Cruise or all-inclusive resort: Which budget-friendly choice suits you best?

Travelers seeking a hassle-free vacation, with accommodations and activities wrapped into a single price, often weigh the options between cruises and all-inclusive resorts to discover their perfect getaway. Whether on a cruise ship or at a resort, you'll find dining, bars, activities, entertainment, and kids' clubs all conveniently located, eliminating the need for extensive research for every part of your trip. Plus, many of these amenities are bundled in the initial cost, making these vacation styles wallet-friendly.

While you might opt for luxurious cruise lines or upscale resorts, choosing either a cruise or an all-inclusive stay ensures you enjoy the ease of an all-encompassing vacation without excessive additional charges.

So, which type of vacation is better for you: a cruise or an all-inclusive resort? The answer hinges on what amenities you want included in your base price and which ones you'd prefer to pay for separately. Moreover, the kind of experience you're aiming for plays a significant role.

To determine the best option for you, it's essential to grasp what activities and amenities are actually covered by cruises and all-inclusive resorts in their base rates. This understanding allows you to compare the features and make an informed choice between the two.

Cruises: What’s included?

While cruises are often marketed as all-inclusive getaways, the specifics of what is included can differ by cruise line and cabin type. When planning your cruise vacation, it’s crucial to understand what each line includes in their fares and what additional options are available to enhance your experience.

Let’s cover the essentials. All cruise fares from major lines typically include accommodations with private bathrooms; meals at selected dining venues (usually a large main dining room and a buffet, along with a few other restaurants); basic beverages (such as tap water, coffee, hot and iced tea, milk, and certain juices during breakfast); access to pools, hot tubs, lounge chairs, and fitness facilities; kids’ clubs and activities; as well as various daytime and evening entertainment options.

Whether you’re cruising with popular Carnival Cruise Line or the ultra-luxurious Regent Seven Seas Cruises, your base fare will encompass the items listed above.

High-end luxury cruise lines usually offer a wide range of both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, gratuities for the staff, Wi-Fi access, and meals at more intimate, themed dining venues. However, this can vary.

To illustrate how inclusions differ, let’s examine a few examples.

Royal Caribbean is a popular cruise line that appeals to couples and families. Its basic fares typically cover only the essentials listed earlier. While you may come across discounted rates and complimentary kids' fares (when sharing a cabin with two paying adults), it’s not particularly known for including extras like Wi-Fi or gratuities unless you book a suite.

The Royal Suite-class fares from Royal Caribbean offer more inclusivity compared to standard fares. If you book a Sky-class suite, you’ll benefit from free Wi-Fi for each guest, room service, meals at the exclusive Coastal Kitchen restaurant, and access to a lounge that provides complimentary evening drinks and snacks. Opting for a Star-class suite grants you even more inclusions, such as meals at all specialty restaurants, a Deluxe beverage package (covering alcoholic drinks, soda, and premium coffee), minibar items, tips, and laundry services.

Norwegian Cruise Line takes a different approach. Its "Free at Sea" promotions (which seem to be ongoing) enable guests to enhance their base fares with additional inclusions, based on the current sale. As of now, the fare inclusions for the first two guests in a cabin feature complimentary airfare, Wi-Fi, a beverage package, and credits for excursions and specialty dining. (Third and fourth guests sail free and do not receive these additional perks.) Occasionally, the offers may include fewer freebies or provide less in the way of inclusions for lower-priced cabins.

A luxury cruise line like Regent Seven Seas Cruises is considered the most inclusive cruise line, as it typically includes airfare and transfers, shore excursions, pre-cruise hotel accommodations, all beverages (excluding the most premium bottles), Wi-Fi, gratuities, dining at all onboard restaurants, and laundry services.

Moreover, many cruise lines provide all-inclusive beverage packages or specialty dining options as add-ons to enhance your cruise fare. Some lines also offer combination packages. For instance, Windstar Cruises charges an additional $79 per person per day ($89 if purchased onboard rather than in advance) for included Wi-Fi, drinks, and tips.

To evaluate the value of a cruise fare, particularly in comparison to another cruise line or an all-inclusive resort, it’s essential to consider the activities you'll engage in during your vacation and calculate your overall costs. Less-inclusive cruise lines may have lower initial booking prices, but higher onboard spending could result in a more expensive trip than one with a more inclusive line featuring higher base fares. Conversely, while you might appreciate included cocktails, wine, and beer, if you don’t consume multiple alcoholic drinks daily, you might find it cheaper to buy drinks a la carte.

All-inclusive resorts: What’s included?

The name says it all. The upfront cost you pay when booking a stay at an all-inclusive resort is primarily all-inclusive. While you can certainly add various amenities and experiences to enhance your stay, the price displayed when you click "Book Now" is the total amount you'll pay.

