all inclusive vs. non all inclusive

[treefrog]

The difference flying out of Toronto is about a hundred bucks. Right now our dollar is more valuable than the US dollar. Anyway you cut it I cant justifiy going non all inclusive . Direct flight wit hotel well under a thousand bucks. Samsara ,Fun Holiday, Legends. Its a place to sleep and drink on the beach or cliffs.
A cheap holiday in a wonderfull place and money in my pocket to go out and about. We are trully blessed here in Canada as there are places in Cuba we can go for $600 a week all in on a beautifull beach in Varedero.
Having said that we will be at Hedo for 10 days cause once you go you know.
My point is who would go non all in when you can go to Negril all in for under $800.
Lifes a ***** with these tough choices lol
One week to go!

[Melody]

Wow, you got Hedo w/flight for $800 pp, tax in, for 7 nights! That is a great deal, I could probably overcome my AI aversion and try that out once. Is that a last minute sell off? Sunwing did have a really cheap price (from Saskatoon) for the Oasis in the cliffs recently, tempting, but I don't think I could part with the beach.

Sounds like you're getting fantastic deals out of Toronto, not near as good here - even the very last minute specials.

Enjoy your holiday!

[tfw73]

I don't mind AIs at all. In fact, they are a 'worry-free' vacation in some respect. My husband prefers them actually. I would stay AI all the time if they weren't so expensive for us to do AND go to all the awesome places where we love to eat and drink. I need to have my cake and eat it too, lol!

We definitely have more fun doing non AI.

[SweetSue]

I think one of the things that turned me away from AI is the number of people I have met who have been going to Jamaica (and other places) to stay AI and NEVER really leave the property. Even one of my friends at work - every year she goes to Sandals and that is where she stays for everything from start to finish. Last flight down, I met a couple who have been going to AI in JA for 8 years and outside of a couple day trips to places like Ochi / Dunns River Falls have no knowledge of the country itself. They never even bought jerk from a roadside stand or made any local friends. They said "it's too dangerous to leave the property on their own." ??? Then why come? Don't get mad at me for making a generalization, I am sure they don't represent everyone, but as a solo traveler I just didn't want to be in that kind of crowd. I love to get out and get the feel of a place!

[Jbizek]

That's exactly why we never do AI's Sweetsue. I want to mix with the locals, try out all kinds of restaurants and spread the money around. If I want the AI experience we go on a cruise.

[Muck]

To me, it all comes down to this: What do you want out of your vacation? Before we book a trip, we ask ourselves this very question and decide our accomodations based on the following criteria:

- If what you want is a worry-free, relaxing, and cost "sure" trip, then AI is the way to go.

- If you are looking for a little adventure and want to soak up the "scene", then non-AI should be your choice.

We have stayed at many AIs and had a blast most of the time. Conversely, we've stayed non-AI and also had a lot of fun. There is no "right or wrong" way to travel.

[Fred Stripe]

You mean $800 per person right?

[Shark Bait Bobbitt]

I personally like the AI's, but it's all a matter of opinion. I like to know what I'm paying up front, and then I take extra money for things off resort. Like Muck says "there's no right or wrong way to travel". There's also no right or wrong when it comes to leaving the resort.

[garysteph1018]

I think one of the things that turned me away from AI is the number of people I have met who have been going to Jamaica (and other places) to stay AI and NEVER really leave the property. Even one of my friends at work - every year she goes to Sandals and that is where she stays for everything from start to finish. Last flight down, I met a couple who have been going to AI in JA for 8 years and outside of a couple day trips to places like Ochi / Dunns River Falls have no knowledge of the country itself. They never even bought jerk from a roadside stand or made any local friends. They said "it's too dangerous to leave the property on their own." ??? Then why come? Don't get mad at me for making a generalization, I am sure they don't represent everyone, but as a solo traveler I just didn't want to be in that kind of crowd. I love to get out and get the feel of a place!

You must have met my in-laws! They have been going to Jamaica for YEARS and always do AI! My first trip out of this country is in 90 days, and I couldn't imagine doing AI. I actually booked AI, and then thought WTH... I can't do that! Found Catcha Falling Star, and saw the beauty of the island in pictures, and I was done! My husband and I are going to have a blast! No AI for me! Maybe I'm not classy enough for those joints!

[Guirigay]

There is no "right or wrong" way to travel.

Gonna open a can of worms and then probably disappear for the weekend! In my opinion there are wrong ways to travel, to wit a few. With a closed mind, with cultural bias, with a sense of superiority, with unrealistic expectations. AI's do tend to attract more of these types of individuals but it doesn't mean you can't have a great vacation at one.