All Inclusive versus a cruise

[jerseygirl3]

I would compare it to Regent except with even higher levels of service.

 

LeBlanc is $500/day on average which is what we paid for a CC class on Century, our last cruise on X. At LeBlanc, we wanted for nothing and the only bill at the end was for my absolutely outstanding spa services.

 

We had a butler who prepared our jacuzzi and saw to our ironing, etc., pool butlers who served food, water, etc., beach butlers, a choice of excellent open seating restaurants with wonderful food and a very nice included wine list. On Century, we had quite a bill for wine, cocktails, bottled water, specialty dining, fitness classes, coffees and tips so the cost was actually higher. Sure, you cannot compare a 5 star AI to an inside or outside cabin so if that what you generally book, a high quality AI will be more $$$. But LeBlanc was also less expensive than our last three HAL cruises so yes, one can compare to the mainstream lines depending on category booked.

 

$500/day for a CC on Century sounds extremely high. Is that pp or total? And if you paid $3500 (assuming $500/day X 7 days) at LeBlanc for two people for an AI, I'd say you got a very good rate.

[Giorgi-one]

We like both cruising and AIs. Advantages of AIs include:

 

1. No Embarkation / Debarkation. You just arrive at the AI, they hand you a drink, check-in is usually private. When you are ready to leave, you just call a cab or set up a time with your prepaid van service.

2. Do not have to travel to embarkation port a day early. The AI won't leave without you or your luggage. Don't forget this saves money for hotel and meals.

3. Much less chair saving. It happens sometimes but I have never experienced it.

4. Rooms are huge - usually over 600 FT2.

5. Full bathroom with jacuzzi tub, shower and double sink vanity.

6. I have found service at restaurants superior to any cruise. Only complaint would be that there are too many people waiting on me. I believe that the biggest factor is that workers are not 5000 miles from home and do not work 16 hours days like they do on a cruise ship.

7. Tips inlcuded if you really want to be cheap. However, I always tip for service - usually $5 for breakfast, $5 for lunch, $1 for each drink and $10 or more for dinner. I know that workers are not paid much.

8. Most water sports are included at no charge.

9. Most excursions are about half the price you pay on a ship.

10. Don't have to worry about missing the ship when we do excursions or just lie on the beach.

11. No cab fares to get to the beach. I remember spending $4 roundtrip to Orient Beach and spent about 5 minutes there when it started raining.

12. Don't have to pay for lunch when I go to the beach. At many AIs, they will bring lunch to you on the beach or at the pool.

13. No Casino - I save a small fortune. I actually deduct my casino losses as charity contributions when I go on a cruise. I am not gambling because gambling implies a chance to win and I have no chance.

14. No waiting 6 hours to get your bags. They are usually brought to your room within 15 minutes - especially if you tip a few bucks.

15. No rushing to put your luggage out before midnight. Just take it with you when you leave.

16. Luggage is not destroyed on the way to my room.

17. Even if you don't drink liquors, all soft drinks and bottled water are included.

18. No formal dress codes. Actually, my wife and I like formal nights but for those who don't AIs do not require them. Note that some AIs do have dress codes like no shorts in the restaurants.

19. No tendering or long lines to get off the ship. No moving in herds.

 

As I said, we like both but in my opinion an AI is just a more relaxing, upscale experience. I have never cruised on a Luxury line so I cannot compare with that. As some have indicated, you cannot compare a top AI to an inside, ocean view or even a balcony cabin when it comes to price. You really need to compare apples to apples.

[Giorgi-one]

One correction to my previous post. Cab fare to Orient beach was $64 round trip for four persons.

[BrendaJ]

I just checked out Le Blanc in Cancun and I'm not surprised it gets great reviews. Comparing prices for the same week in March 2009, our Concierge Class cabin on the Solstice including all taxes, surcharges and gratuities is $100 less per person per day than Le Blanc. Since we'd never spend $1,400 on drinks and specialty restaurants in a week on a cruise, the cruise is still a better deal for us. However, for those who cruise in suites and incur big bar bills, I'm guessing even the nicest all-inclusive resort in Mexico will seem like a bargain.

[Cruise Junky]

I just checked out Le Blanc in Cancun and I'm not surprised it gets great reviews. Comparing prices for the same week in March 2009, our Concierge Class cabin on the Solstice including all taxes, surcharges and gratuities is $100 less per person per day than Le Blanc. Since we'd never spend $1,400 on drinks and specialty restaurants in a week on a cruise, the cruise is still a better deal for us. However, for those who cruise in suites and incur big bar bills, I'm guessing even the nicest all-inclusive resort in Mexico will seem like a bargain.

