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There are cruises that sail around Japan or venture up into the Arctic Circle. For those who can’t imagine disconnecting, these days the majority of all-inclusive resorts provide free Wi-Fi throughout the resort property. Some aspects of cruising would also carry an additional charge at a resort. For instance, spa treatments; shopping; casino play; or that vintage bottle of wine for a special occasion. All-inclusive resorts tend to be in tropical destinations like Mexico or the Caribbean.
Why are all-inclusive resorts better than cruises?
Like everything, cruise lines and resorts vary dramatically so it’s definitely worth doing your research ahead of time. It was an easy choice since I much prefer the onboard experience of being on a cruise ship. On the face of it, cruises seem much cheaper but additional expenses like drinks packages or upgrading to a balcony can soon change this. One big thing that affects the decision of whether to cruise or visit a land-based all-inclusive resort is the price. A cruise ship typically has around 15 decks so there is plenty of space for onboard amenities. It’s rare that cruise ship cabins will have baths because well, a bath of water on a cruise ship isn’t the easiest thing, they take up a lot of room.
“Nothing short of pure quality” — The Virgin Voyages approach to food on board.
All inclusive experiences are pretty self-explanatory in their appeal – everything you need is just… included. And our always included luxury philosophy means you can be as lazy or active as you like – on our dime. There is no one-size-fits-all answer when choosing between a cruise and an all-inclusive resort. Both options offer unique experiences and cater to different preferences and styles of travel.
Destinations

When it comes to cruising, there are a variety of pricing options available. One of the benefits of going on a cruise is that it can be a cost-effective way to travel, as it includes your accommodations, meals, and entertainment. However, it's important to remember that additional expenses may cost extra, such as excursions, gratuities, and premium dining options. There are luxury cruise lines that offer full all-inclusive cruises that include everything from specialty dining to shore excursions as part of your cruise fare. When it comes to cruising, many of the amenities found at a resort can be found on board as well. For travelers who enjoy a different activity every day, a cruise makes the perfect vacation choice.
Entertainment
A premium cruise line is usually more in line with the price of an all-inclusive resort, more about that later in the post. The pace of a day in an all-inclusive resort does tend to be pretty slow with guests doing whatever they’d like to do on their own schedules. Many of the bigger American cruise lines have well-known productions of Broadway shows such as “Mama Mia” on Royal Caribbean and “Six” on Norwegian Cruise Line. Each day of the cruise passengers are given a daily schedule that lists the activities of the day, where they’ll be held, and what is happening.
The communal meals and shared leisure pursuits foster a convivial atmosphere ripe for forging new friendships and meaningful connections. Most cruise ships will have a full-sized theatre while some have multi-screen cinemas/movie theatres. There are many options when it comes to excursions but you won’t have the long days or freedoms that come with a land-based resort. That said, service can be slow on occasion on cruise ships as the kitchens are literally cooking thousands of meals. Cruise ships have substantially more entertainment venues than land-based resorts and are able to produce high-quality entertainment such as Broadway-style shows and acrobatics. That said, cruise ships do carry so many passengers certain entertainment venues and events can get busy.
These resorts, like Sandals and Couples, are designed specifically to deliver a dreamy experience for couples only. Whether you choose a cruise or all-inclusive resort, be sure to ask what is included in the price you pay. This will ensure you don’t have any unpleasant surprises on your bill.

They are ideal for those who love exploring different places without the hassle of constant packing and unpacking. The onboard activities and entertainment are diverse, catering to a broad audience. In contrast, all-inclusive resorts focus on providing a deep, stationary experience. Guests can indulge in extensive on-site amenities and often have access to private beaches or unique landscapes.
When pricing out a cruise vacation, you'll need to know the details of what your line covers in everyone's fares and what add-ons you can buy to make your trip more inclusive. Both cruises and all-inclusives offer changeable levels of socialization. Embarking on a cruise is probably the more interactive of the two options, with an opportunity to engage with like-minded adventurers from diverse corners of the globe.
That said many people who do vacation at a land-based resort actually stay in the resort for the entirety of their trip – so it really depends on how much exploring you’d like to do. Speciality restaurants are restaurants onboard a cruise ship that come with an extra charge. There are usually multiple events happening at once so guests have a lot of variety to choose from, particularly on the bigger ships.
At an all-inclusive resort, you can expect there to be entertainment in the evenings and possibly some throughout the day. The most common packages are soda packages, soft drinks packages, and alcoholic packages. If you are considering taking a vacation you may be wondering if a cruise or an all-inclusive resort would suit you better.
Cruise cabins have tiny bathrooms, and only the most expensive offer balconies. However, are you OK with just visiting a place for a few hours, or do you prefer to spend several days in a new location? If you like to spend more than one day in a place, cruising may not be for you. If you live close enough to a port to drive, that can help you save money on a cruise. You may be able to drive to an all-inclusive resort, as well, since there are all-inclusive resorts in the U.S.
In the spacious room, there was a Jacuzzi tub, a balcony, and a welcome amenity. If you weren’t already imbibing enough, the suite has impressive, full-size bottles of premium spirits and a fridge full of replenishable snacks and drinks. Obviously your resort isn’t moving, so your excursion options on the property are limited. Still, day trips to go fishing, snorkeling, or biking switch it up from simply lazing in the sun. Many of these excursions do cost additional, especially if you book a tour off the property to a nearby town or another city like Tulum.
Be warned, cruisers: Cruises aren't as cheap vs. land resorts as they used to be - The Points Guy
Be warned, cruisers: Cruises aren't as cheap vs. land resorts as they used to be.
Posted: Thu, 08 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
There are two ways that specialty restaurants are charged, either by the meal or by item – similar to a restaurant on land. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are usually served in the same place and the only other option is to buy food from outside of the resort. In terms of just sitting by the pool, I’d argue that all-inclusive resorts are more relaxing.
Both cruises and all-inclusive resort vacations are popular because they don’t require a lot of planning. However, with a cruise you will typically have more decisions to make than with a resort, both before and during the trip. In my experience, I’ve always found the food on cruise ships to be better than that I’ve had on land. There is something about the blend of port days and sea days that combine to create an ideal combination. Service is another all-important aspect of any resort or cruise vacation. If your idea of the ultimate holiday is an island in the sun —napping or reading with an umbrella drink in hand — then you will easily find your bliss at an all-inclusive resort.
If you love the beach and want to spend most of your time on the sand or in the water, then choose an all-inclusive resort. You’ll have unlimited access to both as well as complimentary nonmotorized watersports. On a cruise, you only get to access a beach or the water when on a shore excursion, and your time will be limited.
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