Cruise vs. All-Inclusive Resort: Which Is Best For You?
Category: Our ResortsApril 25th 2024Back to our Sandals Blog > > >
While both cruises and
First things first: neither of these options require much planning upfront, and this is the draw for many people when this is compared to other vacation options that are not necessarily packaged, or all-inclusive.
Cruises tend to be cheaper �' at least upon first glance, because this also means you’ll get less in return. Cruises are notorious for hidden fees that can spiral out of control. While it may initially be cheaper to get a cruise ticket, specialty restaurants, tips and certain drinks tend to cost extra.
Cruises are more or less floating hotels. Many people love them for the fact that they’re able to visit more than one country in a short space of time. The drawback is that not much time is spent in any of these destinations, as would be the case with an all-inclusive resort vacation, which allows you time to get better acquainted with a specific place.
If you love to spend your days on the beach and enjoy water sports, all-inclusive resorts are often the better option. Any beach nearby a cruise port will be packed at the time the ships dock. Besides, at an all-inclusive resort you don't have to worry about getting back onboard in time.
Picture:
It’s easier to maintain a more relaxed schedule at an all-inclusive resort, as opposed to cruises which often have a strict schedule which they need to stick to in order to get to the various ports on time.
One of the biggest differences between cruises and all-inclusive resorts, however, is that there’s simply more space on land. That means all-inclusive resorts can offer a wider scale of amenities and often feel less cramped.
It’s not uncommon for a cruise ship to come with a swimming pool with a couple of slides, but is it a
If you’re stuck trying to decide which of these options is best for your long-awaited vacation, you’ll find a more in-depth break down of the cruise vs all-inclusive resort decision factors underneath:
In this article on the Beaches Blog:
Cruise vs all-inclusive resort: Transportation
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Transportation to a cruise
Cruises as opposed to all-inclusive resort vacations don’t necessarily require that you pay to get to your destination via flight �' unless of course you live nowhere near one of the select port cities that cruises depart from. The lucky few who do live in a city with a cruise terminal will be able to save money in this area, but generally, most people will have to catch a domestic flight to get there. Flights can make your overall vacation more expensive, especially if travelling in a group. Therefore, this is something worth factoring into your decision.
Transportation to an all-inclusive resort
All-inclusive resorts more than likely will require an international flight to get there. Luckily you don’t have to fly far. Many travelers from the U.S. choose to vacation in the Caribbean, where paradise awaits within a two-hour flight from U.S. shores. The beautiful palm fringed beaches of The Bahamas, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, Barbados and Turks & Caicos are just around the corner. Fortunately, airport transfers are often included in the all-inclusive package.
Verdict on transportation: Although it only takes a couple of hours to fly from the U.S. to the Caribbean, cruise wins. Cruise vacations often don’t require an international flight and might even be on driving distance if you’re living near one of the port cities.
Cruise vs all-inclusive resort: The suite / cabin
Suites at a cruise
When it comes to the size of your accommodation on a cruise ship, one thing is certain: if you’re expecting a luxury cabin without shelling out top Dollar, you might as well stay at home. Regular cabins are just about 150 - 250 square feet and are definitely not for the claustrophobic. Many of the more affordable cabins are ‘inside cabins’ with no window to the outside.
Suites at an all-inclusive resort
While waking up at the sounds of the Caribbean Sea should definitely have you worried on a cruise ship, on land your suite will likely have large windows to let in the natural light and a balcony with an amazing view over a white sand beach and turquoise waters.
As resort suites are generally larger than cruise cabins, you can expect spa-style bathrooms, more than enough space to stow your luggage, and perhaps even a private plunge pool.
Now that’s waking up in style!
Picture:
Verdict on suite / cabin: Although cruise ships tend to offer some luxurious suites, all-inclusive resorts come out on top in this area. On land there’s simply more space to provide an intimate vacation experience that starts within the room itself. The view of a beachfront suite is hard to beat and tends to be a lot more interesting than endless ocean water.
Cruise vs all-inclusive resort: Food & drinks
Food & drinks at a cruise
If you’re looking for a cruise where you’ll be able to eat and drink as much as you want without having to pay extra fees, you’ll have to read the fine print carefully. This doesn’t tend to be the norm for cruise, which means you’ll likely pay extra for things like alcohol, and sometimes even soda and juice. Food is often not at its freshest, especially on longer cruises. The fact that there’s limited space translates to the number of menu-items available at any given time, which isn’t usually as wide of a variety as that of all-inclusive resorts.
Food & drinks at an all-inclusive resort
Did you know that 96% of all ingredients used for the dishes at
Besides freshness, all-inclusive resorts also tend to offer a wider variety of dishes at any given time. At Sandals and Beaches Resorts you can eat as much as want, whenever you want. It’s always included, always unlimited. Three deserts? No problem. Want to have the lobster AND the steak? It’s all included. Now that is all-inclusive!
Expert tip: Stay at
Sandals Montego Bay orSandals Royal Caribbean and you’ll get access to both all-inclusive resorts in Jamaica, including all amenities and restaurants (21 restaurants in total, serving a wide variety of cuisines). The resorts are located on a 5-minute drive from each other, transfers included.
