{"id":3728,"date":"2010-01-28T07:59:28","date_gmt":"2010-01-28T13:59:28","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.orbitz.com\/blog\/?p=3728"},"modified":"2017-03-20T13:50:28","modified_gmt":"2017-03-20T18:50:28","slug":"family-vacation-cruises-vs-all-inclusive-resorts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.orbitz.com\/blog\/2010\/01\/family-vacation-cruises-vs-all-inclusive-resorts\/","title":{"rendered":"Family vacation: cruises vs. all-inclusive resorts"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Alison Ulrich<\/em><\/p>\n

\"Family<\/p>\n

It is about that time of year to start planning a family vacation<\/a> for spring break. I’ve been trying to decide between a family cruise<\/a> and an all-inclusive resort<\/a>. I have done a bit of research and wanted to share what I’ve learned.<\/p>\n

Check the cost for children<\/strong>
\nWhen pricing out family cruises and all-inclusive resorts, consider the cost for the children. Some all-inclusive resorts and cruise lines allow kids to stay (or sail) free. Others charge a nominal fee or significantly reduced rate, depending on the age of child. In some cases, you may have to pay full price, which has a big impact on your family vacationbudget.<\/p>\n

Compare what\u2019s included<\/strong>
\nOn a typical cruise, your accommodations, meals, snacks, use of the ship\u2019s facilities (pool, kids club, fitness room), and onboard activities\/entertainment are all included. Add-ons like shore excursions, gratuities and visits to the spa tend to cost extra<\/strong>, and you may want to check whether non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages are part of the deal. In comparison, all-inclusive resorts typically include gratuities, beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic), and non-motorized water sports, while golf, spa treatments and off-site excursions tend to be extra. You may want to confirm whether the resort includes transportation to and from the airport<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"All-Inclusive<\/p>\n

See what activities are available<\/strong>
\nFor us, a successful family vacation is one where there\u2019s something for everyone, young and old. Many family cruises and all-inclusive resorts offer a wide variety of activities and entertainment that cater to all age groups. However, one thing to note is that many cruise lines do not allow non-potty trained children to use the pools<\/strong>, even if they wear swim diapers. The islands that the cruise ships visit have a variety of activities, such as boating, snorkeling, scuba diving, horseback riding, four-wheelers, driving tours, hiking, etc. When looking at all-inclusive resorts, I’ve been checking for activities that are age appropriate, from kids camps to teen lounges.<\/p>\n

Determine the kind of experience you want<\/strong>
\nA cruise gives the benefit of seeing multiple destinations in a single family vacation, which might be appealing to some travelers. There also are more than 20 cruise ports around the United States<\/strong>, including Boston, Galveston and San Diego, so if you live within driving distance, you can skip the airfare. On the other hand, an all-inclusive resort may be a better pick for travelers who want a longer time in one spot to experience the full offerings of the resort, island and\/or country.<\/p>\n

In the end, I am choosing to stay at an all-inclusive resort for our next family vacation because it is the most cost-effective option that meets our needs at this time. We will be traveling with my two-year-old son, and the resort is not charging for his stay or for his meals. More to report when we return!<\/p>\n

Related Orbitz resources:<\/strong><\/p>\n