Land Based All Inclusive Resort VS Cruise post Covid 19

[wagontrail]

My wife and I have been looking forward to our upcoming December cruise on Celebrity Infinity.  Sailed last November, December and January.  Loved cruising the past twenty years and it was so easy living thirty minutes from the port of Tampa.   Hate to say it but I think I will have more fun at our all inclusive time share in Cancun upcoming at the end of September.

 

Pros of a land based resort:  Lots of open spaces, can eat outside, drink outside, go on excursions without debarking, embarking, beach is wide open, can stay away from people if we want to, wearing masks is optional.

 

Pros of cruising:  Being away from land, great sunsets, open water, visiting several different ports, casino, shows.

 

Cons of land based resort:  stuck in one place, might be boring to some people.

 

Cons of cruising: so close to people in confined area, wearing mask will possibly be mandatory, possibly denied boarding if running a fever, will the ship be stuck at sea if a coronarvirus  outbreak occurs.

 

How many for cruising and how many for land based all inclusive during these troubling times?

 

 

 

 

[Lady Arwen]

Zero interest in All Inclusive vacations.  Been to Mexico numerous times (my cousin lives in Cancun)and many Caribbean islands and no intention to return anytime soon.  I actually think that cruise ships will be one of the safest places to vacation.  We have two booked for 2021 in Europe and we just pray we get to go.  Cruising for us 100% or nothing.

[George C]

We love cruises and really like high end resorts like sandals, do about 5 cruises then a sandals. Sandals restaurants are much better than mdr but not as good as specialty restaurants. Multiple restaurants in sandals with no extra charge, also top shelf liquor and no tipping allowed . Love there swim up bars . Negative is entertainment is not as good as cruises and sandals will cost about the same as a small suite on a cruise. Really thinking of doing that for our next vacation, there high end suites come with butler like celebrity suites. 

[jelayne]

We are not the type to spend time at a pool or beach and rarely go on a Caribbean cruise.  We prefer to visit multiple places and explore the cities and towns.  We would do a land based tour long before we would do a all inclusive resort.

Edited July 7, 2020 by jelayne

[chemmo]

Been, seen and enjoyed all inclusive resorts but to be perfectly honest I think a luxury villa with private pool and great views can offer so much more and certainly at a cheaper or comparable cost depending on size/luxury level of villa/occupancy...

 

Private villas offer an environment where you are not sharing spaces with strangers, you can eat out if you want to but you don’t have to...The pool is all yours, no need to reserve sun beds.

 

If you have worries about Covid, this option is the nearest you can have to a real holiday but keep in control of the number of people you mix with.

Edited July 7, 2020 by chemmo

[Mike981]

We have done many resorts and cruises and plan to hold off on any travel until 2022. We just discussed yesterday how the butler service at Sandals got so watered down that it was not worth the extra money. In the beginning it was great, but then they added more butler rooms and not more butlers.

 

I just looked at Sandals Royal and it is $1,000 a day. Add air and it becomes a major expense for us.

[mauimary]

We have done both and are avid cruisers. We enjoyed both but the downside for us is we still have to get there!  We have a Hawaiian vacation booked in Nov that we will most likely cancel.   We do not want to have to fly to get there!  Six hours in an airplane wearing  a mask with a plane load of passengers does not sound very safe to us.  In the meantime we are renting vacation homes in places that we can drive too. 

[Fouremco]

For a good many years we stayed at AIs, mostly but not exclusively Sandals. We were still scuba diving at that time, and doing a couple of dives every day at no extra charge was a great perk. Then we tried our first cruise and haven't made it back to an AI since. We have discussed it though, even before the coronavirus raised its ugly head, and may well book one next year. Yes, there are pros and cons of both holiday modes, but while COVID-19 continues to pose a threat, we would both feel safer at an AI than aboard a ship. That may change once Celebrity and other lines announce the health and safety guidelines, but for now we'll wait and see.

[PTC DAWG]

I hit the FL gulf coast almost yearly for a week, headed down this August, 2 BR condo right on the beach with chair service...very relaxing...but nothing like a cruise...I enjoy cooking, so that helps this year for sure, Fish Market right next door..

 

last AI I did was in Cancun...was nice, but I like cruising in WARM water better. 

[George C]

1 hour ago, mauimary said:

We have done both and are avid cruisers. We enjoyed both but the downside for us is we still have to get there!  We have a Hawaiian vacation booked in Nov that we will most likely cancel.   We do not want to have to fly to get there!  Six hours in an airplane wearing  a mask with a plane load of passengers does not sound very safe to us.  In the meantime we are renting vacation homes in places that we can drive too. 

I agree getting on a plane is currently scary and I do not want to wear a mask for more than a hour or so. Also must have liquor service 😁, we do fly first and that helps a little.

[bEwAbG]

This is a volatile situation on many fronts.  I wouldn't tie up any money in travel plans for the foreseeable future, especially if any of it is nonrefundable. 

