3 Ways I Help When Planning Cruise or All-Inclusive Family Vacations

If you haven't booked an all-inclusive resort vacation or a cruise before (or maybe it's been awhile), I know it can feel so daunting!! There are so many decisions to make, so many options, how do you possibly know what makes the most sense for your vacation? 

Did you know when you book through a Travel Advisor, not only do you get the same exact price as if you booked it yourself online (PLUS the option to make payments toward your vacation whenever you'd like), you get the added benefits of help planning your trip so you don't miss anything? 

Here are 3 things I always help my clients with after we’ve booked their vacation to go above and beyond. 

1) Airport Transfers. This sounds so simple, yet I know oftentimes, people can panic at the thought of "I'm in a foreign country -- how do I get from the airport to the resort with someone that I can trust?" Travel Advisors work with many different transfer companies across all of the islands. We know which ones are the most reliable and will only recommend those we know and trust. 

2) Excursions. Whether you're taking a cruise or going on an all-inclusive vacation, you'll have the option to book excursions to venture off the beaten path and do something new and exciting. If you're on a cruise, I will always recommend booking excursions through the cruise line -- if the excursion ever gets delayed getting back to the ship, the ship will not leave without you. I assure you, you'll be sad if you book an excursion on your own and don't make it back on time... and that ship sails away with all of your belongings on board, leaving you to figure out how to meet the ship at its next destination… or even more sad – at the point of debarkation. For your excursions on your all-inclusive vacation, I can help make sure we're booking them through our preferred vendors once again so we know it's someone reliable where you'll have the best and safest possible experience. 

3) Extras. Even when you take a vacation that is "all inclusive" -- or even on a cruise where most things are included -- there will always be some extras you could add on to your vacation to kick it up a notch. Whether you're looking for some time at the spa, a special dinner at a restaurant that may not be included at certain all-inclusive resorts or on your cruise... I can help you plan ahead (and in some cases, make the reservations for you) so you don't miss out on a single thing. 

Working with a Travel Advisor for your vacation truly does take the stress and guesswork out of the planning process. I’m here to ensure you have the most AMAZING vacation from start to finish… all you need to do is pack your bags – and don’t forget your passport!!

My favorite all-inclusive resorts for families include (in no particular order)...

• Hyatt Ziva Cap Cana 

• Beaches Turks & Caicos

• Dreams Playa Mujeres

• Beaches Negril

My favorite cruise ships that I may recommend for families may vary based on what your priorities are,  but my go-to cruise lines are Disney Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean Cruise Line. If you’re heading to Alaska on your cruise, I’d also highly recommend Princess Cruises. That doesn’t mean your family won’t love Norwegian, Carnival, Celebrity, or other cruise lines – those are just my top choices that both my fellow advisors and clients have enjoyed the most. 

Do you think your family would prefer an all-inclusive vacation or a cruise? You can't go wrong with either -- but I definitely think if you're unsure, we should talk through it to ensure we find YOUR perfect vacation!

~ Aly ~