Picture: Soy sushi restaurant at
Verdict on food and drinks: Serving food in the middle of the ocean has its limitations. All-inclusive resorts tend to have a wider variety of restaurants and dishes on offer. At all-inclusive resorts the ingredients used are often sourced locally and fresh. This means there is a shorter time between harvest and consumption: a difference you’ll taste.
Cruise vs all-inclusive resort: Activities & entertainment
Activities & entertainment at a cruise
There’s a limited amount of activities available on cruise ships, and even limits on the number of people who can partake at any one time. As cruise ships are quite compact, in order to ensure everyone gets time to do everything, you may find yourself operating on a rigid schedule. Additionally, many activities come at an added cost to lower demand. If enjoying your vacation freely without restrictions is what you’re after, a cruise may not be ideal for you.
Activities & entertainment at an all-inclusive resort
If you love to spend time in the water on your vacation, all-inclusive resorts tend to offer a
Rather sip on a Piña Colada while floating down a lazy river? The water parks on board a cruise ship often can’t compete with the expansive
The
Although cruise ships might offer a limited amount of land sports, they’ll often have to be booked in advance. At all-inclusive resorts you’ll be able to join other guests on the beach volleyball, basketball and tennis courts whenever you feel like getting active.
Do you love to play a few rounds of golf while in the Caribbean? You’ll even be able to find
Sandals includes some of the most challenging and
Insider tip: PADI� certified guests staying at any Sandals or Beaches Resort will be able to join
free scuba diving trips (max. two tanks a day), including professional equipment. Not PADI� certified yet? Get certified at the resort at an additional cost and dive the rest of your vacation for free.
Verdict on activities and entertainment: Although cruise ships are getting bigger these days, good luck fitting an 18-hole Championship golf course on deck! A cruise that includes kayaking, waterskiing, stand-up paddleboards, and free snorkeling and scuba diving trips? Unlikely! All-inclusive resorts simply have more space to offer their guests a
Cruise vs all-inclusive resort: Hidden fees
Hidden fees at a cruise
The costs can sneak up on you while you’re on a cruise, especially if you’re travelling in a group. On most cruises, even once you’ve paid for your vacation, you’ll often still need to pay for things like alcoholic drinks, tips, WiFi and activities, which can add up. Many people get caught in the trap of having to exceed their budget because the attractive upfront costs tend to be way less than the price, they actually end up paying.
Hidden fees at an all-inclusive resort
Although all-inclusive resorts tend to rely less on upselling their guests than cruise ships, not every all-inclusive resort is equal. Make sure to find out upfront what is included in the booking price, and what is not. If a deal sounds too good to be true, it often is.
Picture: Although
Verdict on hidden fees: Whether you book a cruise or an all-inclusive resort, you’ll have to read the fine print to make sure everything is truly included. However, especially cruises are known to make their money by selling upgrades left, right and center. If the website is not giving you this information, it’s best to reach out to customer service and ask them the following questions before booking:
- Which activities are included, free of charge?
- Is WiFi included (in the room and the common areas)?
- Are tips and taxes included?
- Are all restaurants included and unlimited? What are the opening times? Do the restaurants serve à la carte or buffet?
- Are alcoholic drinks included at any time?
- Are the mini-fridges in the room stocked and free of charge?
- Are airport transfers included?
Cruise vs all-inclusive resort: Crowds
Crowds at a cruise
Crowds are something you can’t really avoid when travelling on a cruise ship �' especially when getting off at the various ports. If you don’t mind crowds, this might not bother you too much, but it can definitely be time consuming to have to wait on lines everywhere you go. While cruise ships are stunning and seem grandiose from the outside, they don’t seem as big on the inside, and you’ll be aware of this just as soon as everyone starts milling about.
Crowds at an all-inclusive resort
All-inclusive resorts give you a bit more breathing room than cruises, as most resorts are more spacious with less guests crammed into common areas. While you’re staying at an all-inclusive resort you can choose which days you want to venture out to do certain things by planning around the schedule of cruise ships to avoid crowds. If you book your tours on days when there aren’t any cruise ships docked, you’re more likely to have a mellow experience with less people.
Picture:
Verdict on crowds: All-inclusive resorts come out on top. There is simply more square foot per vacationer and everyone’s schedule is not aligned to docking times.
Cruise vs all-inclusive resort: Relaxation
Relaxation at a cruise
Travelling on a cruise can be a bit frantic, you don’t want to be one of those guests that almost missed the boat due to traffic congestion! As much as the purpose of the cruise itself is relaxation, the fact that everything is on a schedule doesn’t contribute to this. So much so that many ‘cruisers’ don’t even try to make the most of their destinations once they arrive �' they simply find a nice beach near the port until it’s time to pack up and leave.
Relaxation at an all-inclusive resort
There’s enough to worry about when you’re not on vacation, if you truly want to recharge the batteries, an all-inclusive resort is the way to go. Everything is taken care of, and you can do as much or as little as you want at any time of the day (or night). Now that is relaxation!
