All-Inclusive or Not
From resorts to cruises
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AI in the travel industry stands for All-Inclusive. But sometimes it’s just as mysterious as the AI on the Internet. So let’s see what it’s all about and where it can cause problems.
All-Inclusive makes budgeting simple. Virtually everything is included on your vacation. Your total costs are typically limited to your flights, airport transfers, the AI location, and your petsitter if your daughter can’t take the animals. You bring extra money for tips and your credit card for gifts. And that’s it. Everything else is taken care of once you step foot on the property. Life is good.
You pay extra for all-inclusive. AI destinations bundle meals, drinks, and other services in the room price, which can cost an extra $50-150 per person per day over a room or cabin-only charge.
The added AI cost often is worth it. Consider AI vacations if you are a medium to heavy drinker, enjoy expensive restaurants, or like their simplicity and convenience. Many AI destinations offer high-quality dining, comparable to an excellent restaurant.
Mid-market to luxury resorts, often at the beach, are the place to go for all-inclusive packages. Resort prices range from $250-$1,000+ per night.
All-Inclusives cover most property features. AI fees generally include lodging, unlimited meals (buffets and some à la carte), snacks, alcoholic/non-alcoholic drinks, pools and jacuzzis, on-site activities (non-motorized water, fitness centers, some fitness classes), Internet/wifi, entertainment, taxes, and tips/gratuities.
Be a mensch and still tip. Travel is still a person-to-person service business. Even though tips are included, it’s customary (at least for Americans) to additionally tip a modest amount to your direct service staff - housekeepers and servers. It helps ensure they give you the best service, they look for you to get your drink order, and rewards them if they go out of their way for you. Plus most international resort and cruise staff don’t earn much income. So a few dollars means a lot.
Special and premium services aren’t included in AI fees. This typically includes certain specialty restaurants, romantic private dinners, top-shelf alcohol, wine bottles, cabanas, spa and wellness treatments (massages, salon services), off-site excursions and tours, golf fees, motorized sports (jet skis, boat rentals), and childcare.
Most cruises are not all-inclusive. Standard lines like Carnival, Royal Caribbean, MSC, Norwegian, and Margaritaville sell the sun, fun, and/or peace. But you gotta pay up.
Cruise lines cover room, board, activities, entertainment, and basic facilities. The base fare provides for the cabin, transportation between ports, private island access, most meals (buffet, main dining rooms, some specialty restaurants), basic drinks (unbottled water, coffee, tea, juices), fitness center, activities (games, kids club, casino), and entertainment (live music and comedy, Broadway-style shows, movies, deck parties, fireworks at sea). Disney Cruise Lines provides fountain soft drinks.
Cruise lines don’t cover a lot of expenses like specialty dining, soda, specialty drinks (smoothies, espressos, capuccinos, bottled water), alcoholic drinks, Internet, gratuities, excursions, and private island beach premium access, food, and drinks.
Luxury cruise lines are an exception. High-end and specialty cruises often are all (or mostly)-inclusive, including excursions. These include Regent Seven Seas, Silversea, and Seabourn. Virgin Voyages includes wifi, tips, and essential drinks. Many River Cruises include wine/beer at meals and daily excursions.
Unincluded expenses can be a large part of your cruise costs. On a ship drinks, tips, wifi, and excursions can be costly and add up to almost as much as the cruise itself. Prepare a budget so you’re not surprised by the full cost.
Plan for what’s not included on the cruise. Watching cruise line offers (like on the Royal Price Tracker), buying add-on packages before sailing, declining automatic gratuities, and third-party excursions, can generate significant savings.
Double-check resort pricing. On land, some all-inclusive resorts have room-only rates or unbundled but mandatory all-inclusive charges. But this info can be hard to find, only on some booking sites, or poorly documented. Verify your booking with the resort to avoid problems.