HoundsGood

After years in customer service, PR, and the furniture industry, I decided to follow one of my other dreams. I decided that I was going to become a travel agent. Unfortunately, my timing was off. That was the summer of 2001, and I was laid off after 9/11.***  Whoops.

During my time there, I was given a crash course in learning about All Inclusive Holidays . What it boils down to, is being on a cruise without some of the disadvantages, such as getting sea sick, or being contained with a large number of people.  Of course, there are stabilizers and most people don’t have an issue with their sea legs, but there are some folks that are just prone to it.  Being on a large cruise ship, I find, sometimes was like being on an airplane.  I have come back with a cold or flu every time I have been on a cruise!

Of course, the other factor, is avoiding the “Are we there yet?” question. Once you are there, you are there. There is no forty five hour car journey, only to turn around right away and go back where you came. You won’t need a “vacation from your vacation” afterwards.

At an all inclusive resort, your meals are part of the package, and there is enough entertainment and amenities where you would never need to leave the property.  You can be as slothful or as busy as you want to be.  There are often add on excursions, such as tours of the local sites, if you prefer, as well.   The other nice thing is that often at the resorts, you don’t have to carry your life in your handbag.  Many things can be charged to your room, and if you want to walk around in your bathing suit all day with just your room key with you, you probably can.

I recall some of my customers who were on their honeymoon really appreciated the fact that nobody could just “drop by.”  One couple chose to honeymoon in a nearby city, and were surprised when relatives paid a call to their room as a surprise.  No nosey relatives will be able to disturb you during your special time. There are some resorts are adult only, and some are geared towards families with children, but none that have a “no nosey relatives” policy.  There is nothing stopping them, of course, from booking a trip, but it would be at great effort.  You would certainly have fair warning, but a caring travel agent would probably help you discourage them!

There is a site, http://www.ulookubook.com/all-inclusive-holidays, that seems to have just about every location that offers an All Inclusive experience.  It is a good starting point on deciding what you would like to do, or just to check out what trips like this are all about.

Have you ever been to a resort?  If so, do you have any funny stories, or recommendations to share?

*** = Some day I will write about what happened to me that day, if there is enough reader interest.

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