No more Caribbean Cruises

[tlmlb]

A few weeks ago I posted a topic about being cruised out and was gratified at the responses that were expressed. Well, it looks like I have taken my last Caribbean cruise. It is a choice based upon the decline in the experience and the alternatives available.

 

Why be cramped in a tiny cabin, sit at a tiny pool fighting for a lounge chair, have the hassle of getting on and off the ship, pay extra to go on a beach excursion, have a sail and sign bill for tips and drinks and be nickled and dimed right and left. I have done the math. I can go to a wonderful beachfront 5 star all-inclusive (stay in a large balcony room with a marble bath), for less than I can cruise. 8 nights in May for 1220 its per person airfare and transfers included with no sail and sign at the end. Although tips are not required, I'll probably drop $100 per person on the staff. If I do that my glass will never be empty.

 

The cruise math works out as follows; 7 nights in a bargain balcony room $1050, airfare $250, tips $70, drinks (2 per day) $98, 1 beachclub excursion on one island $65, pre-cruise hotel 1 night $75; transfers to ship $30. 2 Meals at pre-cruise $30.

 

So the difference is about $350 per person. $700 per couple. Not a huge sum but significant. What do I lose by staying on land? The only thing I can think of is just the simple fact you are sailing on the ocean and with ships today that experience is with 2-3000 of your closest friends. The 8 days of beach club and moonlight walks on the beach more than make up for that!!

 

Comments??

[bpear1600]

A few weeks ago I posted a topic about being cruised out and was gratified at the responses that were expressed. Well, it looks like I have taken my last Caribbean cruise. It is a choice based upon the decline in the experience and the alternatives available.

 

Why be cramped in a tiny cabin, sit at a tiny pool fighting for a lounge chair, have the hassle of getting on and off the ship, pay extra to go on a beach excursion, have a sail and sign bill for tips and drinks and be nickled and dimed right and left. I have done the math. I can go to a wonderful beachfront 5 star all-inclusive (stay in a large balcony room with a marble bath), for less than I can cruise. 8 nights in May for 1220 its per person airfare and transfers included with no sail and sign at the end. Although tips are not required, I'll probably drop $100 per person on the staff. If I do that my glass will never be empty.

 

The cruise math works out as follows; 7 nights in a bargain balcony room $1050, airfare $250, tips $70, drinks (2 per day) $98, 1 beachclub excursion on one island $65, pre-cruise hotel 1 night $75; transfers to ship $30. 2 Meals at pre-cruise $30.

 

So the difference is about $350 per person. $700 per couple. Not a huge sum but significant. What do I lose by staying on land? The only thing I can think of is just the simple fact you are sailing on the ocean and with ships today that experience is with 2-3000 of your closest friends. The 8 days of beach club and moonlight walks on the beach more than make up for that!!

 

Comments??

 

We cruised extensively in the 80's, all in the Caribbean, and did experience burnout to the extent we stayed away from cruising altogether in the 1990's. We're kind of back into it with three cruises in the last couple of years but we may back off again. Of course, living in a resort area does help.

[BB5953]

I like land based vacations in addition to cruises. Each type of vacation has their pluses and minuses. On land you are at only one destination, I have found the service to be not as good as on a cruise (even with the extra tips). The food is the same quality (in my opinion) but you don't have to worry about getting back to the ship in time and can really see everything the island has to offer. On a cruise you are stuck with sharing the experience with a large group on people but can usually find a place to get away.

 

In my experiences with all inclusive resorts they feel a bit dated. The drinks are horrible (I would rather pay for a decent one). I alternate. Land based vacation are cheaper and with cruise prices increasing I may not have a choice as to how I vacation soon.

[Cruise Junky]

We did two weeks in an all inclusive on the Mayan Riviera last year...best vacation we've ever done. I like to alternate with a cruise and there's a lot more islands I'd like to see in the Caribbean that a cruise ship is the perfect vehicle. But I agree, if you find a 4 1/2 or 5 star all-inclusive, they're awesome. I also never had a bad drink, just ask for a double if it's too weak. The Head Waiter at the All-Inclusive was giving us bottles of champage to go and enjoy on the beach after dinner for free....what cruise ship is going to do that?

