Anyone Do an All Inclusive Instead of Cruise?

[2boyzmom]

Well- I am planning my 2015 vacation and DH thinks we should skip cruising one year and try an all inclusive resort maybe in DR. The boys will be 13 and 15 by then and not sure if they would be bored at one place. They love cruising as do I and not sure if I want to steer away from my favorite activity in the world- cruising on NCL. What has been your experience?

[caribsun]

Once I took my 1st cruise I never went back to a AI. :)

[FundyGirl]

I felt the same way your husband does and talked my DH into an all inclusive to Cuba last March. Although the resort and the beach were beautiful, the food and entertainment was not even close to what we get on NCL cruises.

 

We did get a little bored of doing the same thing each day, but overall it was a very relaxing vacation. Would I choose an all-inclusive over a cruise again? Probably not.

Edited February 1, 2014 by FundyGirl

[RikkuCat]

Sure, why not? I would get bored if cruising was the ONLY type of vacation we ever took. We enjoy cruising, but we also enjoy traveling to new cities within the US, All-inclusive resorts, road trips, vacation rentals, and land-based travel to different countries.

[familycruzer]

After 9 cruises I did an AI last year for my sons graduation trip. I wanted my kids to experience both vacations so when they are paying they know which one they like better.

We picked Cancun and really enjoyed it. Nice to wake up to the beach and have unlimited drinks even though we are not drinkers.

We decided it's going to be cruise one year and AI the next to change things up.

[CasinoCruzGirl]

Honestly the best vacation I ever had was last year at all inclusive hard rock in Punta Cana. Because I gamble I was given a $275 night rate per room (not per person). The room was completely amazing. 2 person jacuzzi, fully stocked liquor bar and mixers and soda (all included) free room service 13 pools I don't remember how many restaurants. Free calls to the us from your room who does that??????? We were also given cell phones to use free wifi. Honestly if I wasn't given a free cruise that I'm going on March 23 I would go back to he hard rock in a heart beat. The beaches are beautiful the weather incredible the people so accommodating.

 

 

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[psbtrvlr]

Well- I am planning my 2015 vacation and DH thinks we should skip cruising one year and try an all inclusive resort maybe in DR. The boys will be 13 and 15 by then and not sure if they would be bored at one place. They love cruising as do I and not sure if I want to steer away from my favorite activity in the world- cruising on NCL. What has been your experience?

 

I always find myself wishing I was on a cruise ship....... But you won't know how you like it until you try it.

[LrgPizza]

I'm another that would get bored if all my vacations were cruises. We do a lot more land vacations than cruises, and we have done several all-inclusives. For us, we do the all-inclusives when we want to relax and take it easy. HOWEVER, that totally depends on your vacation style. When we cruise we are GO GO GO all the time. When we do all-inclusives, we generally pick small secluded resorts, and kick back on a beach in a vegetative state where we drink and eat ourselves into oblivion. Our style of AI vacationing would be extremely boring for most teens. You'll have to do your homework to be sure the place you pick offers lots of activities.

Edited February 1, 2014 by LrgPizza

[biker@sea]

Well- I am planning my 2015 vacation and DH thinks we should skip cruising one year and try an all inclusive resort maybe in DR. The boys will be 13 and 15 by then and not sure if they would be bored at one place. They love cruising as do I and not sure if I want to steer away from my favorite activity in the world- cruising on NCL. What has been your experience?

 

We tried a combo vacation . After our repo cruise ended in Tampa we scored a five night stay in the florida key's on Cruise Critics sister co. Jettsetter .

 

This extended our travel budget as we Do Not Fly . A one week one way car rental work great for the drive back to Boston and throughout the island's.

 

By the way 5 night's in the key's cost about the same as the last minute 14 day repo cruise .

[enunez]

I enjoy the all inclusive for myself or an adult vacation can't beat the all inclusive drinks:D! However, when traveling with the kids they enjoy the cruises more. shows can get a little boring in the all inclusive, the cruises have more activities for kids.

[Da-Painter]

We also do AI in Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo Mexico once a year, usually in Jan/Feb. We find we sit by the pool, doing nothing, and thats just fine.

But don't bother with the time-share folks, they are all over, high pressure sales pitches with just as many lies as they can expel in a few hours. Sadly lots of folks fall for these, thats why they keep selling them.

But the AI can be relaxing, like the cruise ships, with just one port. :cool:

[JohnIreland]

Yes , went to DR last summer. Never again.

 

Had to do a trip on the Pearl in September to make up for it.

[jjikids]

Years ago did an all inclusive. DH ordered apple pie with ice cream. He was told that was two desserts and we could only have one of everything. After just staring down the waiter, he said he would make an exception. We never went back there. We have also investigated before booking an all inclusive in the future. NCL never gave us a hard time. Cruising twice this year.

