Anyone ever do an "all inclusive" vacay?

[USMCBillsFan]

We do Jamboree in the Hills every year but this year my gf wants to do an actual vacation with just the 2 of us. I looked in to Hawaii since I'd love to go back there. (stationed there from 92-95) I can stay at the military hotel Hale Koa but flights are a little steep. I also looked in to some of the all inclusive stuff for Cancun and the Bahamas since it would save me all the alcohol money I'd spend in Hawaii. Just never known anyone to use one and don't know if they're all they're cracked up to be.

 

Also considering a cruise. Did one of those in the mid 90's too and had a great time.

 

Any other suggestions? Or experience with the above mentioned?

 

Thanks in advance.

[KD in CA]

As with any vacation, it comes down to what you want to do. If you just want to chill and laying by the pool/bar is the top priority, they can both be good options. If you are the restless type who needs to explore and do different things, maybe not. My ex and I did an all inclusive resort in Barbados years ago and it was fine.

 

The nice thing is you can control the costs. Costs of food and alcohol can run away from you quickly when you are on any vacation, but that's doubly so in a remote or vacation spot. Just do the online research (TripAdvisor, etc) to see which ones get good marks for service, cleanliness, sufficient restaurant options, food quality, drink restrictions, resort activities, etc.

 

Also have done a couple of cruises; one when I was younger which was a blast -- we had a table with 3 other young couples and we all partied our asses off; almost got left behind in Ensenada. Did another one with a larger family group when we had a baby. It was fine too because we were happy with a very low key trip that time.

Edited January 27, 2017 by KD in CA

[Johnny Hammersticks]

My wife and I have done several. My favorite all-inclusive resort, by far, is the Couples Resort in Negril, Jamaica. It's kind of low key, so if you're looking for a huge party scene it may not be for you (although there are bars everywhere and they deliver drinks to your beach chairs). The food is amazing. I can't say enough about the food and service. Several different restaurants (Thai, Caribbean, French), a "snack bar" that serves burgers and other stuff all day, and an ocean side cafe that has the most amazing, fresh fish tacos. Literally the waves are hitting your feet as you eat your tacos. Amazing. PM me if you're interested and want more information.

[Wooderson]

We do Jamboree in the Hills every year but this year my gf wants to do an actual vacation with just the 2 of us. I looked in to Hawaii since I'd love to go back there. (stationed there from 92-95) I can stay at the military hotel Hale Koa but flights are a little steep. I also looked in to some of the all inclusive stuff for Cancun and the Bahamas since it would save me all the alcohol money I'd spend in Hawaii. Just never known anyone to use one and don't know if they're all they're cracked up to be.

 

Also considering a cruise. Did one of those in the mid 90's too and had a great time.

 

Any other suggestions? Or experience with the above mentioned?

 

Thanks in advance.

 

For our honeymoon, my wife and I went to Secrets Maroma Beach in Rivera Maya, Mexico. It was amazing. Adults only resort with 7-8 sit down restaurants, top shelf liquor, and every amenity you could ask for. Would definitely recommend this to you if you're looking for a relaxing vacation. It's a bit on the pricier side but if you're thinking Hawaii, then this might be a solid alternative. An added bonus, the spa was absolutely fantastic.

 

http://www.secretsresorts.com/maroma-beach-riviera-cancun

 

On the other hand, we've also been the Riu in Montego Bay, Jamaica which did not have top shelf liquor nor the number of quality restaurants. We had fun because we can have fun anywhere but compared to the Secrets, it was not very good. If you're going to do the all-inclusive go for the best.

[Dr. Fong]

I've never done an all inclusive resort, but I recently did a cruise for the first time. I never thought I'd be a cruise person, but man was that a great vacation. I loved not having to plan anything. Just sit back and relax and figure out what you want for dinner. I'd imagine all inclusives would be equally nice in that regard.

[shrader]

I've never done an all inclusive but it's definitely something the wife and I have constantly been looking into. We haven't found the right time for one yet, but it's definitely on the list. She's done a few in the past and absolutely loves them.

[PromoTheRobot]

 

I have done both cruises (5) and all-inclusives (2), and prefer cruises. Here are my pros/cons:

 

1) Cruise is better for entertainment, IMO. I thought that after dinner at the all-inclusives, there was really nothing much else do to. On a cruise, you've got a ton of high-quality options-- shows, lounges, casinos, comedians, movies, bands, etc.

