“If you can squeeze a trip in between semester end and before Christmas, there will be great deals and plenty of space,” Carr says. Holidays and common breaks, such as spring break, are typically more expensive times to travel, but the first three weeks of December are great times to find deals, Carr says. It’s also important to consider the time of year. Other ways to find great dealsįollow resorts on social media to find special promotions, and check their websites for current specials. “Online agencies get the leftover rooms, and they tend to bait-and-switch the clients,” Schreiber says. Other perks of using a travel agent: Insurance is often offered, agents save you time by sorting through the best packages available, and they’re often able to get better rooms than search engines.
ALL INCLUSIVE TRIPS FULL
To save time and find the best deal, Carr recommends finding a travel agent who specializes in the all-inclusive vacation niche.ĭebbie White, a worldwide representative of Sandals Resorts, agrees: “Sandals Resorts in particular has a great working relationship with agents, so they always know about our latest promotions, from airfare credits to free nights.”Ĭoncerned about the cost of an agent? Don’t be! “Travel agents typically don’t charge for their time, they’re educated and up-to-date on the industry, available 24/7 if there is a problem before or during travel, and generally only require a deposit for trips, unlike online agencies that require full payment at time of booking,” Schreiber says. Whether you go directly through the resort or use a travel agent, all-inclusive vacations can be personalized to exactly what you want out of your vacation. “By the time you pay for your airport and hotel transfers, meals, drinks and activities at a non-inclusive hotel, the total cost is generally significantly higher than an all-inclusive package,” Babin says. The great thing about all-inclusive vacations is that you know upfront what the vacation will cost, so you can budget in advance without the worry of racking up additional costs, says Linda Schreiber, president and owner of Starship Travel Inc., an online travel agency specializing in all-inclusive travel. Babin points out that the true cost of a cruise can easily triple from the base price after all of the extras-airfare, taxes, mandatory gratuities and more-are added up.
On the other hand, be wary of all-inclusive cruises, which typically have many additional costs, such as drinks (both alcoholic and non), shore excursions, snacks and even on-site activities, says Tom Carr, president of All Inclusive Outlet, an online travel agency specializing in all-inclusive resorts. Also, don’t forget to factor in expenses at the airport, like meals and parking. Room service may be an added cost, and occasionally airport transfers and Wi-Fi are not included. Some resorts only offer free buffets, while a la carte dining is extra. Be sure to double-check exactly what’s included before booking At Sandals Resorts, many land and water sports are included, from scuba diving to fitness center access. For example, children under 4 could stay for free, or there could be complimentary enrichment programs, such as wine tastings and cooking classes. Some resorts, such as Club Med, offer other specials to entice families. “Better yet, the quality of service, cuisine and luxury is generally outstanding” at all-inclusive resorts. “You can literally take an all-inclusive vacation with absolutely no spending money and still eat, drink and be entertained to your heart’s content,” says Sandy Babin, vice president of marketing at Apple Vacations, a charter vacation company. However, some resorts do offer packages or resort credits for these extras, allowing you to know exactly what you’ll pay upfront. What’s typically not included? Spa treatments, off-property tours and excursions, motorized water sports and golf, private lessons, phone calls and souvenirs. What’s covered, what’s notĪlthough packages vary based on the resort, a typical all-inclusive vacation includes round-trip airfare and ground transfers from the airport to the resort, hotel accommodations, unlimited food and drinks, on-site entertainment and activities, taxes and gratuities. Whether you’re hunting for the perfect family vacation or a romantic getaway at an adults-only resort, all-inclusive vacations can save you time, money and stress. Today, the concept has evolved to include resorts around the world for every demographic, price range and interest. In years past, all-inclusive vacations conjured images of bad buffets, hidden fees and overpriced packages.
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