 

No guarantee that flights are going to keep going to these AI locations in the Caribbean and Mexico.  Mexico is starting to be pressured by its own citizens to close down its border due to the spike in cases in Arizona, for example.  Resorts are also going to have to put precautions in place so they're not going to be the same experiences as before.  I might be open to last-minute getaways if things improve but I'm certainly not going to lock in plans for several months down the road.  Vacations within driving distance would be my first choice, but again with nothing nonrefundable because we don't know what lockdowns will happen within the country.

 

Secondary concern with going to these countries is what would happen should I get sick and test positive for coronavirus, both in treatment there as well as getting back into my own country.  

[mom says]

Under normal circumstances we would have our winter plans locked down by now. But not this year. Cruising is definitely out for us for the next year or 2. A Caribbean AI or a more distant tropical land vacation is a possibility,  but it all depends on a few things happening: availability of travel insurance, a lowering of our governments travel warnings, and better control of the virus both at home and at our destination. So for now we wait and watch.

[Georgia_Peaches]

Cruising would be my first choice.  An all inclusive is a good second choice.  For now, we are just taking small weekend trips to get away.  Not leaving the state.  This weekend, we will explore some GA wineries and hide away at a quaint little mountain B&B.  Who knew you could get away so close to home...

[babylene]

8 hours ago, chemmo said:

Been, seen and enjoyed all inclusive resorts but to be perfectly honest I think a luxury villa with private pool and great views can offer so much more and certainly at a cheaper or comparable cost depending on size/luxury level of villa/occupancy...

 

Private villas offer an environment where you are not sharing spaces with strangers, you can eat out if you want to but you don’t have to...The pool is all yours, no need to reserve sun beds.

 

If you have worries about Covid, this option is the nearest you can have to a real holiday but keep in control of the number of people you mix with.

Only problem is the crowded plane and airport!

[chemmo]

1 hour ago, babylene said:

Only problem is the crowded plane and airport!

 

Agree. If you do want to get to hotter places. 

 

However, sometimes you can find some lovely ‘homes  from homes’ not that far away from where you live.  Whilst here in the U.K. many apartments and houses do not come with outdoor pools many do come with hot tubs. There are some fantastic lodges in areas like the Forest of Dean where you can enjoy relative luxury but with a feeling of being in the wilds...Amazing historical properties are for hire too like a light house on Anglesey or an apartment in Agatha Christie’s house in Devon.

 

When we have toured parts of the US we have been amazed by the fantastic locations of many lodges/villas available for hire. We have also been amazed at the value for money price, especially if you go as a family group. 

 

One mistake I think we all make, regardless of what country we live in, is to sometimes ignore the beauty and interest of places near to home...

 

During what would be a usual cruise length vacation you could drive to a couple of diverse fantastic locations. Shop once at each and that would be all the contact you would need to make with others and at many locations you can arrange a home delivery so you don’t even need to do that...Yes, you will be still doing some cooking but lots of time to relax and enjoy looking at different walls, gardens, views and features...

 

 

Edited July 8, 2020 by chemmo

[excitedofharpenden]

13 hours ago, wagontrail said:

My wife and I have been looking forward to our upcoming December cruise on Celebrity Infinity.  Sailed last November, December and January.  Loved cruising the past twenty years and it was so easy living thirty minutes from the port of Tampa.   Hate to say it but I think I will have more fun at our all inclusive time share in Cancun upcoming at the end of September.

 

Pros of a land based resort:  Lots of open spaces, can eat outside, drink outside, go on excursions without debarking, embarking, beach is wide open, can stay away from people if we want to, wearing masks is optional.

 

Pros of cruising:  Being away from land, great sunsets, open water, visiting several different ports, casino, shows.

 

Cons of land based resort:  stuck in one place, might be boring to some people.

 

Cons of cruising: so close to people in confined area, wearing mask will possibly be mandatory, possibly denied boarding if running a fever, will the ship be stuck at sea if a coronarvirus  outbreak occurs.

 

How many for cruising and how many for land based all inclusive during these troubling times?

 

 

 

 

No comparison for me.  Cruising all the way.  The sad thing is that the things that make it special for me on a ship now carry a risk.  I love the social aspect and have no desire to stay away from people.  I do not want to isolate myself in my cabin, no matter how much space I have in there.  That would be just so boring and unfulfilling as far as I'm concerned.

 

Phil

[FlorenceItaly]

11 hours ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

Cruising would be my first choice.  An all inclusive is a good second choice.  For now, we are just taking small weekend trips to get away.  Not leaving the state.  This weekend, we will explore some GA wineries and hide away at a quaint little mountain B&B.  Who knew you could get away so close to home...

Consider Greenville, SC for a short getaway.  We have a fabulous downtown!!

[luckyinpa]

define post covid 19

 

to me once covid 19 is cured id go on any cruise and even lick shopping cart handles 🙂

[sanger727]

We really enjoy all inclusives and in normal times alternate between all inclusives and cruising. I agree with most of your pros and cons - even covid aside. You can generally get a similar length and quality of vacation at a similar price (we have to fly to either so that's not a factor) and with all inclusives you get better restaurants, bigger rooms, bigger pool, beach access, and far fewer "extras" costs. With a cruise you get more activities, better entertainment, and more variety of excursions since you keep moving around. Both are good. 

