| All-inclusive resorts can really help vacationers get the | | | | guided dives. A resort certification is a great |
| most out of their travel dollars. Today, over 400 | | | | introduction to the sport. If, however, you are |
| hotels in the Caribbean and Mexico are either | | | | already a certified diver, some resorts, such as |
| all-inclusive resorts or offer all inclusive packages. | | | | Sandals, Beaches, and Gala Resorts, offer one or |
| Destinations such as Aruba, Cancun, St. Thomas, and | | | | two tank dives a day in their all-inclusive packages. |
| Bahamas have an infrastructure that is well suited to | | | | Many all inclusive resorts offer spa treatments as |
| all-inclusive and not all inclusive resorts because there | | | | part of their packages, with the option of paying for |
| is a wide election of restaurants and amenities for | | | | more intensive therapies. |
| tourism. Jamaica and the Dominican Republic on the | | | | Do not forget to budget extra cash for some |
| other hand don't have the tourism infrastructure in | | | | excursions that weren't included in all inclusive |
| place and are best suited for all inclusive vacations. | | | | package. A swim with the dolphins, for example, runs |
| You'll want to consider carefully before choosing an all | | | | about $100 per person -- more than small change if |
| inclusive resort. Resorts do vary -- some are | | | | you're traveling with a family of four. |
| designed for couples, some for singles, some for | | | | Consider carefully these additional factors before |
| gays and some for families. Some cater to a younger | | | | purchasing an all inclusive vacation package. |
| or older crowd. There are also some that offer | | | | Price is often relative to quality. If it seems too good |
| clothing-optional activities. For obvious reasons, most | | | | to be true, it probably is. However, sometimes it's |
| of those don't allow children under 18. | | | | possible to get an amazing and legitimate deal, as |
| The resorts come in all shapes and sizes. Some | | | | long as you're looking in the right places - Apple |
| include airfare and hotel. Some include airfare, hotel, | | | | Vacations, Funjet Vacations, TNT Vacations and |
| transfers, and some meals. Others include all meals | | | | numerous smaller wholesalers. |
| and activities, but not airfare. Often, purchasing | | | | Look for deals. Check websites for details. Check to |
| airfare as part of the package can be a better deal | | | | see what's included in the price, so you don't incur |
| than doing so separately, unless you are using | | | | any additional costs that you're not prepared to pay |
| frequent flier miles. | | | | for. |
| Many all inclusives have, as part of their program, | | | | Organize any visas and travel insurance policies well in |
| child-care facilities that are often a | | | | advance. Your tour operator and travel agent should |
| resort-within-the-resort for children, a "day camp" | | | | advise you on all of these but you should also |
| that is special and that kids look forward to | | | | contact the embassy or consulate of the country |
| attending. And many all-inclusive resorts give incredible | | | | you are visiting for information about visas. |
| price breaks to children (they don't drink liquor, after | | | | It is important that you speak with your doctor |
| all,) while some even have no charge for children up | | | | about the necessary immunizations for the areas you |
| to 17 sharing their parents' room. | | | | are traveling to. When you're traveling in Mexico, you |
| What are the advantages of all-inclusive vacation | | | | must take extra care when it comes to drinking |
| resorts? | | | | water, or fresh beverages that may have tap water |
| The security of knowing that one price covers | | | | added to them. Check ice also - ask if it was made |
| everything, with none of those nasty surprises that | | | | with tap water - it is unlikely that your ice will have |
| can blast a hole in any family's travel budget. All | | | | been made with tap water; but its worth asking in |
| meals, entertainment, activities and sports, as well as | | | | more rustic establishments and rural areas. Salads can |
| airfare and accommodations, are generally included in | | | | also be dangerous if they have been rinsed with tap |
| one price. You can forget your worries about | | | | water. The rule is - if in doubt, ask first! All main |
| carrying lots of extra cash for expenses, and just sit | | | | hotels and good restaurants use purified water |
| back and enjoy your vacation. | | | | throughout |
| Who should check out an all inclusive? | | | | In order to be eligible for special honeymoon offers |