[tlmlb]

We did two weeks in an all inclusive on the Mayan Riviera last year...best vacation we've ever done. I like to alternate with a cruise and there's a lot more islands I'd like to see in the Caribbean that a cruise ship is the perfect vehicle. But I agree, if you find a 4 1/2 or 5 star all-inclusive, they're awesome. I also never had a bad drink, just ask for a double if it's too weak. The Head Waiter at the All-Inclusive was giving us bottles of champage to go and enjoy on the beach after dinner for free....what cruise ship is going to do that?

 

Mayan riviera is really good...which resort did you stay at?

[Tatka]

I don't know all resorts but Iberostar and Melia are usually very nice.... I would recomend them to anybody. (They both AI , at least in Caribbean and Mexico)

[Lyn2005]

We stayed at the RIU Tequila in the Mayan Riviera a couple of years ago, it was wonderful! We haven't cruised for 10 years so, when we cruise this February, we'll have something to compare to. Then we can decide what we want to do next year. I am really hoping the cruise lives up to my expectations.

[Giorgi-one]

I am not cruised out but I will be looking at AIs for next year, particulary if all the cruise lines are successful at raising prices. I have not been to an AI but my understanding is that the food and entertainment on most cruise lines is better than the same at AIs. However, from what I have read, the AIs are improving while the cruise lines are going the other way. Once food and entertainment become equal, the AI looks more attractive. Much less hassle, no worries about missing ship, no precruise stay, no embarkation / disembarkation worries, bigger rooms, more time to explore, beverages included, etc. However, from what I have read, you really need to go for a 6* AI to get the same experience as a Celebrity cruise.

[Tatka]

I am not cruised out but I will be looking at AIs for next year, particulary if all the cruise lines are successful at raising prices. I have not been to an AI but my understanding is that the food and entertainment on most cruise lines is better than the same at AIs. However, from what I have read, the AIs are improving while the cruise lines are going the other way. Once food and entertainment become equal, the AI looks more attractive. Much less hassle, no worries about missing ship, no precruise stay, no embarkation / disembarkation worries, bigger rooms, more time to explore, beverages included, etc. However, from what I have read, you really need to go for a 6* AI to get the same experience as a Celebrity cruise.

Well...it's different. You can't compare AI to X cruises. First of all usually dinners are buffet style (food is yummy IMHO) and couple of nights you can go to specialty restaurants (which you booked before, although for free). It's more like free style cruises.

 

If you are looking into Iberostars in Rivera Maya check:

 

Ib. Paraiso Del Mar

Ib. Paraiso Beach

Ib. Paraiso Lindo

[Chick's pal]

Here are some comments from me, and please understand these are merely OPINIONS, so I hope no one is offended.

 

We receive a "free" incentive trip every year from DH's company. They used to send us on an annual cruise. We'd never cruised before receiving one of these trips, but after the first one, we were hooked. The company recently discovered all inclusives and has provided that kind of vacation for the past three years. We were gung-ho about the idea the first year. It seemed like it would be exactly like the cruise experience, only "on land."

 

The hotel rooms do not seem as clean, well-appointed as the ship's cabins. Sure, they were much bigger, but the climate control was not up to par, lighting is not good, there were many "insect" experiences, and even the construction of the rooms was pretty poor. Our most recent AI experience was on Cozumel at a place with those cool "grass roofed huts." Cute, sure. But the grass is all there is between you and the rain, the bugs, the lizards and the sound of thousands of tropical birds at daybreak. We even got to experience the sound of an amorous couple in the next room.

 

The food at these places is not on par with the ship. There really are no "white tablecloth & china" situations. The restaurants could be a bit cleaner. The natives are not good at cooking for a diverse audience like the ships are. You will get the Mexican equivalent of whatever you order (i.e. they will have a variety of steaks on the menu, but they all seem the same once you are eating them.) I don't believe they are in a position to provide special diets. In addition, you are never guaranteed a place in one of the "premium" dining rooms. You have to make reservations days in advance, and sometimes there are no reservations left for the evenings you want to dine. Some AIs restrict the number of reservations you can make in these rooms to two or three nights. The only alternative is the buffet. There is NO room service.

