Disney Cruise or "All Inclusive Resort"?

[mmcguy]

The family "did" WDW four years ago (kids were 9 & 7) and spent 10 wonderful days there (Contemporary Resort). Because we went in the off season, lines were short or non-existent and there was never a wait for anything (except the Dumbo ride!)

We are contemplating another "once in a lifetime" vacation thanks to the family coming into some unexpected money. Wife has suggested a Disney cruise (7 day sea, no WDW visit). The kids (who will be 14 & 12 when we go next year) are somewhat cool to the idea, even after reading about activities for teens and 'tweens. Their reason is the "little kid" stigma attached to anything Disney by their respective peer groups.

All four of us agree this next vacation should be somewhere sunny, warm and with tropical beaches. We have the luxury of not having to worry too much about the cost (within reason, of course).That means Hawaii, Carribean, FLorida or a Cruise are all potential winners.

Frankly, I am leaning toward one of the all-inclusive resorts (possibly in Turks & Caicos or Jamaica) instead of a cruise. The costs are about the same as a Disney cruise and virtually everything is provided, including transfers from airport to resort, drinks, meals, tips, etc.... The only difference is the cruise exposes the passengers to more places to go and things to do.

I know most people on these boards love anything Disney, but any add'l commentary would be appreciated regarding pros and cons of crusing vs. an all-inclusive resort.

 

[clten]

The kids may have it in their mind that Disney means little kids but I'm sure if you choose the Disney cruise, they will get over that quickly.

As for all-inclusive islands you mentioned, if your family is into watersports (snorkeling, diving, hobie cats, etc.) than I think they would be fine. If they aren't, I'd be more concerned about the kids being bored there than on a cruise. Turks is known for their diving/snorkeling and outside of that, not a whole lot to see. Jamaica isn't an explore on your own type of island so you may be very tied to the resort (the resorts know this and provide a lot of activities but choose one that provides enough stuff to keep the kids entertained (nothing can kill a vacation like a bored teenager.)

Oh yeah and on the stigma with small kids, I don't know where you are looking for an all-inclusive in Turks but Beaches has Sesame Street tie-ins so the teens might really be turned off to that if just the word Disney has them balking at a very nice vacation.

Just wanted to share my thoughts.

 

[mmcguy]

Right now I'm just looking for commentary and observations. I have not done a lot of research into the all-inclusives (other than knowing Beaches by their TV commercials).

That being said, your remark about Sesame Street is extremely helpful! I did not know of the link between the two. Thank you very much! The last thing I need is a moody teenager disliking everything because Elmo happened to walk through the restaurant at breakfast time on the morning of day one.

 

[UGAFan0829]

Just wanted to put in my 2 cents--
Not too long ago, my boss and his family vacationed in Caicos at one of the all-inclusive resorts there.
They hated it. Said that the resort was terrible and even managed to get their money back.
Now I know that there are probably many resorts there, and this is just one out of the many, but I just wanted to give you some of my feedback.

 

[DIS NURSE]

I don't want to totally give away my "new secret" about an AWESOME all inclusive resort.....but I guess I will.....if I didn't already have us going on a Disney Cruise in NOvember...I would definitley be going to an all inclusive resort called Xpuha Palace....1 hour south of Cancun. You fly into Cancun and they pick you up in an air conditioned van and take you to one of the MOST INCREDIBLE PLACES ON EARTH! It really isn't THAT expensive...your airfare (don't know where you live) may be not near as much as mine living on the WEST coast.....type, "XPUHA" into Google and you will see lots of info on the place.......Don't forget to go back to this main page and check out, "Xpuha Palace discount" which has virtual tours and LOTS of pitures (this is on the right hand side under "sponsored links". Go to that site (it's run by 1discountvacations.com) and click on a large box called "virtual tours". You will be amazed! EVERYTHING INCLUDED...tips, alcohol, excursions, kayaks, bikes, snorkel gear, even massages!

This will be our next vacation after DCL for sure!

Take care...DIS NURSE from Oregon
P.S. Even a built in Kids' club for ages 4-12! PLUS LOTS MORE TO DO!!! TOO MUCH!!!! MY FRIEND JUST RETURNED WITH 2 TEENAGE SONS AND THEY HAD AN ABSOLUTE BLAST!

 

[chrisn]

Playa Del Carmen. 30 minutes from Cancun. Beautiful, Gorgeous Beaches, 5 Star Resorts right on the beach. Wonderful food, numerous resort activities, many optional tours outside of the resort. Just fabulous! Myself, my DH, my then 15 yearl old DD and 5 year old DS loved every minute of it. DD cried the day we left. Iberostar has stunning resorts. Check them out.

Also for the ages of your kids if they are getting turned off by Disney, you may want to look into RCCL's Voyager Class Ships. Lots for them to do and you'll save some $$$.

