| All-inclusive travel, whether aboard a cruise ship or at | | | | All-inclusive trips, including cruises, will either include |
| a resort, definitely has an appeal. There are a limited | | | | most items for which you would ordinarily need to |
| number of hidden costs (though you never fully | | | | pay or allow you to set up an account for any |
| escape them) and you can hopefully approach your | | | | incurred extra charges. |
| vacation more assured of close to how much you will | | | | Sounds great, but what are the disadvantages of |
| have spent in the end - certainly a help to budget | | | | all-inclusive cruising? |
| predictability. However, there are drawbacks to | | | | Typically, the most frequent complaint from |
| all-inclusive cruising as well. Keep reading to learn | | | | all-inclusive cruise travelers is the feeling of being |
| about both the pros and the cons of booking an | | | | "locked in" to a pre-defined and fairly inflexible |
| all-inclusive cruise vacation. | | | | schedule of events. Often, a cruise ship will have set |
| First, what does all-inclusive actually include? | | | | dining times, specific buffet menus, or limited and |
| Typically, all-inclusive means that your food, | | | | highly organized entertainment options. Some |
| entertainment and sometimes alcoholic beverages are | | | | travelers prefer to have a choice of restaurants, no |
| all covered or paid for while you're onboard the ship. | | | | set meal times, free and casual entertainment options |
| For some cruise lines, "all-inclusive" also extends to | | | | and the ability to indulge in as many or as little shore |
| shore excursions, child care, spa treatments and | | | | excursions as they want. |
| other extra services. Just don't count on too many | | | | Another disadvantage to all-inclusive cruising are the |
| of those other already-covered "extra services." | | | | hidden costs. Little items like tips, alcoholic beverages |
| So, what are the benefits of all-inclusive cruises? | | | | (if they're not included), extra shore trips, small |
| The greatest advantage of a cruise that includes it | | | | snacks, room service, casino play, or spa treatments |
| all, as perceived by most travelers, is the ability to | | | | can all add up quickly - taking your "all-inclusive" and |
| fully estimate the cost of a vacation, including food | | | | affordable vacation way over budget. Remember, it's |
| and drinks, before you even begin to book it. This | | | | easier to sign up for a bunch of little bills when you're |
| feature is especially helpful for families who are | | | | thinking that the whole trip is already paid for. Budget |
| working under a tight budget and need to know very | | | | travelers need to be especially careful of this |
| close to how much it's going to cost to feed, house | | | | common "all-inclusive" pitfall. |
| and entertain three kids and two adults for, say, | | | | So, which type of cruise vacation should I choose? |
| eight days. | | | | There are benefits and disadvantages to all-inclusive |
| A second benefit is the ability to enjoy your vacation | | | | cruising. The type of vacation you select depends on |
| without hauling your wallet around, worrying about | | | | you - your style of vacationing, your budget and |
| handling or losing traveler's checks, or wondering if | | | | what you want to experience from your upcoming |
| your MasterCard will be accepted on the ship. | | | | vacation. |