Verdict on relaxation: If you don’t want to feel like living on a schedule during your vacation, all-inclusive resorts are the better option. You won’t have to worry about getting back to a cruise ship in time, your suite will be where you left it �' even if you made it a bit later than expected (due to having a good time).
Cruise vs all-inclusive resort: Destinations
Cruise destinations
You won’t get many other vacation types where you’re able to explore so much in a short space of time. This is one area where cruise ship vacations stand out, and travelers who go the cruise ship way often share that this is the best way to have several trips in one. If you’re willing to sacrifice intimacy in getting to know each destination, for quantity, you’ll be quite happy on a cruise.
All-inclusive resort destination
Staying at an all-inclusive resort means you’ll be spending your time in one destination, but it doesn’t have to mean you can’t enjoy a wide range of experiences. At an all-inclusive resort your schedule will be flexible, and you can do what you feel like for that day.
One day you’ll just want to lounge on the beach, drinking unlimited free cocktails, another day you’ll want to explore the surrounding landmarks - it’s all up to you.
At an all-inclusive resort you’ll have more time to get to know your surroundings and experience the local culture, and you don’t have to rush from one attraction to another to ‘see it all’.
Picture:
Three in one. If you’d like to take your time experiencing your destination, but at the same time want to get three vacations for the price of one, try out any of the
three Sandals Resorts in Saint Lucia . Guests of one Sandals Resort in Saint Lucia, automatically get access to all amenities and restaurants (27 in total!) of the other two Sandals Resorts. This includes free transportation in between the resorts andtwo golf courses .
Verdict on destinations: If you are looking to visit many different places in a short time span, a cruise is for you. It’s a great way to get to know a little bit about everything. If you don’t like to rush around amidst peak hour every time you arrive somewhere, you might enjoy an all-inclusive resort at one fixed location better. This gives you plenty of time to indulge in the local experience and get to know your whereabouts.
Cruise vs all-inclusive resort: Impact on the environment
Cruise
It has long been reported that cruises have a severe impact on the environment, dumping tons of waste into the ocean. Even some of the cruise ships which promote themselves as being environmentally friendly are known to pollute the ocean and air. The amount of sulfur dioxide generated by cruise ships in one day equates to the same that it would take for more than 13,000,000 cars to generate!
Added to that, cruise tourism generates minimum income for local economies and is known to pay low wages in exchange for hard work.
All-inclusive resort
Unlike cruise lines, all-inclusive resorts can’t simply switch destination. They’ll have to live in symbiosis with the local community and environment. All-inclusive resorts tend to contribute significantly to local employment and
To keep the destination clean and attractive for travelers, resorts often invest heavily in protecting coral reefs and national parks. Although not every resort is eco-friendly, they tend to be a lot better for the environment than cruise ships!
Verdict on the impact on the environment: Although not all all-inclusive resorts are making a significant investment to lower their impact on the environment, all-inclusive resorts win in this category by a mile. Even the most 'environmentally-friendly’ cruise ships are horrible polluters of the ocean and air. All-inclusive resorts often invest in the countries they are located and help protect and grow the local environment and economy.
Cruise vs all-inclusive resort: Safety
Safety at a cruise
If you’re generally an anxious person, you may not find it easy to get onto a floating vessel bound for the far reaches of the ocean, with no hospital and law enforcement in sight.
Although most cruises take a zero-tolerance approach to onboard crime, cruise ships are still the best places to commit serious crime and get away with it, as has been observed in some news headlines over the years.
Safety at an all-inclusive resort
Once you’re checked into your resort, you can socialize as much or as little as you choose, and you’ll feel more in control of your space and your safety. All-inclusive resorts tend to be sectioned off from the public and have private 24/7 security. Most all-inclusive resort companies have built close connections with law enforcement, embassies and governments in the respective territories where they are located, which helps to keep things running smoothly.
Your kids will be safe to roam around the resort grounds, which are closed off from public access. This photo was taken at Beaches Resorts, where
Verdict on safety: All-inclusive resorts tend to come out on top when it comes to safety. Incidents happen on both cruise ships and at resorts (as at any other place for that matter), but being on land and having direct access to local law enforcement and hospitals certainly helps.
Cruise vs all-inclusive resort: which is best for me?
If you’re on a budget and looking for a quick trip where you can catch a glimpse of some of the places you’ve always wanted to see in the timespan of a week or two, go for a cruise. Keep in mind that cruise ships in general have limited space and this certainly affects the size of the suites, the number of activities and the variation in restaurants.
Picture: Main swimming pool at
If you’re looking for a more relaxing beach vacation that doesn’t run on a tight schedule, settle for an all-inclusive resort - you won’t regret it. Expect more space for privacy, more freedom to do as you please and more quality inclusions
Taking all of these, and environmental considerations into account, all-inclusive resorts are often the better option if you can afford to stay at one.
Wake up at the sound of the ocean and enjoy a cup of coffee on your very own patio looking out over a Caribbean beach being caressed by calm turquoise waters… it’ll beat the view of endless water every time!
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WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE DO
We bring your dream Sandals Resorts vacation to life!
