LivLove2Cruise Posted July 8, 2023 #1 Share Posted July 8, 2023 I am trying to get my brother to book a 4-night RCCL. His kids are 17 and 13. I think they would have a better time on a cruise than on a resort. However, my brother is stuck on drinks not being included in the price. Is there a way to have some idea of the cost of the drink package before he commits so he can tally that into the cost? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruise a holic Posted July 8, 2023 #2 Share Posted July 8, 2023 (edited) We do both. Have found that wonderful all inclusive are more cost effective. We love the Resorts in playa Mujeres Cancun. The ships aren't really all inclusive. You pay additional for drinks, specialty restaurants, and ship tours etc. The AI resorts that I have gone to include airport transfers, drinks, tips, specialty restaurants. Only spa services and if you want extra tipping aren't included. Sometimes kids like the idea of a beach vacation with pool access. Drink package prices vary, can cost as much a $80 plus pp. per day. Plus when we cruise, we fly in the day before and the hotel rate has to be added to the cost of the cruise. Also, unless you are in suite, the cabin typically vs. the hotel room is much smaller. Like the variey. Love the entertainment on the cruise ships and visiting various ports. Edited July 8, 2023 by Cruise a holic 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken at the beach Posted July 8, 2023 #3 Share Posted July 8, 2023 41 minutes ago, LivLove2Cruise said: I am trying to get my brother to book a 4-night RCCL. His kids are 17 and 13. I think they would have a better time on a cruise than on a resort. However, my brother is stuck on drinks not being included in the price. Is there a way to have some idea of the cost of the drink package before he commits so he can tally that into the cost? The first post in this thread will walk you through how to access the cruise planner for any sailing and you can see the exact price of the drinks package if purchased today. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goldfish65 Posted July 8, 2023 #4 Share Posted July 8, 2023 AI beach resort, teens will love and brother deserves free drinks as father of teens JMO. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiseboy89130 Posted July 8, 2023 #5 Share Posted July 8, 2023 1 hour ago, goldfish65 said: AI beach resort, teens will love and brother deserves free drinks as father of teens JMO. +1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
topnole Posted July 8, 2023 #6 Share Posted July 8, 2023 Figure $300 to 400 (max) for a drink package for 4 nighter and then compare total price to a resort. Most everything else is included onboard unless you want specialty restaurants. I’ve done an all inclusive and much prefer cruising. Others feel differently. I personally wouldn’t leave my teens on their own nowadays in most of the counties these all inclusive resorts exist. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokeybandit Posted July 8, 2023 #7 Share Posted July 8, 2023 Remember, you don't *NEED* a drink package to drink. Buying drinks a la carte may well be cheaper for you. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George C Posted July 8, 2023 #8 Share Posted July 8, 2023 We used to do both but haven’t done a AI resort in several years, we did higher end resorts and you get what you pay for. Big thing is entertainment is far superior on ships. The better resorts have better food than cruise mdr . 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FastShip24 Posted July 8, 2023 #9 Share Posted July 8, 2023 10 hours ago, Cruise a holic said: We do both. Have found that wonderful all inclusive are more cost effective. We love the Resorts in playa Mujeres Cancun. The ships aren't really all inclusive. You pay additional for drinks, specialty restaurants, and ship tours etc. The AI resorts that I have gone to include airport transfers, drinks, tips, specialty restaurants. Only spa services and if you want extra tipping aren't included. Sometimes kids like the idea of a beach vacation with pool access. Drink package prices vary, can cost as much a $80 plus pp. per day. Plus when we cruise, we fly in the day before and the hotel rate has to be added to the cost of the cruise. Also, unless you are in suite, the cabin typically vs. the hotel room is much smaller. Like the variey. Love the entertainment on the cruise ships and visiting various ports. All inclusive best bang for your buck 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gerif Posted July 8, 2023 #10 Share Posted July 8, 2023 My biggest issue with the AI was being really bored at night. Definitely lacking in entertainment. Maybe if I drank more. 10 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FastShip24 Posted July 8, 2023 #11 Share Posted July 8, 2023 51 minutes ago, gerif said: My biggest issue with the AI was being really bored at night. Definitely lacking in entertainment. Maybe if I drank more. That's personal and subjective Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gerif Posted July 8, 2023 #12 Share Posted July 8, 2023 Just now, FastShip24 said: That's personal and subjective Of course. That’s why I said it was MY biggest issue. 12 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CanadaRob Posted July 8, 2023 #13 Share Posted July 8, 2023 I am also not an AI guy anymore, even though better pricing over cruising, really just found AI didn’t offer enough as 8m not a beach guy and we had to wander off to find stuff to do, so always easier to find stuff to do on a cruise, but if the drink package is a deal breaker, might have to be AI Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
