All-Inclusive Travel - Deal or No Deal?

The very notion of booking an all-inclusive travel package is enough to cause the acids in your stomach to begin churning. Images of unidentifiable entrees at a crowded buffet, generic alcohol labels, and "Revenge of the Nerds" type resort club parties are surely running through your mind. That illustration has real world possibilities -- if you are not well-informed about the perils and benefits of all-inclusive travel deals.

Join me as we go on a small quest for knowledge inside the mysterious world of travel. What do we know for sure? "All-Inclusive" means that you are charged 'one price' that includes: the room, food and drink, and other activities that are included by the resort. However; the seasoned traveler understands that it's not ALL included. Many times the resort will exclude: premium brand liquor, motorized water sports, spa/massage treatments, off-site excursions, and retail shopping items. Since all amenities vary from resort to resort it is important to read the fine print before signing on the dotted line.

While some All-Inclusive packaging may reward you with significant savings, you can easily spend a small ransom, depending on your taste for luxury. Upscale resorts at exotic locations during peak travel times can just as easily nullify the savings achieved by bundling your vacation package. Add in a few off-site excursions and your 'one price' vacation can sting you with an unexpected price tag. There is value in knowing what the final price will be... and if you are aware of the pitfalls, you can vacation without spending a penny more.

The modest resorts will charge $100-$150, per person, more for the All-Inclusive option on a 5-7 day stay. That is an average of $20 per day per person for food alone. Even the thriftiest of shoppers may find it difficult to dine at those rates. I can hear the thrill seekers shouting from the roof tops about variety and "spice of life". Yes it is true... one of the reasons to travel is the exploration. We thrive on variety and we actively seek it out on a daily basis; even more so while on vacation. Great news! There are resorts that offer flexible food packages, also known as "partially-inclusive". The price is set, so there are no surprises, but you can elect to forego the daily meal at the resort to explore the cultural feeding holes.

It's true that some people just want to relax by the pool or beach while sipping fruity drink with a little bamboo umbrella. There's nothing wrong with that, particularly when you are leaving the Midwest during the winter months. But the All-Inclusive travel package does not make you a prisoner inside the walls of your resort.

Fail to do your research about what's included (or not) at a particular resort and you're likely to experience a vacation that doesn't satisfy your needs for food or entertainment. You might even get duped into a vacation during hurricane season. Fortunately, all of these skills can be learned with a bit of advice from those who have experience in the travel arena. Of course, resources are unlimited on the web, and the most important thing is to take the time to understand how to determine if All-Inclusive travel is right for you.

To learn more about vacation planning and travel tips, check out Deal Or No Deal!