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.

A new ship, giant suites, and a trip back in time were just some of the amazing things I got to try on Royal Caribbean cruise ships in 2025.

I was fortunate to be able to go on 14 different cruises over the course of this year, which brought me to both coasts of the U.S. and an extended trip overseas in Europe.

I love cruising because of how easy it is to see the world, but there's also so much to experience onboard. Sometimes I book a cruise because of where it will take me and other times there's something new and exciting onboard to try.

I was inspired to share my top cruise memories of the year and hope you'll share yours in the comments below!

Took my family for their first European cruise

As soon as 2025 began, I had June circled on my calendar as the top cruise I was looking forward to this year.

I had taken two cruises to Europe already, but my family hadn't come yet.  This time, I was bringing them and we had an epic month of cruising and exploring planned.

Combining a pre-cruise trip to London and Paris, I took my wife and kids through so much of northern Europe and it's the kind of trip we still talk or reference regularly.

There's certainly nothing wrong with a Caribbean cruise, but seeing the world by cruise ship is a next-level opportunity. 

We got to see fjords, see a West End show, eat at countless cafes, and meet so many nice people in all the countries.  Having lunch in a German beer garden or snacking on fresh strawberries in Norway set new standards for food.

I loved how much we got to see and try out together.  It was by far the sort of cruise we'll measure all others against in the future.

Tried Silversea for the first time

Speaking of Europe, I got my feet wet with my first time on a luxury cruise.

While I had sailed with Celebrity Cruises a few times, Silversea is unlike anything I had experienced before (full disclosure, Silversea invited me to sail with them as their guest).  The quality, approach, and attention to detail of this style of cruising blew me away.

Silversea is a sister brand to Royal Caribbean, but the similarities stop fairly quickly.  Silversea has invested in creating an onboard experience where you feel like the center of attention anywhere you go.

Every room is a suite, and every suite has a butler. It's not that I need a butler, but darn if I didn't enjoy having someone unpack my clothes and draw me a bath!

I loved the intimate venues and careful attention each crew member paid to guests. I've never felt more like Norm from "Cheers" than on Silver Dawn. 

Sometimes you try something different and appreciate it, but don't necessarily fall in love. In the case of Silversea, I really want to get back on and try another soon.

I got onboard Star of the Seas before anyone else

Sometimes my job has great perks and this came when I was invited to fly to Puerto Rico and board Star of the Seas first.

Ever since Icon of the Seas first debuted last year, I've been astounded by how impressive Icon Class ships are.  Certainly Star of the Seas is no exception.

I went on two preview sailings to get a sense of what makes Star of the Seas stand out, and there's nothing like exploring a brand new cruise ship.

The differences between Icon of the Seas and Star of the Seas aren't substantial, but like a new phone, you can easily pick out small things that make a big difference.

There's no question the food hall is better on Star, and I greatly preferred Back to the Future over the Wizard of Oz. Even the supper club is better on Star.

Saw Back to the Future: The Musical for the first time

I mentioned I loved seeing Back to the Future: The Musical while I sailed on Star of the Seas and it was the kind of show I loved every minute of.

I was so happy to see there would be a Broadway musical on Star instead of an in-house production show, and this one did not disappoint.

It probably didn't hurt that I loved the Back to the Future trilogy as a kid growing up. I can quote half the movie (my wife told me not to do that during the show), and the musical is a faithful adaptation of the film.

It's a bit condensed for run time and certain parts from the movie are either removed or reworked to be practical for the stage. But it's a fantastic ride through a well-known story. The fact it's included with your fare adds to the value of this ship.

I started a new gym routine

On a personal note, I'm proud of myself for staying with a workout regiment that I began while sailing on Enchantment of the Seas.

I took my first cruise ever on Enchantment back in January, and since I knew Enchantment wouldn't have a lot to offer compared to big ships, I decided to hit the gym.

The fitness center is included at no charge on all Royal Caribbean ships and it's better than most gyms I've been to on land.

What started out as something to do has become part of my routine at home and at sea. Not only do I feel better about myself, but it's helped lower my cholesterol. 

I went many years without ever using any cruise ship gym, but I'm glad I finally gave it a try here.

I cruised in Star Class once, but had two genies

Sometimes doing "research" on a cruise is pretty darn fun, and that came when I got to try two instances of Royal Caribbean's top suite perks.

In March, I sailed on Icon of the Seas to see what the Star Class experience is like on that ship and if going over Spring Break would make it more valuable.