topnole Posted July 8, 2023 #14 Share Posted July 8, 2023 2 hours ago, George C said: We used to do both but haven’t done a AI resort in several years, we did higher end resorts and you get what you pay for. Big thing is entertainment is far superior on ships. The better resorts have better food than cruise mdr . Agree. Entertainment at night is superior on ships. I went with a big group when I did an all inclusive. But I could see how folks could be bored at night without a group to hang out with. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FastShip24 Posted July 8, 2023 #15 Share Posted July 8, 2023 16 minutes ago, gerif said: Of course. That’s why I said it was MY biggest issue. We were talking about value for money, not because you were bored. You can get bored on any trip 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Tree_skier Posted July 8, 2023 #16 Share Posted July 8, 2023 I'm not interested in cruising with anyone who I have to convince to cruise. 11 1 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigque Posted July 9, 2023 #17 Share Posted July 9, 2023 I do both and like both. What I like about cruises over the AI resorts is being able to spend a day in a different place every day or just a day at sea. What I like about the AI’s is “Everything” is included as advertised! What would be considered a specialty restaurant on the ship would be included with the various restaurants at the resorts. Having to pay for the drink package on the cruise is not a deal breaker for me. So as I said I do both and like both. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LivLove2Cruise Posted July 9, 2023 Author #18 Share Posted July 9, 2023 12 hours ago, Ourusualbeach said: The first post in this thread will walk you through how to access the cruise planner for any sailing and you can see the exact price of the drinks package if purchased today. Thank you so much! This provided me with exactly the information I needed. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LivLove2Cruise Posted July 9, 2023 Author #19 Share Posted July 9, 2023 3 hours ago, topnole said: Figure $300 to 400 (max) for a drink package for 4 nighter and then compare total price to a resort. Most everything else is included onboard unless you want specialty restaurants. I’ve done an all inclusive and much prefer cruising. Others feel differently. I personally wouldn’t leave my teens on their own nowadays in most of the counties these all inclusive resorts exist. I agree. I have done both and I also prefer cruising. My brother hasn't so I wanted to give him a different option. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LivLove2Cruise Posted July 9, 2023 Author #20 Share Posted July 9, 2023 2 hours ago, smokeybandit said: Remember, you don't *NEED* a drink package to drink. Buying drinks a la carte may well be cheaper for you. I am aware but he doesn't want to worry about how much he is spending. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ARandomTraveler Posted July 9, 2023 #21 Share Posted July 9, 2023 (edited) 3 hours ago, George C said: We used to do both but haven’t done a AI resort in several years, we did higher end resorts and you get what you pay for. Big thing is entertainment is far superior on ships. The better resorts have better food than cruise mdr . I do more all-inclusive than cruises (about 3 AI's to every 1 cruise). But I have to agree here. Cruise entertainment is far superior, even to the most high end expensive all-inclusives. Especially for kids and teens. For teens, a cruise is absolutely a better option. Now, if the dad getting unlimited drinks for the least money is this family's #1 vacation priority, by all means, go with the all-inclusive, but if he's open to suggestions, then I'd suggest he pay up for the drink package and let his family have the most fun. Edited July 9, 2023 by ARandomTraveler 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LivLove2Cruise Posted July 9, 2023 Author #22 Share Posted July 9, 2023 31 minutes ago, Tree_skier said: I'm not interested in cruising with anyone who I have to convince to cruise. Well, I guess you have nothing to worry about! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
topnole Posted July 9, 2023 #23 Share Posted July 9, 2023 1 hour ago, FastShip24 said: We were talking about value for money, not because you were bored. You can get bored on any trip Entertainment is part of the value for the money and all inclusive resorts absolutely lack what Royal ships provide in this aspect. Your replies to her are really confusing. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jasukkie Posted July 9, 2023 #24 Share Posted July 9, 2023 Maybe I've looked in the wrong places but when I've looked at AI resorts the price has always been higher than cruising. Any recommendations? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FastShip24 Posted July 9, 2023 #25 Share Posted July 9, 2023 3 hours ago, topnole said: Entertainment is part of the value for the money and all inclusive resorts absolutely lack what Royal ships provide in this aspect. Your replies to her are really confusing. You can get bored on any venue. Entertainment is subjective Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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