 

[LAMPSKIES]

Mmcguy, we have sailed each of the last 4 years with DCL last year I booked a "beaches" in turks n cacos and when DDs found out they were didappointed that we weren't sailing again The were 14 and 12 last Thanksgivings sailing.....we have next Thanksgiving booked and x-mas 06....good luck!

 

[232271]

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Re...s_Caicos-Providenciales_Turks_and_Caicos.html

check this link on beaches reviews, it looks really really cool to me.
Dont let one person not liking it sway you. Not everybody will like it.

We are considering this for next summer as well.

good luck in your decision. I know it is hard to feel like you can beat
a Disney vacation.

 

[my3princesses]

We have taken a few all inclusive holidays (love Mayan Riviera) and just took a land/sea Disney cruise in early March. I think it depends on when you are planning on cruising and what your family likes to do on holidays.

We are a water family and love to snorkel and swim plus we love to rent bikes and tour around. We found the ship to have too many limitations. Mind you it was beautiful and the food was amazing but our kids (9, 11, 13) did not want to participate in the clubs (and we wanted to spend time with them anyway) and the weather did not co-operate. We wanted so despretely to get off of the ship and explore, especially Castaway, but the ship could not get into the island (trying 3 times on 2 days). This was to be the highlight of the cruise as again we are water people, and I guess we should have known better not to plan our holidays around one stop that is not guaranteed (we have learned this now).

The thing about going to resorts is that you are limitless in doing things and can plan around the weather a little more. You can go where ever and when ever you want to and swim where ever and whenever.

The small pools on the ship just didn't cut it in comparison to having a huge beach/ocean and several big pools at a resort.

Again, this all depends on your family's tastes. So many love the cruising experience but for us we would rather go to a resort and leave the "Disney" experience up to the parks.

 

[Miss Eeyore]

I have heard WONDERFUL things about the "Palace" all-inclusives near Cancun. Moon Palace, Mayan Palace, Adventuras.....

And our 25 yr old son loved Toucan Cun, an all-inclusive

 

[F1Julie]

I haven't been on a Disney cruise yet (not til May anyway), but when I was 14 or so, my parents suggested WDW for vacation. At that age, I didn't think WDW was very cool and that it was for younger kids. We ended up going to the Caribbean instead. I loved it. All-inclusive resorts are great. I've stayed at the Super Clubs resorts in Jamaica. I've also heard good things about Sandals/Beaches.

 

[madisonsmom]

I will first say that I have not been on a cruise before and we will be going on the Wonder in Dec., so my opinion is solely based on having past experiences with all-inclusives.

We have been to Jamaica several times and continuely dream about going back, we are trying the cruise for a change of pace and to go with friends. Someone mentioned before that Jamaica is NOT an explore yourself kinda of island, but I find that to be false, there are many things that you can go to do off the resort and if you don't feel comfortable going on your own you can setup through the resort to have someone pick you up and drop off . Ocho Rios has Dunn's River Falls you can climb that is so much fun, there is horseback riding, rafting, hiking in the mountains, etc. There are sunset cruises where you can go cliff jumping(alot of fun for the thrillseekers), snorkeling, scuba diving, parasailing, sailing, water skiing, etc. Honestly we are paying more for a 4 night Disney Cruise then we have paid for a 7 night stay for an all inclusive and the all inclusive covered premium alcohol, tips, transfers, food, EVERYTHING!!! and DCL doesn't. Most resorts offer many excursions that are included as well. I would try to figure out what your family is most interested in doing(I know in Mexico some resorts include excursions to the Ruins) and go from there. Also, the resorts have social directors and have lots of activities going on all day that anyone can join in, such as volleyball games, tennis lessons, scavenger hunts, dance parties, beach bonfires with shows, etc. so you if you find a resort that is kid friendly I am sure they will have lots of activities for them. Someone mentioned Beaches previously, I am pretty sure they are part of Sandals which has a program where you can use the facilities of the other Sandals resorts so if they offer something different then the resort you choose you can still use it.

Good Luck! Back to dreaming of white beaches and cool drinks...

