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