CCL cruise compared to an AI??

[S.S.Oceanlover]

been cruising consistently since 1998.

 

It's kinda getting a little old and we were thinking of doing an AI next year.

 

Any thoughts about the differences we might encounter?

 

Anybody know of any AI boards like Cruise Critic?

 

Bill

[Blondie008]

been cruising consistently since 1998.

 

It's kinda getting a little old and we were thinking of doing an AI next year.

 

Any thoughts about the differences we might encounter?

 

Anybody know of any AI boards like Cruise Critic?

 

Bill

 

 

We love Sandals resorts, and have been going there for many years. BUT we still love cruising too. Completely different experiences. We love sandals rewards programme (70 night = free week anywhere in the world) and their resorts are second to none. Have tried other couples resorts, and all incl in mexico, africa, europe etc and none match sandals. There is a forum which is really good on various all inclusive not just sandals - google tropic travel online then go to forums. BUT, its good to have variety, and we love to do both cruise and ai. On our next sandals free week, we are planning to take it in sandals bahamas and combine one week, with a one week cruise out of Miami..thats us REALLY getting best of both worlds :)

[Socref124]

been cruising consistently since 1998.

 

It's kinda getting a little old and we were thinking of doing an AI next year.

 

Any thoughts about the differences we might encounter?

 

Anybody know of any AI boards like Cruise Critic?

 

Bill

 

Hi Bill,

My wife and I did an AI at Riu Bambu in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic once and had a great time. The food was good and was served buffet style. The entertainment was pretty good as well. We even did an excursion. The big difference was staying at one place for the seven days rather than seeing three or four different places.

The accomodations weren't 5 star accomodations, but it was clean and comfortable. We aren't heavy drinkers, but we drank plenty of booze that week.

We have some friends that are doing an AI in Cancun in Oct. We would have done it with them, but we already have a cruise booked and can't do both.

We probably prefer a cruise but wouldn't hesitate doing an AI if the price was right. Hope this helps. If you have any specific questions, I will try to answer them for you.

[firefly333]

Same parent as cruise critic has a family vacation board which discusses AIs, not sure which one it is .. I belong, and get emails.

 

might be this one.

 

http://www.familyvacationcritic.com/forums/

[pe4all]

I use Debbiescaribbeanresortreviews.com

I find a lot of valuable info on many, many AI's. I have been to about 20 of them over the years, before we really started cruising again. I find I enjoy cruising, as at many AI's you can't "safely" tour the island. You still pay for excursions, and unless you drink a lot it may not pay for you. We also got "bored" at sitting in the same place for 7 days. So much more enjoy waking up in a different port every day or two. I have been to AI's in Nassau, Jamaica, DR, Aruba, Antigua, etc. I think you should try one, to give yourself a different taste of travel. We did one about 6 months ago, and couldn't wait to get back to cruising! Also, don't forget to check out whatever resort you are interested in at Tripadvisor.com

[S.S.Oceanlover]

Thanks for all the replies. I think we will be canxelling our Disney cruise and booking the AI.

 

As luck would have it we were looking at Riu Bambu in Punta Cana.

 

I'll check out all the suggested sites when I get home from the ball game later.

 

Bill

 

Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk

[kimba6539]

I am a veteran of AI's and cruising. I think AI's are more relaxing but that is just me because I veg on the beach all day. I think you should try one and enjoy them both. I went to an AI in Negril Jamaica in May, 2011 and cruising this October. Price wise the AI seems more expensive but I think once you add up everything from your cruise(airfare, sign and sail, pre cruise hotel, etc), they about equal out. Just my two cents! I stayed at the RIU Palace and Macao in Punta Cana. I did visit the Bambu and it was very nice.

 

Kim

[idiebabe]

Also, Dreams in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic is beautiful!

[shippmates]

We have stayed at the RIU Caribe in Cancun and RIU in Riveria Maya. They were very nice but we decided we prefer to cruise. We are not drinkers so paying for others to drink just doesn't make us happy. I also got bored sitting on the beach for a week. You should try the AI just to make your own decision. Have a great time what you decide to do.

