Non-AI questions

[jsteil]

This is what our trips usually look like for the wife and I.
Flight From kansas City to MBJ $500 per person / $1000
Transfer $100 + 20 tip (using kingsley to and from depending on how many people come with us)
8 to 10 nights at Bananas Garden $550 includes breakfast
Hi-lo (snacks, beer, rum, fruit, juice, coffee) $140
Budget about $80 a day (Beach: 2-3 drinks and a late lunch cliff: Nice cheap dinner with a few drinks to last all night) $640 total
A tour with kingsley $160 total (optional)
Taxi fees: $100
Gratuity: $250 (split between BG staff)
Total $2960 or $1480 per person

[nutz4travel]

For Canadians, most AI bookings are done as a package and typically include direct airfare. To remove the cost of the airfare makes no sense since that is such a BIG part of what we pay and has a significant impact on which is cheaper.

Our 10 day trip last April cost about $3K total for the 2 of us (after taking out airport transfers, bar crawl, $ we would have spent anyway & about $500 that we'd normally spend on tips at an AI). We pretty much eat and drink what we want, and we had a Jr Suite at Coco so it could be done for less as many of you have shown. And yes, I was buying Grey Goose

[Beebeluv]

The way I see it... It all depends on what your looking for...

AI PROS- Included activities, included food (buffet or Ala carte) and drink, included alcohol (diluted)(usually not top shelf), and they are usually pretty fancy if you like that.

EP PROS- choose location on beach, choose what you would like to eat/drink, can get your top shelf drinks, culture is at easier access, don't feel obligated to stay at hotel...

SOO... depending on how fussy of a traveler you are you could do either for the same price. i found EP to be cheaper for us we don't need all the fancy. we are paying this trip about 4000 total for 14 days, last trip was AI was 3000 for only 4 days 5 nights at a RIU... both prices are air fare and everything factored in food/drink etc. granted I don't really drink alcohol... my other will be on his Red Stripe kick I'm sure.

[billndonna]

And yes, I was buying Grey Goose

Damn,we like your style!!

[Melody]

For Canadians, most AI bookings are done as a package and typically include direct airfare. To remove the cost of the airfare makes no sense since that is such a BIG part of what we pay and has a significant impact on which is cheaper.

Our 10 day trip last April cost about $3K total for the 2 of us (after taking out airport transfers, bar crawl, $ we would have spent anyway & about $500 that we'd normally spend on tips at an AI). We pretty much eat and drink what we want, and we had a Jr Suite at Coco so it could be done for less as many of you have shown. And yes, I was buying Grey Goose

What have you paid for an AI package for 10 nights off season? Or, how does it compare to the 3k non AI trip cost wise?

It depends so much on one's location what you can get for package deals and flights. Toronto or perhaps even Ottawa or Montreal are so much better. Understandable as TO is the main gateway. There are great package deals from there. I assume, out of TO, you could find good non AI package deals staying at Coco. Due to your home location, you'd be assured of a direct flight.

I can't get a direct flight from Sakatoon except via Sunwing or Air Transit charters, only available mid December to March. They are more expensive, especially for solo travelers (price becomes significantly higher when indicating its not double occupancy, even at non AI hotels). Some Expedia or other site packages look reasonable, but they include 2 or 3 connections for at least one way of travel. I'd have to stop in Calgary etc with several hour layover, with perhaps only 8 hours overnight in TO. Short time in stopover hotel due to connecting flight which isn't even my home airport, then have to sit in the airport, waiting several hours to get on the one hour flight home. I did it once, and never again. A miserable way to end a vacation. So for westerners, grabbing a flight sale with only one connection and finding separate hotel deals, you can find some good deals, with lots more options as far as flights (times and connections) and hotel choice.

[Irie John]

"To remove the cost of the airfare makes no sense" - Actually it is the only sensible way to do a cost analysis. The airfare is the same for a 1 day trip as a 100 day trip, but the cost per day is quite different.

[nutz4travel]

"To remove the cost of the airfare makes no sense" - Actually it is the only sensible way to do a cost analysis. The airfare is the same for a 1 day trip as a 100 day trip, but the cost per day is quite different.

My point is you pay a LOT less for a charter flight with a package than you will for a regularly scheduled flight in Canada - and trust me, I know a little something about cost analysis. It's a difference in how Americans and Canadians travel - for us, the "package" is almost always cheaper and most packages are for AI's. I can do an AI out of Ottawa on a charter flight for less than a non-AI diy vacation for the same number of days...

I'm not trying to discourage anyone, we really love going non-AI. It can be done for less, but for us, if you drink & eat well, don't pinch pennies & get a nice room it will cost more from here.

[Melody]

Again, by "Canadians", it applies to those in close proximity to a major international airport that offers direct flights. Winnipeg has maybe one direct flight (WJ) a week, other than whatever seasonal charters they have. None in SK except during Sunwings limited season (and even then, only one flight a week), same with Alberta. I don't know about Vancouver.

If I wanted to go to Mexico, I'd be laughing as I believe there are charters from here year round. And that brings the price down...closer to what you'd find around Ottawa.

It's true, charters primarily offer AI hotels, although you can sometimes find Coco offered, as well as CC, Rooms, Oasis, Legends and Samsara. I did the Sunwing comparison with CC before my first stay and it would have been a few hundred dollars more than booking separately with WJ or AC and hotel directly. Again, that's because charters are expensive from here with no competition. I'm sure you'd find a better Coco package out of Ottawa, or for sure, TO, which may save vs booking WJ & Coco separately.

I'm getting better now at sniffing out deals too. Found my Coco deluxe room for Nov on booking.com for $74 tax in. Bartered with Mirage to get my tax included at $80/night. Took advantage of WJs rewards sale to get 30% off my flight. Without those deals, I wouldn't be going.

[Beebeluv]

Last trip was a package deal through priceline.... I will probably not do that again (unless the price difference is significant enough) once you book those package deals they are set in stone no extending your trip.... which was sad for me last time because my boyfriend offered to pay for a couple days at Catcha.... but Priceline said only for $200 a ticket.... I was like uhhhhh no just to change flights. no.... So it's REALLY a personal thing (wants,needs,etc.)

[nutz4travel]

Agreed Melody - airfare to Jamaica from anything in Canada west of Toronto is ridiculous, both in price and routing. I know Toronto is relatively close for us, but the drive sucks (airport is on the other side of Toronto). I don't mind connecting through YYZ, but won't drive there for a flight anymore, it's just not worth it.

It'll be interesting to see what happens with package costs this year, I've noticed that the Sunquest & Signature Vacations are using regularly scheduled AC & WJ flights, they no longer have their own aircraft. I think Sunwing and Transat still do.

Expedia sometimes has good deals on a "build your own" package, you can choose the flight you want and can go for any number of days, you aren't limited to the 7 or 14 day package.

We've found the prices are better for Coco if we book separately, I'd say keep an eye on booking.com and watch WestJet for seat sales. Our flight in October was just over $900 taxes in for the 2 of us , through TO on the way down & direct home...