Cruise or All-Inclusive? What Vacation Style Are You Better Suited For? 

You work hard.  Long hours, deadlines, unending meetings all consume your days.  Nights are consumed by household responsibilities, kids, spouses, and more.  Sometimes, you need a break from everything.  You need a vacation.  Unfortunately, our vacation time is limited, as is the budget we can spend.  Many travelers often make a choice between cruising or all-inclusive resorts.

So which is better for you? Cruise or all-inclusive. Read further to learn what considerations you need to make to make your decision.  For more information on all things travel-related, be sure to connect with Trevor Eliott at Blue Skies Travel.

Getting To Your Destination

Photo: How will you reach your vacation destination?

All-inclusive resorts are almost exclusively found in Caribbean destinations.  Mexico, Cuba, Dominican Republic, and Jamaica are among the most popular destinations for all-inclusive travelers. Almost all destinations will cost a premium to fly to.

Depending on your destination, you may be able to avoid expensive air fare by driving to a cruise port.  In Canada, cruisers can travel from Vancouver for west coast or Alaska itineraries or Quebec City for an Atlantic itinerary.  Snow birds located in Florida or California also have easy access to a number of ports in those states.

Itineraries


Photo: Cruisers easily travel to multiple destinations on any voyage

As previously mentioned. all-inclusive resorts are almost exclusively found in Caribbean destinations.  You will need to fly to your destination and are limited to amenities at your resort and surrounding area.  This is great if you intend to use your vacation time to lounge on the beach and take in some much needed vitamin D with a drink in-hand.  There are also a number of options for cultural, food & drink, or adventure excursions you can take in right from the resort.

Cruising will enable you to easily visit more destinations to cross off your bucket list.  Once you board your cruise ship, you only need to unpack once but could visit several countries in the span of your vacation. Imagine the convenience of waking up in a new country each morning and easily stepping into a new country! Cruise ships are generally quite stable, but even the largest ships are subject to large waves, leaving the possibility for seasickness.

Alcohol


Photo: Martins are favourites among sailors on Celebrity Cruises

All-inclusive resorts include basic alcoholic beverages, along with a wide selection of non-alcoholic drinks, in your room rate.  There may be a premium for shelf options.

Alcohol is typically not included in your cruise fare. Some premium cruise lines do include alcohol. Others offer an option to add a beverage package.  Only a select few lines, such as Virgin and Disney, do not offer a drink package.

Cruisers who plan to spend most of the voyage with a drink in-hand, the alcohol package can be well worth the money.  Some lines even offer a premium package that includes all basic drinks, plus premium top-shelf options as well. 

For non-drinkers, coffee, tea, and basic juices and sodas are served at most dining venues at no additional cost. These same beverages are served in other venues (nightclubs, bars, show lounges, etc.) at a premium. Many cruise lines offer non-alcoholic beverages, including virgin cocktails, in any venue.  

Not sure whether a beverage package is worth the money?  Check out this calculator to help decide.

Internet


Photo: Today's travelers have a strong desire to stay connected

Most all-inclusive resorts include wifi in your room rate. 

Most cruise lines charge a premium for internet.  Most lines now offer a wifi package for either a single day or the entire voyage.  For those travelling without a wifi-capable device, many cruise lines also have an internet café where internet time can be purchased.   

Food


Photo: Food choices are generally excellent at both all-inclusive resorts and on cruise ships.

All-inclusive resorts generally include a buffet and a number of specialty restaurants all included in the cost of your vacation.  Room service is usually included, but the menu can be limited at some resorts. Food at each resort is different and the quality can vary significantly.  If food is important to your vacation happiness, be sure to discuss with a travel agent to determine which resorts may be most suitable.

Cruise ships include a wide selection of food.  The two primary venues are the main dining room and the buffet.  All cruise ships offer room service, but some are now adding a surcharge and some room service menus can be limited.  Most cruise ships offer a number of specialty restaurants with premium food, but do include a cover charge. Similar to all-inclusive resorts, food on cruises can vary significantly between lines.  Larger ships generally offer a larger variety of culinary choices – both complimentary and premium. 

Entertainment and Activities


Photo: Royal Caribbean ships offer a wide variety of entertainment options

Both all-inclusive resorts and cruise ships offer a variety of entertainment and activities to keep a traveler busy throughout their vacation.