The Icon Loft Suite has enough space for a family, and practically includes everything on the ship.  

By far the best thing about Star Class is the Royal Genie, who takes care of your every need.

Royal Caribbean expanded the Royal Genie services to some of its smaller ships and I gave that a try while in a balcony cabin on Independence of the Seas in Europe.

I was skeptical how useful a Genie would be on a ship lacking all the amenities of a big ship, but truthfully I loved how much better our cruise was because of her attentiveness.

Being treated like a VIP is wonderful, and I can safely say that Star Class doesn't disappoint in that regard.

Don't worry, I made up for these experiences in a few inside cabins too.

I tried new dining options

Eating on a cruise ship is one of the top reasons I always cruise, and Royal Caribbean opened up new spots for me to try.

I got to dine at the Lincoln Park Supper Club on Star of the Seas, which is a $200 per person, six-course meal that combines music, cocktails and service.

I liked it even better than the supper club on Icon, and on a personal note, I was able to enjoy it with the company of a friend who just passed away earlier today.  I'll miss you and always think of you when I pass by this restaurant, Ann Marie.

Another new offering is the whiskey tasting seminar held in the Royal Railway on Utopia of the Seas.

Ever since Royal Caribbean opened an immersive dining restaurant, I've been hooked on how much fun it is.  With the whiskey tasting, you get a condensed version of the dining experience along with a great introduction to whiskey.

Having grown up cruising on Royal Caribbean ships, it's not easy considering other lines. But I was intrigued by an adults-only cruise.

Recently, I tried Virgin Voyages for the first time.  

While Royal Caribbean remains the gold standard for family-friendly fun, Virgin excels at creating an adult-centric experience, complete with drag performances, late-night parties, and more. In short, the two couldn't be more different.

As a child-free woman in their mid-20s, Virgin's onboard experience was a welcome change. Yet, there were a few things I wish they had stolen from Royal Caribbean's playbook. 

Here's what stood out on my cruise aboard Brilliant Lady and where Royal Caribbean excels. 

Dining

Virgin Voyages revolutionized the onboard dining experience by getting rid of crowded buffets and noisy dining rooms. 

Instead, every ship offers a food hall with stalls serving freshly prepared dishes such as sushi, tacos, burgers, and spicy ramen, as well as six complimentary restaurants. Each specializes in a different cuisine, like Mexican, Italian, Spanish-inspired tapas, and Korean BBQ.

While the concept itself was great, I found myself missing Royal Caribbean's fast-casual options. On Royal Caribbean ships, it's easy to go to El Loco Fresh for tacos or a quesadilla whenever I want, but on Virgin Voyages, I had to carve out more time to wait for my food in The Galley. 

Even the pizza on Virgin Voyages is made-to-order, which means I couldn't grab a single slice between activities or late at night. The grab-and-go options were mostly limited to pastries, pre-made salads, and wraps. 

Moving on, I missed the basic options available in Royal's dining room. Virgin’s specialty menus focus on innovative and trendy dishes, meaning classic staples like shrimp cocktails and French onion soup are not available.

Although I loved the Dakgangjeong crispy chicken at Gunbae, corn custard and black bean salad from The Wake, and Pink Agave's achiote-marinated smoked pork, it became evident that Virgin isn't the best cruise line for selective eaters.

Planning is also more important than ever. Since there are no assigned dining times, you'll need to log in right at midnight when reservations open. Otherwise, you may get stuck with inconvenient meal times, especially at popular restaurants like Razzle Dazzle, The Wake, and Pink Agave. 

As such, my partner and I ended up with a lot of 9:00 p.m. reservations. Instead of waiting that late, we typically arrived at 5:45 p.m., right when the restaurants opened, and asked to sit at the bar. 

Activities and nightlife

Royal Caribbean's ships are known for their endless activities, ranging from water slides to zip lines, rock climbing walls, FlowRider surf simulators, ice skating rinks, escape rooms, and more. 

Virgin's daytime offerings focus more on relaxation and wellness, and let guests gear up for the high-energy nightlife. As such, you won't find many onboard attractions, other than the main pool, outdoor Athletic Club, arcade, private karaoke rooms, and tattoo parlor.

While Virgin's claim to fame is the iconic Scarlet Night party, the first night started off strong with a late-night PJ party, followed by an electric glow party on the second day. 

That's not to say that Royal doesn't have fun parties, but Virgin strayed away from the typical silent discos and predictable theme nights. Everything was edgier and felt like we had a VIP invite to the coolest nightclub in town, rather than a cruise ship dance party. 

