All Inclusive vs Cruise

Re: All Inclusive vs Cruise

• strlzfan11 member

  

  May 2011 edited May 2011

  I've never done an AI, but to me the biggest decision you & your FI need to make is "do we want to see a lot of places on this trip or one place on this trip?"
  
  As for your FSIL possibly being pregnant, most cruise lines don't allow passengers to be pregnant past 24/25 weeks in order to board the ship.  Would you consider cruising without them?  If they're experienced cruisers they can pass on their cruising tips even if they don't go along.  I personally don't know that I'd want to go on my honeymoon with another couple, even if we did have plenty of alone time.  It's one thing to randomly run into someone you know while travelling and meet up to do something, but it's another to actually plan an entire trip with them, KWIM?

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• AdeleDazeem member

  

  May 2011 edited May 2011

  I'm not a big fan of "controlled" trips.  When I go away, I want to explore, try different restaurants, and see the place for what it is.  I think cruises allow for more of that than an AI would. 
  
  Have you traveled much on your own before and what is your comfort level?  Are you looking to do things on your trip or just sit on the beach and sip drinks?  Have you picked up a travel book for the places you'd consider cruising/visiting? 
  
  These are some things to consider while planning your honeymoon.  Or any trip really.  Frommers and Fodors are wonderful travel books.

  
  

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• lyndseyfaith

  

  May 2011

  Joy-neither one of us have traveled much other than a few trips to the beach etc. We would like to do a few things on our trip but at the same time I don't want to be "busy" and have to rush everywhere and feel that every second has been planned. We havent gotten any books but I have done some online researching.
  
  Strlzfan-I would consider going with or without them. However, just the mere idea of traveling out of nearby states makes my FI a bit nervous. He is more at ease and in vacation mode if there is a group. Plus, it not like we will be spending every moment with them. We have traveled with them before on other trips and its kinda a happy medium that we all enjoy.
  

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• Lobsters25 member

  

  May 2011 edited May 2011

  We literally went through the same decision today and decided on the cruise.  I have done both, and thoroughly enjoyed both, so narrowed down the options of feasible (financially and in terms of schedule) cruise lines and AI destinations.  My FI has never been outside of the country, aside from Canada, so I let him do a little research on both options and pick (he is not a happy camper when out of his comfort zone.)

  I am quite happy he selected the cruise, because I think he'll be more in his comfort zone there (and as much as we will be experiencing Europe and other new cultures over the coming years, I do not want him to feel stressed or uncomfortable on our honeymoon of all occasions.)  Perhaps you could look at where he would feel comfortable without other people being the primary factor?

  Really, both options give you the option to stay at your local pool, and then go experience something new when you're in the mood, before heading back to your pool, so go with what you'd simply rather do!   Some cruise lines do offer an AI-type drinking package, so you don't have to worry about your bar bill.  I don't think the AIs are a 'rip off' in that sense, depending on how much you and your guy like to eat

  At the end of the day, I LOVE being on the water, and the ambiance of a cruise, so the cruise is certainly for me!  Just make sure to do your research either way...good luck and have fun!!!

  

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• lyndseyfaith

  

  May 2011

  Thanks I appreciate all advise!! Keep it coming!!

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• AdeleDazeem member

  

  May 2011 edited May 2011

  Okay, I can see the appeal to both kinds of trip for you.
  
  Cruises will take you new places.  There are planned excursions when you reach new ports where you will pay some extra money, be put with a group from the ship, and go to do something fun.  If you don't want to go on it and prefer to do something else in port, you are free to do that.  If you don't even want to get off the ship, then you don't have to!  Cruising shows you several destinations while bringing your hotel with you
  
  I think if you haven't traveled much and are trying to work up your comfort level to bigger trips, then pick the cruise.  You get variety, experience in new and different places, but can go back to your cruise ship when you've had enough to sip drinks in the sunshine.
  
  EDIT: And definitely get a travel book!  For example, we just go back Bermuda for ten days.  We stayed at a lovely hotel on the southwestern shore, but traveled all over the island by bus, ferry, taxi and did all sorts of shopping and exploring.  The book pointed us in good directions and even told us about an abandoned railway trail that we could bike and see a more desolate part of the island.
  
  The books also tell you where to avoid, what kind of money you need, do you need to tip people and who, how much taxis cost, etc...  Literally, all the questions you would have about traveling to your destination are answered.  It takes some of the mystery and unknown away from going away.  I loooove traveling.

  
  

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• lyndseyfaith

  

  May 2011

  Awesome thanks Joy we will definately be looking for a book!

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• allyson+williams member

  

  May 2011

  My fiance loves cruises and I love AI vacations, but niether of us has done both.  We went with AI because we are big fans of drinking and thought it was more cost effective  We are planning several day trips while we are away, so we'll still have variety and get to see the sights.  I was reticent to go on a cruise because it seems that it's a small space for so many people.

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• Denise91980 member

  

  May 2011

  I think it all depends on what you are looking for. DH and I did an AI resort for our HM. I didn't want something structured and being told when I would have to be somewhere. I wanted our biggest decisions of the day to be, beach or pool and which restaurant we would eat dinner at. Where we stayed (Secrets Maroma Beach) had several restaurants and they were all good. We just wanted to be catered to (which we definitely were). We were served by the beach and pool and never wanted for anything.
  
  Like pp have mentioned, if you want to see more islands, then a cruise is your best bet. Best of luck

  BFP #1 1/1/11 EDD 9/10/11 dx:no hb DNC on 2/2/11 BFP #2 12/28/11 natural m/c on 2/6/12 BFP#3 2/16/13 dx:ectopic on 2/27 (given methotrexate)
  

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• greeneke2

  

  May 2011

  I personally prefer all inclusive over a cruise.  When you go all-inclusive you get to do everything at your own pace and there is usually a lot more to do than sit on the beach.  

  
  

  One of the major factors that I love about AI is that your alcohol is generally included as well as your gratuities.  Its nice knowing that you know up-front what you are going to be spending and also its a little bit less stressful when you don't have to worry about whether or not you have money to tip or worrying about how much money you have spent while you are vacationing.

  
  

  Second, there really is plenty to do on AI.  On our AI trips, my FI and I have done so many things, jet skiing, wake boarding, scuba diving, waterskiing, parasailing, we've gone to water parks, natural reserves.  The excursions do cost extra but there usually isn't a lack of any excursions that you might want to do.  Not too mention AI's generally have multiple restaurants.  The ones I have been to have usually had at least 5 different restaurants to choose from!  And they have entertainment each night as well. 

  
  

  My FI used to LOVE cruises but once I took him to an AI he said he would no longer vacation any other way!

  
  

  In the end, you are going to have fun no matter what you choose! 

  

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• Wiscisbliss

  

  May 2011

  I love cruises, and have never been to an AI. 
  
  My husband and I are very active people.  We like adventures, moving, and shaking.  So we like the cruise.  Everyday we get to see someplace different, but have the convenience of not having to drag our luggage everywhere or arrange transporation. 
  
  We don't drink much (on the cruise maybe had 1-2 drinks a night, which is very unusuall for us compared to home life) so our booze bill was less than $200 for the week.  So an AI would not have made up that price difference. 
  
  Many adult AI the focus seems to be drinking (based on the activities listed) or just beach lounging.  On the cruise we had other choices, like comedy shows or musical shows.  I can only handle sitting still "relaxing" on a beach for a couple of hours and then I need to do something more active. 
  Family AI were closer to what we were looking for (waterslides, more activites) and I would consider that in the future. 

  

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