Resorts are generally focused on the pool and beach activities during the day; however, they do offer a selection of excursions you can participate in off-site for a fee. Evenings generally offer some local entertainment, as well as at least a couple of nightlife options. In some locations, such as the Cancun hotel zone, many partygoers often frequent the bars and clubs near the resort, but this will incur added costs for both a cover charge as well as any beverages or food. Some resorts offer a mini-casino with a very limited selection of slot machines and/or electronic games.

Entertainment and activities onboard a cruise ship can be quite elaborate.  Days are quite different whether the ship is in port or at sea.  When the ship is at sea, there are usually a number of pools available on the top deck for those seeking vitamin D. Typically a cruise will also offer a number of seminars and personal enrichment sessions. Trivia sessions are also quite popular. Depending on the ship, other activities may include a zip line, rock climbing, ice skating, bumper cars, go-carts, flow riders, and simulated sky diving could all be options as well. Evenings can include elaborate Broadway-style shows, musical performances and a number of nightlife options. Cruise ship casinos are Vegas-like venues with a wide variety of slot machines, table games and poker that will keep you occupied until the wee hours of the night.  Cruise ships also include a wide variety of shops and services as well.

Days in port, cruisers can come and goes as they please, as long as they are back by the all-aboard time.  Cruisers can meander through the streets and shops of the port.  Transportation (for a fee) is quite accessible that will take you to a local beach or on a tour of the port. A wide variety of excursions (for a fee) are also available to keep you busy through the day.        

Kids

Photo: Cruise ships offer a wide variety of activities to keep kids happy and active during a family vacation

Both all-inclusive resorts and cruise ships often offer reduced, or sometimes even free, rates for children.  Be sure to check with your travel agent as offering change frequently. 

Many all-inclusive resorts offer activities specifically geared towards children.

Cruise lines vary in their child-based programming offerings.  Disney, Royal Caribbean, and Carnival are among the top choices for cruisers travelling with children.

Adults


Photo: Virgin Voyages offers the ultimate adults-only cruise vacation

Both all-inclusive resorts and cruise ships typically have adults-only sections.  Some resorts are limited completely to adults-only while a few resorts are limited even further to couples-only.

Adults-only pools area are commonplace on cruise ships.  Virgin Voyages, which first set sail in 2021, is the first adults-only cruise line.

Resort Layout

Photo: Cruise ships pride themselves in the efficient layout of their decks

All-inclusive resorts generally have a significant land footprint.  Rooms are generally a healthy size with lots of organizational space. There is generally lots of room to move around, both in the room itself and throughout the resort.  There are minimal lineups and you will generally never feel crowded.  Unfortunately, some resorts are so spacious that it can be quite a hike from your room to the beach.

Cruise ships are designed to be extremely efficient.  Because cruise ships fit many rooms with limited space, rooms can be compact with minimal organizational space.  The check-in (embarkation) and check-out (disembarkation) process can get quite congested as everyone arrives and leaves on the same day. Crowds can also accumulate for Broadway-style shows and other popular events as well. The most frustrating experience may be finding a pool lounger as these typically get snapped up quite early in the day. Amenities are always within a reasonable distance. Unfortunately, the only access to a beach is on port days.

Gratuities


Photo: Gratuities are handled differently between cruises and all-inclusive resorts

Gratuities are an important part of the service industry.  Gratuities enable travelers to show appreciation for the services the hospitality staff have provided over the course of their vacation.

At an all-inclusive resort, gratuities are included in the cost of the vacation; however, additional gratuities for exceptional service are always appreciated by staff.

On a cruise, gratuities are added and charged upon completion of your vacation, although most cruise lines offer the ability to pre-pay gratuities.  Some premium cruise lines include gratuities in their fare.

Cost of Vacation

As a general rule, even after the extras are included, all-inclusive resorts generally cost more than cruises.

Which Type of Traveler are You?

Photo: Many variables to consider in making a vacation decision

If you prefer to spend your days lounging on the beach with a drink in hand and all expenses included in your room fees, then an all-inclusive resort may be your ideal vacation.

On the other hand, if you like variety in activities and entertainment or prefer not to be secluded to one resort, then a cruise may be best for your vacation buck.

Whatever your style of travel, we highly recommend using a travel agent.  Contact Trevor Eliott at Blue Skies Travel today to explore options for your next vacation.  Call us today at (780)484-3428 or email us at trevor@blueskiestravel.ca.