabulous people and culture. Along with great food and drinks.

 

Absolutely agree. I prefer cruising as a whole; but once we have visited a port that we really love, we will often go to an AI there. Jamaica is a wonderful example. Cruise lines usually suggest the super touristy things and in Jamaica many people do not enjoy those spots due to the high pressure sales tactics. We have stayed at AI in Negril many times and just love walking down 7 mile beach and enjoying the people, the water, the sun, the beachside bars, etc, etc. I do find that when at most AI's I tend to stay on the resort (esp for meals) since I have already paid for everything. I feel like I don't really see the destination as much as with cruising. My advice is to try both; numerous times...strictly for research purposes!

[Rob M]

Holland America allows you to preorder liquor which they deliver to your cabin. It does not seem possible to do that on Royal Caribbean. Can anyone tell me if thats true?

 

Thanks.

[Alex71]

For those of you who have visited AIs:

Does it more closely compare to a cruise which visits very few islands, where the "destination" has more to do with the SHIP (or in the case of the AI, the resort)? From the descriptions here and from friends who have experienced, it sounds like most things take place within the resort - not a great deal of exploring outside of the resort. Is that true, or is that just ONE type of AI?

 

I think it depends on where it is. We stayed at an AI in the Dominican Republic that was very luxurious but as soon as we stepped outside, we were in a poor third world country, so there was not much incentive to leave the resort. The resort / tour operator offered a host of excursions, pretty much like a cruise line. We did a katamaran tour which was great. We once on our own took a bus into Puerto Plata, which we didn't find worthwhile.

 

As complete contrast, we stayed at an AI in the Austrian Alps, where the main focus was on exploring the mountains. They gave us this activity card http://www.sommercard.info/en which gave us free admission to 100 attractions in the area, including the ropeways and cablecars to get to the top of the mountains. Most people got back to the resort in the afternoon to have a slice of cake and a cup of coffee, followed by a few drinks before dinner.

 

As I said earlier, you don't have to book AI. Many resorts give you the option to book half board, which will only include breakfast and dinner. In case you anticipate to be away from the resort during the day and want to explore the nightlife of your destination after dinner, this might be a better option.

[Sugar*Magnolia]

Totally different vacations. I tend to agree with a lot of other posts, an AI is more relaxing, a slower pace. Although you can have a similar experience on board a cruise ship if you dont have expectations of doing everything, seeing everything and being everywhere all at once, lol. We like both. We like cruising more, because we absolutely love the time we spend quietly on our balcony looking out at the sea, the convenience of leaving from a nearby port when possible (Altho we do fly to ports too), and did I mention we love being at sea? :D

 

Oh, and to the poster who mentioned that many cruising-only folks would not see or know the real and true Jamaica without staying, I TOTALLY agree!!!

I ♥ Jamaica.

[Sugar*Magnolia]

Holland America allows you to preorder liquor which they deliver to your cabin. It does not seem possible to do that on Royal Caribbean. Can anyone tell me if thats true?

 

Thanks.

 

You can NOT pre order liquor to your cabin on Royal Caribbean. Although, as of November 1, 2013 you can carry on 2 750ml bottles of wine per cabin.

[cruise_pirate]

We like them both! but both are good in their own ways... Cruises seems like you are always going somewhere new because you are, however to us they are a bit less relaxing becasuse you get to ports early and leave a few hours later so some mornings you can feel a bit rushed and no sleeping in.

 

AI resorts you are in the same place for a week and while everything is included, the scenery never changes.. We did AI's in Mexico and Punta Cana.

 

We find very little difference in price so we do both!

[PhotoGal07]

We do both every year for different reasons. Our preference by far is to cruise but we have children (adults) and grand children that we love to holiday with as well. At 2, 5 and 6 an AI with good childrens program is far better for the babies than a cruise in my opinion. There are lots but we have found a favourite in Cancun and spend 2 weeks there every year with the entire family. The children are entertained all day if they wish and often into the evening. There have been days that we see them for supper and then meet up with them again for the evening show, an ice cream on the way to the room and off to bed. The childrens program at this resort is run almost exclusivly by British trained nannys and graduates of early childhood educational programs. The kids love it and so do we. The little guy wasn't all that happy being left in the tots program the first couple of days last year and we kind of had to make a getaway without his seeing us. On the third day he was pushing us out the door

 

Do you mind sharing the resort? We're always looking for new vacation spots to try, and now that we have kids, good children's programs are key!