Why go all inclusive?
Posted Under: Travel
Why choose an all inclusive Caribbean vacation resort?
Sandals Antigua all inclusive
Caribbean all inclusive vacation = Sun, Sand and No Stress!
If you are planning to stay at a Caribbean Vacation Resort, there are many reasons you may want to consider an all inclusive. All inclusives seem to be all the rave these days, and for a good reason. In fact, the majority of hotel chains are now offering this popular feature.
All inclusive was a term coined back in the early 80’s by several Caribbean hotel operators. It basically means that when you go on vacation, everything is paid for up front. This generally includes all meals, entertainment, drinks, tips, sports, and activities. Some Caribbean resorts offer more inclusive plans than others. So, it is important to compare apples to apples. You will hear terms now like “ultra all inclusive” which generally refers to a resort that offers more inclusions for the price compared to a standard all inclusive where certain things like premium drinks may not be included.
The big thing is that once you arrive, you won’t need to spend any additional money unless you leave the resort or purchase souvenirs. This can be a great planning tool, especially for first timers, because you know exactly what the cost will be upfront. Otherwise you need to try and guess how much money you will spend each day on meals, drinks, and tips.
Another thing I like, is not having to worry about carrying money everywhere you go. I find the European plan resorts (pay as you go) to be a serious distraction on your vacation. At most places you will have to sign for each drink, or snack you eat. Sure you may be able to charge it to your room, but do you really want to worry about how much money you are spending every time you feel the urge to snack.
In fact, the worst thing I have found, are the resorts which offer several different plans, and you have to try to guess what is included. For example, you may enjoy Grey Goose Vodka, you walk up to an overcrowded noisy bar and there it is, on the second to the top shelf. Now you have to guess if the bottles on that shelf are included in your plan or not. Some resorts they are, some they are not, all depends on which all inclusive you stay at. I guess you could play 20 questions with the bartender, but the other guests might get a little annoyed if you monopolize all their time.
At a good all inclusive resort like Couples, Sandals or Beaches, you won’t have to guess. Everything you see is included. With the exception of the gift shops, if you can see, eat or drink it, then it’s included. The only downside to this is that your jeans might not fit when it’s time to leave, but hey you’re on a Caribbean vacation right?
Restaurants
Kimonos Restaurant at Beaches Negril
A good all inclusive will make it easy to eat anytime you want. Anytime snacks is a good thing. You should also see a variety of dining options including buffet style, as well as formal and casual specialty restaurants. Sometime you won’t feel like getting all dressed up for dinner and a beachfront barefoot bistro is a perfect touch. Other times a more intimate candle light dinner might be more to your liking. The best resorts offer many different dining options, and some offer exchange privileges with other resorts. A good example would be the Beaches Negril all inclusive family resort. Here they have offer 6 dining options like southwestern, Caribbean & Japanese teppanyaki. With exchange privileges (included) to Beaches Sandy Bay, just a 5 minute shuttle ride, you can enjoy 4 more restaurants including fine Italian with white glove service.
Because of the recent popularity, you can easily find an all inclusive resort in Negril, or just about anywhere, that suits your needs. If you are looking for a couple only resort, try Sandals Antigua all inclusive. Or for a little more spice, an adults only resort like Couples or Hedonism II, where clothing is optional, both these all inclusives are also found on the famous 7 mile beach in Negril, Jamiaca.
Water Sports
Scuba Diving
If you enjoy water sports, you will definitely want to check out different all inclusive resorts. Some offer more then others but most offer basic non-motorized watersports as part of the package. The differences are in the other motorized activities like snorkeling, water skiing, and diving. Again the ultra all inclusive vacation packages will include all of these. ** Special Note**- Diving, and equipment is usually included at the ultra all inclusive resorts, as long as you are already certified. Otherwise, expect to pay a fee to become certified at the resort. Generally the cost is around $300, which is cheaper then most places in the states, and what better place to learn.
Tips
Something else to consider is what it costs each day in tips. Tips to the bell hops, housekeeping, transportation operators, bartenders, waiters, tour guides, and whoever else might ask. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a big fan of tipping for good service, but if a guy is begging me for a tip, he probably didn’t deserve it. I prefer the option to tip, if I deem the service worthy, but not the obligation to do so for everyone including those who don’t deserve it. You need to decide for yourself. Tipping at some all inclusive resorts is actually forbidden, in fact the employees will often be fired for accepting tips, so be careful, and discrete. Generally, the same applies here the more inclusive resorts like Sandals and Beaches don’t allow any tipping, where as the lower price resorts do.