 

As for the activities, if you are a water sports person or like to just relax by the pool, this REALLY is the vacation for you and all of the other things, I believe, will be secondary. But if you're looking for professional entertainment, casino, movies, bingo, trivia quiz, newlywed game, etc, that is probably better on the ship. There is a "spa", but it is a very small place and not nearly as comprehensive as what they have on board.

 

Finally, understand that "5 star" in Mexico is not the same as "5 star" in the US or Europe.

 

We will continue to cruise frequently, only now it is on our own dime, and given the tremendous value, we don't have any problem with that!

 

Good luck and have fun!

[Tatka]

Chicks' Pal? What was a name of your hotel?

 

3 times we stayed in Iberostar our room was sooo clean ...they even put flowers in the bathroom. No insects or other fauna in the rooms(great looking flamingos and pecocks outside)...and very good A/C.

Food was yummy (No China though) but very tasty.

 

And I am talking about Iberostars in Dominican Republic...My friends went to both DR and Mexico and said..that in Mexico it was even better.

[texasgirl]

Dinners may usually be buffet but there are generally a couple of alternative choices. We stayed at the RIU in Puerto Vallarta earlier this year. They have a Brazilian steak house where they serve you at the table (5, yes 5 different kinds of meat - not select from five but you get five). I love RIU for AI.

[lougee1043]

I have done the math. I can go to a wonderful beachfront 5 star all-inclusive (stay in a large balcony room with a marble bath), for less than I can cruise. 8 nights in May for 1220 its per person airfare and transfers included with no sail and sign at the end. Comments??

The cruise math works out as follows; 7 nights in a bargain balcony room $1050, airfare $250, tips $70, drinks (2 per day) $98, 1 beachclub excursion on one island $65, pre-cruise hotel 1 night $75; transfers to ship $30. 2 Meals at pre-cruise $30.

what is the name of the hotel and where is it

[zackiedawg]

I enjoy both types of vacations myself, but am certainly not cruised-out, or even Caribbeaned-out. I enjoy the ship as much as I enjoy the itinerary, so I can certainly withstand many visits to the same places as I am enjoying the trip in general.

 

Here's what I like about cruises that I don't get tired of:

 

1. I love being on a ship...sailing along, feeling the light rolling on the waves, the wind blowing on the decks, looking out in all directions and seeing nothing but water, passing little reefs and uninhabited islands, seeing other ship traffic and freighters plying about. It is the ocean and shipboard life itself...the atmosphere and location, which can't be replicated by any other form of travel. There is a classic romantic allure to boat travel that appeals to historians and explorers-at-heart. It is also such a relaxed, stately, old-time way of traveling that allows me to temporarily break out of the modern, hustle-bustle, right-now technological world and deadline-imperative pace of work.

 

2. A ship provides the convenience of bringing your hotel, steward, butler, restaurants, waiters, bars, nightclubs, and broadway shows with you wherever you go. You can have all of this within your own traveling home...minutes away at all times, while you get a chance to travel around visiting and previewing places. If you've been there before, maybe you'll try a different side of the place...or maybe you can just stay on board. If you've never been there before, it gives you a chance to see what it is like without changing your surroundings. No matter which country or island you visit, you bring that comfortable and convenient world with you.

 

3. A cruise leaves less to chance. Maybe a resort on an island will be fantastic. Maybe it will be run down. Maybe the island will be wonderful, or maybe it will be horrible. Crime? Unknown. Comforts? Hopefully. A cruise allows some of those fears to be quelled, and questions answered. If the island is wonderful, and you enjoyed it on the cruise, you can certainly make plans to go back and stay longer. But what if it isn't so great? With a cruise, there is always a constant - you know what your hotel will be like wherever you go. You know what the food will be like and when it will be available. And you always have a place to go for safety, convenience, or if you just happen to not like the place very much. Even at a nice all-inclusive resort, you may find that committing to one location unless you know it well could leave you stuck for a week in a place you end up not liking.