Hi! I'm Lia Vincent. I have been handling all the ins-and-outs of Sandals Resorts vacations for couples and groups since 2002! I know how unique and special your Sandals Resorts vacation is to you and your guests. My team and I want to make sure your group travel is an extraordinary experience, and one to talk about for ages to come.
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Sandals Resorts Wedding Packages
Your next great adventure begins here. Whether you prefer an intimate elopement or a grand affair, every wedding deserves a week-long celebration with a little something extra. Sandals and Beaches wedding packages offer the best of everything from pre-wedding events to unique wedding day and honeymoon experiences.
Click to read more articles about Sandals Weddings: Sandals Resort Wedding Planning
TWO LOVE BIRDS PACKAGE
Applicable for 2 people.
Before You Arrive
• Wedding planning team
• Gift registry service and wedding website
templates
• Preparation of documents for marriage license
Pre-Wedding Events
• Scents of Love Couples massage*
During Your Stay
• Onsite wedding event team: event
coordination, setup & breakdown
On Your Wedding Day
• Bridal attendant*
• 10 digital images
At Your Ceremony
• Picturesque ceremony location*
• Pre-recorded musical accompaniment
• Rose bouquet
• Rose boutonniere
• Witnesses
At Your Wedding Reception
• Private one-hour cocktail reception
- Chef-inspired hors d'oeuvres
- Sparkling wine
- Reception table with white linen and white
cushioned Chiavari chairs
• Two-tiered white fondant wedding cake
with rose topper
• Private candlelight dinner with four-course
menu and prosecco*
On Your Honeymoon
• Honeymoon dinner with sparkling wine
at a resort specialty restaurant
• Honeymoon Package
- Chilled sparkling wine and sweet treat
- Romantic turn-down service on wedding night
- Breakfast in bed any morning of choice
For Your Anniversary
• One free anniversary night on a future stay
with 7 paid nights in a Club or Butler category
SWEETHEART WEDDING PACKAGE
Applicable for up to 10 people
Before You Arrive
• Wedding planning team
• Gift registry service and wedding website
templates
• Preparation of documents for marriage license
During Your Stay
• Onsite wedding event team: event
coordination, setup & breakdown
• 15% off select Red Lane Spa services
for the bride and groom (not applicable
to retail items)
On Your Wedding Day
• $200 credit towards select photography
packages
• $200 credit towards select videography
packages
At Your Ceremony
• Picturesque ceremony location*
• Pre-recorded musical accompaniment
• White or magenta dendrobium orchid bouquet
• White or magenta dendrobium orchid
boutonniere
• White-cushioned Chiavari chairs
At Your Wedding Reception
• Private one-hour cocktail reception
- Chef-inspired hors d' oeuvres
- Sparkling wine toast, signature cocktail,
and non-alcoholic beverages
- Reception table with white linen
• Two-tiered white fondant wedding cake
with white or magenta dendrobium topper
• Reception table with white linen and white
cushioned Chiavari chairs
On Your Honeymoon
• Honeymoon dinner with sparkling wine
at a resort specialty restaurant
• Honeymoon Package
- Chilled sparkling wine and sweet treat
- Romantic turn-down service on wedding night
- Breakfast in bed any morning of your choice
• $100 credit towards either a private
candlelight dinner, scuba, snuba, beach
or pool cabana
For Your Anniversary
• One free anniversary night on a future stay
with 7 paid nights in a Club or Butler category
This package is complimentary when Bride and Groom stay for 7 nights or longer in Club or Butler categories. This offer is available Monday through Friday, 9am-2pm and is applicable only to 10 persons. This offer does not apply to ReTie the Knot ceremonies. Certain restrictions apply. See terms and conditions
BLISS WEDDING PACKAGE
Applicable for 12 people or more
Before You Arrive
• Wedding planning team
• Gift registry service and wedding website
templates
• Preparation of documents for marriage license
• 6th Room Free* when traveling with 5 paid
double rooms between Sept. 1 - Dec. 20
(up to 5 complimentary rooms)
• 12th Room Free* when 11 paid double rooms
travel between Jan. 2 - Aug. 31.