2) I thought food was a lot better on cruises. The all-inclusives I have been to were in the Domincan. I thought the food was terrible at both of the ones I went to--and one of them was rated the best all-inclusive in the DR. I wish they had just served local food, instead they had a french restaurant, american restaurant, italian restaurant-- and they were all really sub-par attempts to do foreign food.

3) I thought both were equally relaxing vacations, but I preferred to see more of different islands and beaches, etc. on a cruise.

4) The alcohol is the reason you do the all-inclusive, IMO. Cruises will gouge you on alcohol, while alcohol is included at all-inclusive.

That Dominican resort wouldn't happen to be the Sunscape Puerto Plata? It's exactly what you described with the restaurants. I mean the food was fine but the attempts at those cuisines were laughable. The drinks they served were pretty low brow too except for the rum. The Brugal distillery is only a mile away. That stuff is great.

 

But considering we paid $600/pp for 5-days all-inclusive with airfare from Boston, it was so cheap I couldn't complain. We actually enjoyed it overall.

Edited January 27, 2017 by PromoTheRobot

[USMCBillsFan]

Thanks everyone. Good food for thought.

[USMCBillsFan]

That Dominican resort wouldn't happen to be the Sunscape Puerto Plata? It's exactly what you described with the restaurants. I mean the food was fine but the attempts at those cuisines were laughable. The drinks they served were pretty low brow too except for the rum. The Brugal distillery is only a mile away. That stuff is great.

 

But considering we paid $600/pp for 5-days all-inclusive with airfare from Boston, it was so cheap I couldn't complain. We actually enjoyed it overall.

Where do you go to look at package deals with airfair? $600 pp for 5 days with airfare from Boston is pretty cheap. I guess I don't really know where to look. The pages I'm looking at are the cost of the resorts only and airfare is separate. Should I just find a travel agency and look through them?

[Johnny Hammersticks]

 

haha-- very close. We did Sunscape Punta Cana. It was a great price-- I think we paid the exact same, flight included. And don't get me wrong--it was great time and great beach. But food was lacking, and I agree with you on the drinks-- they would load up the drinks with a ton of cheap alcohol, and I think try to get people hammered fast.

 

But after we did Sunscape, a few years later, we decided to pay more and go to a nicer resort in Punta Cana. I can't remember the name, but it was super highly rated and cost us maybe twice as much. Then, we got there, and it was the exact same food. I have a feeling that all these resorts in DR have the same restaurants and buy from the same distributors. I would have gladly eaten plantains and jerk chicken; instead I got a crappy "All-American Hamburger" and canned escargot.

We did Hard Rock Punta Cana in February 2016. While it was very nice and the entertainment options were top notch, I also found the food to be, well, blah. Let's just say that I didn't have a proper BM for about 3 weeks. It was nice, however, to be able to order a mediocre cheeseburger or soggy chicken fingers (along with a bottle of scotch) at any time of day.

 

I don't think I'd do Punta Cana again. Probably my least favorite place I've visited in the Carib.

[NoSaint]

Good to know your experience was meh, as well. Maybe it's just a punta Cana thing and we should do an all-inclusive somewhere else next time. I have heard you can get pretty good deals for Cancun ones.

$600 for 5 days with airfare, lodging and unlimited food and booze? I'd assume the quality goes hand in hand with price. That's stupid cheap, of course the food will be meh.

[plenzmd1]

$600 for 5 days with airfare, lodging and unlimited food and booze? I'd assume the quality goes hand in hand with price. That's stupid cheap, of course the food will be meh.

That what I was thinking as well. $600 per couple a day, decent to good all inclusive. $800 and above a day is when they start to be high quality.

[Johnny Hammersticks]

I think the best thing to do is find a good travel agent. Tell them your budget, and exactly what you're looking for. If you have a good one, they should be able to give you 8 or 10 options based on your preferences. They also will do all the leg work which is nice. This has always worked well for us.

[NoSaint]

I think the best thing to do is find a good travel agent. Tell them your budget, and exactly what you're looking for. If you have a good one, they should be able to give you 8 or 10 options based on your preferences. They also will do all the leg work which is nice. This has always worked well for us.

If you really don't know what you want to do this is a good option

 

If you do know what you want to do it's easy these days to plan your own

[Augie]

My son is looking at all inclusive places (mostly in Jamaica) for his honeymoon in October. Neither of them drink alcohol, so it seems like there are better options froma cost perspective. Isn't that a lot of what youre paying for? (And it WOULD appeal to me, but possibly be too much of a challenge to get my money worth!) Am I missing something?

