30 Clever and Handy Tips for Booking an All-inclusive Vacation

One of the major hurdles in the entire vacation planning process is the myriad of options available at our disposal. Most of them are so tempting that it becomes almost impossible to choose the one that best suits our needs. Traditional vacationing involves long and detailed planning, wherein you have to consider each and every minute aspect, in order to ensure the comfort, safety, and affordability of your vacation. Over the last few decades, the concept of an all-inclusive vacation package has come to the forefront, and more and more tourists from across the world are opting for them. The reason is simple―these packages are not only affordable, but are also convenient, in that they save you from the tedious process of planning every little aspect of your trip. An all-inclusive vacation package will generally include all things such as accommodations, meals, and a ready-made itinerary, which leaves you with lesser things to worry about.

If you are planning to go all-inclusive this vacation, here are a few practical and handy tips to help you book your package.

◼ This is vital in order to determine whether you really need an all-inclusive package or not.

◼ It is worth noting that some destinations across the world have been promoted as all-inclusive holiday options. These include places, such as Mexico, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, etc., which offer limited tourist infrastructure outside the all-inclusive resorts.

◼ For other places such as New York, London, or Amsterdam, while an all-inclusive holiday can be convenient, you may have to shell out an extravagant amount of money that might not seem to be worth it. This is because the tourist infrastructure in these cities is so up-to-date that it is not worth staying within the confines of an all-inclusive resort, when you can go out on your own and organize activities independently.

◼ Moreover, if you like socializing and mingling with local communities, an all-inclusive holiday will deprive you of such a chance. So, while you choose your destination, consider all these factors, and then decide whether you want to go all-inclusive or not.

◼ All holiday destinations can be visited throughout the year, however, each one of them has its own peak season(s) and off-season(s).

◼ While the peak season is considered to be the best time to visit a particular place, it is also the time when most tourists prefer to travel. Owing to this huge influx of visitors, it is not only difficult to get flight bookings and accommodations during this time, but the overall prices are also very high.

◼ If you plan to travel during the peak season, you will need to book your all-inclusive holiday well in advance. It is a good idea to compare prices online so that you find the best possible deal. Try to be flexible with your travel dates as far as possible so that you can avail some of the best offers on the all-inclusive holiday packages.

◼ While you may end up paying more for your all-inclusive holiday during the peak season, look for last-minute deals. Though this sounds a bit tricky, you may actually land up on some really good deals if you are lucky.

◼ On the contrary, the off-season is the time when not many tourists opt to travel, owing to which the places are less crowded.

◼ This is a good time to travel, especially for budget travelers. The all-inclusive resorts (and other hotels) cut down their prices during this time, in order to attract more business, and also offer a number of extra amenities in the package. Plus, the airfares are also comparatively less during the off-season.

◼ So, if you are not too choosy regarding the time of your trip, book during the off-season, in order to find the best bargains.

◼ Several resorts and cruise lines claim to be all-inclusive. It is vital to ensure that the "all" in the all-inclusive includes all that you need. Therefore, it is extremely essential to read between the lines and ask the concerned people if you are unsure about a certain point.

◼ Generally, an all-inclusive vacation includes charges for accommodations, breakfast, meals, drinks, fitness centers and spas, and also areas for kids to play while their parents are away. Some also include a two-way airfare; however, this needs to be clarified with the travel agent.

◼ Outdoor excursions, tips, and taxes are usually not included in an all-inclusive package, and have to be paid for differently. Similarly, shopping in a resort/cruise boutique/souvenir shop also does not form part of an all-inclusive package; in fact, it is a source for the resort/cruise line to make some extra bucks.

◼ It is a good idea to clear out all your doubts before you make any payments, in order to ensure that you have not boarded a wrong cruise or not booked a wrong resort.

◼ You can get the best deal for an all-inclusive vacation if you book everything―flights, resorts, land transfers―together.

◼ There are several booking websites that offer great discounts for people opting for a particular combo of hotels, flights, car rentals, etc. Check if you can avail any of them.

◼ It is a good idea to consult a specialized travel agent while booking your package so that the entire process is hassle-free. Even if there is any problem, the travel agent will be able to fix it.

◼ It is also vital to check that all costs―major and minor―are included upfront. These include those for airport pickup and drop, taxes incurred on airfares and hotel charges, and so on.

◼ It is easier if you make all the payments only once (normally in the beginning). A specialized travel agent will be able to properly guide you through the process.

◼ Numerous all-inclusive resorts offer tiered packages, which entitle you to avail some really cheap and/or even free upgrades. Go for them if the perks suit your needs.

◼ Some of these upgrades may avail you facilities such as free Internet access, access to the VIP lounge, free parking, discounts on spa treatments, and priority reservations for dinners at the à la carte restaurants instead of normal buffets.

◼ If an upgrade is entitling you to such benefits at cheap prices, then there is no harm in shelling out a little more money and enjoying a lavish vacation.

◼ Before you book an all-inclusive resort, check what all activities have been included into the price. If you are interested in a particular activity, check whether your resort is offering that within the package.

◼ Some all-inclusive resorts offer really interesting activities for adults as well as children. These might range from volleyball and water aerobics to free cooking and scuba diving lessons.

◼ Since you will be paying for them (if they are included in the package), it is a good idea to find out what they are, and take advantage of as many of them as possible.

◼ There are several all-inclusive resorts around the world, which cater to certain niches of travelers. So, choose your resort depending on the kind of traveler you are.

◼ If you are traveling with your family, make sure that your resort has the kind of facilities and activities, which you can indulge in with your kids. Similarly, if you are on your honeymoon, make sure that you are offered the right kind of ambiance and facilities.

◼ It is important to note that some resorts and hotels publicize themselves as suitable for all kinds of travelers, and they may also have amenities to suit every niche. However, such places will be crowded with tourists of varying interests.

◼ If you wish to mingle with people who share their interests with you, it is best to consult your travel agent, who will know the resorts properly. You may also take advice of your friends and relatives if they have been on a similar vacation in the past.

One of the best ways to choose an all-inclusive holiday package is to check the traveler reviews on reputed websites. These will give you good and practical information, and help you choose your package more wisely. So, what are you waiting for? Go all-inclusive this season, and avail the best possible bargains!