After taking over 30 cruises, I finally tried an all-inclusive resort. There were some upsides to the experience, but in the end, I still prefer cruising.
I love visiting multiple destinations in one week on a cruise ship, so I was always wary of booking an all-inclusive. I didn’t want to feel “bored” or “trapped” in one place for an entire vacation.
Yet recently, I spent three nights at Palmaïa: The House of AïA in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. This 5-star all-inclusive resort places a strong emphasis on wellness, and the property is designed for guests to feel rejuvenated and connected with nature during their stay.
I was blown away by the property’s amenities, including a cenote, infinity pools, beach access, and multiple restaurants. Nonetheless, there were some major downsides, such as the high price.
Here’s how I’d compare my first experience at an all-inclusive resort to a Royal Caribbean cruise.
First, let’s talk price
Cruise fares can vary significantly, and the same goes for all-inclusive resorts. Just as you can find low fares on an old ship like Grandeur of the Seas, you can also find cheap deals at older all-inclusive resorts.
Palmaïa: The House of AïA opened in 2020, and prices reflected that. The wellness resort offers an upscale atmosphere, and rooms run anywhere from $950 to $1,500 per night at double occupancy. This rate is all-inclusive.
Royal Caribbean cruise prices can vary greatly. For most ships in the fleet, you can expect to pay around $2,500 to $3,500 for two adults in an interior cabin on a 7-night cruise. This brings the nightly cost to around $200-$300, which is significantly less than a night at the resort.
Although extras like drink packages, specialty dining, and shore excursions aren’t included in the Royal Caribbean cruise fare, they’re unlikely to add up to the roughly $800-per-night difference between Palmaïa: The House of AïA and a cruise.
Given the price difference, I think cruises offer a better value, even if the fares aren’t all-inclusive.
My suite at the all-inclusive was unlike any cabin on Royal Caribbean
Cruise ship cabins are notorious for their tiny size, with most standard cabins ranging between 160 and 200 square feet. The size of cruise cabins has never really bothered me before, as I spend most of my time onboard outside of my cabin.
After staying in a suite at an all-inclusive resort, though, I’m not sure how I’ll ever go back to a closet-sized cruise room.
My room at Palmaïa: The House of AïA was nothing short of spectacular. I stayed in a Queen Suite that measured 538 square feet, which is over double the size of most cruise cabins. The room featured two queen-sized beds, two showers, and best of all, a patio that led directly to one of the resort’s pools.
Having direct access to the pool was unbelievable, and it’s something that isn’t even possible in Royal Caribbean’s biggest and most expensive suites.
By and large, all-inclusive resorts have more spacious and well-appointed rooms.
I prefer the dining experience on Royal Caribbean
Dining is one of my favorite aspects of any Royal Caribbean cruise. Whether I’m enjoying a sit-down meal in the Main Dining Room or grabbing a quick crêpe from the AquaDome market, I love the variety of flavors and dining venues throughout the fleet.
Yet not everything is perfect with Royal Caribbean’s dining. Quality can be hit or miss, and there’s a clear quality difference between the complimentary and extra-cost options.
Palmaïa: The House of AïA focuses on wellness, and that translates into the food as well. Most menu items are vegan by default, but guests can request meat, fish, egg, and dairy options.
I ate at four different venues during my stay, and I enjoyed every dish, from spicy chilaquiles to fresh açaí bowls. However, there were a few downsides. Portions were significantly smaller than standard dishes on Royal Caribbean, and the resort had limited quick-service options. There was no buffet, and even the casual cafe often had a long wait.
Additionally, I missed the personalized service found on a Royal Caribbean cruise. I still received excellent service at the all-inclusive, but it didn’t feel quite as personal as having friendly chats with my Main Dining Room waiters or other staff around the ship.
One positive at the all-inclusive was the lack of a busy schedule
On my first day at Palmaïa: The House of AïA, I felt a strong sense of tranquility that I generally don’t feel onboard a busy cruise ship. I first attributed this to the resort’s wellness vibe, but later realized it was from something totally different—a lack of a set schedule.
Most cruisers keep a busy schedule during their vacation. While onboard, it’s common to plan your day around activities and entertainment. In port, you have to constantly check the time to ensure you don’t miss the ship’s departure.
At an all-inclusive, there’s no need to think about the time beyond your dinner reservation. Personally, I preferred this type of atmosphere, even if there weren’t as many activities as a cruise.
You can truly enjoy time at the beach or pool without worrying about what comes next.
I was also surprised by the lack of crowds at the all-inclusive. I was told the resort wasn’t at full capacity, but it seemed to be almost empty. I never struggled to find pool chairs, and I certainly never had to walk around crowded hallways and thoroughfares to get from one place to another.
I missed visiting multiple destinations, though
As a destination-focused cruiser, I love any chance to cross new islands, cities, and countries off my travel wishlist. At the same time, I hate not being able to experience these destinations for more than just a few hours.
I thought staying at an all-inclusive resort might be a nice change from the fast-paced nature of a cruise, but honestly, I missed visiting multiple destinations. After three days of being in the same place, I was ready to go somewhere new.
Being at the resort felt somewhat stale in comparison to planning diverse activities on each port day while cruising. Next time, I’d plan a few activities outside the resort so I don’t feel as trapped.
Despite the positives of an all-inclusive, I’d still rather book a cruise
All in all, I had a wonderful experience at my first all-inclusive resort, but I still don’t think it’s my preferred type of vacation.
I absolutely loved spending time at the beach and pool, and in my spacious room, but part of me missed the variety of activities available on a cruise. Relaxing all day can be fun, but I missed having the chance to attend programming like AquaTheater shows, live music, trivia, and the infamous bellyflop competition.
The cost of an upscale resort like Palmaïa: The House of AïA felt prohibitive, too. I’m not a heavy drinker, and I didn’t feel I got the most out of the all-inclusive experience. I far prefer being able to pick and choose which add-ons to buy on a Royal Caribbean cruise.
I’m not opposed to staying at an all-inclusive resort again, but I might pick one that is more budget-friendly. Even still, I don’t think I could spend an entire week at this type of resort. It’s hard to beat the variety of destinations and activities I can experience on a Royal Caribbean cruise.