 

I think it's much more inline with the price of a basic suite on Celebrity. If that's the kind of accommodation you normally travel it, it's pretty evenly priced.

[caviargal]

$500/day for a CC on Century sounds extremely high. Is that pp or total? And if you paid $3500 (assuming $500/day X 7 days) at LeBlanc for two people for an AI, I'd say you got a very good rate.

 

It was per person and there are better deals to be had I am sure on certain sailings but not on that one. And the room was about 170 sq ft vs 600 plus that we enjoy at an AI.

 

There are discounts on LeBlanc just as there are on other properties. Also, Palace Members often sell their weeks and then it costs even less to stay there. Other high quality AIs like Secrets and Excellence can be enjoyed for less than 400 per day per couple, sometimes including air.

 

We are willing to pay a premium to vacation without kids around so the price is also reflective of the overall experience IMO.

 

<<However, for those who cruise in suites and incur big bar bills, I'm guessing even the nicest all-inclusive resort in Mexico will seem like a bargain.>>

 

A nice bottle of wine will set us back about $60 or so on a cruise and that adds up, especially with the service charge on top of it. In a week, that's $500 plus tips of another $200 or so. Add a few specialty restaurant evenings which we book a lot to enjoy a more intimate experience which is what we prefer.

 

We do book balconies or mini suites so that is what we compare the cost to. It is not about the booze for us as I may have two martinis over the course of a week cruise. It is about not being charged extra for most everything as happens on cruise ships these days, going to whichever specialty restaurant we choose, not having to deal with chair hogs, etc.

 

There are fans of both types of vacations and some who enjoy both almost interchangeably. We used to do a bit of both but as the ships continue to get larger and larger and now carry thousands of people and the cruise lines add more and more "options" which are at an additional cost and more and more families travel, we simply prefer the ambiance of an adult AI when taking a tropical vacation.

[Giorgi-one]

Cariargirl:

 

I have been reading reviews on Trip Advisor for upscale AIs in Cancun. Even for Le Blanc and Iberostar Grand, many reviewers say the fook is good or OK. Not many actually say the food is great. I know you have been to both. I do not get a warm and fuzzy feeling if I have to spend almost $700 per night for OK food. Do you think it would be better to just stay at a Hotel in Cancun and eat meals out?

[Mintycake]

I stayed in the Mayan Riviera in 2006 at Aventura Spa Palace (I believe same company that runs the Secrets resorts). It is an adult only all inclusive. I was there for a work conference and so while it was not a true vacation, I did have two afternoons off to relax.

 

My take on the whole all inclusve vs cruise was this

 

1) Food: very important to me. Food was MUCH better on the cruise, more variety, loved the formal dining experience.

 

2) Drinks: DH and I don't drink much so the "all you can drink" aspect of the AI was not so appealing, though I did love their frozen fruity drinks by the pools. Seriously, I didn't need a whiskey dispenser in my room. but for those who rack up the bar bills, I can see why this is a good thing.

 

3) Room: OK my room was awesome and huge but my air conditionar leaked leaving a puddle which I slipped on and almost cracked my skull open. I realize this was not normal but it still ticked me off. I had to ask several times to get it fixed and it never was fixed. On a cruise the room is smaller but when we had an issue with our door not locking, it was fixed within 10 minutes.

 

4) Check in: Always fairly smooth on a cruise in my experience.

 

5) check out: ok this sucks on a cruise but what can you do. We try to book a ship excursion that takes us on a tour and then drops us off at the airport with our luggage to minimize the pain.

 

6) kids: I will give the edge to the AI here since we like the kid free apect of SOME AI's (that you pay a premium for). Though we tend to cruise off peak season to minimize kids on a cruise and we've never had issues with kids (we find most on cruises to be pretty well behaved).

 

7) Getting there: AI includes flights so no having to deal with getting in early, extra hotel costs, transfers, etc. but we cruise balcony and seriously we find the costs to be pretty close.

 

8) Variety: Cruises win - part of why I love them is getting to travel to different places.

 

I think both holidays have merits and are great. However, as a couple who want to see different places and love great food, cruises win out for us.

[Giorgi-one]

I believe Adventura Spa Palace is a Palace resort which is different from Secrets. Surprised that you said cruise had more variety. We have been to both Secrets Capri and Iberostar Paraiso Maya and the variety at dinner was at least 5X what you get on a cruise. The Italian Restaurant at Secrets Capri had a three page menu - only problem was making a choice so we ate there three times. Lunch buffets were also equal to or superior to a cruise. Note that we have cruised on every line except luxury lines.

