Carnival cruise vs. all inclusive

[bouelle11]

My fiancé and I are trying to decide what to do for our honeymoon in September. Right now I can't decide if we want to do a cruise or all inclusive resort somewhere. I've only been on a few cruises and only 1 resort. I was hoping I could get some insight from my more experienced travellers. Do you think one is better for a romantic week away. We do want adventure on our trip too. We are not big drinkers.

 

Thanks for any insight!

[cb at sea]

If you're not big drinkers, than check prices for both things....the AI will have drinks built into the package....a cruise doesn't. Either will be a great time! AI rooms will be much nicer than a ship's cabin...I can guarantee that! If you go to an AI, there can be adventure, depending on where you go!

 

Get a guidebook on ports and possible AI locations...see what suits you best!

Edited December 4, 2015 by cb at sea

[singbluesilver1]

We have been to a ai in Mexico (hated it, resort too big, nothing fun to do), a ai in Jamaica (loved it but the food was so so) and two cruises, including our honeymoon.

 

We've decided that we enjoy cruises more than land vacations, I like going to more than one place and all of the scheduled activities.

 

The food on cruises are better in my opinion, both resorts we went to I had trouble finding food I liked.

 

It all depends on what kind of honeymoon you want , if you want luxury and privacy and romance maybe the ai. We're more party people

 

It also depends on your budget, sandals ai resorts are very nice but very very expensive

[jlocole]

I prefer all-inclusive vacations by far over cruises. I have gone to 20+ AI's in Mexico and a few in Cuba. Way more relaxing than a cruise.

I like to cruise; I love to vacation at a 5 star resort in Mexico.

[esdoorn]

Go to a AI in Negril, Jamaica! You will love it and 7 mile beach is awesome!

[Cruisegirl6]

I have a few questions, what type of adventure you like?

[Tapi]

We've only done AI's for short stays. A few days at a resort are very enjoyable and relaxing, but in our opinion, after 2-3 days it starts getting old and repetitive. We are not big drinkers either so having unlimited booze isn't a huge draw for us.

 

We give cruising an edge simply because of the ever changing scenery and because we enjoy the variety that visiting different places provides.

[Cruisegirl6]

We love Aruba, we continue going each and every year. The most friendly people, no venders haggling and nobody begging you, the people are happy and honest, food is wonderful totally excellent with an abundant of fine restaurants as well as on the beach eateries.... and they have a total variety of types of restaurants to go, its very romantic sitting outside for dinner watching the sunsets or even right on the beach watching the clear blue ocean waves and listening to the tranquil winds as your eating dinner together....there are casinos there not much as far as nightly entertainment but there are places that have live bands playing music. Its a truly amazing place...since you don't really drink much, I highly suggest the Marriott Stellaris Hotel right on the most beautiful Eagle Beach...the most beautiful thing is that it never is hot, tradewinds are constant and keep you cool trust me!!!! We do the Tradewinds Club...you will get complimentary full american breakfast daily that includes espresso and cuppachino throughout the day, it includes complimentary beer, soda, juices and bottled water during the day, between 12-2pm they offer lunch, salads, sandwiches of various types, desserts, wraps, etc....between 6-9pm they offer you a full all inclusive premium bar including champagne and good wines as well as premium liquor and all the mixes and juices....they have offer beautiful huge cheese platters along with a meat and seafood hot dish and a side dish and many desserts.....you will be given a special key card to your room and you put it in the slot in the elevator and it brings you up to the private 8th floor.....the rooms are very nice, huge huge balconies and all ocean views with tropical scenery all around, palm trees everywhere and waterfalls and pool views.....when you arrive your given a special baggage tag as soon as you walk in that hotel they will spot it and escort you to the trandwinds club and you have your own private concierge for everything....if you have special dietary needs just tell them they oblige....the rooms have a sofa and nice large chair and desk, plenty of storage and a mini refrigerator so you can keep your beverages in there (complimentary from the club), the bathroom is two sinks nice size for sure. You get pampered for sure...the tradewinds club also have outdoor terraces and the most amazing beautiful sunsets there and wonderful ocean views. There is a lounge area there with sofas to sit and tables and chairs. They offer you a special place on the beach, your own palapa and chaise lounges and your own special service that will wait on you hand and foot and its private no other guest can go there. There is an adult only pool its the perfect place and most amazing island, perfect for a honeymoon!!!

