All Inclusive - How to decide?

melissaepiphany

My husband and I have yet to go on a vacation together. We're 25, been together 9 years and married 2.5, no kids, and we've never traveled out of Canada together due to finances.

 We are finally saving up for a trip. I would love to do a huge trip to Europe but I don't think that's in our budget. We would really love to go on an all inclusive trip for a week, but I can't even begin to narrow down where to go! Dominican, Mexico, Jamaica, Panama, Bahama's, Cuba, etc etc. I don't even know where to start to begin planning!!! We want something super super fun, with lots of activities and drinks lol.

 Do any of you have any suggestions of countries/resorts to go to that you've been too? I can't WAIT to begin planning but I feel so lost as to where to start - we can't even narrow down a place lol.

 Thanks so much for any advice! 

MrsT23

If it is your first trip together I would look at Secrets or Sandals, I personally love the secrets in Jamaica, however after travelling to Mexico, Costa Rica, DR, etc Jamaica is our favourite spot. We will be heading back to Jamaica for our 4th time in June, can't wait!

Let me know if you have any questions, etc...

Have fun with planning read some trip advisor reviews, but remember anywhere you go it will be what you and hubby make of the trip, and remember it's not Canada so a 5 star here will not be necessarily the same thing in DR

monkeygirl18

This far we've been to 3 Sandals (grande in st. Lucia 2x's, grande Antiguan and Negril in Jamacia* we are going Sandaks Whitehouse in Jamaica next year*). We have also been to Cancun 2x's and stayed at The Royal (Real Resorts). I have reviews and pics of all in the link above my siggy pic if you would like to check it out. 

melissaepiphany

Oh wow, cool, thanks ladies!! We are really excited, and even though we aren't planning to go for almost a year, we really wanted to start on some research. We aren't looking for anything super fancy. Do you think it could be done for under 1000$ a person? I know it won't be top notch 5 star, but we are ok with that. Hmmm, I'm starting to like the sounds of Jamaica, but lots of research to come

alithebride

wow that's so exciting being your first trip together. I see where the pressure comes in:) I'm going to give another suggestion. Ask your friends, family, coworkers etc.. for recs for a travel agent. you have a budget and specifcs so a good one (that's why i'm recommending using a known one) wil be able to meet all of those for you. they will also be able to be there if you need them for anything which, if you know them personally, is much better than some online thing. I'm not saying that you shoudn't do your research too but it can be overwhelming trying to choose someplace.

alithebride

i'll also add something more. when you say you would love to do a huge trip to europe I wonder why does it have to be huge? it's nto going anyhwere-you can go back as many times as you want. dont wait and wait like that. my mom and i took a girls trip to italy last january. we split the 8 days between rome and florence (i'd been to italy 2x before but she had never been) and it was great. and the dead of january-oh it was wonderful! it was cool in rome (high 50s during the day, low 40s at night) and a bit cooler in florence and the cafes have heaters outside so you can sit outside and drink wine and eat lunch and ahve a great time and because it's dead low season there's no lines for ANYTHING. we were in the sistine chapel ALONE. unheard of.

and it was 1500/person for flight and hotel (non-stop JFK to Rome and home florence/paris/jfk). 4 star hotel in rome, 3 star in florence. gorgeous hotels. so dont think that you need to do a huge trip. you can go inexpensively and really enjoy yourselves.

moroccojade

I'm not sure where in Canada you are, but looking at your list, I'm guessing you're in the Toronto area.  If you are, you have a lot of options for a great "fly and flop" vacation.   For under $2000 total, it probably won't be 5* at a Sandals, but it can be a good 4 to 4.5 star for a week. 

Consider going in early December, or mid-January to February.  (Missing the Christmas/New Years vacationers...  and the spring break crowd that comes in March.)  You'll see better prices and fewer people, which I always like.

I'd probably want at least 2 weeks to bother flying over to Europe.  But I'm also on the west coast.    

mrsB68

I'm sure you guys will have an awesome time wherever you pick. Two of my favorite islands are St. Lucia and Turks & Caicos. St. Lucia was a more laid back, more exploring of the island itself type of trip. Turks and Caicos is more of a stay at your resort type of trip, but the beaches and ocean are spectacular. T&C has the absolute clearest water and whitest sands that I've ever been on.

As for all inclusive, I think it depends on what type of a vacation you book. If it's one where you're staying at the resort the entire time (T&C) then I would probably do it as it's probably more cost effective. Make sure you look at their a la cart menu's though to see what you would average per day to ensure you actually will make out in the red. On the flip side, if you're going somewhere that you'll be exploring (St. Lucia, Europe, etc.) then I wouldn't do the all inclusive as you'll have the opportunity to go to some great restaurants while you're there and you won't want to be tied to your resort.

Hope that helps.

Enjoy your trip wherever you go! 

ttuprincess

We have been to the Sandals in Ocho Rios, Jamaica and it was great.  It is right at the foot of the blue mountains so we could lay on the beach one day and go biking through the mountains the next!  Have fun planning your trip. 

lavet22

The only all inclusive I have done is on a cruise, but my husband and I priced both AI resorts and Europe and have gone to Europe 2ce for cheaper.  We went to London/Paris for 6 nights and Greece for 5 nights at 1/2-2/3rd's the cost of the same nights at a Sandals or Beaches (after spending money, food, and extras, it was around the same).  We stay at 4-5 star hotels and fly economy comfort.  It's about doing your research and finding out what you want to do/see/stay. 

I'm not telling you where what to do, cause really, you can't go wrong with either.  But if you really want Europe, it's completely do-able for the same budget as an AI resort. 

 

Have fun!!!!! 

olechka

7 days is hard to pull off these days for under 1000 most cause airfair is so expensive but you would get close if you can avoid any holiday weeks.  We found that Riviera Maya was always cheapest for us, we also didn't do adult only hotels because of the price.  We liked Barcelo, Riu Palace Mexico and Sandos Playacar.

Callie22589

Airfare is really the killer for most trips.  We went to Couples Tower Isle in Jamaica and airfare was about $1000 for the both of us.  Trip wouldn't have been very expensive otherwise (maybe around $1600 total for 5 days and 4 nights).  

 We loved CTI and would definitely go back again.  Food was great, as were the drinks.  Pretty much all of your activities are included.  We hiked a waterfall, went sailing, and on a glass bottom boat tour.  It was great!

  

stefwhitney

H and I have never traveled out of the country. We found a Groupon for Cancun for 7 night stay, flight, taxes, hotel, all food and drink included, flying out of our city for $900/p. Check Groupon!

mckenzie915

That is a tight budget. You may want to shop around for all-inclusive deals with airfare, instead of picking one destination. Then you can compare all the hotel choices within your budget and pick the nicest one. Most all-inclusives offer similar stuff, but might have better food options or more alcohol included at some. You may want to check out Puerto Rico too. 

melissaepiphany

Thank you ladies so much for your help! We are planning for next fall most likely, so hopefully we can save up a bit more money then and make it happen. Thanks for your suggestions.. it's helping narrow it down!