All-Inclusive Fun

Photo and article by Paris Permenter and John Bigley

Are you looking for a vacation not just from your routine but from your wallet as well? Then an all-inclusive resort might be just the ticket. As the name suggests, all-inclusive means that all activities, meals, drinks, transfers, and tips are included in the price.

This all-inclusive policy means that you're free to try anything you like without worrying about spending your vacation budget for the next five years. Ever been curious about windsurfing? Take a lesson. Want to know how to reggae dance? Throw off your shoes and jump in line. Wonder how those brightly colored drinks with the funny umbrellas taste? Belly up to the bar. You're free to try it all.

Some folks don't like all-inclusive because of the concern (not unfounded) that once you've paid for the whole package you'll be unlikely to leave the property to sample local restaurants and explore the island.

The all-inclusive confinement is, however, up to the individual couple. Perhaps your goal for this trip is to languish away the mornings in bed, roll out to the beach, grab a rum punch in one hand and your partner's hand in the other, and sit there until the sun slowly sinks into the sea. An all-inclusive is just right for you. You won't have to worry about taxis or rental cars or reservations.

Or maybe the two of you want to try it all: scuba diving, sailing, windsurfing, golf, or tennis. An all-inclusive is just the ticket for you as well. The one-price-pays-all policy will be a better deal than paying for individual lessons.

Who else should check out an all-inclusive? Those who are:

On a tight budget. You'll know how much to put aside for the entire vacation before you ever buy your ticket. Once you arrive, feel free to live like a king and never have to count how much money's left or how high the tally's going on your credit card. All-inclusives, like other hotels, come in a varied price range.

• Traveling with the kids. You can still have a romantic trip thanks to all-inclusive resorts with children's programs. The kids will have fun doing age-appropriate activities, making new friends, and learning about a new culture, while the two of you enjoy a romantic respite.

• Receiving the trip as a gift. All-inclusive resort vacations are increasingly popular as wedding gifts. They permit parents to pay for the trip up front and for honeymooners to enjoy themselves without feeling like they're running up a huge tab for parents or in-laws.

• Getting married on your honeymoon. Several all-inclusives offer free weddings; all offer various wedding packages. You'll find experienced wedding planners at these resorts who can simplify paperwork and make your wedding a special, hassle-free day.

We love all-inclusive resorts, but we are careful to balance a stay there with island tours or visits to off-property restaurants. Even with these extra expenditures, we've found most of these resorts to be economical choices.

In selecting an all-inclusive, read through the offerings carefully. Are all drinks included or just wine with dinner? Are tips included? Airport transfers? Watersports but not motorized sports? Scuba diving? Know what features are important to the two of you and see if those are included in the package price.

You'll find many all-inclusies that are specially geared to couples. The Sandals resorts, found in Jamaica, the Bahamas, Antigua, and St. Lucia, are for couples only. SuperClubs has a variety of excellent all-inclusives; their Hedonism II and III resorts are for couples looking to get wild on their vacation, the Lido Resorts offer a luxurious atmsophere, and the Breezes resorts are couples with an eye on the budget but a real thirst for fun. While Club Med has several family-friendly properties, many are geared to adults.

Husband and wife team Paris Permenter and John Bigley have authored over 20 guidebooks and also edit the FREE Lovetripper.com , a romantic travel magazine featuring worldwide destinations.

Copyright Paris Permenter and John Bigley