 

As far as during COVID, I would be much more comfortable planning an all inclusive vacation over a cruise vacation (not that I'm currently planning either type of vacation). I'm not sure how cruises are going to navigate island's re-opening policies. Most of them want you to get a negative covid test 72 hours before you arrive. But with a cruise, unless you are taking covid tests every couple of days, you won't be able to meet those requirements. The only vacation I would be willing to take that requires a negative covid test would be if I could test before I went. I'm not willing to get tested on arrival or mid vacation, get a positive test, and wind up quarantined somewhere. 

[Georgia_Peaches]

2 hours ago, FlorenceItaly said:

Consider Greenville, SC for a short getaway.  We have a fabulous downtown!!

Definitely on my list of weekend getaways.  Wasn't so sure if now was the best time.  How are things?

[bikerunner]

Im considering an all inclusive for end of Nov beg of December in the DR.  I am close to moving my b2b to next year in the lift and shift.  I do prefer cruising, like others pointed out, I also enjoy the different ports and getting to see many different things.  But I also am a beach bum at heart and would be content with a nice all inclusive with different activities, or do nothing at all.  Considering the Excellence in Punta Cana, wanted to make sure it was Adults only etc. if I do go.  

[luckyinpa]

51 minutes ago, sanger727 said:

We really enjoy all inclusives and in normal times alternate between all inclusives and cruising. I agree with most of your pros and cons - even covid aside. You can generally get a similar length and quality of vacation at a similar price (we have to fly to either so that's not a factor) and with all inclusives you get better restaurants, bigger rooms, bigger pool, beach access, and far fewer "extras" costs. With a cruise you get more activities, better entertainment, and more variety of excursions since you keep moving around. Both are good. 

 

 

 

i never researched sandals so i clicked on their page to see what they offer. i DO love the unique rooms at some places, i spend time in my room on a cruise so rooms are important to me.they list 5 star dining, golf, booze, scuba, waters sports, land and fitness sports (dont people know what vacations mean?) . none of that but the room and food interest me. plus i never fly to vacations so thats a negative for me. i just think id be bored at an inclusive, i love going to things like kennedy space center. walking on the rocks of peggys cove, the ocean at st martins caves, . i otherwise hate the outdoors like camping and fishing and stuff. but for exploring new places, i'm all in. love that kind of stuff. so for the pricing the all inclusives probably arent for me. sitting on a beach all day would never do it for me. i get enough relaxation at home. 

 

i guess the one plus is they cannot quarantine you 14 days in your room lol. at least making you pay for it. or can they? that woul scare me at those prices. 

[WrittenOnYourHeart]

While I love the idea of an all-inclusive, being a single female I am extremely hesitant to consider them. I am very comfortable traveling solo as a rule, but there have been too many horror stories of females - especially single females - and AIs (drugged drinks, extra strong drinks, etc. leading to assaults and even murders) for me to be comfortable.

[sanger727]

18 minutes ago, luckyinpa said:

 

i never researched sandals so i clicked on their page to see what they offer. i DO love the unique rooms at some places, i spend time in my room on a cruise so rooms are important to me.they list 5 star dining, golf, booze, scuba, waters sports, land and fitness sports (dont people know what vacations mean?) . none of that but the room and food interest me. plus i never fly to vacations so thats a negative for me. i just think id be bored at an inclusive, i love going to things like kennedy space center. walking on the rocks of peggys cove, the ocean at st martins caves, . i otherwise hate the outdoors like camping and fishing and stuff. but for exploring new places, i'm all in. love that kind of stuff. so for the pricing the all inclusives probably arent for me. sitting on a beach all day would never do it for me. i get enough relaxation at home. 

 

i guess the one plus is they cannot quarantine you 14 days in your room lol. at least making you pay for it. or can they? that woul scare me at those prices. 

I imagine they could. I think that is a risk of any vacation right now though. I don’t think a cruise would be preferable due to not knowing what they would do with you if you caught COVID onboard.

 

when we do all inclusives or Caribbean cruises the primary goal is to relax. We do enjoy doing some activities, but keep in mind that with all inclusives there are also excursions to get away from the resort and see the island.

Edited July 8, 2020 by sanger727

[bouhunter]

We've moved all our cruises to late 2021 and 2022.  Not interested in wondering if they'll sail, or if they'll be fun with new restrictions, over the next 15 months.  If things don't look good for cruising by late 2021 we'll walk away from the minimal onboard deposits if necessary.

 

We did some all-inclusives years ago and they were fun, but no interest in them now.  We're going to drive to Florida next winter for 2-3 months.  Booked a refundable resort 2 weeks in St. Maarten in January.  Only thing at risk is 176.00pp MIA-SXM airfare 🙂