Edited January 28, 2017 by Augie

[PromoTheRobot]

Where do you go to look at package deals with airfair? $600 pp for 5 days with airfare from Boston is pretty cheap. I guess I don't really know where to look. The pages I'm looking at are the cost of the resorts only and airfare is separate. Should I just find a travel agency and look through them?

 

CheapCaribbean.com. But when you book, insist they fly you to the nearest airport. They flew us to Santiago when Puerto Plata had an airport 10 minutes from our resort. Had to take 2hr white knuckle bus ride to and from. Never again. (Jet Blue flies nonstop to several DR airports. Fly nonstop if you can.)

$600 for 5 days with airfare, lodging and unlimited food and booze? I'd assume the quality goes hand in hand with price. That's stupid cheap, of course the food will be meh.

 

Don't go in expecting the Ritz. Eat the local cuisine. (Rice, beans, chicken, plantains, pork) The minibar in our room was included in the price. Some half-liter cokes and a bottle of Brugal rum. I'm happy.

Edited January 28, 2017 by PromoTheRobot

[plenzmd1]

Yeah, you might be right. But you can get cruise deals in that range with food that is a lot better. Plus, even when I paid more, I got pretty much the same thing foodwise. But may just be a punta Cana thing.

So we have done one all inclusive in Turks at the Beaches there, but that is geared much more to families. We went late May, so a bit of a shoulder season, for the 4 us like $850 a night. Perfect place for families, would not recommend as a couple.

 

Have also done one at the Grand Villas in PLaya Del Carmen.That was an incentive I won, and the place was spectacular. http://rivieramaya.grandvelas.com/

But that is prolly closer to $1,000 a night for a couple for a fantastic room...tough call on if it is worth it, but it was awesome.

 

Won another incentive to a cheaper all inclusive in Cancun one year...was there for an hour and left it was so awful.

 

As with EVERYTHING in life, you get what you pay for.

 

My son is looking at all inclusive places (mostly in Jamaica) for his honeymoon in October. Neither of them drink alcohol, so it seems like there are better options froma cost perspective. Isn't that a lot of what youre paying for? (And it WOULD appeal to me, but possibly be too much of a challenge to get my money worth!) Am I missing something?

I would never consider an all inclusive if I did not drink. Think from a cost and luxury perspective you are much better staying in 5-star resort and just eating on your own.

 

I don't know what their budget is Augie, but we stayed at the Ritz Dorado Beach last August, and it was off the charts. Now we went low season in August, so rates not as nuts as they are winter/spring break/early summer...but this place would be a great for a honeymoon I would think...especially when your old man is footing the bill

 

http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels/puerto-rico/dorado-beach

 

BTW, we got upgraded to a room with a plunge pool...that was freaking awesome. Not sure worth the extra money for us old fogeys...but for a honeymoon i would highly recommend!

Edited January 28, 2017 by plenzmd1

[NoSaint]

Yeah, you might be right. But you can get cruise deals in that range with food that is a lot better. Plus, even when I paid more, I got pretty much the same thing foodwise. But may just be a punta Cana thing.

Cruises get the booze and gambling revenue out of you still though. The initial ticket simply has to roughly cover fixed cost of adding an extra body to turn a nice profit still on extras i would venture

 

If I back out a couple hundred bucks for airfare and your agents 10% commission you paid like $2-300 each for 5 days of servers, food, alcohol, whatever the limited entertainment options were etc... and probably not a lot of places for the resort to grow margins (haven't done one specifically but know a bit on travel - where else can you hand them money, the spa and tours?)

 

If penciling in $40-60 a day for unlimited food and booze and services and the vendor having to turn a profit inside that I'd expect very limited quality

Edited January 28, 2017 by NoSaint

[mead107]

Have Never done one. Like the cruises we have been on.

[Saxum]

Where do you go to look at package deals with airfair? $600 pp for 5 days with airfare from Boston is pretty cheap. I guess I don't really know where to look. The pages I'm looking at are the cost of the resorts only and airfare is separate. Should I just find a travel agency and look through them?

$600 for 5 days with airfare, lodging and unlimited food and booze? I'd assume the quality goes hand in hand with price. That's stupid cheap, of course the food will be meh.

Obviously someone stayed at resort with unlimited cheap booze.