| Travelers who are: on a tight budget, traveling with | | | | and discounts, it's wise to take a copy of your |
| the kids, receiving the trip as a wedding gifts or | | | | marriage certificate with you as proof that you are |
| getting married on the honeymoon. | | | | on honeymoon. |
| So, is an all inclusive resort right for you? | | | | If you are a single parent, or if your partner will not |
| If you are the type of traveler that enjoys sampling | | | | be traveling with you and your children for whatever |
| all of the local fare, then spending all of your time at | | | | reason, you must get a notarized letter from the |
| an all-inclusive resort is probably not for you. If you | | | | absent parent, giving consent for the child or children |
| like to go somewhere just to relax and not worry | | | | to be traveling with one parent absent. |
| about taking out your wallet every couple of hours | | | | If you are estranged from your partner, and you are |
| to pay for food, drinks, or activities, then there's | | | | the legal guardian of your child / children, you can |
| probably an all-inclusive resort that's just right for you. | | | | take a copy of the court order (note: original only - |
| If you like to stay up all night partying and drinking, if | | | | no copies!) with you and this will suffice to get your |
| you want to take advantage of all the included | | | | child or children with you. |
| watersports and activities, if you want to have food | | | | If you are a widow or widower, you will need to |
| and snacks available all day and if you don't want to | | | | write a letter to explain this and get it, and a copy of |
| have to worry about the final bill when you check | | | | the death certificate, notarized and carry both of |
| out, an all-inclusive is definitely a viable option. Some | | | | these documents with you when you travel. |
| resorts even boast 24-hour room service. | | | | If you are under 18 and want to travel without your |
| All-inclusive resorts can be costly. On the other hand, | | | | parents, you will need to carry with you a notarized |
| they can also provide great value. If you are going to | | | | letter of consent signed by both parents. |
| a destination where the cost of meals, snacks, liquor | | | | If you are a lone parent or will be traveling with your |
| and activities are expensive, and your hotel or resort | | | | children but without your partner, or under 18 |
| is high-quality with an expensive nightly rate, an all | | | | traveling alone, get the required paperwork together |
| inclusive might end up saving you money. | | | | before you leave. Airlines are now refusing to board |
| If, on the other hand, you don't drink much, you | | | | lone parents and children and children traveling |
| enjoy lazing on the beach and getting an early nights | | | | unaccompanied without this notarized letter of |
| sleep, you are dieting and choose simple salads for | | | | consent. |
| your meals, you would probably be overspending for | | | | Many hotels in Mexico set age restrictions during |
| an all-inclusive resort. Bear in mind the drinks are only | | | | spring break. Here's an example of many hotel Spring |
| the cheap local which are not very strong. | | | | Break policy: |
| On the down side of all-inclusive vacations, some | | | | Hotel will accept individual and student group |
| folks get a bit weary of dining in the same restaurant | | | | bookings. |
| night after night. The resort rooms may be smaller | | | | A refundable deposit of $200 per person and credit |
| than standard hotel rooms. Some, not all of the | | | | card are required at time of check in. |
| all-inclusive resorts provide shows. And some of them | | | | Any credit cards used must be issued in guest's |
| have different show every night. | | | | name. |
| Some resorts have kids clubs for the little ones. Kids | | | | Guests may be required to sign an agreement/list of |
| clubs begin at any hotel at 4 years of age. Nannies or | | | | rules at check in. |
| babysitters are extra costs not included in the | | | | At least one person per room must satisfy the |
| all-inclusive package. Almost all the allinclusives have | | | | minimum age requirement for check in for individual |
| activities from beach volleyball to bingo and other | | | | student bookings. |
| games. | | | | At least one adult for every 20 students is required |
| It's a good idea if you want a cashless vacation in a | | | | for student group bookings. |
| secured environment, if you are satisfied that the | | | | If you or someone in your party is confined to a |
