Cruise Vs All Inclusive Vacation

So, you’re thinking of taking a cruise but not sure if you’ll like it or if it compares with an all-inclusive vacation. Many vacations ask this same question; “cruise Vs all-inclusive vacation?” While cruising is not for everyone, it does offer excellent value for money and allows you to visit more than one place during your vacation. Myself, I love to cruise, and like that, I can see multiple locations and only need to unpack my suitcase once. Taking a bus tour where you either unpack and pack every day or live out of a suitcase as you travel from place to place is a pain! On the other hand, some of my friends think I’m crazy for stepping onto a cruise ship because they believe it’s claustrophobic, creates motion sickness and they envision it crowded with thousands of people in one place.

While I have never sailed a mega-ship (4,000 or so passengers), I have sailed ships that can carry 3,000 people. With 14 to 16 or so decks, passengers are generally spread out in different areas, and I’ve always been able to find quiet or empty areas on the ship. No claustrophobia here! Traveling to an all-inclusive resort does not guarantee you any quiet space either, especially around the swimming pool.

Despite what many may think, cruise ships are not sea-sickness creating vessels. With new technology, modern cruise ships have multiple sets of stabilizers. Their giant fins cut through the water and help prevent the side-to-side rolling motions often felt in rough seas. However, if you are prone to motion sickness, select an itinerary that sails in sheltered waters and not the open ocean. Also, to minimalize motion, choose a cabin on the lower decks, close to the center of the ship and carry motion sickness patches. So, choosing between a cruise Vs an all-inclusive doesn’t come to one factor but many.

What’s Included

The pros of booking an all-inclusive are that there will be no hidden surprises at the end of your vacation. Pretty well, everything is included from all meals, use of the resorts non-motorized water sports equipment and as many alcoholic drinks as you want. If you are not a drinker, an all-inclusive may not be for you since nightly activities are centered around nightclubs and drinking. Undoubtedly, an all-inclusive vacation is very relaxing.

Many resorts cater to singles, couples and even families. For some, the idea of being in one place doing nothing but sitting by the pool is enjoyable. For active people, a resort may become tiresome quite quickly.

The con of choosing an all-inclusive is you are stuck in one place.

Cruise vs All Inclusive Vacation          Cruising          All Inclusive

Room or cabin                           Yes but smaller     Yes and larger 

Food                                     Yes               Yes

Alcohol                                  No                Yes

Entertainment                            Yes                No

Nightclubs                               Yes                Yes

Pool                                     Yes               Yes

The benefits of choosing a cruise are that you will be staying in a floating hotel that moves around. You will enjoy visiting not one but multiple places in the same amount of time as a resort vacation. Also, cruise ships provide a variety of nightly entertainment. These include Broadway-like shows, comedy clubs, movies as well as the nightclubs offered at all-inclusive places.

Traveling with small children? No problem; because most cruise ships have children’s group activities to prevent your children from getting bored. They also offer babysitting services if mom and dad require some alone time.

However, the downside of cruising is, if you choose too many add on items, the final bill at the end of the cruise might give you a coronary.

Food

A cruise ship offers more selection of food choices than a resort. Not only do you get choices in the restaurants but there are several restaurants to eat at. Plus, there is the option of a buffet just like the all-inclusive on land. Cruise ship food is also of a high caliber and can be compared to five-star restaurants. If you suffer from allergies, cruise ships will cater to your allergies and prepare your food separately.

All-inclusive resorts tend to offer mediocre buffet-style meals. The food is prepared in bulk and sits in warmers for a few hours. A resort is very unlikely to cater to you if you suffer from food allergies.

Cruises are a Sampler for a Land Vacation

With so many options to travel to and islands to see, it’s often difficult to choose one place. I remember wanting to visit Hawaii but not knowing which island to fly to so I booked a cruise instead. The ship stopped at four different islands and gave me a sample of what each had to offer. That way, if I chose to do a land vacation, I would have a better idea of which island I would pick. 

The Caribbean has over 7,000 islands; so how do you pick one to visit? A cruise gives you a small taste of a few islands and maybe helps you decide on an island for a future land vacation.

Cruise Vs an All-inclusive; Which is Cheaper?

Generally speaking, a cruise vacation will be cheaper than an all-inclusive. Cruise prices are set low because the cruise lines hope to make extra money from you with add-on expenses. These include alcoholic drinks, wine at dinner, port excursions, gambling in the casino, specialty restaurants, and onboard shopping.

If you don’t drink alcohol, add on expensive excursions or gamble, your cruise vacation should come in cheaper than an all-inclusive. However, if you have a few drinks, gamble a little and buy some port excursions, they may not be any price difference between the two vacations or your cruise could come in at a significantly higher overall price tag.

So, choosing between a cruise Vs an all-inclusive doesn’t come down to price. The decision comes down to what type of vacation are you seeking.

Are You a Cruiser or a Resorter?

So, cruise Vs an all-inclusive vacation? While both types of vacations would offer amazing experiences, they cater to different overall needs. Cruises are best for vacationers wanting to see multiple places with a diverse selection of land activities. These people are generally more active and like the busy port days. Cruises are also geared towards travelers who want the attentive staff and the level of service they provide.

On the other hand, resort vacations suit those wanting just to relax and basically do nothing. This type of vacation is best for those who have a stressful job or those just wanting to be in one place and rest. Resorts are also great for families too as the parents can relax by the pool while the children play. If you are concerned about safety, resorts are often fenced compounds in themselves, so they offer a high degree of security.

Whether you choose to vacation by land or sea, both offer the same relaxing getaway. There are many different ways to vacation; backpacking, camping, resorts, bus tours, and cruises. I have done them all because after all, variety is the spice of life!