Guest Author - Nicole James

All-inclusive vacations can sound like the ideal vacation for many families. After all, not only is your room rate included in the price, but so is all of your food, drinks, taxes, resort fees, transfers, gratuities, and often your activities. What could be better than that? Not much, but as you will discover, there are certain caveats that come with the all-inclusive vacation that might not meet the needs of your family.

All-inclusive resorts can be a family’s dream come true. These resorts are almost always very large tropical resorts, which are located on some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. The typical resort features a full range of activities, from multiple swimming pools and tennis courts, to water sports and trapeze lessons. There is truly something for everyone, and when in doubt, there is always the beach for some good old sunbathing and swimming.

All-inclusive resorts are also popular due to their food, and their abundance of it. All food is included, as is all beverages. Normally this also includes alcoholic beverages as well, but you can expect to pay for premium alcohol and champagne. Most resorts offer many different options for dining, with the largest being the buffet style restaurant. This option is usually open 24 hours, and offers a variety of dishes that would most likely accommodate most palates. Resorts that aim for families will also often have a kids buffet area, with such featured kid fare as chicken nuggets, macaroni and cheese, and tater tots. In addition, resorts will also offer smaller restaurants that cater to sit-down diners, and specialize in quick, good food, such as burgers, sandwiches, and other local favorites. Lastly, most resorts have at least one fine dining restaurant that is usually for adults only. This is the option you want for that romantic dinner with your spouse, where you can expect a gourmet meal with top service.

An abundance of activities is another plus to an all-inclusive resort. They usually have every water sport imaginable, and most, if not all, are free of charge. The only exception is usually scuba diving, which may require extra costs, and requirements for certification. Otherwise, joining in on the fun is as easy as signing up for a class, lesson, or time. No need to worry about the cost, so let yourself have fun! For children, the opportunities are even greater. All-inclusive resorts that cater to families go to extreme measures to keep your child entertained and happy. They often have a separate pool just for jumping and splashing. They also have water slides, baby pools, and other water activities. Most resorts are also keeping up with the times and have built large gaming centers in their resorts. These centers include many different gaming systems, as well as physical games like Dance Dance Revolution, and often classic arcade games like Pac-Man and Donkey Kong. Once again, there is something for everyone. The resorts offer classes for the kids, such as arts and crafts, acting, and puppetry, as well as a structured fun day-care like setting. Parents can drop their kids off in the morning, and pick them up before lunch. They can drop them off after lunch, and pick them up before dinner. Or, they can do both! Some resorts even feature nannies for each family. And again, most of this is included in the all-inclusive price.

So, these all-inclusive resorts are sounding pretty great, huh?

Well, unfortunately, as with everything almost too-good-to-be-true, there are many catches. Often these catches are counter-productive to the average family.

First and foremost is the cost, which is often extremely high. It is not uncommon to see rates around and above $1200 per day for a family of four. Obviously, you can get lower rates by vacationing at an off-peak time, and also by watching out for specials and promotions. However, even then, you will rarely find a rate less than $400 - $500 per day. This can be a great deal, as again, it includes everything. However, some families might feel they can save money by carefully choosing their dining options. Remember, a four year old child can only eat so much per day, and you may not feel it is worth the added expense. In addition, many people do not like dining at the resort for their entire stay. Think about your last vacation, did you eat every single meal in the hotel you were staying in? Most likely not. Many families like to venture out and try new things, and this often includes the local cuisine. For all-inclusive resorts you are paying in advance for all your meals, and you do not get any refund or consideration for not using some of their services.

Furthermore, activities are great, but only if you use them. If your family is looking to relax and do nothing but sit by the pool and swim in the ocean, then once again, an all-inclusive resort might not be your best bet. However, if your family is very athletic and sports oriented, and always on the go, the included activities can be a godsend. Additionally, because the activities are included, there is often a large interest in them. This usually translates into long lines, waits, and waiting lists. You often must call early in your vacation to reserve a time to do a particular activity. If the idea of calling on a Monday morning to reserve a time to Jet-Ski on Saturday afternoon is not your cup of tea, then again, you are best vacationing a la carte.

As with any vacation, all-inclusive vacations can be perfect for some families, and not so perfect for other families. No one knows your family like you do, so when deciding whether an all-inclusive vacation is for you, sit down with the brochures, website, etc., and be honest with yourself and your family. Honesty is tough sometimes, but it can save you a lot of grief, and also a lot of money. After all, if you are a couch potato at home, do you really expect yourself to participate in activities everyday? Asking yourself the hard questions can really help make your vacation a good one. After all, the point of taking a vacation is to relax, and to leave your stress at home. Another thing to remember is that none of these prices I discussed include airfare. The resorts can often arrange airfare for you, and include it in your price, however, I am fairly certain you will be much better off financially if you use a trusted travel agent, or even book the airline tickets yourself.

All-inclusive resorts are a wonderful choice for the right family. Each and every one sets out to make your family as happy as possible, and to give you the vacation of your dreams. However, they don’t know you. It is your responsibility to do your homework, and to determine if an all-inclusive vacation will suit your needs. Be honest about your needs and desires, and with a little research and honesty, you can determine whether an all-inclusive vacation is the answer for you and your family.