 

4. A cruise can even help you choose a land-based resort or vacation for a better experience. You can get your first taste of a location, and travel to the nearby resorts. Tourist information is available at each port of call. The resorts are more than willing to give you a tour of their facilities if you are visiting from a cruise ship. And if you really like it, enjoy your cruise and make plans for your next vacation to head to that resort.

 

Having just finished my 20th cruise, most of which has been throughout the Caribbean, there are certainly places I've been many times, and ship traditions I've been through many times. But rather than grow tired of them, I feel comfortable with them and enjoy them. I cruise at least once per year...and I also take 4 or 5 land-based vacations a year. I always enjoy them all. But there are some things I get out of a cruise, and some conveniences and protections, which keep me always coming back for more. I have learned about some wonderful places by cruising...places that I've gone back to BECAUSE of the cruise. Jamaica, where I have friends and can stay for weeks...I first visited and learned about on a ship. The wonderful resorts of Cabo San Lucas and the Baja peninsula, which I drove down to from Los Angeles when I lived out there...I never would have risked a 4 day drive through partially unpaved desert with a hundred miles between gas stops unless a cruise had let me know what jewel waited for me at the end of my trip!

 

Anyway...I'd never replace one type of vacation with another...cruises and land-based resorts can share my vacation time and yours too. I'd encourage you to keep both types of vacations on your menu and look for the unique pleasures a cruise can provide. Then again, if more people take your advice and stop cruising, maybe the rates will drop and I can enjoy them even more!! ;)

[bean bag]

A few weeks ago I posted a topic about being cruised out and was gratified at the responses that were expressed. Well, it looks like I have taken my last Caribbean cruise. It is a choice based upon the decline in the experience and the alternatives available.

 

Why be cramped in a tiny cabin, sit at a tiny pool fighting for a lounge chair, have the hassle of getting on and off the ship, pay extra to go on a beach excursion, have a sail and sign bill for tips and drinks and be nickled and dimed right and left. I have done the math. I can go to a wonderful beachfront 5 star all-inclusive (stay in a large balcony room with a marble bath), for less than I can cruise. undefined 8 nights in May for 1220 its per person airfare and transfers included with no sail and sign at the end. Although tips are not required, I'll probably drop $100 per person on the staff. If I do that my glass will never be empty.

 

The cruise math works out as follows; 7 nights in a bargain balcony room $1050, airfare $250, tips $70, drinks (2 per day) $98, 1 beachclub excursion on one island $65, pre-cruise hotel 1 night $75; transfers to ship $30. 2 Meals at pre-cruise $30.

 

So the difference is about $350 per person. $700 per couple. Not a huge sum but significant. What do I lose by staying on land? The only thing I can think of is just the simple fact you are sailing on the ocean and with ships today that experience is with 2-3000 of your closest friends. The 8 days of beach club and moonlight walks on the beach more than make up for that!!

 

Comments??

 

where?? I'm ready! pleez tell me the exact resort.thats a hek of a deal..and i'm a penny pincher

[Tatka]

where?? I'm ready! pleez tell me the exact resort.thats a hek of a deal..and i'm a penny pincher

We can't post web sites here but this is nothing special about this price for AI!

 

We went on Thanksgiving week for $950....

 

I am not sure where you live but you might check Apple Vacations or TNT Vacations . BJ's and Costco have nice deals also.

[ajpack]

Yes, you can post websites here---you just can't post the name of a travel agency.

[ISABELLA]

We have done over 25 cruises, but never done AI resort vacation. Question to you all experienced AI travelers: what kind of entertaiment do AI resorts are offering? And, does anybody found too boring to be on the same beach for 7 days from morning to night? Please share your opinion.

