Cruise vs All Inclusive

[BabsandPaul]

The group we have cruised with the last two years has opted for a land based All Inclusive vacation on the Mexican Riviera this year (Playa Del Carmen). Although we have thoroughly enjoyed our cruises, we are leaning towards booking the land vacation to see if we would prefer it to cruising. The price difference is negligible. Does anyone who has done both previously have any input? Thanks for your help.

[NHWhiteMountains]

My husband and I have done both the "all inclusive" vacation in mexico and two cruises. Both have their pros and cons. We loved our vacation in mexico (just south of where you're going called Puerto Aventuras). Gorgeous beach / resort. Because we spent a week in one location, I felt we really had a chance to sample the mexican lifestyle and get to know the area. On a cruise, one day in each port really isn't enough to see everything.

 

My husband and I are now treating our cruises like a "sampler". We'll probably take one or two more, choosing different islands each cruise. Then choose an all inclusive vacation again on our favorite islands. I'm glad we've taken this route...there are some islands I now know that I wouldn't be happy on (St. Thomas/St. Maarten). And we didn't waste an entire week's vacation to learn that. One day and "poof" you're on to the next stop.

 

Hope you have a great vacation!

[LuViNiTCuZiCaN]

I have done both recently a Carribean cruise in 2003 and an all inclusive in 2004 Playa del Carmen. Playa is considered the Carribean area the Mexican Riviera area is considered the Pacific Ocean side of Mexico, all the way down to about Acapolco area.

 

They both have thier strong points. I beleive a good combiniation of both is the best for us. I like to cruise to see where I want spend my land vacations at.

 

Cruises tend to be more structured for you and all inclusives you can structure your time more for you. What do I mean by this:

 

On a cruise you are limited to just those items that are available on the ship..the shows, bingo, casino, pool..and so on and pre determined ports.

 

On an all inclusive you have the ability to indulge youself more in the customs and locals seen of the area you are going to.

 

Most all inclusives have limited shows or structured type activities that you will find on a cruise ship, but you have several other options as far as Playa, like going to X-caret and X-Hal and Cozumel, Tulum so on and so on.

 

All inclusives will also have unlimited alcoholic beverages, which you will not have on any cruise ship unless you are booked as a group cruise with all in the group purchasing the open bar accounts, and these can been very expensive (40-75 per day all must pay or none can play). Also so you know some all inclusives in the Playa area have some stips on booze, like 1 kind of beer, or 1 kind of tequila, vodka so forth usually all mexican brands. Make sure you inquire about the hotels liquor policy, house brands or top shelf liquors and name brands when you ask if it is not written in writing.

 

You will have a wonderful time in Playa it is a beautiful town with a lot of wonderful things to see.

Ooh also if you here or see another all inlcusive in Playa that you are interested in most will give you a guided tour. Some only have a set time that you can tour and others are more flexible and allow drop ins. This is a wonderful thing to do to see the wide differences in what is offered at each one. It it almost like having 10 different cruise ships from 7 different cruise lines all parked in one port and being able to go and check out each ship one at a time.

 

When we went to Playa we stayed at the Royal Hideaway. This resort is a top of the line Mexican resort. When we visited last year they were about to recieve thier 5th diamond and if they did, they would be the only 5 diamond resort in Mexico that is an all inclusive. That is like staying at the Ritz Carlton all inclusive.

 

If you have any more questions I can answer just let me know.

[MsBlue]

There are pros and cons to both types vacation. I enjoy land vacations (have done a couple of all-inclusives), but mostly just going to various islands, no package deals.

 

My DH did not like cruising - went on only one with me - he much preferred flying directly to an island. He mainly wanted relaxation, and felt he didn't get that on the cruise...always having to be somewhere at a certain time didn't fit his relaxation mode.

 

So - since there was much more opportunity to be laid back and to enjoy and get to know more about the islands and the locals if staying there for several days - that's what we usually did, and always enjoyed it. Now that he has passed away, I cruise. Both type vacations have merit.

[caviargal]

I have done all inclusives numerous times and also enjoy cruising. I think both have benefits.

 

As for AIs, I always choose the adults only options and I love vacationing without kids around. There is no one to kick sand in my face at the beach or do cannonballs in the pool (well, there are adults that do that as well.) I think AIs are a bit more relaxing as you do not have to deal with embarking and debarking, carrying IDs around, etc. I especially like just walking out to the beach whenever I want and I cannot do that on a cruise.

 

As for cruising, I really love being at sea and I enjoy dressing up. I also like the more varied nightlife choices.

 

I think both make for a great vacation, as long as your choose according to what is important to you.

[CaptData]

I have been to one A1 resort. It was an adults only which was nice but I went by myself and was ignored by the waiters serving drinks. Yes, I use a scooter but at the time could drink if I wanted to at any time, as a result I found serve to be below par. A friend went with her adult children two weeks later and observed the same thing, if she went to breakfast on her own no serves or slow but if with someone, very good service. If you go with a group and do not eat alone then you should have a good time. I even tried to tip extra and still got ignored. Very little real nightlife. unless there is a Casino and nightclub. Some foods are now ala cart too (lobster).

 

On a cruise it does not matter that I travel alone. I sit at a table of 8 or more most time and enjoy the company. If I am at the pool sometimes I am ignored because they think I'm with the person next to me. When the waiter comes back I order and he says sorry, I thought you were with them. After that I am never ignored. I do tip extra. When I do tip the extra, I tell them it is because they did not ignor me because I am by myself I'm a widow and disabled travelling alone.

[caviargal]

I have been to one A1 resort. It was an adults only which was nice but I went by myself and was ignored by the waiters serving drinks. Yes, I use a scooter but at the time could drink if I wanted to at any time, as a result I found serve to be below par. A friend went with her adult children two weeks later and observed the same thing, if she went to breakfast on her own no serves or slow but if with someone, very good service. If you go with a group and do not eat alone then you should have a good time. I even tried to tip extra and still got ignored. Very little real nightlife. unless there is a Casino and nightclub. Some foods are now ala cart too (lobster).

 

On a cruise it does not matter that I travel alone. I sit at a table of 8 or more most time and enjoy the company. If I am at the pool sometimes I am ignored because they think I'm with the person next to me. When the waiter comes back I order and he says sorry, I thought you were with them. After that I am never ignored. I do tip extra. When I do tip the extra, I tell them it is because they did not ignor me because I am by myself I'm a widow and disabled travelling alone.

 

CaptData: I have done a few AIs by myself and not experienced this. Sometimes I would join folks for dinner, and sometimes dine alone, which is ok with me as well. It was kind of like Freestyle Dining on NCL but I was liked it better in the AI environment.

 

I also have not had problems getting drinks served so perhaps it was the particular AI. I would certainly hope all are not like that!

[BabsandPaul]

Thank you all for taking the time to share your observations with us...CC people are the best. Your viewpoints have been very helpful...I'll post back here after our January vacation and let you know how we felt the two different types of vacation compare. Thanks again, Paul