Are you a cruiser or a resorter? Do you have to be one or the other? Can't you be both?
I have to admit, until last summer I fell into the cruiser category, long dismissing the all-inclusive experiences I had many years ago at Sandals (they only owned 2 properties at the time) and Club Med (hot resorts at the time) for cruise vacations.
Both types of vacation have changed dramatically in the past 10 years, improving on all aspects. gourmet dining - both have it, luxury settings & service - both have it, family accommodations & fun - both have it, it seems that the two have almost morphed into one with the only difference being on the sea or on the beach.
There are all-inclusives to cater to every vacation taste, family, couples, spa experience, even nudist all-inclusives. Cruise vacations of course offer all of these (not sure about a nudist cruise but I'm sure a ship can be chartered to cater to this special interest group, contact me and we'll work on it).
While their offerings are similar in quality as far as accommodations & service there are still differences in the food and the activities.
Although all-inclusives offer some activities i still have to give the nod to the cruise lines, there is always a quality program or experience to join on a cruise , pretty much non-stop and almost around the clock not even include the activities available in the ports of call. The activities offered at the resorts are limited to mostly water sports and whatever excursions you can find in the local vicinity (actually there are a good number of experiences in the Mayan Riviera area that are a lot of fun). The problem is highlighted if the resort is on an island that is beautiful but underdeveloped or just developing a tourist trade, a couple of recent customers commented that the resort was everything it was advertised to be but once outside the gates, they were in the middle of nowhere, a third world country.
Which is a better value? It depends on what you are looking for in a vacation both include accommodations & meals ( trendy specialty restaurants a small extra charge of course). Alcoholic beverages can be the decision point for some when assessing value, the cruise line bar tab can add hundreds of dollars over the course of a 7 day cruise if you're there to party (ok, I have to admit it, we have rung up some hefty bar tabs so I know this from experience). Most All-inclusives feature beverages as part of the package, some top-shelf some not but if that is a goal of your vacation ..you have arrived...this is the way to go for you unless you are able to take a good guess at your drinking fun before you get on the cruise and consider it part of the price.
Again the entertainment offerings give the cruise lines a major advantage, there are some fantastic shows on-board, Broadway plays, Blue Man Group, Cirque de Soleil (the latter two offered on the Norwegian Epic, we have balcony cabins blocked out for this ship on a Mediterranean cruise June 2012, good price locked in if you're interested visit our website www.ShipAhoyCP.com, click on Epic Europe tab). All-inclusive do not even come close to the cruise lines in this regard.
So where does your vacation interest lie? I love cruises but have also come to appreciate and enjoy all-inclusives too depending on what I'd like to do on that specific vacation. Both are great values and fun times.
See my next blog, we just came back from Secrets Capri Mayan Riviera.
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