If you've ever experienced the vacation sensation of absolute cluelessness, unexpected expenses, and a smashed cellphone then DAS Demo recommends you to check out an all inclusive vacation package.
What is it?
The name says it all. At an all inclusive resort, accommodations, food, drinks, entertainment, recreation, and vacation activities are included in one upfront fee. The price of a cruise, for example, includes everything you'd want to do on the ship (that's legal). All inclusive resorts include Club Med, Sandals, and Beaches, and most can be found in warmer climates such as the Caribbean.
Advantages
- Budgeting - Seventy dollars on pizza, $12 for parking, $65 to pet Shamu, and before you know it, you're working a side job just to get home. Because an all inclusive resort includes everything, there's no need to get a part-time job. Eat the extra slice of pizza, take the free shuttle, and pet all the aquatic animals you want. It's paid for.
- Convenience - Most people, after booking a vacation, need a vacation. There's hotels, airfare, car rentals, tickets to attractions, scheduling psychiatric visits after spending 24/7 with your spouse. When you book an all inclusive package, someone else does this for you.
- Targeted Lifestyles - Many all inclusive resorts cater to a specific lifestyle. If you have four kids, for example, you can avoid the hotel with the heavy metal rock band and the hotel located across from the gentleman's club. If you prefer to party on your vacation, you can avoid the psychotic dad guarding his four teenage daughters with a machete and a pistol.
Disadvantages
- Limited Destinations - Unless you've been dreaming about going to a specific place that offers all inclusive resorts, you might miss out on a destination you really wish to see. You're also limited to touristy destinations and activities and could miss out on fun activities not on the itinerary.
- All Inclusive? - "All inclusive" doesn't really mean all inclusive. Read the entire agreement and find reviews before you put down any money. Things such as off resort dining, tips, excursions, and higher scale restaurants are not included in the "all inclusive" package.
- Cost - If you did everything that was offered in the vacation package, you'd save money over going vacation a la carte. If you bought beach front real estate in Hawaii fifty years ago, you could own your own all inclusive resort and have it to yourself. Find out what activities are included at the all inclusive resort and make sure you'll take advantage of them; otherwise, you'd spend less money with a traditional vacation.
- Health - Imagine you're on a cruise for a week or at a resort for a week and you've already paid for a week's worth of food. You can eat all the food you want without any extra charge. What are you going to look like at the end of that week? Just a thought.