[Socref124]

Thanks for all the replies. I think we will be canxelling our Disney cruise and booking the AI.

 

As luck would have it we were looking at Riu Bambu in Punta Cana.

 

I'll check out all the suggested sites when I get home from the ball game later.

 

Bill

 

Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk

 

You will like Riu. When we were in Aruba in Jan, we stopped at the Riu Resort to take a look see. WOW, a beautiful resort but a lot more expensive than Riu Bambu. At Punta Cana, Riu has 5 resorts together. You can use all the restaurants and pools at those 5 reorts except Riu Palace. Caribbean St is where all the shops and the Casino are located and they have a party there one night. The beach is beautiful and you can use a non motorized boat to paddle out to a ship wreck. The was a scuba class that was diving there also. Becareful when you leave the Riu compound. A store clerk tried to rip off my son but I convinced the clerk that he would be better off giving my son his money back. It's amazing how a US Marine Corps shirt helps out.:D

[serene56]

Bill- are you and yours drinkers?

 

We go to Aruba- we book using a company mcm tours or aruba 4 u

same company.

We stay at the radisson. we get free breakfast and a beverage credit for the week.

we head to area restraunts for the week. our food budget for the week was 600 which we came back with money.

 

There are various boards that rent their time shares.

 

(we rented our time share last year in Aruba for 1600 for the week in a one bed room delux- sleeps 4.

 

there are a few room only that rent for like 600 for the week.

 

if I had to go another place-- Dreams resorts.

 

with aruba you are not tied to your resort- you can and should head offsite to explore the island.

(only problem-- airfare is a tad higher then when flying here to miami

[S.S.Oceanlover]

Bill- are you and yours drinkers?

 

We go to Aruba- we book using a company mcm tours or aruba 4 u

same company.

We stay at the radisson. we get free breakfast and a beverage credit for the week.

we head to area restraunts for the week. our food budget for the week was 600 which we came back with money.

 

There are various boards that rent their time shares.

 

(we rented our time share last year in Aruba for 1600 for the week in a one bed room delux- sleeps 4.

 

there are a few room only that rent for like 600 for the week.

 

if I had to go another place-- Dreams resorts.

 

with aruba you are not tied to your resort- you can and should head offsite to explore the island.

(only problem-- airfare is a tad higher then when flying here to miami

 

Im not that big a drinker but some of our crew are bigger than I am.

 

I believe there are 9 of us looking into going.

 

Some of the peeps that are wanting to go just came back from RIU Montego Bay and had a blast.

 

Bill

[kimba6539]

Bill,

I just went to the RIU Club Hotel Negril and absolutely loved it. In reference to another posters comment, you can only use the resort you paid for and anything below that price wise. So if you stayed at the Palace which is the most expensive and highest rated, you can go to any restaurant on the property. They put colored wristbands on you so they know what resort you paid for. Just a little clarification.

 

Kim

[elklemi]

Enjoy cruises to see a different island that would be cost prohibitive to fly to but the AI are more cost effective since air is included. Have cruise booked in May from Tampa and cruise is $800 and right now air is $500. Have AIbooked in Jamaica for 5 nights and the whole trip with air is $825. If you drink on a cruise your bill can add up quickly. Thus I will do 1 cruise a year with friends but 3-5 AI the rest of the year to get the most bang for my buck. My recommendation for any AI is find an all adult resort, Iberostar is a wonderful company, and use trip advisor to find out about the resort, also Valentin Imperial Maya is a wonderful all adult resort.

[HeidiHo]

Until 2 years ago I had only done cruises then I did my 1st AI. The nice thing about AI's is you don't have that big bill at the end of your stay if you drink. I have stayed twice now at the RIU Vallarta in Puerto Vallarta and loved it. We even did the exact same excursions that are offered on the Carnival ships (zip lining and dolphin swim through Vallarta Adventures). That being said, I still really love cruising just as much.

[soccersharon]

I'm enjoying this discussion :)

 

We often consider AI's over cruising because of price. With AI's, children's rates are often 1/2 price - which is very enticing. I also like that airfare is included.