(up to 5 complimentary rooms)
Pre-Wedding Events
• One-hour private welcome cocktail
- Heavy hors d'oeuvres
- Premium bar
- Cocktail tables with white linen
During Your Stay
• Onsite wedding team: event coordination,
setup & breakdown
• 15% off select Red Lane Spa services for the
entire group (not applicable to retail items)
On Your Wedding Day
• 20 digital images
• $200 credit towards select videography
packages
At Your Ceremony
• Picturesque ceremony location*
• Pre-recorded musical accompaniment
• One speaker and one microphone
• Rose bouquet
• Rose boutonniere
• Rose bouquet for 1 member of wedding party
• Rose boutonniere for 1 member
of wedding party
• White-cushioned Chiavari chairs
At Your Wedding Reception
• Private one-hour cocktail reception
- Passed hors d'oeuvres
- Premium bar, sparkling wine toast, signature
cocktail, and non-alcoholic beverages
- Cocktail tables with white linen
• Two-tiered white fondant wedding cake
with rose topper
• Reception table with white linen & white
cushioned Chiavari chairs
• Private two-hour dinner reception with selection
from the plated menus and a premium bar,
non-alcoholic beverages including freshly
brewed coffee and a selection of herbal teas
On Your Honeymoon
• Honeymoon dinner with sparkling wine
at a resort specialty restaurant
• Honeymoon Package
- Chilled sparkling wine and sweet treat
- Romantic turn-down service on wedding night
- Breakfast in bed any morning of your choice
• $100 credit towards either a Private
candlelight dinner, scuba, snuba, beach
or pool cabana
For Your Anniversary
• One free anniversary night on a future stay
with 7 paid nights in a Club or Butler category
EPIC WEDDING PACKAGE
Applicable for 52 people or more
Before You Arrive
• Wedding planning team
• Gift registry service and wedding website
templates
• Preparation of documents for marriage license
• 6th Room Free* when traveling with 5 paid
double rooms between Sept. 1 - Dec. 20
(up to 5 complimentary rooms)
• 12th Room Free* when 11 paid double rooms
travel between Jan. 2 - Aug. 31.
(up to 5 complimentary rooms)
Pre-Wedding Events
• One-hour private welcome cocktail
- Heavy hors d'oeuvres
- Premium bar
- Cocktail tables with white linen
• 2-hour private pre-wedding celebration dinner
• Wedding day treats : frozen fruit kabobs
& small bites with sparkling wine for bride
and groom (in-room while getting ready
on day of wedding)
During Your Stay
• Onsite wedding event team: event
coordination, setup & breakdown
• 15% off select Red Lane Spa services for the
entire group (not applicable to retail items)
On Your Wedding Day
• $500 credit towards the Royal Romance
photography package
• $500 credit towards the Ultimate videography
package
At Your Ceremony
• Picturesque ceremony location*
• Pre-recorded musical accompaniment
• One speaker and one microphone
• Rose bouquet
• Rose boutonniere
• Rose bouquet for up to 2 members
of wedding party
• Rose boutonniere for up to 2 members
of wedding party
• White-cushioned Chiavari chairs
At Your Wedding Reception
• Private one-hour cocktail reception
- Passed hors d'oeuvres
- Premium bar, sparkling wine toast, signature
cocktail, and non-alcoholic beverages
- Cocktail tables with white linen
• Three-tiered white fondant wedding cake
with rose topper
• Reception table with white linen and whitecushioned Chiavari chairs
• Private two-hour dinner reception with selection
from the plated or buffet menus and a premium
bar, non-alcoholic beverages including freshly
brewed coffee and a selection of herbal teas
• One sweetheart table to include white linen,
standard place setting & 2 white-cushioned
Chiavari chairs
• Two-hour DJ entertainment
On Your Honeymoon
• Honeymoon dinner with sparkling wine
in resort specialty restaurant
• Honeymoon package
- Chilled sparkling wine and sweet treat
- Romantic turn-down service on wedding night
- Breakfast in bed any morning of choice
• $100 Credit towards either a private
candlelight dinner, scuba, snuba, beach
or pool cabana
For Your Anniversary
• One free anniversary night on a future stay
with 7 paid nights in a Club or Butler category
RETIE THE KNOT PACKAGE
Applicable for up to 10 people.
Before You Arrive
• ReTie the Knot planning team
• Celebration gift registry and website templates
During Your Stay
• Onsite ReTie the Knot team: event
coordination, setup & breakdown
• 15% off select Red Lane Spa services for bride
and groom (not applicable to retail items)
• One 5x7 photo print
• One keepsake gift
At Your Ceremony
• Picturesque ceremony location*
• Pre-recorded musical accompaniment
• White or magenta dendrobium orchid bouquet
• White or magenta dendrobium orchid
boutonniere
• White-cushioned Chiavari chairs
• ReTie the Knot commemorative certificate
At Your Wedding Reception
• Private one-hour cocktail reception
- Passed hors d' oeuvres
- Sparkling wine toast, signature cocktail,
and non-alcoholic beverages
• Single-tiered white fondant cake
with dendrobium topper
• Reception table with white linen
& white-cushioned Chiavari chairs
On Your Honeymoon
• Honeymoon dinner with sparkling wine
at a resort specialty restaurant
• Honeymoon Package
- Chilled sparkling wine and sweet treat
- Romantic turn-down service on wedding night
- Breakfast in bed any morning of choice
For Your Anniversary
• One free anniversary night on a future stay
with 7 paid nights in a Club or Butler category
Some of our destination weddings
Sandals Grande, St. Lucia, Large Group, Destination Wedding
I wanted to share (with permission) these gorgeous pictures from a destination wedding 2 weekends ago we had the privilege of being a part of and booked by Lia. She chose this over the water wedding chapel in St. Lucia with friends and family there to help celebrate. I love her flower crown and her dress and how happy she is. Picture perfect. Congratulations Kate and Curtis! We are so happy for you!
