II/ All Inclusive Meal Plans

[JMSH]

Nothing annoys me more than the resorts that it is mandatory to purchase the all inclusive meal plan. If I wanted that type of vacation I would not have purchased a timeshare property...anyway it is what it is. Is there anyway of knowing what the additional cost is for the all inclusive meal plan locations? or do you have to book first prior to being told what the cost is?

 

[tschwa2]

You have to start to book. It is on the 2nd page as you click though in fairly small print under important advisements. Prices listed are usually per person per day based on two per bedroom (or 2 in a studio) based on 7 nights. Most are at least $100 pp/pd. Some are more than double that. There are a few in the DR that are in the $40-$80 range.

 

[JMSH]

Thank you, I wonder if I am alone in my feelings about this?

 

[moonstone]

Thank you, I wonder if I am alone in my feelings about this?

No, I don't think you are. We learned early on (in the '80's) that using our RCI week (& later our points) to go to an AI resort was not good value, especially when you add in the airfare to get there. You will most likely find a package deal for a lot less. We have even investigated non AI mandatory RCI resorts in MX and the Caribbean and when we add in airfare (we don't have many/enough FF miles) it is beyond our budget.

We stick with booking AI packages separately and then using our timeshare time on places we can drive or fly cheaply to.


~Diane

 

[dioxide45]

My wife is a travel agent and we have looked at a lot of AI packages. You can certainly get 6 nights in an AI with air for about the same, if not less than just the AI fee of these exchanges. Not even counting the MFs on your underlying deposit. I have only read a very few situations where you can come out ahead, I think that happens if you are traveling with a larger group.

 

[pcgirl54]

I have never chosen AI for the same reasons. Seems pretty pricey when you factor in airfare and Timeshare MF. But there are those who prefer not to hurt their head on meal ,alcohol or activity fees. I have family members who only vacation that way. For my budget it's too pricey which is why I have not gone to Punta Cana.

 

[HudsHut]

The AI prices via an II exchange are not a good deal for most people. (Just because II offers it, doesn't make it a good deal.) Those who have compared II's prices to vacation packages (airfare + hotel w/ AI) find that the package is usually the better deal.

The good news is, there are very few AI resorts in II - but some Caribbean islands are full of AI. Once you figure out which islands to skip in II, it is less frustrating.
Aruba, Grand Cayman, St. Kitts, St. Maarten, St. Thomas all have resorts which do not require the all-inclusive meal plans.

 

[Saintsfanfl]

Thank you, I wonder if I am alone in my feelings about this?

Listen to dioxide45 and do not book an AI resort through II. You can get a better deal for the very same resort for far, far less.

Also if you drink liquor it is not a good idea and I had strong feelings about this long before the media coverage. I would never touch all you can drink liquor no matter where it is. There are thousands of places in the US that put low price liquor in premium bottles and what they do in other places is even worse.

 

[AJCts411]

Nothing annoys me more than the resorts that it is mandatory to purchase the all inclusive meal plan. If I wanted that type of vacation I would not have purchased a timeshare property...anyway it is what it is. Is there anyway of knowing what the additional cost is for the all inclusive meal plan locations? or do you have to book first prior to being told what the cost is?

I see you are from Ontario, I think that you will find that booking AI through one of the "charters" (ie sunwing) out of Toronto will be less money that via an AI with II. I've added up the numbers, charters always win by hundreds of dollars, even if I fly through DTW, which is closer to me than YYZ.

Personally, I feel like AI's herd you like sheep...buffet times, Al la carte bookings, activities, all of those scheduled event so I mostly avoid them. Food service typically sub-par, drinks average, always line ups, towels on chairs all of that can be routinely found with AI's. Certainly are a few exceptions, but very few.

I'm just back from Roatan, been to Belize, St.Lucia and a other Caribbean locations, and very much prefer the "on your own" property, you just need to understand whats near by before selecting.