slo’s FRIDAY 8/15 poll - All Inclusive Resort

[tvguy]

We started cruising in 2001, and have seen a lot of cutbacks but we still enjoy it. I’ve not heard anything about starting to charge extra for shows though. That would be a bit much.

Cunard on one ship, the Queen Anne,

https://www.cruisehive.com/carnival-owned-cunard-line-begins-charging-fees-for-select-shows/183672

https://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Cunard-charging-entry-fees-Queen-Anne-entertainment
https://cruisefever.net/cunards-newest-ship-introduces-entry-fee-for-certain-shows/
https://cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/2025/08/cunard-starts-charging-for-select-shows-onboard/

Also here, 6:50 into video.

 

[tvguy]

We started cruising in 2001, and have seen a lot of cutbacks but we still enjoy it. I’ve not heard anything about starting to charge extra for shows though. That would be a bit much.

Okay, apparently when the Star Princess starts sailing in October they will have a show that they charge extra for. $45 a person, but you do get beverages for that as well as the show.
https://www.princess.com/cruise-dining/spellbound

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

We've done two and we'd do it again

2013 Sandals in St. Lucia for our honeymoon
2023 Riu in Cancun for our 10th anniversary

Both we did excursions outside the resort. St. Lucia we did one that took us on a catamaran to Soufrière and from there a private car for a drive around the area. Cancun we did two excursions booked with Xcaret company. First one was to Chichén-Itzá and the second one was to their main Xcaret park. We also took a ferry to Isla Mujeres another day.

For Sandals they do have the advantage that you often can "stay at one play at another" so you get stuff to do. On St. Lucia that was 2 additional resorts we could and did go to for dining/pool/beach. For Riu under normal circumstances we had access to their sister resort next door (who would not have reciprocal access to ours) but as they were undergoing construction for a complete remodel of the sister resort which caused the sister resort to shut down during that time that was not the case while we were there.

 

[slo]

We’ve been to 3 all inclusive resorts. The groups we were traveling with wanted to travel this way.
2 places in Mexico and a resort in Jamaica.
Not my favorite way to vacation. Food was ok. I wanted more of a variety. I’m not a big drinker, but on vaca I like to order top shelf. So my choices were limited unless I paid more.
Probably won’t go inclusive again.

The people I know said this too, and my DH is the same as you. He’s also not a big drinker, but when he does, he’s very particular with what he wants. I’m also not a big drinker and if we ever went, I’d just be getting a few fruity drinks by the pool, which would probably be pretty light on the booze.

 

[LoveDaisy]

The people I know said this too, and my DH is the same as you. He’s also not a big drinker, but when he does, he’s very particular with what he wants. I’m also not a big drinker and if we ever went, I’d just be getting a few fruity drinks by the pool, which would probably be pretty light on the booze.

The quality of the alcohol and food vary greatly by resort. If this is important to you you want a high end resort. When we went to Secrets Marona Beach we all stayed their version of club level. Food was outstanding with a great variety and alcohol was high end and you could request the brand you wanted. We did not pay more for anything but to use the spa. Club level gave us an extra restaurant (sit down instead of buffet for breakfast and lunch in a great location) and a high end bar. With that said I as able to order specific brands at all bars. I’m a Tito’s girl. My friends DH only drinks captain, he could ask for it everywhere.

 

[SnowBeast]

Us Brits love a good all inclusive hotel. I always say to my wife that you yanks don’t seem to have adopted the concept like we have. I don’t know if I’m just generalising but from my experience, Americans aren’t particularly big drinkers. The Brits tend to start drinking at breakfast which is why all inclusive can be a good option because you can just have any cocktails you like all day without worrying about the bar bill. It all depends on what you want from a holiday. When I visit places like Barbados, I’m not interested in visiting anywhere really other than the beach with a drink in my hand. Just being able to eat, drink and relax all day is how I like to holiday in places like that, so all inclusive is good for me. When I visit the US though, we like to get out and about visiting different places so all inclusive doesn’t really matter (although I suppose Disney dinning plan is a type of all inclusive).

It also depends what you pay for too. If you get a decent all inclusive that includes proper branded alcohol and decent restaurants then they are great, but get one with crap food and it’s just monotonous eating the same stuff every day.