Beaches Resort, Ocho Rios, Jamaica, Destination Wedding
Lia was very helpful for us in planning our destination wedding to Ocho Rios, Jamaica. We had gone through a few other travel planners first who didn't seem nearly as interested in our needs. We really appreciated the way Lia helped us navigate through some of the complexities, including the local laws of Jamaica and the planning with the resort itself. Even once we got to the resort and ran into a few snags, Lia was able to quickly get those resolved very quickly. We would highly recommend her for anyone planning a destination wedding or any other vacation. Thanks, Lia, for making our destination wedding the most special day of our lives.
Playa Del Carmen, Large Group, Destination Wedding
Wedding planning can be stressful and overwhelming, but if you're planning on having a destination wedding, especially with a large group, I would highly recommend using All Inclusive Weddings!
From beginning to end, they help with every step; i.e., finding the venue, creating a custom wedding website, and booking all your guests. Their office manager, Linze, was very responsive, helpful, and so sweet! Everything turned out smoothly and we couldn't be happier!
Dreams Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa, Destination Wedding
Stephanie was our incredible travel agent for our destination wedding! She helped with every aspect, quick communication and AMAZING coordination with over 50 different people over 8 states. Stephanie from the beginning, gave options and talked through so many questions I had. I could not have asked for a better right hand woman! 10 out of 10 for Steph, we could not appreciate & trust her more!
Incredible Agent For Our Destination Wedding! 10 Out Of 10 For Steph!
Such an amazing week of memories,laughter & love! Thankful for our people and truly blessed beyond words ♥ï¸â™¥ï¸
Royalton Blue Waters, Montego Bay, Jamaica, Destination Wedding
My husband and I worked with the company's owner, Lia Vincent, and office manager, Linze.
Lia & Linze were both very warm and friendly, and from day one, we could tell cared about us as a couple and our destination wedding success, rather than just seeing us as more clients. I get stressed out easily, so planning my own wedding alone was overwhelming, even though my wedding was 10 months out. I ended up working with Linze, and we pushed up the wedding date with a little less than three months to prepare. I was initially nervous about using a travel agent / wedding planner, but it turned out to be a huge blessing, because it took away a lot of the stress and worry I was experiencing. A bride has so many things to worry about, so having someone else bear the brunt of the work and worry about the nitty-gritty details was a HUGE relief for me.
Why spend hours analyzing vendors and reading reviews, when you can have a pro do it? If you want an intimate wedding, if you want to elope, or if you want a huge all-out, go-into-debt-for-years wedding, and if you're in the market for a wedding travel agent, Lia and Linze should be at the top of your list!
The day of the wedding, everything was so beautiful, and so much better than I could have done on my own. Lia's company finds the best local vendors, so you know you'll get great value in your package, and what's nice is her company offers different packages for different budgets. We worked with and met AMAZING vendors! The reception was so elegant that as soon as I entered the reception, I felt amazement, joy, and relief because being the worrywart and control freak that I sometimes can be, it was hard for me to trust someone to somehow make everything perfect. Lia was able to give us the dream wedding we couldn't have done ourselves. Our family and friends were also amazed, and repeatedly told us how great the wedding, reception, and food were at the resort.
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico Destination Wedding
I used Stephanie Tindall to help me choose the perfect resort in PV Mexico for where my guests would stay for my destination wedding. She went round and round with me helping me find the perfect location. It had to be nice, trendy, not to outrageously expensive and within a certain mile radius of a marina where my guests needed to go for the wedding. She helped everyone get booked and when things became a little hectic as tracking sometimes can get. She took care of the details. One of my guests had passport issues and she helped talk them through what to do. It was such a relief to have a point of contact for travel related issues so I didn't have to be stressed about it. She did this all with a patient, positive? upbeat and kind attitude through the entire process. I highly recommend her.
Thank you again,
Darby Brown
UNICO, Riviera Maya, Mexico Destination Wedding
Unico was wonderful and the perfect place for our wedding! It was quiet and the ceremony was better than expected. We had it on the gazebo and it was away from everything, which was great. The photography was beyond our expectations. We have not received our video yet, but assume it will be just as great. I also used the in house vendor for make up and hair, and was not disappointed. The wedding coordinator, Nazareth, was so sweet and on point. We used the local host quite a bit with WhatsApp, which was quite convenient. Food and drinks were amazing. We were disappointed that 2087 restaurant was down for half of our stay for repairs. We ate at Mi Carisa on our wedding night, which was the perfect choice. Service was also best there. We scheduled 2 tours through the hotel, a sunset cruise and Chichen Itza express. The boat tour was nice. Chichen itza tour was too fast and ok. We really appreciate your recommendations and help booking our wedding and stay. It was wonderful! Thank you again, Juliet and Jason
Hard Rock Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, Destination Wedding
We just got back from an AMAZING wedding weekend yesterday. I can't begin to thank you enough for your help and support during the entire process. Everyone had a great time. It truly was one of the best days of my life and I can't believe how stress-free it was once I got there. Thank you Thank you!
