Choosing to go all-inclusive when it comes to honeymoons can have its benefits, but there are also things you need to watch out for. We’re here to help you make your own mind up.
All-inclusive doesn’t mean the same thing everywhere
When you think of an all-inclusive holiday, what do you think of? What’s included in your mind? All your meals or just dinner? Unlimited drinks or just soft drinks? What about activities? All-inclusive means something different in every resort and every country so it’s important to know what you’re paying for and what extras you’ll be charged when you get there. Be sure to discuss what’s included with your travel agent.
It's very convenient
Once you’re happy that the resort and package you’re looking at includes all the extras you want, you’ll soon realise just how convenient all-inclusive is. If you’re on the type of honeymoon where you don’t want to lift a finger and feel like everything has already been taken care of then you’ll love the convenience that comes with an all-inclusive honeymoon. It also takes away the trouble of having to make too many decisions because almost everything will have been provided for you.
It won’t always save you money
In certain situations, all-inclusive might not be the best option to save money, although it may seem that way when you have worked out how little spending money you’ll need. Compare the price of staying in your resort and paying your way with the all-inclusive package. Don’t forget to take into account any extras that aren’t in the package and then decide which is less expensive.
It’s for those who want to stay in the resort
If you’re not big into exploration and adventure, then all-inclusive is for you. You have the luxury of never having to leave your resort and having everything provided for you right at your hotel room door. Not to mention, depending on where you decide to go, you might feel spoiled for choice without leaving the complex. Many resorts, especially those that provide themselves on their all-inclusive packages, have multiple restaurants, plenty of activities, private beach access and even a couple of different bars. You may feel like you’ve visited a whole city inside the four walls of your hotel.
What you get isn’t always the same as standard
Some resorts offer smaller portions, or less options to those who are on the all-inclusive packages. Any decent travel agent will be well aware of these and help you to steer clear of them, but be sure to bear it in mind, especially if you’re thinking about booking your honeymoon yourself. When paying for all-inclusive, be prepared to get a slightly different or smaller version of those who are paying as they go.
You can try new things
Many all-inclusive packages offer extra activities and day trips that you might not normally try. However, we all have it in our heads that once it’s included in the package we paid for, we might as well give it a shot. From water activities and day trips, to new foods and cocktails, the freedom of your all-inclusive package will give you an incentive to try all the things that are included.
It’s a waste if all you want to do is lie on the beach
Beware of all-inclusive packages if all you want to do is lie on the beach all day. Many packages will include a lot of different things which you are basically paying for at a discounted rate compared to if you were paying for them individually. However, it’s only a saving if you were actually going to pay for them. It’s equally only a good idea to include all your meals in your package if you’re going to eat at the resort all the time. However, if you’re going somewhere where you want to go out to different restaurants every night, explore the city and the culture, and lie on the beach a lot, then you might be better off skipping the all-inclusive package.
- Jenny Darmody
Image credits: Santorini | Seychelles | Couples Resort, Negril by Jeff | Indonesia