 

I think this is your perfect vacation, Aruba offers many water sports, horseback riding, rentals of jeeps and such.

 

This island is not like your other ordinary islands, it really called "the happy island" and honestly its all good decent people pretty much those with money and no riff raff at all.....its the perfect place for your honeymoon.

 

A cruise is great also, everything is there for you and you don't have to go far to get anywhere, there is something for everybody on a cruise.

 

Both are wonderful we do Aruba every year and cruises too, can't get enough.

[cruzelover55]

For us, we are big drinkers, so AI value is better. But, as someone else stated, gets boring sometimes. Catch 22, as if you are in a location that has a lot of things to do, outside of the resort, then you lose money as you are not getting included food. drinks, etc.. Plus airfare is sometimes higher than the resort. We no longer go to Vegas as just the cost of our luggage is more than the airfare, and is not cost effective, even though the rooms are comped. If you would be satisfied with non-motorized water sports, these are usually included, and not so great shows, and the activities that are included, AI, might be for you. They lay it all out on their websites, so you should be able to compare. We opt to do cruises now, as many more options, or sometimes, just want to relax, so don't care about all the activities. What ever you decide, Happy traveling!:)

[AngAndBoys]

Could some of you that have done A Is speak to cost difference with cruises? When I priced them for this summer, they were more than twice what I usually pay for all of us (myself and 3 kids) to cruise in an ocean view for 7 days. I was a little put off by that. But I'm wondering as I have no experience in AI if I was just looking in wrong places.

[dhaza]

We normally do 1 or 2 cruises on major lines a year and do enjoy the kick back time. You don’t really get see much of the country you visit and only shown what the guide wants you to see. If you just stay in the ports there are not what the country is really all about, they are put together for show.

 

We also do smaller ships from Aqua-Cat Cruises, Cat Ppalu Cruises, Aggressor Fleet or if I really want adventure Blackbeards Live Aboard and really like them and they are blast. Only 20 to 30 passengers and made some great friends great memories. These are more of adventure then just a laid back cruising.

 

We do enjoy smaller hotels in Playa Del Carmen and eating the local foods. You get to meet the locals and learn about the country, history and customs. If you get a big AI and just sit at the hotel and yes it boring and gets old. Get out and see the countryside and the way people live.

Edited December 4, 2015 by dhaza

[cruzelover55]

Could some of you that have done A Is speak to cost difference with cruises? When I priced them for this summer, they were more than twice what I usually pay for all of us (myself and 3 kids) to cruise in an ocean view for 7 days. I was a little put off by that. But I'm wondering as I have no experience in AI if I was just looking in wrong places.

 

For us, a cruise is definitely less expensive, but we live less than a mile from the port. If we had to fly, cruise would be probably about the same as AI.

[Sweet Dutch Girl]

Absolutely an all inclusive....Roatan has some wonderful ones, as does the eastern shores of Mexico including Cancun and points south. On a cruise you are somewhat sardined in with 4000 other guests....an intimate all inclusive can be as small as 50.

 

Don't do the big "hotel" deals, instead look for smaller venues with individual (or nearly so) cabanas that are short distances from scuba, snorkeling, beaches, ziplining, hiking, biking, kayaking...all done as a twosome without a crowd of cruisers jamming the venues.

 

Do a cruise to celebrate an anniversary.

[luvincruising]

Could some of you that have done A Is speak to cost difference with cruises? When I priced them for this summer, they were more than twice what I usually pay for all of us (myself and 3 kids) to cruise an ocean view for 7 days. I was a little put off by that. But I'm wondering as I have no experience in AI if I was just looking in wrong places.

 

We have done both. The cost difference really depends on the level of quality that you require. Do your research. Check out the reviews of the AI's on tripadvisor and other competent websites. For either choice, you will probably not be spending much time in your room.

:)

[bakersdozen12]

We've only done AI's for short stays. A few days at a resort are very enjoyable and relaxing, but in our opinion, after 2-3 days it starts getting old and repetitive. We are not big drinkers either so having unlimited booze isn't a huge draw for us.

