All inclusive? or Cruise?

[NorthernON_MOM]

Dh and I are looking at a vacation for our 10th anniversary. We had been looking @ a family Disney cruise or a land/sea, but we have decided to go it alone. That said we are trying to decide between Disney/Carnival/Royal Caribbean cruises or an all-inclusive land vacation.
So any suggestions would be absolutely fantastic. Thanks.

 

[awatt]

I would take a cruise over an all-inclusive any day for the following reasons:

1. I love being on the water.
2. In my experience customer service is better on a cruise,perhaps with the exception of 5 -star hotels. You really feel pampered and indulged.
3. Different ports make each day unique. At sea days can be so relaxing.
4. Cruiselines provide a wide variety of activities and entertainment on each ship. There is something for everybody,and its all right down the hall or the elevator.
5. I find cruises are very festive for lack of a better word. Dining each evening is an event.


I have found great cruising info on cruisecritic.com.

Good luck with your planning and Happy Anniversary!

 

[DisneyKids]

Well, you're on the Disney Cruise board so I would guess you'll get a lot of votes for that (me included). But I have heard a lot of great things about the all inclusive land vacations. I haven't heard the best reviews of Carnival, especially when compared to Disney. Royal Carribean is supposed to be pretty good. Pretty generic answer, huh??

 

[mickeymom30]

Myself and DH have done the DC 3 times with children. I could never do the DC without them the whole point of the DC I think is the characters and watching our 2 DD's interact with them. We have also done Sandals 3 times in the past (no kids). Sandals seems to definetly be more money then a cruise but it is worth it. All your drinks and gratuties are included! I really like the idea of going to the bar and not having to think of your bill at the end of the trip. Also Sandals is VERY relaxing you can literally just sit by the pool all day and do nothing. I think a cruise offers much more as far as activities. It is a tough choice. If you are looking just for relaxation, drinking and eating go with a club. If you are looking for more exploring and excitement I would try Royal Carib. Good look with your decision I am sure whatever you choose it will be great! Let us know!

 

[klStacker]

My husband and I have been on six cruises. Four with Celebrity, one with Carnival and one with Royal Carribean. We're taking our first Disney cruise in April. Although I can't speak about the Dianey cruise (yet), of the three cruiselines we've been on, we like Celebrity the best. The food and service were much better than Carnival and Royal Carribean.

 

[Disneycrazymom]

MickeyMom explained it well. We went to the Barcelo Maya in the Riviera Maya with another couple last year. No kids, just adults. We LOVED it!!!! It was the most relaxing vacation I have ever taken. We got a beach chair every morning and watched the water go by. The food was great, the drinks all included, and the atmosphere very adult and relaxing. I will go back as soon as we can convince Grandma to babysit again! I have not taken a Disney cruise yet but have sailed on others. It is different. To get to the beach you have to leave the ship and that makes it feel less relaxing. Both are fun, it just depends on what kind of trip your looking for. Happy Anniveresery.

 

[SandraLee]

Actually, I'd love to find a good all-inclusive for family. Anyone know of any of these?

Thanks.

 

[Mjasp]

Originally posted by NorthernON_MOM

So any suggestions would be absolutely fantastic. Thanks. [/B]

OK I'll suggest the Beaches resort in Turks and Caicos as your family all inclusive vacation. I think the website is www.beaches.com

Never been there myself but I have to say it is the next vacation after our August cruise. Check it out it look awesome.

Joanna

 

[chrisn]

Last February, we returned from one of if not the best vacations we've ever had. It was all inclusive at the Iberostar Tucan in Playa Del Carmen on the Riviera Maya. We were right on the beach (and what a beach it was!) in the nicest resort we've ever stayed at. This resort is bordered on one side with beach and the other with jungle. There were freakin monkeys in the trees. Fantastic food, all the booze you want for free, activities, impressive nightly adult and kids stage shows and entertainment, free water sports, available excursions, kids club, a pool to die for and a fabulous star friends staff. Every night they would pull everyone on stage at the show to do "the dance" I can still hear it in my head "calle palla".... The town of playa offered wonderful shopping, came alive at night and I can say nothing bad. Nothing. My daughter cried the day we left and my 5 year old made fast friends with a little boy from Chicago. They were inseperable all week. I agree with the poster above about Barcelo. That was out alternate resort pick. We are going back there next time. A trip I will never forget. But then again so was our Disney Cruise. I'm lucky enoough to have been blessed to enjoy both.

 

[Disneycrazymom]

The only thing about bringing the kids for me would be that some ladies like to sunbath topless. There is also pretty much drinking, since the drinks are included. There are kids clubs and many activities on the beach that kids would enjoy. The beach is really pretty. We were there in Sept and not many kids were there so that may have made a difference. There is a web site all about the Barcelo. I think it is the Tourist Guide to Playa del Carmen.

 

[flexsmom]

OK I'll suggest the Beaches resort in Turks and Caicos as your family all inclusive vacation

We just went to Beaches Turks and Caicos this past November - one week with DH, DD 4 and DS 7 months. It was great! We really enjoyed not paying extra for anything - food was very good (loved the sushi bar), kids clubs were fabulous, only $7 for two kids babysitting in our own suite after the clubs closed at night, great with the baby (this was actually a perk compared to DCL as baby care was included, too), awesome pools and beaches, and VERY attentive staff. Even though tipping was included, we found the staff to be very interested in how we were enjoying our vacation. We ran into several families who go there every year. That said, we paid about $4500 for a one-bedroom suite, plus about $1300 in airfare. We will probably go again someday, but are looking forward to the DCL cruise this December. Of course, when I asked my daughter about our next vacation, she said "let's go see Mickey Mouse on our way to Turks and Caicos"! One can always dream......

 

[Mjasp]

Thanks Flexmom for the review of Beaches. I'm glad you had a great time. I have the brochure and that resort looks awesome.