[jerseygirl3]

It was per person and there are better deals to be had I am sure on certain sailings but not on that one. And the room was about 170 sq ft vs 600 plus that we enjoy at an AI.

 

There are discounts on LeBlanc just as there are on other properties. Also, Palace Members often sell their weeks and then it costs even less to stay there. Other high quality AIs like Secrets and Excellence can be enjoyed for less than 400 per day per couple, sometimes including air.

 

We are willing to pay a premium to vacation without kids around so the price is also reflective of the overall experience IMO.

 

<<However, for those who cruise in suites and incur big bar bills, I'm guessing even the nicest all-inclusive resort in Mexico will seem like a bargain.>>

 

A nice bottle of wine will set us back about $60 or so on a cruise and that adds up, especially with the service charge on top of it. In a week, that's $500 plus tips of another $200 or so. Add a few specialty restaurant evenings which we book a lot to enjoy a more intimate experience which is what we prefer.

 

We do book balconies or mini suites so that is what we compare the cost to. It is not about the booze for us as I may have two martinis over the course of a week cruise. It is about not being charged extra for most everything as happens on cruise ships these days, going to whichever specialty restaurant we choose, not having to deal with chair hogs, etc.

 

There are fans of both types of vacations and some who enjoy both almost interchangeably. We used to do a bit of both but as the ships continue to get larger and larger and now carry thousands of people and the cruise lines add more and more "options" which are at an additional cost and more and more families travel, we simply prefer the ambiance of an adult AI when taking a tropical vacation.

 

I'm not doubting the price you paid, but $1000 per diem for a CC cabin on Century is not the norm. It must have been a very special (holiday???) sailing, and even that seems high. If you are comparing what you paid for the cruise vs. LeBlanc, then yes, I would say LeBlanc would be preferable. But I've never paid that much for a cruise, even in a suite, so for us it would be comparing apples to oranges.

 

I've heard very good things about LeBlanc, and if we could get a week there at an affordable price, I would certainly like to do that sometime.

[Cruise Junky]

I'm not doubting the price you paid, but $1000 per diem for a CC cabin on Century is not the norm. It must have been a very special (holiday???) sailing, and even that seems high. If you are comparing what you paid for the cruise vs. LeBlanc, then yes, I would say LeBlanc would be preferable. But I've never paid that much for a cruise, even in a suite, so for us it would be comparing apples to oranges.

 

I've heard very good things about LeBlanc, and if we could get a week there at an affordable price, I would certainly like to do that sometime.

 

When I priced Leblanc the other day 7 days came to $3,400 so that's less than $500 per diem which isn't bad at all.

[dmk]

I have to say that out of all the poshest 5* A1s that we have stayed at, the best food by far, was at the Club Meds. Now granted Club Med is not a 5* resort. It is a whole different experience but the food is fabulous!!

[Sky Sweet]

I have to say that out of all the poshest 5* A1s that we have stayed at, the best food by far, was at the Club Meds. Now granted Club Med is not a 5* resort. It is a whole different experience but the food is fabulous!!

 

Hi dmk :)

 

The last time I was at a club med was during the early seventies, when I was young and single, but I have heard they are very different today.

 

My friend and I stayed at a Club Med in Martinique, without air conditioning, in a rustic type of cabin and thought it was wonderful. Needless to say, we are very different today as well :)

 

However, at the time, it was a lot of fun with unlimited food, sports, and entertainment. I also met some great people, and a few of them subsequently became life long friends.

[dmk]

Hi dmk :)

 

The last time I was at a club med was during the early seventies, when I was young and single, but I have heard they are very different today.

 

My friend and I stayed at a Club Med in Martinique, without air conditioning, in a rustic type of cabin and thought it was wonderful. Needless to say, we are very different today as well :)

 

However, at the time, it was a lot of fun with unlimited food, sports, and entertainment. I also met some great people, and a few of them subsequently became life long friends.

 

This is too funny. I was at that same Club Med in the early seventies...lots of fun back then...foolish, carefree and single.:D

Since then, before cruisng, my husband and I would go often. We have been to all the ones in Mexico, and our favourite was Turks and Caicos.

Friends went to Columbus Isle this year and told us that the food is still wonderful. But no more beads, drinks are all included.I just noticed your birthday is dec. 18th. Mine is Dec.17th. Won't mention the year.

