All-Inclusive Resorts

jny502

So, I'm new to this whole discussion board thing, but I'm giving it a try. I am looking for some advice for an all-inclusive island for a honeymoon. We would like a place that has options for activities like snorkeling and some exploring of the island (so not somewhere that its unsafe to travel outside of the resort). I'd like somewhere tropical. Other than keeping it on a budget, I'm open to pretty much anything! Just looking for some ideas. There are so many options out there! Some are just entirely too expensive haha  

WVgalinNYC

I think the Sandals resorts are in the best locations but aren't necessarily the cheapest resorts or nicest for what you get for your money.  We've stayed at Secrets and loved the resorts, but there isn't much to do outside of them.  We are heading to an Iberostar in January (Grand Bavara), which we chose because we wanted a beautiful beach with not much else to do.  Ha, so I see what you mean, they are all over the place.  (We've worked with a travel agent who has walked us through resorts and destinations.  She's been really great with us, we've loved everywhere she has recommended.  PM me if you'd like her info- we work through email/phone with her.)
Good luck!

dazyabbey

What is your budget? What about Cozumel? You could travel into the greater Mexico area as well if you got bored of the island. There is a ton of things to do and there are ferry's that go into Playa Del Carmen.
Is there a specific reason you want an island?

JoanE2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_honeymoon_all-inclusive-resorts?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:11Discussion:812e6729-9640-4966-9369-c94672478215Post:0772b0ba-df8d-4365-a0d6-ccedffa6d5a0">All-Inclusive Resorts</a>:
[QUOTE]So, I'm new to this whole discussion board thing, but I'm giving it a try. I am looking for some advice for an all-inclusive island for a honeymoon. We would like a place that has options for activities like snorkeling and some exploring of the island (so not somewhere that its unsafe to travel outside of the resort). I'd like somewhere tropical. <strong>Other than keeping it on a budget</strong>, I'm open to pretty much anything! Just looking for some ideas. There are so many options out there! Some are just entirely too expensive haha :) 
Posted by jny502[/QUOTE]

Everyone's budget is different....what's yours?

cwaggoner07

We went to Isla Mujeres, an island off the coast of Cancun, and we stayed at the all-inclusive Palace Resorts.

We spent 3100 for 7 days and 7 nights, alltogether.

hesakeeper

We spent $3,500 for our entire HM. We didn't need anything fancy, we just wanted to get away and celebrate our marriage. 

It included: 
- Airfare to and from Cancun, plus transportation at the airport
- 7 days, 6 nights at an all inclusive resort which included all food and drinks
- Swimming with dolphins
- Tour of Chichen Itza (Mayan ruins)
- Parasailing
- Couple's massage
- Lobster dinner on the beach

... I would highly recommend an all inclusive if you're worried about money. We DID end up paying for the photos with dolphins (it was a couple hundred), and a few souvenirs. Other than that, we didn't have to worry about money at all and it was great!!

TheEncoreBride

What's your budget and where will you be flying from? A flight to the Caribbean can be very costly from the West Coast (not to mention long!). 

If you are considering the Caribbean the most affordable islands will be Jamaica and Bahamas, and of course Riviera Maya is very affordable as well.

jny502

I've never been to an island. Or out of the US for that matter haha. I'll look into that, thanks! We are looking to spend probably 2500 or less if possible on everything including air fare. Not including anything extra we purchase there. I'm not sure if this is even possible. But my fiance and his family went to Punta Cana two summers ago, all inclusive, with six of them and it was pretty cheap. Punta Cana didn't really on my list though since you shouldn't venture outside the resort.

jny502

We live in Delaware, so we would fly out of either Philadelphia or Baltimore. I was considering one of the Cayman isnalfs. Any reviews on there? I really appreciate everyone's input!

alithebride

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_honeymoon_all-inclusive-resorts?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:11Discussion:812e6729-9640-4966-9369-c94672478215Post:38c2a9b9-78cb-4089-949a-9d6dcac2173d">Re:AllInclusive Resorts</a>:
[QUOTE]I've never been to an island. Or out of the US for that matter haha. I'll look into that, thanks! We are looking to spend probably 2500 or less if possible on everything including air fare. Not including anything extra we purchase there. I'm not sure if this is even possible. But my fiance and his family went to Punta Cana two summers ago, all inclusive, with six of them and it was pretty cheap. Punta Cana didn't really on my list though since you shouldn't venture outside the resort.
Posted by jny502[/QUOTE]

on the contrary you can go outside the resorts in PC, there's just not much to do.

there are hundreds of all inclusives. i suggest you hit your library and get books on differen t caribbean islands, see which have AIs (use allinclusiveoutlet.com they are great at sorting by island or area of a country) and go from there. you gave pretty much no info on what interests you-you can snorkel at 99.9% of the isalnds at some beach or another.

dazyabbey

I agree with another PP. AllInclusiveOutlet.com is a great website and it gives you exact pricing including airfare from your specific location.
I think you should do a few searches around when your wedding would be, if it is still planned for 2014, and then you can price out what you think it would cost and start narrowing it down to a specific island or place. I think you will soon find out what you can and can't afford and how prices fluxuate. April it starts getting busier down in the caribbean so you need to take that into consideration but the price for airfare should be decent from your area.

Jells2dot0

As with the PPs said, check out allinclusiveoutlet.com, read the many posts on here about all inclusives, and closer to your date, sit down with a travel agent. You can get some ideas on what things cost by doing research, but don't stress over it too much because airfare for April 2014 won't be out until May 2013. So, you have A TON of time to get this figured out.

jny502

Thanks everyone! We've got the time, I just didnt know where to start. This is all very helpful. Thank you!

marston258

Hey, I'm in Philly too! If you are all interested in cruise, you can really save by cruising from NYC or Baltimore because you can skip paying for the airfare. FI and I had a stressful Winter and treated ourselves to 1 week to Bermuda from NYC this Spring and paid $1500 including all of the taxes and fees they tack on. We got a ride to trenton and toook NJ Transit and a cab to get to the cruise terminal. We spent less than $75 on transportation and had a great time.

jny502

I considered the whole cruise thing out of Baltimore, but the problem with a cruise is that alcohol is not included. Thats a big extra cost on top  

KathleenMitroka

You should look into theDominican Republic. We got great airare out of NY...so maybe PA too. Had an amazing vacation there. So relaxing, awsome food, and we did a waterfalling excursion that was AWSOME! Good luck planning! (Oh and mention Kathleen sent you, I think they should remember me )
http://www.lifestyleholidaysvacation.com