All Inclusive?

[mamemasha]

I am brand new to this board and am addicted already!

I have a question about "All inclusive" resorts. we have been planning a summer 2009 trip to Cancun (this was planned before I purchased my recent TS in Spain). I am looking to trade for that year my Spain TS for one in Cancun. On II and Dial an Exchange I saw lots of Cancun resorts that are listed as all inclusive. I am assuming that an extra fee is charged to cover the "all inclusive" part or does that come along as part of the trade/exchange. Are all inclusives difficult to get in a trade?

 

[DeniseM]

You have to pay the All-Inclusive fee separately. They are easy to get, because many people do not want to pay an extra fee.

 

[Dori]

We checked into this a little and found it is way cheaper to book an AI package than to use your Ts for exchange. The daily fees are quite high, in my opinion, and then you also have to add on your airfare. Not worth it, MHO.

Dori

 

[AKFisher]

I booked an all-inclusive on Hotwire. It was $186 per night for 2 adults and 2 children. With taxes, $187 and some change for Dec. 20 - 24, 2007.

We got the Crown Paradise Club Cancun. Not a bad deal, IMO.

 

[abc31]

We checked into this a little and found it is way cheaper to book an AI package than to use your Ts for exchange. The daily fees are quite high, in my opinion, and then you also have to add on your airfare. Not worth it, MHO.

Dori

I have checked this out as well. Even without doing a package deal, you can book all inclusive resorts through discount travel websites such as vacationstogo.com for around the same as it would cost you just for the all inclusive fee, but you wouldn't have to give up your timeshare week.

 

[mamemasha]

Thanks everyone so much for the info...it's so helpful

 

[wise one]

I find that if you are part of a points group that includes AI resorts that you might be able to get an AI for a lot less. In our points group, I can get 4 weeks at one of the AI resorts by paying the AI fee for the one week we own. We own a 2BR in our points group. For 2007, I got two weeks at an AI in the DR for two people by paying an AI fee of $1426, and still had enough points to bank a one bedroom week in II. This helps stretch our timeshare to its maximum. This also works with the RCI points program.

 

[laura1957]

I belong to RCI - very easy to get a last call, so I would think that would be also true in II or anywhere else. Last year I exchanged my timeshare for a week in Cancun, this week I am taking a last call for about the same price and keeping my week to use elsewhere!! I wish I had known that last year.

 

[Judy]

II doesn't have Last Calls, only Getaways that are like RCI's Extra Vacations. II's Getaways tend to be more expensive than RCI's Last Calls. There are no Getaways posted yet for summer 2009, but for summer 2008 in Cancun, I see these: (The difference in the rates are for Gold members, regular members, and nightly rates)

Club Internacional de Cancun • CII
Cancun, Quintana Roo , QR , MEXICO

Rate From
Jun 07 2008 - Jun 14 2008
2 5 5
$754.00 $779.00 $107.71
Jul 26 2008 - Aug 02 2008
2 5 5

$754.00 $779.00 $107.71
Aug 09 2008 - Aug 16 2008
2 5 5

$754.00 $779.00 $107.71

Imperial Fiesta Club at Casa Maya • CCM
Cancun , QR , MEXICO
Gold

Jun 07 2008 - Jun 14 2008
0 2 2

$574.00 $599.00 $82.00
Jun 07 2008 - Jun 14 2008
1 4 4

$674.00 $699.00 $96.29
Jun 07 2008 - Jun 14 2008
2 6 6


$974.00 $999.00 $139.14
Plus lots more dates available in all size units

The Royal Islander • ROI
Cancun, Quintana Roo , QR , MEXICO

Aug 30 2008 - Sep 06 2008
2 6 6

$924.00 $949.00 $132.00

II restricts the Getaways they will offer you according to the Quality Rating of your II affiliated resort.

 

[johnmfaeth]

I could understand an all inclusive in the DR where roads are bad and you basically will spend all your time at the resort anyway. Same is try of Jamaice due to crime issues and lack of restaurants in many areas. But Cancun has a wide range of good quality dining options which can also be a lot of fun.

The same can be said for most of the Caribbean. A week of the same food gets "played" pretty quickly. And with AI rates being what they are, it can be cheaper to go it alone, expecially with some breakfasts/lunches in your unit.

 

[laura1957]

I could understand an all inclusive in the DR where roads are bad and you basically will spend all your time at the resort anyway. Same is try of Jamaice due to crime issues and lack of restaurants in many areas. But Cancun has a wide range of good quality dining options which can also be a lot of fun.

The same can be said for most of the Caribbean. A week of the same food gets "played" pretty quickly. And with AI rates being what they are, it can be cheaper to go it alone, expecially with some breakfasts/lunches in your unit.