[tlmlb]

what is the name of the hotel and where is it

 

I have already gone on my first AI (at the 5 Apple Copacabana) trip with friends. I didn't really do the dollar comparison until I was looking for something to do this upcoming May.

 

As far as resort other choices, for about the same $$ (especially if you go for 7 nights rather than 8, 7 night package is cheaper usually) you can stay at the Bahia Principe, Palladium Grand or Barcelo Maya. Iberostars are usually just a little more.

 

The following is a review of the experience I had at the Copa.

 

*****

Copacabana was simply beautiful, lobby and rooms were gorgeous, marble everywhere. A couple of hiccups but nothing that really irritated us; I never knew that a hotel could run outta tv remotes; no difference to me I really did not watch tv or spend much time in the room.

 

We had a room on the third floor in building #2; nice view over the treeline, clean and beautiful. No water for the shower the first night (saturday); the whole floor was out; it was restored at about 5 am on sunday morning with a pipe banging serenade. Not the greatest water pressure but it got us clean. A/C worked better the first few days than towrds the end of the week. We asked them to take a look at it but it really did not improve that much. The fact they have the key card system for the power to the room may have something to with it when you leave the key in for extended periods.

 

Service pretty awesome in all respects - we tipped freely since I am of the opinion that "everyone needs to make their income". Never at a loss for a drink. Maid service very good. Dining room service was good also. Front desk was good at taking requests. Caribbean restaurant service just ok, it was much slower than leisurely.

 

Food - The food is pretty excellent. I had a really good piece of fish in the Caribbean restaurant over paella. Fish was very good in all the restaurants. I only struggled one night at the buffet to find something that was really good. I would rate the buffet food as being better than most cruise lines. They need to improve are burgers at lunch. But who eats burgers when tacos are available.

 

Drinks - not really top shelf liquor for most items but for the price point what do you want?... Dos equis on tap was gooooood!!! I stuck to that and rum (Bacardi Anejo) drinks for the most part except for the occasional tequila shot.

 

Pool and beach area terrific. Ocean conditions excellent. Entertainment staff great. Activities and shows well run. Enjoyable international ambience of staff and clientele.

 

What we did - hung by the pool and beach; did a snorkel trip; trip to chichen Itza; walked the beach; (we never did get to PDC, oh well next time) wife and I got an excellent outdoor massage (wow a great value, 60 minutes each for $55 each) We both felt it was one of our best massage experiences and tipped accordingly. Just remember, it is by the pool and may be a little noisy to those who are really fussy. Just book it at a quiet time.

 

We booked the activities through the hotel concierge rather than the Apple rep. Just felt we got better service. This woman knew her stuff and was very honest about which trips to take. Went on the Sea Passion catamaran to Isla Mujeres and it was great. Trip to Chichen Itza was great, included a cenote swim. An example of how terrific this woman was that she made an error in the math (charged us too much), went to find us at the pool so that she could make the appropriate refund. She also gave us the bank exchange rate on the transaction.

 

Apple desk at the Copa needs a little work. We overheard several times about "only book through us, you can't trust others." Gives a bad impression about this wonderful country of Mexico. When we asked them about our transfer pickup time the rep asked is we had the copy of our voucher, unfortunately it was in our room. We went to to the room to retrieve and present it. We presented it to another apple rep looked up all of our info in the appropriate book. The information was listed by name rather than voucher number, why wouldn't the other rep look it up?? Simply a lazy guy who did not want to do his job.

 

Based on my experience I would not hesitate to return. However, I am curious about all the other resorts. Guess I'll just have to go back and do some research. Hoping to go again.

*******

[Cruise Junky]

Mayan riviera is really good...which resort did you stay at?

 

We were at the Bahia Principe Akumal - we loved it. Also, it's right next door to its sister hotel, the Bahia Principe Tulum so you could use both facilities and both sets of specialty restaurants - they had 3 each.

[themommy]

It is not really fair to compare apples with anything other than other apples and comparing cruises with land based holidays is a futile pursuit. They can both be enjoyed in their own right and what will be great on one will be poor on another.

