Ok, I might be committing some sort of heresy here, but I want people’s opinion of all-inclusive resorts like Sandals and Club Med. How exactly do they work? How does it compare to cruising? How is it as a vacation overall? Is it a good value? Would you recommend it as a honeymoon? Are there lots of sport/adventure activities? Can anyone share specific experiences?

Thanks.

silence, eh? is that a hint?

I've never done an all-inclusive resort vacation, but know folks who have. Not either Club Med or Sandals, but one who went to an all-inclusive in Jamaica and another to an all-inclusive in Cazumel. Both liked the experience very much - but neither had cruising experience. Again, not having any information on Club Med or Sandals, I know the resorts included the alcohol in the vacation cost. I would think that would be a REALLY BIG difference if you're a drinker. The other big difference is the fact that you're in one place - not going to a different port everyday. Another difference would be in the staff to guest ratio. I don't know if the "land based" vacation would have the staff attention that a "sea based" vacation would have. Hopefully someone out there will have more information for you. Personally, I've looked at all-inclusives, but really prefer the ocean-going options. Good luck on making your choice. A honeymoon is special.

I have some co-workers at my job who have been to an All-Inclusive resort; and loved it. They only wished they could live there the rest of there lives. This particular resort is called Club-Hotel RIU Bachata. It is in the costal town of Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic. But just like stated before, they never went on a cruise so they can't make a comparison.

I was tempted to go to this resort after hearing their glowing reccomendations. But I still ended-up going on a cruise. It is still much easier and more affordable for me to go on a cruise. Especially since I live in Orlando and can drive to the major cruise ship ports in Florida.

CORRECTION:
They only wished they could have lived there the rest of their lives.

Also, to visit the website of the All-Inclusive resort that I mentioned, click here: Riu Bachata

Thanks, Frase. Do you know if land-based all-inclusive resorts are usually more expensive than cruises, or just in your case?

The price is about the same, unless it's Bonaire or some of the more private islands and then the all inclusives are about 3-5 times more expensive. (Some even higher-like the ones in Tahiti/Fiji.) I personally do not enjoy being in one place for that amount of time. I like being able to wake up in a different island. There are activities available, but not all of them appealed to me. This is just me, I would never go back to an all-inclusive, give me a cruise ship any day of the week. But if you enjoy it, don't let me talk you out of it.

Thanks. Your opinion could be correct - I've never been to a resort like that. The only reason I'm considering it is because I feel like it might be a bit more of a "mature" atmosphere for a honeymoon. I love cruises, but at times you can feel like you are at some sort of amusment park - the kids, occasional crowding, and silly games (even though I love the silly games). The resort seems a bit more laid back. But maybe the resorts have the same issues, and lack the benefits of a cruise - again, I don't know. I also want plenty of activites (hiking, biking, swimming), so I don't know what the resorts have to offer in that area.

Basically, I'm trying to plan the honeymoon, and just have so many options that I don't know where to start. In the end, a cruise might be the best option - we all know it won't be a bad option.

You could always try a Princess cruise, they tend to be less party intensive, especially on a 10-14 day itinerary. Or Holland America is more of an older clientelle, so there may be a little less silliness. If you do decide on an all-inclusive, Bonaire is great for snorkeling/diving. Much of it is a marine preserve and many of the resorts have diving/snorkeling right off the end of the docks. Tortola and Virgin Gorda are beautiful islands, as well as Grenada and Dominica. These are some of my favorites as they have not become too commercialized. They also have different topographies, Bonaire is basically flat but very, very clean. Bonaire is Dutch, Tortola and Virgin Gorda are british, Grenada might be as well. Dominica is its own government. I had some friends who went to the Dominican Republic and Costa Rica. The couple that went to the DR loved it, the couple that went to Costa Rica hated it. I haven't been to Costa Rica, so I can't tell you first hand. We have been to Costa Rica. I enjoyed Isla Catalina, but the mainland was so/so. There is a lot of history there, but it wasn't real clean and it looked like there were a lot of gangs hanging around.

How many months until the big day?

Mike, I have one word for you - "rain". You go to that all inclusive and it happens to be in a tropical depression, your vacation is going to be rain, rain, rain. On a ship, you have the chance to go somewhere else where is probably isn't raining. Even if it is, you have plenty of activities on a ship that are in doors.

I'm sure its a personal preference thing, so you may just have to try it. BUt, I'd rather be on the cruise in my book. Unless you can get a package deal with airfare included, I don't know how a decent all inclusive is going to beat the cost of a cruise.

And yes, you are a HERETIC!

I have visited Sandals on three different occasions and have always had a blast. Twice, I have been to the Sandals golf resort on St. Lucia and once to Negril. I have always have an unlimited supply of liquor in my in-suite bar as well as copious amounts of beer in the fridge. You can eat all you want in the wide variety of restaurants. Also, if you go to an island that has more than one Sandals resort, you are welcome to use any of the other resort's facilities and restaurants. I prefer cruising but an all-inclusive resort is not a bad vacation at all.

The big day is 9/20/08! Lots of planning to do...

And I think I have a semi-plan...we are going on a 7 day cruise, and plan to stay in the departure port for a few days prior to the cruise - best of both worlds!

Which brings up a new problem - the cruise I like best leaves from Miami (Liberty), however the Adventure leaves from San Juan, which I think I will like better as a place to spend a few days. Not sure if there are all-inclusives there, though.

So many decisions!

Choose carefully where you stay in San Juan. Do your research or you can quickly end up paying more for a room than you should.

Dr - are you saying that I should be careful to avoid over priced hotels (when i could get a comparable room for a lower price), or that there could be hidden fees or scams that will make a room much more expensive that I expected? Or is there an option "C"?

I've been looking on expedia some more and can get airfare plus 4 nights at the El San Juan Hotel for $1000 for the two of us. Anyone ever stay at that hotel? I won't post the site ( ), but you can easily guess what the adress might be for the elsanjuanhotel.

Mike,
I didn't stay there but I just toured the property last month. It is a great choice. $1,000 for two air tickets, and four nights sounds like a pretty good deal for the star rating of this property.

No, Mike, I am not talking about a scam. Some hotels in San Juan just charge higher rates than hotels of comparable quality. My suggestion would be to do enough research to avoid paying too much for something you could save money on.

Cruising does not always mean you will avoid a rainy spell. I remember a couple of years ago (we introduced relatives to cruising) where we hit showers and cloudy weather on our first island and it followed us for the week. It did not spoil the vacation and the relatives are looking forward to cruising again.

Peter1

Now I have a NEW question about Sandals - has anyone every bought a day pass? Was it worth it? How do you sign up for the activities (i.e. scuba)?

I think I will be receiving free day passes for Sandals at both St. Lucia and Antigua. Is it worth going twice? If not, which island is better?

DR - Any hotel suggestions (or ones to avoid) in PR?