| All-inclusive travel, whether aboard a cruise ship or | | | | either include most items for which you would |
| at a resort, definitely has an appeal. There are a | | | | ordinarily need to pay or allow you to set up an |
| limited number of hidden costs (though you never | | | | account for any incurred extra charges. |
| fully escape them) and you can hopefully | | | | Sounds great, but what are the disadvantages of |
| approach your vacation more assured of close to | | | | all-inclusive cruising? |
| how much you will have spent in the end - | | | | Typically, the most frequent complaint from |
| certainly a help to budget predictability. However, | | | | all-inclusive cruise travelers is the feeling of being |
| there are drawbacks to all-inclusive cruising as well. | | | | "locked in" to a pre-defined and fairly inflexible |
| Keep reading to learn about both the pros and | | | | schedule of events. Often, a cruise ship will have |
| the cons of booking an all-inclusive cruise vacation. | | | | set dining times, specific buffet menus, or limited |
| First, what does all-inclusive actually include? | | | | and highly organized entertainment options. Some |
| Typically, all-inclusive means that your food, | | | | travelers prefer to have a choice of restaurants, |
| entertainment and sometimes alcoholic beverages | | | | no set meal times, free and casual entertainment |
| are all covered or paid for while you're onboard | | | | options and the ability to indulge in as many or as |
| the ship. For some cruise lines, "all-inclusive" also | | | | little shore excursions as they want. |
| extends to shore excursions, child care, spa | | | | Another disadvantage to all-inclusive cruising are |
| treatments and other extra services. Just don't | | | | the hidden costs. Little items like tips, alcoholic |
| count on too many of those other | | | | beverages (if they're not included), extra shore |
| already-covered "extra services." | | | | trips, small snacks, room service, casino play, or |
| So, what are the benefits of all-inclusive cruises? | | | | spa treatments can all add up quickly - taking |
| The greatest advantage of a cruise that includes | | | | your "all-inclusive" and affordable vacation way |
| it all, as perceived by most travelers, is the ability | | | | over budget. Remember, it's easier to sign up for |
| to fully estimate the cost of a vacation, including | | | | a bunch of little bills when you're thinking that the |
| food and drinks, before you even begin to book | | | | whole trip is already paid for. Budget travelers |
| it. This feature is especially helpful for families who | | | | need to be especially careful of this common |
| are working under a tight budget and need to | | | | "all-inclusive" pitfall. |
| know very close to how much it's going to cost | | | | So, which type of cruise vacation should I |
| to feed, house and entertain three kids and two | | | | choose? |
| adults for, say, eight days. | | | | There are benefits and disadvantages to |
| A second benefit is the ability to enjoy your | | | | all-inclusive cruising. The type of vacation you |
| vacation without hauling your wallet around, | | | | select depends on you - your style of vacationing, |
| worrying about handling or losing traveler's checks, | | | | your budget and what you want to experience |
| or wondering if your MasterCard will be accepted | | | | from your upcoming vacation. |
| on the ship. All-inclusive trips, including cruises, will | | | | |