Secrets Playa Mujeres, Mexico, Destination Wedding
I have never used a travel agent before Lia. I have always been the "I can do everything cheaper by myself on the internet" type person; most of the time, it works great. When my husband and I decided to have a destination wedding, we were not sure about anything - number of guests, length of stay, etc; we also have very demanding jobs, requiring constant travels up until the week before our wedding. So we thought that a travel agent may be a lifesaver; as it turned out, she was. Lia was endorsed as an expert in destination weddings on the American Express Travel website. Although she lived over a 1,000 miles away, I felt comfortable.
As I am not a "girly" person, wedding planning was not my thing; however, party planning and event coordination are. Lia and I treated this "event" like a business and I loved that about her; I needed someone to be truthful and provide honest advice. As it is with my job, I like corresponding via emails because I can have all the information on hand and in writing at all time; Lia always accommodated that, and always very promptly. I'm not talking about several emails over a few months; I'm talking about over the course of over a year. Lia was there to provide support when I had a hard time reach the wedding coordinator; she was there when I freaked out at the resort regarding my brother's return transportation (as it turned out, my brother spoke with the wrong transportation company); she was organized to be able to provide me with spreadsheet of all guest arrival information; she always submitted my requests to Classic Vacation and the resort promptly. James and I cannot thank Lia enough to make everything go smoothly for the biggest event of our lives. All 48 of us had such a great time that we absolutely see another group vacation in the future.
UNICO 2087, Riviera Maya, Mexico, Destination Wedding
Read the full details about this destination wedding in our blog post, Mark and Casey Simpsen's Destination Wedding at UNICO 2087. This couple was also featured in the UNICO 2087 Resort blog post, UNICO Destination Wedding, Casey Shelley & Mark Simpsen
Beach Palace Cancun, Mexico, Destination Wedding
Lia being referred to me saved me so much wedding planning mental anguish! I had tried with a few other travel agents before I had two different people give me Lia's name, and with each of the previous TAs they had to look into things and call me back (I'm still waiting for those calls). Getting in touch with Lia was a whole new experience, she answered all my initial questions in that first phone call, had so many recommendations, and it was obvious she knew exactly what she was doing. By the time we hung up the first phone call, I had decided on a destination and venue (per Lia's suggestion). She was a God send! A year later, we are still having people talk about what a great trip it was and people are always amazed by what a great turn out we had. We ended up with about 60 people, all booking through Lia and everyone had a flawless experience. One even asked for her name when planning her destination wedding a few months later and was just as pleased! Lia told me a lot through the planning process that I was such a laid-back bride, but it really was because she left me nothing to worry about. She answered any question I had, was always quick to respond to calls and emails, and helped me plan the most perfect wedding ever. I wish I could re-live it all again!!
Cozumel Palace, Mexico, Destination Wedding
My husband Cameron and I got married at the Cozumel Palace in June of 2014 and could not have been more happy with our experience. A destination wedding was definitely the way to go for us and Lia was a great asset in our planning.
Throughout the process we felt completely at ease as she handled some of the most important details of planning for this special time. From her first recommendations of resorts and destinations to her help arranging travel for our closest family and friends we always felt grateful having Lia on our side. We highly recommend Lia Vincent and Palace Resorts for your destination wedding!
Le Blanc Spa Resort, Destination Wedding
I am truly so grateful for you and all of your help! Le Blanc was amazing! NOTHING could have been better, except maybe the weather, but the staff, food, and service were above and beyond! We will definitely go back there!! Love, Love, Love you for all of your help - Can NOT thank you enough!!
Beach Palace, Cancun, Mexico, Destination Wedding
Our Dream Wedding!
Lia was a phenomenal help from the beginning. She was referred to me by a friend, and I was incredibly thankful that we used her. When we started planning, we became overwhelmed with all of the information that is available.
We met with her for about 45 minutes one afternoon, took her pictures of spaces we had seen online and liked, and gave her a list of our "must-haves", a list of things that would be nice but didn't matter too much, and a list of things we absolutely did NOT want. She kind of thought about things for a minute, and then listed 3 resorts that fit every single one of our needs. She then ran sample pricing from EVERY location our guests would be traveling from so we could figure out what best fit our and our guests' travel budgets. After about a million more questions from me, we finally settled on her initial recommendation, the Beach Palace in Cancun. As we went through the process, any time I had a question, problem, or was just worried about something not being right, she was my go-to person. I'm not kidding, she would answer me in like, less than an hour 99% of the time. She even took my file home one weekend to give me more time to figure something out before she ran credit cards and got it booked. She was a Godsend!
Riu Palace, Riviera Maya, Mexico, Destination Wedding
My husband Cameron and I got married at the Cozumel Palace in June of 2014 and could not have been more happy with our experience. A destination wedding was definitely the way to go for us and Lia was a great asset in our planning.
Lia with Lia helped us plan our destination wedding in Riviera Maya, Mexico. We had a total of 11 people and she helped each of them set up their arrangements. From the beginning she was so helpful and always quick to respond. She made the entire process a breeze. She communicated with the wedding coordinator at the Riu Palace and made sure everything was just like we wanted. We did not have any issues at all, thanks to Lia and all of her thorough planning. Each of our guests bragged on her and said how easy it was to work with her. I would recommend Lia for all of your planning needs whether it be just a short vacation or a destination wedding. She knows what she is doing and will make sure all of your questions are answered and that you have the best vacation.