[caviargal]

I'm not doubting the price you paid, but $1000 per diem for a CC cabin on Century is not the norm. It must have been a very special (holiday???) sailing, and even that seems high. If you are comparing what you paid for the cruise vs. LeBlanc, then yes, I would say LeBlanc would be preferable. But I've never paid that much for a cruise, even in a suite, so for us it would be comparing apples to oranges.

 

I've heard very good things about LeBlanc, and if we could get a week there at an affordable price, I would certainly like to do that sometime.

 

Sorry, I meant to type 500 per day or 250pp on X. We paid less for LeBlanc when we booked under a special Expedia promo and got far more bang for the buck. Again, it is all about the experience one prefers. Even if X was a per diem of 150 pp pd the differential for what an AI has to offer would easily offset the difference for us.

[babylene]

I haven't posted in a long time because we are not cruising in the near future. But...I just came to the website to "relax" from cooking for the holidays and I saw this thread! You really put a smile on my face!

 

I, too, LOVED club med in Martinique. In my single younger days, I went there several times. Those were the days (my friends!) when I water-skied! Wasn't it great how we checked in our passports, travellers' cheques (who had a credit card??) and walked around free as a bird, no locks on the doors. I loved the yoga on the waterfront at the end of the afternoon, so peaceful as the sun went down, the sound of the water lapping and the soft music! Do you remember the fried bananas? They disappeared the minute they came out! Such happy memories!

 

My husband went to the Clubs in Agadir and in Bora Bora.

 

Take care...and enjoy your cruises!

[dmk]

Hi, Babylene. I know we're a bit OT. Wow, you too, a past GM:D Oh yes, the fried bananas! I, also went to one in Tunisia. I found out when I arrived that it wasn't a singles one...everyone was married and topless:eek:

Happy holidays:)

[jerseygirl3]

When I priced Leblanc the other day 7 days came to $3,400 so that's less than $500 per diem which isn't bad at all.

 

Yes, I agree. The poster said she paid $500 pp/day on Century for a CC cabin, which comes to $7,000/couple of the week. That seems extremely high and given that option, I would undoubtedly do LeBlanc for 7 days at $500/day, since that also includes air.

[babylene]

Thanks! Happy holidays to you too! I just started to cook today. Twenty-one guests the second night. Oy vay!!!!

 

Do you remember the nude beaches? One night I told a guy that I was walking past and saw a nude male, wearing only a hat and shoes and socks and he looked ridiculous. It turned out to be HIM!!!!! Embarassing moments!

 

Aren't you cruising soon? I remember you asked me a question a while ago. Did I answer it? My memory is not great!

[Cruise Junky]

Yes, I agree. The poster said she paid $500 pp/day on Century for a CC cabin, which comes to $7,000/couple of the week. That seems extremely high and given that option, I would undoubtedly do LeBlanc for 7 days at $500/day, since that also includes air.

 

No she didn't...she said "LeBlanc is $500/day on average which is what we paid for a CC class on Century"....No pp ;)

[Sky Sweet]

Hi dmk and babylene :)

 

I find it interesting that all three of us went to the same club med during the early seventies when we were young and single.

 

Who knows, maybe we met each other way back then and don't know it :)

[jerseygirl3]

No she didn't...she said "LeBlanc is $500/day on average which is what we paid for a CC class on Century"....No pp ;)

 

Sorry, she originally said per person, and then corrected herself. I posted this before she posted her correction.

[dmk]

Thanks! Happy holidays to you too! I just started to cook today. Twenty-one guests the second night. Oy vay!!!!

 

Do you remember the nude beaches? One night I told a guy that I was walking past and saw a nude male, wearing only a hat and shoes and socks and he looked ridiculous. It turned out to be HIM!!!!! Embarassing moments!

 

Aren't you cruising soon? I remember you asked me a question a while ago. Did I answer it? My memory is not great!

 

I remember a nude body painting contest.:o I was just an observer.:rolleyes: We are going on the Solstice in Dec. i couldn't resist. It was $849 for a CC cabin. Then, we will do a TA in April on the Solstice again.

 

Hi dmk and babylene :)

 

I find it interesting that all three of us went to the same club med during the early seventies when we were young and single.

 

Who knows, maybe we met each other way back then and don't know it :)

 

I was thinking the same thing when you first replied. Whereabouts are you from?

[Sky Sweet]

 

 

I was thinking the same thing when you first replied. Whereabouts are you from?

 

Hi dmk :)

 

My husband and I currently live in Conncecticut, but I grew up in Kings Point/Great Neck, which is on the North Shore of Long Island.

 

I then moved to Manhattan at the age of 21 while I was a graduate student at NYU. At the time I went to Club Med I was still living in Manhattan.