This usually means that your accommodations, a fully stocked minibar, meals, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, access to kids’ clubs, non-motorized water sports, and daily entertainment are all covered in the initial price. However, if you want to enjoy the spa, dine romantically on the beach, or reserve a cabana (with or without bottle service), those will cost extra.

Included in the amenities, you won’t be limited to just one bar or dining option during your stay. Most all-inclusive resorts feature a variety of food and beverage outlets and often have shops where you can pick up coffee and ice cream as well. You'll also enjoy entertainment and activities throughout the day and into the night, with many resorts providing a good mix of family-friendly and adult-oriented activities.

For instance, if you’re looking for an all-inclusive tropical beach getaway, Hilton's all-inclusive properties in Mexico and the Caribbean offer a wide range of dining options, as well as multiple pools, fitness facilities, kayaks, paddleboards, daytime activities, and live entertainment in the evening.

If you’d rather hit the slopes than relax by the beach, all-inclusive ski resorts provide a similar pricing model in a different setting. Accommodations might be in a rustic lodge, a private cabin, or a traditional hotel room. While dining choices may be fewer, the meals are typically prepared with more finesse compared to those at larger beachfront resorts. Activities include skiing and ATV rides in winter, and horseback riding and mountain biking in summer.

What might not be included are tips for servers, bartenders, housekeepers, and the porter who brings your luggage to your room. Some brands, such as Sandals and Beaches, clearly state that their staff cannot accept tips, but this policy does not apply to every all-inclusive resort. You can usually find this information on the resort's website, in reviews, or by calling ahead to prepare with cash (in the appropriate currency) for any gratuities during your stay.

It's also crucial to remember that, unlike booking a regular hotel room, the cost of your all-inclusive trip will depend on the number of guests. You need to specify the exact number of children and adults to get an accurate quote — and yes, we learned this the hard way.

When deciding if an all-inclusive resort vacation fits your budget, you can feel confident that the price you see when booking will secure you a place to sleep, meals, and plenty of activities to enjoy during your stay. Consider whether you’ll actually use all those included features and if the resort offers the food, activities, and entertainment that appeal to you.

Cruises vs. all-inclusive resorts: Insights from a travel advisor

To effectively compare these two distinct yet similar vacation options, TPG consulted John Lovell, president of Travel Leaders Group. With over twenty years in the travel industry, Lovell not only advises others but is also a passionate traveler himself.

If you’re currently weighing the options between a cruise and an all-inclusive getaway, Lovell reassured us that both choices are "transparent about their pricing."

Although there might be additional charges for Wi-Fi, excursions, or gourmet dining, providers usually disclose these costs clearly. Hidden fees shouldn't be a concern, but it's wise to do some homework beforehand to understand what's included in your package and what might come with extra charges.

"For instance, if you're embarking on a seven-day cruise, adding a drink package and excursions at each port can significantly increase your budget," Lovell noted. "When comparing cruise lines, one may advertise a price of $799 for a week while another offers $599 but excludes Wi-Fi or a drink package. In this case, the $799 option might actually offer better value."

There's not much variation at all-inclusive resorts unless you have a preference for premium liquors and beachfront spa treatments.

So which option offers better value? The simple answer is: "It depends."

"Both cruising and all-inclusive resorts provide fantastic experiences," Lovell stated. "You can enjoy a budget-friendly cruise and have a great time, just as you can at an all-inclusive resort."

Each offers memorable experiences, but it ultimately hinges on what you desire from your vacation and locating a cruise or all-inclusive resort that meets those expectations.

"Alongside consulting a travel adviser who knows both types of trips well, the most important step for travelers is to clarify what they want from their getaway," Lovell mentioned.

In summary

If you're seeking a way to explore multiple destinations without the hassle of packing and unpacking at each stop, a cruise vacation might be ideal for you. Just keep in mind that some days will be spent at sea on the ship, and cruise cabins are generally smaller than hotel rooms at similar price ranges. Additionally, some cruise lines are more inclusive than others, which could result in more extra expenses compared to an all-inclusive resort.

If you desire a family-friendly beach getaway where you can enjoy quality time with your children yet still have the option to drop them off at a kids club for some peace, an all-inclusive resort might be the perfect fit. Be prepared to spend several days at the same beach rather than hopping from one location to another, and remember that exploring outside the resort to experience local culture will likely incur additional costs.

Once you've clarified your specific vacation preferences, the next step is to find the cruise or all-inclusive resort that aligns with your desires and calculate the overall cost of your trip. Before you know it, you'll be relaxing with a drink in hand!