Family Club Med (type) vs. DCL???

[cotomom]

Can anyone tell me if they've been on both the Disney Magic as well as a vacation at an all inclusive Family oriented resort, such as a Club Med, or Sandals or ???

I'm wondering if the quality would be the same, or what would be lacking.

I also can't seem to find a website that compares cruising vs. these types of resorts.

many thanks!!!

 

[disneyholic family]

they're actually quite similar in my opinion (DCL and a GOOD family club med...i'm not familiar with sandals)...
they're both all inclusive in terms of food and activities...
and have good activities for kids....
the difference is in one, you're in a resort, the other you're on a ship.....there are the obvious pros and cons of that (the ship is tiny by comparison, but you get to see new places)...

i would do both if i were you...one year do club med...one year do a cruise....then you'll be able to compare yourself...

if you're asking my personal preference, i prefer the cruise....there's something about being on a ship that i can't put into words....but i like it better than the resort experience....
but that's me....another person might feel exactly the opposite..

 

[deedee67]

Can anyone recommend a good all-inclusive family resort?

 

[disneyholic family]

the club med family resorts....they list which ones are aimed at families...
i'm not familiar with the western hemisphere club meds so i wouldn't be much help there.....there's an excellent one in the french alps....perfect if you like to ski...

actually, we used to love the catskills, but that was about 3 decades ago.....the places we liked no longer exist....rent Dirty Dancing and you'll get the idea.....but now that i think about it, DCL very much reminds me of the good old days at grossingers....(i guess i'm dating myself now)...

 

[preb]

We stayed at Beaches Negril in March and really enjoyed it. Check out www.beaches.com

The Beaches Boscobel in Montego Bay also gets great reviews. It will cost more upfront then a cruise, but it is truely "all inclusive". With a cruise you need to add on transfers, tips, drinks, shore excursions, etc.

Have fun with whatever you decide!

 

[crisi]

Sandals and Beaches are the same company - Beaches are the family resorts Sandals the non family resorts.

We haven't done it, but poked a little last year. There are some travel boards specifically for the Carribean and Mexico - though I don't have any bookmarked any longer - and a lot of "chain type" all inclusives you could look into.

 

[ciadriamom]

Just throwing in my .02. Stayed at the Club Med in Port St Lucie, FL (their "best" family resort, in their opinion and sailed on the 4 day Wonder last year. My kids loved both, but when I asked what they wanted for vacation this year, the 7 day cruise won hands down!!

 

[clarabelle]

Several years ago We did a family all inclusive in Jamaica.
The Wydham Rose hall. It had an AMAZING water park right in the resort with several slides and a lazy river.
That being said the service and "pampering" were nothing compared to a cruise -especially DCL. The food choices were not as extensive (or as good) and the drinks were watered down. To be truthful I would describe many of the staff as "sullen"
It was fun- but did not compare to a cruise. I am sure there are better family resorts

 

[cotomom]

Thanks everyone for your comments! I really appreciate them.

I think we're spoiled after being in a Cat. 1 2x on DCL so far, as well as some Renaisance (no longer) and Crystal cruises. I'm so afraid we'd be disappointed in one of these resorts.

That being said, I welcome any additional comments any of you have!

 

[flexsmom]

We did Beaches Turks & Caicos last November and DD5 still talks about it. It was beautiful. The service was very good, as was the food - the staff was very pleasant and interested in our comfort. The kid's club was for infants, too, and we were very comfortable with DS 7 months staying there frequently. The diving and snorkeling was fabulous, as were the pools. That said, DD5 also still picks DCL again hands-down. She had fun at the pools and the beach, but enjoyed the more structured activities of Oceaneers Club. It was nice to have all drinks and activities included in the price, but even with a one bedroom suite at Beaches, we felt it was more "luxurious" in our Cat 6 on DCL. We'll probably do something like it again someday, but we also are going on the 7-night next instead of another all-inclusive!

 

[DepCor0311]

I have done both Club Med (Cancun) and DCL and with a family I would imagine that the rooms at Club Med would be somewhat "spartan." That is not to say that they are not nice and comfortable, but they are intentionally small and lack amenities that are designed to keep you out of the room (like no T.V.) Of course given the choice I would always choose DCL

 

[disneyholic family]

well if you have a cat 1 budget then the sky's the limit....
if you're willing to come to my side of the atlantic or pacific, you'll find resorts to die for (unfortunately, that can be quite literal at this point)....they're not necessarily all inclusive, but who cares........the four seasons in bali is amazing.......gorgeous beyond words....