Weddings
Off to the Honeymon!
In some instances, free weddings are offered as part of the package. Typically this will be for a fairly basic wedding, but free is free if you are on a budget. If you are considering a Caribbean Honeymoon, perhaps you may want to consider a Caribbean wedding as well.
Exchange Privileges
One last thing to consider. We already mentioned that some Caribbean all inclusive resorts like Sandals and Beaches offer “exchange” privileges. This means that you can book a vacation at one and have access to all the other resorts in that chain for no extra charge. This can be a great tool for the budget conscious person, because you can enjoy all the benefits of the expensive resorts, but pay a much cheaper rate. For example: Book a trip to Sandals Inn, a small ultra all inclusive, located in Montego Bay. While you are there you can spend your days and evenings relaxing, playing and dining at either Sandals Montego Bay or Sandals Royal Caribbean. Both are within a short 15 minute free shuttle ride. Both are considerably more expensive to stay at then the Inn, and offer far better food and amenities, while the Inn with it’s small scale charm offers better service. A good combination. The same thing can be found in Ocho Rios & Negril on Jamaica as well as on St. Lucia.
River Suites at Sandals Royal Caribbean
Obviously all good things come with a price. For the most part you can expect to pay more upfront for an all inclusive vacation then for the traditional pay as you go plan. The price does scare a lot of people away, but most of them fail to really weigh out all the additional costs. For me, the peace of mind knowing exactly what I’m getting into, the day I book the trip is really what makes it worth it. After all, you’re going on vacation to get away from the everyday routine and stress, why bring that with you when you go. So next time you take a Caribbean vacation go All Inclusive!
All Inclusive Caribbean Resorts By Island
Family | Couples Only | Adults Only |
|
|---|---|---|---|
Antigua | Jolly Beach Resort | Sandals Grande Antigua Resort & Spa | Galley Bay |
Bahamas | Atlantis Paradise Island | Sandals Royal Bahamian (Click to view Sandals website) | Breezes Bahamas |
Jamaica, Montego Bay | The Rose Hall Resort Formally the Wyndham | Sandals Inn (Click to view Sandals website) | Breezes Montego Bay |
| Sandals Montego Bay | |||
| The RIU Montego Bay | Sandals Royal Caribbean (Click to view website) | ||
Jamaica, Ocho Rios | Beaches Boscobel Resort & Golf Club (Click to view Beaches website) | Sandals Dunn's River Villaggio Golf Resort & Spa (Click to view website) | |
| Couples Sans Souci (C) | |||
| Rio Ocho Rios | Sandals Grande Ocho Rios Beach & Villa Golf Resort (Click to view website) | ||
| Couples Tower Isle (C) | |||
| Sunset Jamaica Grande | Couples Ocho Rios (C) | ||
Jamaica, Negril | Beaches Sandy Bay(Click to view Beaches website) (Click to view Beaches website) | Couples Swept Away | Hedonism II (C) |
| Beaches Negril (Click to view Beaches website) | Couples Negril (C) | Grand Lido Negril/ Breezes Grand Negril (C) | |
| Riu Negril | Sandals Negril (Click to view Sandals website) | ||
Jamaica, Runaway Bay | Gran Bahia Principe Jamaica | Hedonism III (C) | |
| Breezes Runaway Bay (14+) | |||
| Grand Lido Braco (C) | |||
Jamaica, Other | Starfish Trelawny | Sandals Whitehouse (Click to view Sandals website) | |
St. Lucia | Almond Morgan Bay | Sandals Regency La Toc Golf Resort & Spa (Click to view Sandals website) | |
| Almond Smuggler's Cove Resort | Sandals Grande St. Lucian Spa & Beach Resort (Click to view website) | ||
| Sandals Halcyon Beach St. Lucia (Click to view Sandals website) | |||
| Rendezvous | |||
Turks & Caicos | Beaches Turks & Caicos Click here to visit Beaches Website. |
Reader Comments