 

We give cruising an edge simply because of the ever changing scenery and because we enjoy the variety that visiting different places provides.

 

 

This exactly sums up how I feel about AI's vs cruises. I love to travel, so I'd rather be on a cruise visiting multiple destinations. When I do land vacations, I'm constantly trying to find places to go to everyday because I can't just sit around the same place for every single day of my vacation. And, my husband and I don't drink at all, so having alcohol built into the cost doesn't make sense at all for us.

[carolslc]

We've done both, and both are nice, but honestly I think that cruising is more romantic. We don't drink alcohol so the cruise is a much better deal. We get stir-crazy bored at an AI. We like the variety of the ports on a cruise. The rooms are bigger and nicer at an AI though. But I think food is better on a cruise generally. Nothing beats a cruise balcony. Unless you can afford an ocean front room at an AI, the AI won't compare in that regard. Yes, I think ideal would be a small AI on a beautiful beach with great food and lots of activities close by, but that will be $$$$. We stayed at a fancy very expensive Cancun area AI earlier this year and it was a standard hotel room, in a hotel-like building, with a sliver of ocean viewable from the balcony. Food was terrible and costs were high to get a taxi to go find activities as there wasn't anything that interested us on property once we got bored of the same beach.

 

good luck!

[theriac]

I did an AI earlier this year with a friend and loved it. It was in Costa Rica. I saw it on Travel Zoo and it was $699 for 7 days including flight and a Jeep Wrangler for the week. They had a few comedians that were funny and some shows at night (didn't attend any). They also had 6 different restaurant included and I believe 13 bars. The beach wasn't great at the resort, but having the vehicle made exploring the volcano and surrounding area a breeze. Also a lot cheaper since we didn't have to book tours just gas and the admission fees.

 

It was a double tree resort in Puntarenas. Fortunately I live in Florida as the special pricing was flying out of Fort Lauderdale, but for like $150 more there were other departure cities.

 

I love cruising but this was a fun way to explore one place. If we didn't have the vehicle I may not have enjoyed it as much. The pool area was also amazing. I would do this again in a heartbeat. For $699 per persin with no additional fees except gas for the vehicle, admission fees to parks or where we went, and gratuities this was an extremely affordable trip.

[mum2bradley]

Go to a AI in Negril, Jamaica! You will love it and 7 mile beach is awesome!

 

I agree. I have done Sandals twice now and it is way better than a cruise. We cruise because of our son. He is now in grade 12 so this cruise will be our last.

 

An AI is way more relaxing, romantic. We went to Sandals Ochi. The staff are AWESOME!!! That resort is a more livelier Sandals! I'd go back in a heartbeat!

[A&Jfamily]

Could some of you that have done A Is speak to cost difference with cruises? When I priced them for this summer, they were more than twice what I usually pay for all of us (myself and 3 kids) to cruise in an ocean view for 7 days. I was a little put off by that. But I'm wondering as I have no experience in AI if I was just looking in wrong places.

 

As a general rule I have found cruising to be THE most cost effective way to travel. I am not surprised that an AI is double - I have found that to be the case with AIs, as with WDW, US etc. I also agree with other posters that it can get dull. I think the reason that cruising is cheaper is it is basically a casino at sea and they are making, as I have been told by people that work in the business, the majority of their money on the casino, shore excursions and the alcohol; they keep the costs low to get on board and then charge for these "extras."

 

Now - as for a September honeymoon - I would pick cruise 100%. I don't think anyone has mentioned - that is PRIME hurricane season. If you pick an AI and the area is getting slammed, bye bye honeymoon. If you pick a cruise, unless your departure port is getting pummeled, they simply move the itinerary.

 

Congratulations and I am sure you will have a great time whatever you chose.

[Beeslilmama]

It really does depend on what you want to do, as previously stated. have done cruises which I love. But for my honeymoon, I did an AI through Couples resorts. Like Sandals, but less expensive. We went to Ocho Rios and I would never have left the resort but we wanted to do some excursions. They had an excursions desk just like a cruise. However if you want to see more ports of call, then definitely a cruise. Our room was fantastic and they had great service at the resort. I loved it and would definitely go again. They have several other locations in the Caribbean as well. But I like to see as many destinations as possible so that is why I prefer to cruise.