| dining options offered will be suitable for your tastes, | | | | wheelchair, you'll want to explore accessibility issues |
| if you take advantage of the watersports, child-care | | | | very carefully. Ask your travel agent specific |
| and bars. | | | | questions that may concern you. |
| If you are adventurous and want to spend your | | | | Always have a way out. Ask about cancellation |
| days exploring the country you are visiting and your | | | | policies, and look into travel insurance, especially if |
| evenings trying in-town dining options, you would be | | | | you are booking through an online agency. Choose |
| better off choosing a resort that offers that kind of | | | | wisely and make sure the resort's amenities and |
| flexibility instead of an all inclusive. | | | | programs fit your lifestyle and character, and you'll |
| What is usually included in all inclusive vacation | | | | have the time of your life! |
| package? | | | | Here's some examples of deals: |
| All meals and drinks, beer, wine, premium liquor and | | | | Apple Vacations "Sizzlin Specials" - and |
| tipping, government taxes, gratuities, entertainment, | | | | Funjet Vacations "Hot Deals" - |
| activities and sports, as well as airfare and | | | | TNT Vacations "Special Deals" - |
| accommodations, are generally included in one price. | | | | More detailed information about over 400 all inclusive |
| Airfare and hotel transfers are optional when buying | | | | hotels in the Caribbean and Mexico could be found at |
| all inclusive package. Tipping is not allowed. One | | | | and |
| benefit of the all-inclusive resort is that the single | | | | This all inclusive vacations directory, which consists of |
| up-front price covers unlimited activities. | | | | 36 main sections arranged alphabetically by |
| Phone calls and items purchased at the gift shop are | | | | destination for quick and easy access, consolidates all |
| included. The more expensive all-inclusive resorts is | | | | inclusive resort information not previously available |
| going to have the nice sit-down restaurants. The | | | | from any other single source. Researched and |
| next step down will have all buffet dining. | | | | compiled by a group of travel agents with experience |
| Tennis and squash courts may be free and often | | | | in the Mexico and Caribbean resorts, the directory |
| night-lit courts at no charge, but bring your rackets, | | | | offers a quick shortcut to travel-related information |
| as you'll probably have to pay to rent them. Most | | | | on the Internet. Each listing contains resort's web |
| packages do not include golfing fees. In most cases | | | | address, reviews, and pictures, slide show, virtual |
| you have to rent a golf cart, but compared to the | | | | tour, virtual map and resort rating. For both seasoned |
| price of play on most courses, that cost is negligible. | | | | and inexperienced Internet all-inclusive vacation |
| Sailing craft are free as often as not. Snorkels, masks | | | | seekers, SunVacations.org will eliminate hours of |
| and fins are usually free, but may have a time limit | | | | search time. Instead of conducting key word |
| (note: bring masks from home if you can, keeping in | | | | searches, users can simply reference destination |
| mind that the one-size-fits-all variety is often useless | | | | descriptions in the directory, and then go directly to |
| on little faces, leaving kids to snorkel miserably with a | | | | the all inclusive resort they want without having to |
| face-full of salt water). On-property snorkeling is free, | | | | sift through information that is unrelated or |
| but the most interesting underwater sights are | | | | unwanted. |
| usually somewhere else. The latter will cost you, if | | | | Iberostar Hotels & Resorts is a branch of the |
| not for the snorkeling itself, then for the | | | | Iberostar Group specializing in top quality holiday |
| transportation to get there and back. With motorized | | | | hotels |
| sports costs can climb upwards of $60 an hour. | | | | Iberostar.Info is the world's most comprehensive |
| Parasailing is another costly venture. Divers, too, | | | | Mexico and Caribbean Iberostar resorts photo source |
| might find an all-inclusive cost-effective. Tanks! have | | | | on the web, containing over 1000 images. This unique |
| to be paid for separately, but diving excursions are | | | | Iberostar photo collection features 11 resorts and |
| included in some of these resorts. If you are not | | | | consolidates information not previously available from |
| certified, most resorts offer a "resort certification" | | | | any other single source. |
| which will allow you to go on closely supervised | | | | |