FAQ for Ultimate All-Inclusive Travel
How much does an all-inclusive vacation cost?
Cost can vary depending on the resort rating, length of stay, dates of stay, and room category. The benefit of an all-inclusive resort is that you know your costs before you travel. This type of Resort is great for people on a budget since you know ahead of time what your trip will cost. For families with kids, it eliminates that surprise bill at the end of your vacation. We will be sure to get you the lowest price and the biggest bang for your dollar. Just contact us and we will provide you a quote for you vacation, Honeymoon, or Destination Wedding based on your requirements.
What are the different types of Accommodations and am I sacrificing quality at an all-inclusive resort?
Several factors differentiate the type of accommodations such as room size, view from the room, room location and room types such as a hotel room or suite. Resort rooms and suites come in 3 basic levels, Garden or resort view, Ocean view, and Oceanfront. Look at it this way, the closer to the ocean, the larger the room, and the better the ocean view the higher the price. Room quality, dining, activities, and amenities are as nice or nicer than a non-all inclusive resort.
What is included in the cost of an all-inclusive resort?
Some of the things included in a true all-inclusive resort are:
- Accommodations
- Meals and snacks (with no exclusions)
- Unlimited drinks (Alcoholic and non-alcoholic).
- Transportation to and from the airport
- Gratuities at the resort
- Resort taxes
- Daily and nightly entertainment
- Tennis
- Snorkling
- Sailing
- Windsurfing
- Kayaks
- Paddle boats
- Swimming pools
- Hot tubs
- Scuba diving and lessons (some resorts)
- Exercise/weight rooms
- Fitness centers
Other amenities may be included depending on the resort and the room category such as room service, golf (greens fees) and off-site tours.
What is not included at an all-inclusive resort?
- Baggage handling at the airport
- Some off-site tours
- Items sold at the gift shop
- Spa services (some resorts)
It is a good idea to bring some money for off-site activities. Packages now include departure taxes.
When we are at one resort can we use the facilities at other resorts in the same chain?
Yes, most chains allow you to use the facilities at other resorts in the same chain. Some chains even provide free transportation between the resorts, others provide exchange privileges with other resorts but do not provide transportation between them. Remember you can exchange down but not up. If you stay at a resort you can have exchange privileges with the resorts at a lower or equal level but not with resorts at a higher level.
Are medical facilities provided?
Most Resorts have a nurse on duty during the daytime hours and a doctor on call for that particular resort. If a doctor is required the fees are not included in the all-inclusive price.
Is there a spa at each resort?
Virtually all up-scale all-inclusive resorts have a spa facility on the property. Spa treatments are usually not included in the all inclusive package and may incur an additional cost.
Can we have our wedding at the resort?
Absolutely, most all-inclusive resorts provide wedding and honeymoon packages with some providing complimentary wedding packages. A number of resorts are now allowing the bride and groom to customize their destination wedding. Please see our Destination Weddings and Destination Honeymoon pages for details or contact us for more information.
Is there a safe place for my valuables?
Yes, all resorts have safes either in the room or at the front desk.
Are there activities at All-Inclusive Resorts?
All All-Inclusive Resorts have organized land and water activities during the day and at night. You can participate in these activities if you choose or you can do nothing at all, it’s your choice and all resort activities are included at a true all-inclusive resort. This also includes the Kid’s Clubs with organized activities at family all inclusive resort. Most have kid’s clubs for the younger kids and teen clubs for the older kids.
Is there a charge for entertainment at the resort?
At a true All-Inclusive Resorts there is no charge for any on-site entertainment or activities.
Are All-Inclusive Resorts for singles?
Absolutely, Singles, Couples, and Families. Because of the number of activities, it is very easy to meet other people. There are couples only all-inclusive resorts where you must be a couple. These resorts control this by only providing king sized beds in each room. Our website makes that distinction. Some resorts will charge a single supplement for single room occupancy.
What about tipping?
Tipping is not required and at some resorts, it is prohibited. At resorts where it is not prohibited, tipping a few dollars can go a long way.
Do you accept group bookings?
Yes, we encourage groups and do many types of groups, destination weddings, Girls get-a-ways, multi-generational family groups, family reunions, Friends groups, and bachelor parties, often at reduced rates depending on how many people are included. The policies vary from resort to resort, call us for further information. It only takes 5 rooms to be considered a group.
Are there meeting rooms available?
Yes, most resorts can handle meetings ranging from 20-500. Most resorts also provide audio/visual services. Call us for details.
What if there is a hurricane during our stay?
Most travel insurance will cover trip cancellations or trip delays due to weather conditions. There are some terms and conditions as far as hurricanes. We also offer cancel for any reason insurance that allows you to cancel for any reason up until the day of travel and receive 100% of your cost refunded less the cost of the insurance.
Are all All-Inclusive Resorts the same?
Definitely not, resorts range from couples only, adult only, to family resorts and from active to quiet resorts. Each resort caters to a unique clientele, even resorts within the same chain. Call us for more information and we will use our unbiased knowledge and experience to help you find a resort that will meet or exceed your expectations,
What should I pack?
Pack as you would for any vacation. Most All-Inclusive Resorts have a casual dress code with the most strict dress code being for dinner at one of the specialty restaurants, a collared (golf) shirt and a pair of slacks for men and slacks and a shirt or a summer dress for women.
Is a deposit required to book an All-Inclusive vacation?
We can hold a reservation for up to 24 hours before any payment is required. After that, there is a low deposit at the time a booking is approved. This is standard for any vacation package, All-Inclusive or non-All-Inclusive.
How soon should I make a reservation?
As soon as you can. Some resorts and room categories fill up 6 to 12 months in advance, especially during a major holidays such as Christmas and Spring Break. Most of the Tour Companies offer early booking discounts. Also if you purchase Insurance it allows us, in most cases, to rebook the resort portion of your package if the price goes down after you have purchased it. The most expensive times of the year are Christmas and Spring Break.
What type of ID is required for travel in the Caribbean and Mexico?
At this time, regardless of age, a valid passport book, not the card, is required to travel anywhere outside the U.S. or U.S. Territories. Passport cards can only be used if you are walking or driving across a border. A number of countries will not allow you to enter if your passport expires less than six months from your return date. Make sure you check you passport expiration date well before you travel.
How much merchandise can I bring back to the U.S.?
The current exemption is $400 per person, $600 from certain Caribbean countries. You can bring back 1 carton of cigarettes and 1 liter of alcohol per person over 18 years of age.
It sounds to good to be true!
As with any vacation, expectations and selecting the right resort that caters to your criteria are major contributors to an unforgettable vacation. If this criteria is met it is hard to find any negatives. At All-Inclusive Resorts, the staff members are dedicated to using their unbiased knowledge and experience to make sure your resort vacation meets or exceeds your expectations. Call us for help in planning the vacation of a lifetime! It is our responsibility to use our knowledge and experience to help you set the correct expectations.