[phoenix1181]

We enjoyed our stay @ an AI in DR but there are certainly differences. Food wasn't nearly as good, entertainment was lousy, & the casino was very small with old machines & no English speaking dealers. (I know it's their country but the language barrier was difficult)

 

BUT.............. The weather was fantastic, the price was excellent & we'd do it again when we need a vacation & are on a tight budget.

 

That said, don't drink the water!

Edited February 1, 2014 by phoenix1181

[1smudslide]

I did a few all inclusive when I was younger. I was also quite a beach person then. I don't lay out in the sun anymore. I think I would definitely be bored now. I really enjoyed it back then. Did a Jamaica one and Canary Islands. Both had unlimited drinks and was fun. I also don't drink that much anymore. Oh well, to be young again!

[Norwegianlatvian]

But of course. Need some variety. It is more out there than just cruising:)

[NH Cruisers]

I personally don't like going on vacations and see cruiseships, unless I am on a cruise.

 

Going to the Grand Canyon or some state park is great. But an all-inclusive were you may see a cruiseship pass by, NOT. I will only want to be on the ship.

 

We went to Newport, RI last fall and saw an Oceana cruise ship. I just could not stop thinking about being on that ship.

 

I know... I know! I got problems, my wife tells me all the time!

 

 

Jon

[floorman]

Yes , went to DR last summer. Never again.

 

Had to do a trip on the Pearl in September to make up for it.

 

The wife and I went to Punta Cana back in Dec 2013 and stayed at a Riu property for a week. We will never go back. The food was so bad, I lost 8 pounds and my wife lost 5. The drinks were very watered down. The room was just like a Holiday Inn hotel, nothing special. Once we got home we had to book a cruise right away. We are leaving on the Epic in March. I guess we are cruise people.

 

Doug

Edited February 1, 2014 by floorman

[2boyzmom]

Honestly the best vacation I ever had was last year at all inclusive hard rock in Punta Cana. Because I gamble I was given a $275 night rate per room (not per person). The room was completely amazing. 2 person jacuzzi, fully stocked liquor bar and mixers and soda (all included) free room service 13 pools I don't remember how many restaurants. Free calls to the us from your room who does that??????? We were also given cell phones to use free wifi. Honestly if I wasn't given a free cruise that I'm going on March 23 I would go back to he hard rock in a heart beat. The beaches are beautiful the weather incredible the people so accommodating.

 

 

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Geri- we are looking into the Hard Rock.

[momoftwinteens]

I personally don't like going on vacations and see cruiseships, unless I am on a cruise.

 

Going to the Grand Canyon or some state park is great. But an all-inclusive were you may see a cruiseship pass by, NOT. I will only want to be on the ship.

 

We went to Newport, RI last fall and saw an Oceana cruise ship. I just could not stop thinking about being on that ship.

 

I know... I know! I got problems, my wife tells me all the time!

 

 

Jon

 

That would be me, too!

[rstout]

I think you should definitely try it. Just do your research to stay at a highly rated resort. Even when we stay at AI resorts we still try to do excursions at least once to get out and see the country and do something different.

 

 

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[Single Cruiser]

Buy the UBP drink package and the new dining package and isn't the cruise then an all inclusive. At least on food and drink and most ents??

[newmexicoNita]

Well- I am planning my 2015 vacation and DH thinks we should skip cruising one year and try an all inclusive resort maybe in DR. The boys will be 13 and 15 by then and not sure if they would be bored at one place. They love cruising as do I and not sure if I want to steer away from my favorite activity in the world- cruising on NCL. What has been your experience?

 

We have done about 3 AI. They have a lot to offer, booze, and soft drinks are included, which can help with expenses if you drink a lot or enjoy sodas. They usually do have some activities and some nightly entertainment but they do not offer as many activities for teens as a cruise would and can be much pricier. The price at first looks great but watch out for hidden costs.

[Smellytoes]

Geri- we are looking into the Hard Rock.

 

After I don't know how many cruises we took the kids and their friends to the Hard Rock in Punta Cana last summer. The food on NCL is MUCH better than anything at the Hard Rock but the all-inclusiveness of the Hard Rock made it a much better deal when travelling with 7 18-20 year olds.

 

I did feel the need to book the Dawn after we got back to help recuperate from that "vacation".lol

 

That being said, I just booked the Hard Rock again for this June taking 10 kids with us this time:eek:

[AMP25]

My husband and I did an AI in Punta Cana at the Bahia Principe Ambar last May for our honeymoon. It is adults only and one of the top ranked resorts in the DR. Neither one of us would go back. The resort and beach were gorgeous and very clean but the food was not very impressive, the language barrier is tough, and the drinks were not very good either. The beach and pool bars basically had slushy machines of premade drinks that they made all drinks from....for example, I ordered a strawberry daquiri and they filled my glass with pre-made margarita mix and put some grenadine in it. Yea, needless to say it didnt taste like a strawberry daquiri.

 

My husband has been on one other cruise and loved it, and my first cruise will be in a month so I can't compare the two but hopefully I will enjoy this cruise more than the AI. I have friends that went to Punta Cana and absolutely loved it so its just different for everyone...