[lisajm]

Personally would choose a cruise any day of the week. We had fun at the AI, but the food was very bland. The best food we had while there was when we left the reservation.

 

I like the variety of activities and ports while on a cruise. Depending on which ship you can use the extra money you saved on the specialty dining venues.

 

Congratulations on your wedding!

[dhaza]

We just booked the Reef Playcar in May for 965.00 per person for 7 nights and that includes air fare from Kansas City. Reef Playcar is AI with three meals a day right on the beach just short walk south of Playa Del Carmen. Kayaks, small sail boats and surf boards are free and you chair and umbrella on the beach are free. Great pools with swim up bar and the foods is just OK. We also book a all day tour with Mitch going to Tulum ruins and the snorkel a cenote and lunch on private beach and another snorkel in the afternoon and best part there be less the 8 people. Mitch tours are not cattle herding but relax time with time to ask questions. The grand kids are going to do a resort scuba coarse and do a couple of shallow scuba dives who knows we may spend a couple days scuba diving. Playa Del Carmen has great shopping on 5th Ave with some great places to eat, just don't go down there when ships in port in Coz since the jack up the prices for the what locals call the "Boat People". Excursion when the cruise ships are not in port are about 30 to 50 percent cheaper and can be booked though the hotel. If you sit at the resort then yes you will be bored, get out and meet the locals and have fun.

 

Cruising is more down time and more relaxing - Heck you spend 4 of the 7 days on ship that 1000 feet long trying to find a place to at the pool. I go on cruises to relax and AI are more of a adventure.

Edited December 4, 2015 by dhaza

[bjd2]

We've done 7 cruises and love them. Last year, our 25th anniversary was September 30th. We thought we'd do an AI for that. We went to Secrets Aura in Cozumel. It was nice, but we were wishing we were on a cruise by the 2nd day.

 

The end of September is non peak there so we had the resort to ourselves. That made it fine for finding loungers or not having to wait for restaurants, but activities with 6 guests are not so much fun.

 

The weather was extremely hot, heat indexes were around 115 every day. All eating was outside (covered). We don't enjoy eating while sweat is dripping off of us. The only air conditioning was in our room, and we didn't want to spend all of our time in there.

 

The staff and food were good, the scenery was beautiful. There was just not much at all to do but swim and drink and try to escape the heat.

 

If I were to plan a September vacation again, it would definitely be a cruise.

 

We have also done an AI at the now Hard Rock Aventura in Riviera Maya in 2002 and that was amazing. We will try that again someday in the spring.

[dhaza]

We've done 7 cruises and love them. Last year, our 25th anniversary was September 30th. We thought we'd do an AI for that. We went to Secrets Aura in Cozumel. It was nice, but we were wishing we were on a cruise by the 2nd day.

Coz is blast if you are a scuba diver but not fun if you are not - it would be my last choice for AI for non scuba divers. Playa Del Carmen. PlayCar or the laid back up coming Tulum are lot more fun but Tulum is more isolated. I also don't like Cancun because it will have a 10 store hotel with couple hundred feet of beach - just to crowded.

Edited December 4, 2015 by dhaza

[WendyVF]

We've done quite a few of both, but more cruises as we feel we get more value.

 

Keep in mind that with AI the saying "you get what you pay for" is much more relevant than on a cruise. You can catch a great deal on a cruise for a variety of reasons and still get basically the same quality and experience as everyone else. AI's vary drastically in levels of service, food quality, entertainment, etc. You also have to be careful which island you go to as many staff will not speak English. We frequent an AI in the Dominican Republic where it's extremely difficult to get anyone on the phone that speaks English once you are at the resort. While the total cost is comparable to total cruise cost (airfare,drink package, excursions) for us, the food is not even close to as good and the entertainment stinks. There is little to no nightlife. We go because the friends we go with won't cruise and it's nice to kick back and relax on the beach for a week.

 

We have been to Sandals resorts which are quite nice, but even then you need to upgrade the room choice to get a good experience (room location, service, etc). Our last visit was to the one in the Bahamas in 2006 and then it was $3,000 for 4 nights with airfare.