 

I like visiting 3 or 4 different ports - as opposed to staying on a resort. Food is often hit or miss also.

 

A group of friends vacationed at an AI and paid over $2,000 each for a 5-star! Much more expensive than a cruise...but they had a wonderful time.

 

Will keep watching this thread to hear more opinions :)

[JerseyshoreBruce]

a short AI (3 to 5 days) will cost about the same as a cruise. I want a 7 day vacation minimum and can't afford a 7 day AI for the 5 of us. We did Sun Village which is renamed now in Dominican Republic and have to say the resort was beautiful and drinks flowed freely but food quality was far from cruise quality. It is more relaxing than a cruise but my kids and wife were bored as heck. Definitely will stick to cruising unless i book Bora Bora ;)

[soccersharon]

a short AI (3 to 5 days) will cost about the same as a cruise. I want a 7 day vacation minimum and can't afford a 7 day AI for the 5 of us. We did Sun Village which is renamed now in Dominican Republic and have to say the resort was beautiful and drinks flowed freely but food quality was far from cruise quality. It is more relaxing than a cruise but my kids and wife were bored as heck. Definitely will stick to cruising unless i book Bora Bora ;)

 

Exactly. Unless there are excursions available at a reasonable price, an AI can get boring.

 

Free drinks are great if travelling with friends - but with kids - one has to be a little more responsible :)

[pe4all]

We often consider AI's over cruising because of price. With AI's, children's rates are often 1/2 price - which is very enticing. I also like that airfare is included.

:)

One of the major reasons we stopped doing AI's was that my "kids" aged out of the 1/2 price category, and it became much more expensive for 4 adults at an AI than 4 adults cruising. We never had airfare included with our AI prices - always paid it separately.

[soccersharon]

One of the major reasons we stopped doing AI's was that my "kids" aged out of the 1/2 price category, and it became much more expensive for 4 adults at an AI than 4 adults cruising. We never had airfare included with our AI prices - always paid it separately.

 

Interesting. From Montreal, there are so many AI's available - which by and large include airfare. Although, I have seen vacations packages which may just include breakfast - or not!

 

Good point about the kids' fares - my DD is now 15, and would be considered full fare. I believe the cutoff is 12 for most.

 

Love cruising anyway, so no biggie for me :)

[pe4all]

Interesting. From Montreal, there are so many AI's available - which by and large include airfare. Although, I have seen vacations packages which may just include breakfast - or not!

 

Good point about the kids' fares - my DD is now 15, and would be considered full fare. I believe the cutoff is 12 for most.

 

Love cruising anyway, so no biggie for me :)

Many AI's do include charter airfare - however, I always did better "searching" on my own for air. Liked the flight times and fares better, with no connecting flights.

[soccersharon]

Many AI's do include charter airfare - however, I always did better "searching" on my own for air. Liked the flight times and fares better, with no connecting flights.

 

Good talking with you, Pe4all! Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on the Liberty...with all the upgrades coming.

 

Happy cruising :)

[kroozers]

I've been going to AIs for several years in a row and I've really missed cruising, so I'm booked on the Glory in January. What I like about cruising over an AI is waking up to something different and exploring the different ports. I wind up almost never leaving the resort where you know everything's paid for. On an AI I tend to lay on the beach with a book every day - very relaxing. When I see a Carnival ship cruise by I get a little sad I'm not on it though. Both vacations are great, but I know exactly what the OP is feeling.

[nanuak]

We stay at Sandals Negril. No children, only couples, beautiful resort. Food is mostly good, some exceptional. Full bar in room and you can request another type of liquor in your bar, replenished daily. Refrigerator is full of beer, champagne, mixers, etc. Beautiful accommodations, excellent service.

[ChefSusan]

I am absolutely LOVING this thread!!!!

 

My husband and I are considering an AI for next year, as we are kinda "cruised out" after doing 12 cruises over 2 1/2 years. We plan on doing a lot of research into the various AI companies to see which ones will suit us best (adults only most likely).

 

Thanks again for starting it!