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, Destination Wedding
My husband and I got married in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico right off the beach. It was pure bliss, and everything I could have ever dreamed of! I may be biased, but destination weddings are certainly the way to go and thanks to our wonderful Travel Agent Lia Vincent at Vincent Vacations, we were able to find the perfect place! I had the opportunity to be able to edit the straight out of camera photos from my wedding! Here is a glimpse of our wedding day in paradise!
Iberostar, Grand Punta Cana, Destination Wedding
We had the most amazing time at our wedding. Our guests are still talking about what an amazing trip it was! Thank you for your help with organizing this unforgettable time for us, we cannot wait to put our pictures in our new frame!
Dreams, Puerto Aventuras Resort, Destination Wedding
Lia, thank you very much for all of your help with our PERFECT wedding vacation!
Excellence, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, Destination Wedding
"It was beautiful! Everybody had a fantastic time!"
The staff was wonderful, the rooms were gorgeous, and the food was AMAZING! Our wedding could not have been more perfect and if you have any brides that want a beautiful wedding on a budget, The Excellence Punta Cana would be my number one recommendation. Emy and Livia were fantastic and everything was just PERFECT! Chris couldn't even believe how wonderful it was.
Thank you again for all of your help!!!
Dreams, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, Destination Wedding
Our Dream Wedding!
As soon as Jimmy asked me to marry him, I knew we would want a destination wedding. We love to travel, and we love the beach, so there was no more perfect place to start our lives together than a beach in Mexico!
I am not the wedding planning type, and I knew that with a destination wedding, we could get someone else to plan the details for us. Luckily for me, my friend Lia at Vincent Vacations specializes in Destination Weddings. Lia had taken care of trips for us in the past, and I knew she was the perfect person to help me plan this trip. I was right! She helped me look through destinations, and we found the perfect spot: Dreams in Puerto Vallarta! The package came with a wedding planner, who took care of the details for me. 21 of our friends and family came with us, and everyone loved the resort. Our party ranged in age from 7 to 82, and everyone agreed it was an amazing trip. There were activities for the kids, and plenty of excursions for everyone to choose from. The staff was wonderful, and pampered us from the time we arrived. One of my bridesmaids had a broken foot and was on crutches, and was in a wheelchair some. The hotel staff assisted her anytime she needed it, including carrying her and her wheelchair up and down large flights of stairs. They were amazing! All the rooms are ocean front, with beautiful views. Jimmy and I stayed in the "Preferred" tower, and our room came with a great balcony with a hot tub! Most of our guests stayed in the other tower, but the resort is small enough, this was not a problem at all. They all loved their rooms as well. The wedding planner met with me in advance to work out the last minute details and timing. When our wedding day came, everything went perfectly. We got married on the beach right in front of the ocean. We had a sound system and a dj who played all the songs that we picked out in advance. My Dad is a minister, and he performed the service for us. We had 21 in our wedding party, but it felt like a much bigger wedding because lots of people watched the wedding. You could see people everywhere on their balconies watching, which made us feel like rock stars. We had a Mexican band that played a few songs after the wedding. The wedding came with a photographer and videographer who did amazing job! We took pictures right after the wedding, then we had dinner which also came with the wedding. We had steak and chicken which tasted great. Of course, I also asked them for chips and guacamole. (I love the guacamole in Mexico.) They were happy to oblige. They provided the wedding cake after which was amazing. After the wedding, my husband and I stayed for another 4 days, and it was paradise. I could not have asked for a more beautiful place to get married, or a less stressful way to do it. Thanks Lia and Vincent Vacations for making our special day an amazingly unforgettable experience!
Jamaica, Destination Wedding
Love the pictures one of our brides just shared from her elopement in Jamaica! Thank you for sharing with us! Did you know we book Destination weddings of all sizes? If it's just the 2 of you or a group of 250, give us a call!
Grand Fiesta Americana, Los Cabos, Mexico, Destination Wedding
This was the best and easiest decision we made about our entire wedding! Lia at All Inclusive Weddings is the absolute best, extremely intelligent, hard working, and so caring. She truly makes you feel like you are her only client throughout the entire process. We had about 120 people coming to our Cabo wedding and even had to switch resorts, visitors coming from all different states and even Europe. She was calm, and kept the bride and groom calm! Every detail was taken care of and it was made to be the most perfect wedding!
Finest, Playa Mujeres, Mexico, Destination Wedding
I just wanted to thank you for all your hard work to arrange the hotel and transfers for Ashley and Robbie's wedding. It was perfect and everything that she had ever dreamed of! The resort was amazing! We had great food at all the restaurants. The staff went over the top to accommodate any needs that you could have had! Everyone felt safe and the beaches are beautiful. Since it's more private you don't get the crazy vendors walking the beach trying to sell you stuff. Our family loved it so much and we defiantly will be planning another vacation. You will be the first I call if we need help to organize something! Thank you again for everything
We have been in business since 2013, and booking destination weddings since 2002!
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