As far as cost is concerned a 5 star all inclusive hotel would probably cost us from the Uk the same as a good cruise but there would be many variables.

Our one concern is that if you book 14 days at a resort that you do not care for you are pretty much stuck with it whereas the cruise offers constant change.

We take land based holidays as well as cruises, we take huge villas in Florida then pay for the flights but when we have finished with food and excursions the cost is usually higher per person but with no service at all. However we thoroughly enjoy the family time and the lazy days when we take a villa. Incidently we do not take our young children cruising, we use the cruise as our personal relaxing wind down.

 

It really is all very personal but to echo the sentiments of the first post I agree that there are some good inclusive 5 star deals around which more than favourably compare on price to a good cruise.

I also agree with the pool comments. I do not like the pool on the ship so when we dock at the ports we usually find a 5 star all inclusive hotel for the day to relax on the beach and in the pool to satisfy my need, costs around $45 and the food is usually very good, and cheaper than the planned excursions.

I think that there are things you can do to reduce the cost like joining in with new friends to take trips independently and to visit the resort hotels. It is a good taster for one you may like to stay in on a land holiday for longer.

[Giorgi-one]

Well...it's different. You can't compare AI to X cruises. First of all usually dinners are buffet style (food is yummy IMHO) and couple of nights you can go to specialty restaurants (which you booked before, although for free). It's more like free style cruises.

 

If you are looking into Iberostars in Rivera Maya check:

 

Ib. Paraiso Del Mar

Ib. Paraiso Beach

Ib. Paraiso Lindo

 

I know at least two couples who have gone to the Lindo. One couple used to go to Sandals but said there was no comparison. Lindo way better. Said they thought they had died and gone to heaven. Lindo is upscale IB property. You can use Del Mar and Paraiso Beach if you stay at Lindo but not vice versa.

[Perki]

Zackiedawg I agree with you 100%! We have rented villas on St. Martin 2x just to try something different and sure it was less expensive by a couple of hundred dollars maybe but not the same experience at all. We enjoy both for different reasons but will always put cruising as #1 over landbased vacations anyday. We looked at AI places in St. Lucia & Antigua and could find none for less than what we get our balcony cruises for and from several posts I read of these places on tripadvisor.com none got any rave reviews across the board - from dirty rooms to not so good food in buffets and impossible to get into the al a carte restaurants, etc. I do not consider a weeks stay in Mexico anywhere close to a week cruise around Caribbean islands so would never consider there...but nonetheless I can't imagine them getting much better reviews. Celebrity is always sparkly clean, excellent food and worth every penny!

[Tatka]

I know at least two couples who have gone to the Lindo. One couple used to go to Sandals but said there was no comparison. Lindo way better. Said they thought they had died and gone to heaven. Lindo is upscale IB property. You can use Del Mar and Paraiso Beach if you stay at Lindo but not vice versa.

It's the same way for Dominican Republic:

 

Ib. Punta Cana

Ib. Dominicana

Ib. Bavaro

 

Bavaro is higher rated so they can use whatever they want on other two resorts but not the other way around...

 

We stayed in Ib. Punta Cana and we loved it very much!!! It was really enough for us. :) And we had ocean view room (for $1 tip ;) )

 

Iberostar is Spanish (and I blieve German) chain ... We noticed there were not a lot people from US, but we really enjoyed learning different cultures (and languages)

[idssms]

We came back from Waikiki Beach two weeks ago after a 2.5 week vacation and it was great.

 

The transatlantic in Sept was great too but in Hawaii we got to eat meals where and when we wanted them and I gained no weight and felt great when I returned home.

 

Cruising is great also but I have never come back not feeling overweight and guilty about all that food and dessert eating. On a ship its almost impossible for me to say "no" when the waiter brings out another steak or lobster tail or dessert and offers it. I am glad this doesnt happen in land restaurants.

 

There are pros and cons for each type of vacation.

 

I find that after 2 weeks on any vacation I get bored and can't wait to return home. A back to back 28 day cruise would not work with me. Neither would a 28 day land vacation.

 

Don from Hm