 

[KKB]

We did Princess W. Caribbean, 7 day, airfare, hotel night before & after, plenty of drinking, gambling & some shopping for less than $3K total.
Friends just returned from Cancun--Riu Palace Las Americanas(supposedly 4 star)--for 5 days (W/ 2 flying days, more like 3-3 1/2), all-inclusive w/ airfare for $2700/couple, plus any shopping and off site activities. And they are a bit lukewarm about it. Said resort is beautiful and service great, food awful, drinks tasted funny. Rained one day w/ little to do (plenty to do on a cruise rain or shine!) They liked our Vegas trips better.
Appears our cruise was a far better deal!
I know others who have gone to all-inclusives that they just loved. Be sure to go somewhere someone reputable suggests.
Happy cruising--or vacationing!
Kristin

 

[flexsmom]

We've done both and while we loved our time at Beaches, I would have to say that for the money, there was more "elegance" associated with DCL and we actually spent more time at the "beach"! We did a lot at the pools at Beaches, but more beach time at Cozumel and CC. Food was better on DCL - drinks were better at Beaches (they were free, so of course they were better!) Kids clubs were better on DCL, although DD had a good time at Beaches, too. I would say service was better on DCL - there's a lot to be said for not having a baked-in-tip, although this is not to say the Beaches staff was aloof or anything - they were very friendly, it's just that the DCL staff generally seemed much more professional. We also like being able to go different places during the vacation all while staying in the same room, but have only come to that conclusion after trying both options. Good luck with your decision!

 

[MickeyB426]

We did DCL three times.

We also have DVC points that send us to Orlando often.

With that in mind, we're taking a change of pace and two days ago cancelled plans to do RCCL in favor of Beaches at Turks and Caicos.

We're not snorkelers and I'm the only beach person, but there are gorgeous pools and we can't wait. We'll be going next February during Winter Break.

It also works out a tad cheaper than DCL or RCCL for us, though that was not an overriding concern.

 

[Disney Fans]

We have been blessed to have been able to visit most of Europe, Hawaii, Jamaica, Cancun and WDW and DCL.
There are so many Wonderful places to see in this world and they each are different in there own ways. I think you should do as much research on the places you are thinking about going and then go where you think you would be happest for this year.
Our family like others has gotten bit by the Disney bug and love going. Take care and have fun where ever you choose to go !

 

[TheWog]

All-inclusives are a great way to go. We stayed at an all-inclusive for a week in Ocho Rios, Jamaica in January 2003. Everything was included, food, entertainment, transfers, excursions, alcohol, everything. We also found it to be less money also. We had a great time, but it was only the two of us. No child. As Madisonsmom said, Jamaica can be a great place to explore. As she mentioned there are several places close to Ocho Rios (which is a two hour +/_ ride from the airport - depending on where your resort is truly located in the area) where you can go for excursions. Dunns River Falls, white river tubing, Martha Brae river rafting, canopy tours, Fern Gully (think movie), Ian Fleming's house and beach (James Bond - also movies were shot there). The resort we stayed at had scuba lessons and a boat to take you diving, snorkeling, water skiing, kayaks, floats, etc., which I know are all water sports, but they try to account for what people want. They had separate boats for each activity. They also have a katamaran that shows up to take people out for a sunset cruise on some nights. They also have beach volleyball, dance contests, beach parties, picnics, pools, several restaurants, hot tubs, etc. The price was close to that of our recent RCI cruise on the Enchantment of the Seas - with airfare, but the Enchantment had all the extras not included, excursions, alcohol, stuff like that.

With our son we are planning on doing one more cruise in 2007, which will probably be on DCL, but we are also considering the Mariner of the Seas, then we will be trying the Beaches all inclusive resort and most likely will be Turks and Caicos, but that is too far off to think about now.

Hope this made sense and helps.

 

[Sue Sullivan]

Check out Tripadvisor.com. We have been looking at the Iberostar Tucan South of Cancun. It gets excellent reviews, but I don't personally know anyone who has actually gone there.

 

[232271]

this place has great reviews and check this out

It's the perfect vacation, cooling tradewinds ruffel your hair. A secluded beach streaches before you and the warm waters of the Caribbean soothe your spirits. The Iberostar Paraiso Lindo lies in the epicenter of this remarkable destination. The picturesque Mexican architectural style has charming courtyards surrounded by gaily painted walls. Fountains splash in the center, amid thatched roofs and cobblestone walkways. Among it's features is a lazy river and the only wave pool in the Riviera Maya. All restaurants are climatized and our guests enjoy exchange privileges with our 2 sister resorts. Paraiso Lindo is the ultimate resort. This is where you always intended to vacation, and now it is yours to enjoy...and remember for ever.

cool a wave pool and lazy river!!

 

[chrisn]

We have stayed at the Iberostar Tucan. It is stunning and beautiful! It's a large but compact resort built into and bordered by jungle and beach with open air lobby and restaurants. Marble pathways and beautiful fountain ponds line the resorts main interior. The food was fabulous, activities were fun, stage shows were entertaining, beach was unforgetable, warm gumungus pool, warm and wonderful staff, monkeys in the trees, etc, etc, etc. My TA sent us to this resort after she had stayed there stating that is was the nicest resort she had ever vacationed at. I happen to agree. The Riviera Maya has beautiful 5 star resorts to choose from. The other Iberostar Resorts are larger and more spread out than the Tucan/Qeutzal but I highly recommend any of the Iberostar Resorts. They are first rate!