Entertainment

Royal Caribbean's entertainment is top-tier, especially if you're sailing on a newer ship with Broadway-style productions (i.e., The Wizard of Oz on Icon of the Seas and Back to the Future: The Musical on Star of the Seas). Oasis and Icon Class ships also have AquaTheater and ice skating shows, which showcase jaw-dropping stunts and cutting-edge technology. 

That said, Virgin's entertainment is scaled down in comparison and specializes in edgy and unconventional shows. Instead of the standard theater productions, Brilliant Lady features a brand-new murder mystery comedy that focuses on debunking the suspicious activity surrounding the untimely death of pop star Sheena.

The resident drag queen also hosted different events, such as bingo, karaoke, a pop-up storytime in The Roundabout, and more. My favorite, however, was the country-inspired Diva Goes West drag performance. 

My biggest gripe with Virgin's entertainment is that there wasn't a reservation system. 

Whereas on Royal ships, you can easily make reservations to secure your spots at popular theater, ice skating, and AquaTheater shows, we had to queue up as early as two hours ahead of events for seats in the tiny venues. 

Although it's recommended to arrive early for the best seats, I've never had to worry about wasting hours in line on a Royal Caribbean cruise. 

Fleet variety

When it comes to fleet variety, it's no surprise that Royal Caribbean takes the cake. They have a ship for every type of traveler, from smaller, intimate vessels to the world's largest cruise ships. 

In contrast, Virgin's modest fleet of four is nearly identical. Although you may find a few minor changes (i.e., Brilliant Lady doesn't have a record shop, and Razzle Dazzle has a new Spanish-inspired tapas menu), the bones are the same. 

Surprisingly, Virgin offers a variety of itineraries despite its limited fleet, ranging from Caribbean getaways to port-intensive Mediterranean cruises and even voyages to The Last Frontier. The diversity helps keep each Virgin cruise interesting, even if the ship is pretty much the same. 

Still, because Royal Caribbean has 29 ships (with more on the way), it’s hard to compete with the number of experiences they offer. 

For example, next summer, you can book a European cruise aboard Legend of the Seas, Royal Caribbean's next-gen Icon Class ship. However, if you want something more low-key with fewer crowds, Royal will have five other vessels deployed in Europe, so you can choose the perfect ship based on your travel style.

In comparison, Virgin Voyages will have just two ships in Europe next summer. This means that, in addition to fewer itineraries, Virgin sailors have less flexibility when it comes to departure date. 

Read more: I chose an inside cabin on my recent Virgin Voyages cruise because it was the cheapest option

Inclusive fares

While finding good cruise deals is still possible, it's more expensive to take a cruise vacation today than in the past. Cruise fares increased by over 15% in 2023 compared to 2019, meaning that travelers are trying to be more strategic with their planning to make their budgets go further. 

Royal Caribbean's cruise fares don't include everything. In addition to the base price, passengers will often shell out hundreds of dollars on add-ons like drink and Wi-Fi packages, specialty meals, and gratuities. 

It can be frustrating for guests who hate feeling like they're being nickel-and-dimed. 

Virgin Voyages, however, prides itself on having more inclusive fares. Although not all-inclusive, guests do not have to worry about budgeting extra for gratuities, essential drinks (like soda, drip coffee, water, and tea), and Wi-Fi.

All dining is included, too. Unlike Royal Caribbean ships, where you have to pay extra for specialty meals, ice cream, etc., Virgin Voyages offers a wider variety of dining options at no additional charge. 

Drink packages

One thing you must pay extra for on Royal Caribbean and Virgin ships is alcohol. Royal Caribbean offers three core drink packages, where guests can enjoy unlimited soda, non-alcoholic, or alcoholic beverages for a set daily price. 

Virgin, however, doesn't have any traditional drink packages. Instead, you must pay for each drink individually. You can, however, save money by pre-purchasing a bar tab. Essentially, you'll get a little extra free money by preloading your onboard account before your cruise. 

The amount of free money depends on how much you spend:

• $225 worth of drink credits for $200 (12% of pre-cruise savings)
• $350 worth of drink credits for $300 (16% of pre-cruise savings)
• $600 worth of drink credits for $500 (20% of pre-cruise savings)
• $925 worth of drink credits for $750 (23% of pre-cruise savings)
• $1,250 worth of drink credits for $1,000 (26% of pre-cruise savings)

That said, make sure you attend Virgin's sailaway party. They have free-flowing champagne available during the celebration.