All Inclusive Vacations Are Great For Planning Your 2006 Holiday, But Are You Getting The Best Deal?

Another year has come and gone, and now you're planning a 2006 Caribbean holiday vacation to get rid of those winter blues! When considering a winter getaway, an All Inclusive vacation may be your best option if you happen to be on the after Christmas vacation budget. If you're new with the vacation terms such as inclusive vacation, all-inclusive, semi-inclusive, EP plan, and vacation packages provided through many Vacation Tour Companies, I will give you a crash course on what the differences are between the packages, and what you would normally expect from each individual holiday plan. You may be surprised that the All-Inclusive package has a far better value over other package deals! Your budget will determine on what type of vacation package you would opt for, but during the final decisions, you would want to make sure you get the best value for your dollars spent. European Package: Also known as the EP Plan, this is your most basic vacation package that only offers your hotel accommodations, airfare, and in most cases transfers to your destination of choice. Your meals, drinks, snacks and gratuities are additional, so unless you happen to be very good with budgeting, and watching your spending during the time you're at destination, then I would suggest you stay away from this plan unless you find a price you just can't refuse, but then I would still want to do a cost comparison. Semi-Inclusive Package: Many vacationers get this term confused with the All-Inclusive, and the package price difference can be quiet substantial. This is why when you read the brochures, this may be easily overlooked, and before you know it, your holiday that you booked becomes more expensive than you originally imagined. It's always in your best interest to read all the fine print whether out of the brochure, or online information. The semi-inclusive plan is simply your resort, flight, transfers, and may not include gratuities. This type of package in most cases does not include unlimited beverages, such as pop, coffee, and alcohol, and you would have to pay for most, if not all your water sport activities at your property if available. You will see that a semi-inclusive plan could offer full daily meals, however, in most cases they may only provide breakfast, and/or lunch/dinner, leaving one meal and snacks as an additional expense. All-Inclusive Package: These resort packages are the best for budgeting, because all your costs are paid up-front, but also be very careful with this plan, and do your research to make sure that what is included is exactly what you're looking for in your vacation experience. With this type of plan, you will receive your accommodations, air transportation to your destination, transfers to/from airport, and in some instances gratuities are included. Your daily meals consist of your breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and most plans provide daily snacks. A large number of your water sports and entertainment are included in the price of the package, but I will explain where you may find some differences in these All Inclusive package deals. Inclusive Hotels, Inclusive Service, And Beach Packages Are Not All Created Equal! You will find with vacation package deals offering All-Inclusive plans are not all created equal, and in many instances you may think that you paid for everything, and later find out there are additional costs charged for amenities that you thought were in your inclusive service. It may take a little research, but when you read the details of all the amenities that are offered, you will soon understand why your All-Inclusive package price looks so appealing! Some areas you may witness discrepancies are in your meals, drinks, water sports, and gratuities. These little oversights could be costly, and add up very quickly on the actual price you paid for your vacation. These are items and services you may have not budgeted for, and if not caught prior to booking, can easily put a strain on your holiday experience. As you go through each of the resort packages available, you will quickly notice that price will be the indicator on what you will be getting, and don't use the current sale or last minute prices, use the brochure or online gross price. My best advise to you, is to find the holiday package that suites your lifestyle requirements, such as beachfront resort, more A La Carte restaurants versus buffets, and higher star rated properties that offer more amenities such as 24 hour services, fitness clubs, spas, and free bottled water, which is a big oversite by many lower star rated resorts. After you figured out what you want in your vacation experience, then the next step is to search online for the inclusive information for the resorts that appeal to you most. If you happen to see cheaper deals online, compare the two with the amenities and services offered, and make sure that the property provides everything you are requesting. Do a price comparison, and see what the cost difference is, and this can help you make your final decisions. Keep in mind that what you budget at home is not going to be the same for your vacation. I always tell people that when you arrive at your desired vacation destination, your current budget goes right out the window! You're in a different mindset, and when the moment arises you're more than likely going to be more impulsive, and the normal decisions that you would not make in your everyday life, you will do it on your holidays. Remember, you're on vacation to have fun, create new experiences, and do things that you would don't normally do in your everyday life, that's why they call it a getaway from reality! You're going to meet new friends, and they may want you to go out for intimate fancy dinners, and share exciting excursions together. With my experience, the pressure takes a toll on you, and when the pressure is on, the credit cards are pulled out, and the charges add to your vacation expense. In conclusion, it is better to find a quality four-star resort property that offers a variety of fancy dining in combination with good buffet restaurants. Make sure the drinks such as pop, coffee, liquor, beer, and wine is available to you 24 hours a day with unlimited availability, and also see that water sports and entertainment is included with no additional fees charged. My last suggestion is that you find a package that also offers all gratuities, because when you get to your resort, you are going to be overwhelmed with their service and amenities, which will have you dishing out more in tips than you budgeted for in the beginning. These are a few of the small expenses that wind up making your great All Inclusive deal turn into a costly holiday that you never expected in the beginning.