Then I think maybe you just havent tried the right all-inclusive. I stayed last year at the Moon Palace - they had about 12 Restaurants to choose from. We ate at the same place for breakfast everyday but once - and we never ate the same thing twice. And the LAST thing I want to do on my vacation is have breakfast/lunch in my room - unless it is from room service. Which Palace Resorts also has - 24 hr room service. They also have included tours - we went to ChichenItza, Tulum, Coba, Paradise Snorkeling and Isla Mujeres last year - all of the tours also included lunch out. I loved the all-inclusive - wish more places had it.

 

[janapur]

Just a thought . . . why not do a direct exchange with someone that owns in Cancun and thus is exempt from, or has reduced AI fees. (like me )

Jana

 

[naudette]

I agree with Laura1957. We go to El Dorado Royale in Puerto Morelos. They have 9 gourmet restaurants including pizza/burgers and a healthy bar with organic sandwiches and 24 hour roomservice. You never have to eat at the same one twice unless you want to.

When I'm on vacation, the last thing I want is a kitchen to cook in. I understand if kids are involved, it's nice to have a kitchen. But what do we go on vacation for? To get away from everyday reality which includes cooking!

 

[GregD]

When I'm on vacation, the last thing I want is a kitchen to cook in. I understand if kids are involved, it's nice to have a kitchen. But what do we go on vacation for? To get away from everyday reality which includes cooking!

I can't imagine eating every meal in a restaurant for 7-14 days! I'll take a kitchen and cook anyday!!! I didn't say everyday but to eat 21 meals a week in a restaurant...? No thanks!

 

[naudette]

Greg,

So I guess you never go on cruises? There are no kitchens in the cabins.

Do you do the cooking or does your wife or sig. other? If she does, then hey, you're not cooking anyway. She's doing all the work. If you cook too, and that's what you enjoy, I say that's wonderful.

But when I'm on vacation I want to be pampered and taken care of. I don't want to have to do either dishes or house cleaning when I'm on vacation. Well, except for my keeping my own things organized. I cook and clean enough at home.

For us, and I realize everyone is different, I like having roomservice for breakfast. It so luxurious. Then a leisurely lunch and a romantic dinner at nice restaurants.

To each their own...

 

[laura1957]

Definately with njwhite - no cooking for me while in Mexico. When I go to my own timeshare we generally do eat breakfast in. My husband cooks breakfast on vacation - not me. While in Mexico I dont want to waste time shopping for food, and then cooking it. Luckily my husband agrees. And we never had a meal that disappointed us at the Palace. Sometimes we just have a light snack at lunch from one of the poolside snackbars, sometimes a sit down lunch, we dont usually order room service - but it doesnt really matter as long as I dont have to cook it!! After the fantastic buffet breakfast we generally only have a light lunch, then a nice dinner. And it is nice sitting out on the balcony with a couple drinks in the evening - my husband and I dont really like the same drinks, and both like to experiment with new drinks - its nice not to have to deal with having to bring bottles of 4 - 5 different liquors in order to drink what we prefer.

 

[Patri]

Hey njwhite, my son and new wife are going to El Dorado Royale for their honeymoon. They got an introductory AI rate through DAE that is half of other places, so they are excited. Any recommendations or advice about the resort? Any unexpected expenditures? Their reservations said tips were included. Is that true?

 

[naudette]

They have picked the most romantic resort I've ever been to. I did write a review here on TUG and on Trip Advisor. We are members of their Exotic Travel Club and have stayed in the villas, casitas and Presidential Casita.

So as not to bore the others here, pm me your email address and I will send you lots of info back along with photos if you'd like. Also tell me what kind of unit they got.

Congratulations on your son's marriage!

Nancy



Here is the latest press release:

Conde Nast Traveler’s Gold List combines those resorts that scored highest in Conde Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Travel Awards 2007 survey – which queries more than 28,000 of the magazine’s readers on the elements that make a property extraordinary – with its editors’ choices, creating the ultimate guide to the world’s hotels. Published in the magazine’s January 2008 issue, the Gold List focuses on the "World’s Best Places to Stay," and spans a diverse range of properties, from country inns to cruise ships to beach resorts. In November 2007, El Dorado Royale was named one of Conde Nast Traveler’s "Top 100 Hotels in the World," comprised of the top 100 selections that appear on the Gold List.

 

[Blondie]

If you are interested in the Palace resorts tuggers have them for rent for something like $50 and they can get a slightly reduced AI rate. It certainly is cheaper than exchanging as you get to keep your week and your exchange fee. If they get two people a year to go (and take the tour) they get some benefits as owners so that is why they charge almost nothing for the rental. You are still paying around $2,200 or so for the week for 2 but it is a good price since it includes the room and all food/drinks. If you go to Their website you can request brochures and they come in about 10 days!