Anonymous
12/17/2024 15:13
Subject: never realized all-inclusive snobbery was such a thing
I went to an AI with a group of close girl friends in my late 20s and we had a fantastic time. Loved getting up early for the free yoga, the water sports, the buffets, the ice cream bar, the swim up bar, all of it. 20 years later and I'm going with my family (2 kids in ES) and two other families for spring break. We've never done this kind of trip before but, as a family that travels often to places that involves a lot of logistical considerations (language barriers, transportation systems, cute hotels in "the perfect" location, restaurants, local grocery stores etc etc) and as the self-appointed primary planner for those trips, I cannot WAIT to just show up and hang at the beach all day while my kids hang out with friends and do the kids club and we all eat ok food from a buffet.
Anonymous
12/17/2024 15:11
Subject: never realized all-inclusive snobbery was such a thing
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:It's all just a matter of taste.
The biggest problem with many AI resorts is the access to alcohol. People have paid for it, and feel the need to drink it. Which = lots of drunk folks. Which = an atmosphere some of us are not into. This is going to be a problem everywhere, and it might not be a problem at all times at the places where it can be. But it is a problem for those who are not interested in that. Especially for folks really wanting to get away from it all and relax; loud drunk people at the beach or pool get in the way of relaxing under the palm trees. At least for some of us who are quieter and more introverted.
And the food is never great if you have decent taste. There is no sense in arguing about this; tastes differ. My sister, who has more money than just about anybody and can eat anywhere, swears that the food on a Carnival cruise was "Incredible!" She also chooses Outback for her birthday dinner. So. No arguing with people like that. But some of us want good food, and don't find the food at AIs "good" like OP did.
That said, really small AIs are often great. We really enjoyed The Caves in Jamaica. Highly recommend.
I'm the OP. I would never go on a Carnival cruise, and I also would never choose Outback for my birthday dinner. I guess my telling you that the food is good at this particular AI will fall on deaf ears. I too would abhor a resort where people walked around drunk, but that's not the case at this place. Everyone is well behaved. Perhaps the fact that it's an older crowd helps.
Now who's the snobby one OP? Too good for a bloomin onion from Outback? Or watching C list performers on Carnival?
Anonymous
12/17/2024 15:09
Subject: never realized all-inclusive snobbery was such a thing
The AIs at ski resorts in Europe look amazing. Solid food, child care, ski lessons, afternoon apres & hot cocoa, etc.
Anonymous
12/17/2024 15:08
Subject: never realized all-inclusive snobbery was such a thing
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:It's all just a matter of taste.
The biggest problem with many AI resorts is the access to alcohol. People have paid for it, and feel the need to drink it. Which = lots of drunk folks. Which = an atmosphere some of us are not into. This is going to be a problem everywhere, and it might not be a problem at all times at the places where it can be. But it is a problem for those who are not interested in that. Especially for folks really wanting to get away from it all and relax; loud drunk people at the beach or pool get in the way of relaxing under the palm trees. At least for some of us who are quieter and more introverted.
And the food is never great if you have decent taste. There is no sense in arguing about this; tastes differ. My sister, who has more money than just about anybody and can eat anywhere, swears that the food on a Carnival cruise was "Incredible!" She also chooses Outback for her birthday dinner. So. No arguing with people like that. But some of us want good food, and don't find the food at AIs "good" like OP did.
That said, really small AIs are often great. We really enjoyed The Caves in Jamaica. Highly recommend.
I'm the OP. I would never go on a Carnival cruise, and I also would never choose Outback for my birthday dinner. I guess my telling you that the food is good at this particular AI will fall on deaf ears. I too would abhor a resort where people walked around drunk, but that's not the case at this place. Everyone is well behaved. Perhaps the fact that it's an older crowd helps.
I still think you are over-estimating your own taste.
Anonymous
12/17/2024 15:03
Subject: never realized all-inclusive snobbery was such a thing
Anonymous wrote:It's all just a matter of taste.
The biggest problem with many AI resorts is the access to alcohol. People have paid for it, and feel the need to drink it. Which = lots of drunk folks. Which = an atmosphere some of us are not into. This is going to be a problem everywhere, and it might not be a problem at all times at the places where it can be. But it is a problem for those who are not interested in that. Especially for folks really wanting to get away from it all and relax; loud drunk people at the beach or pool get in the way of relaxing under the palm trees. At least for some of us who are quieter and more introverted.
And the food is never great if you have decent taste. There is no sense in arguing about this; tastes differ. My sister, who has more money than just about anybody and can eat anywhere, swears that the food on a Carnival cruise was "Incredible!" She also chooses Outback for her birthday dinner. So. No arguing with people like that. But some of us want good food, and don't find the food at AIs "good" like OP did.
That said, really small AIs are often great. We really enjoyed The Caves in Jamaica. Highly recommend.
I'm the OP. I would never go on a Carnival cruise, and I also would never choose Outback for my birthday dinner. I guess my telling you that the food is good at this particular AI will fall on deaf ears. I too would abhor a resort where people walked around drunk, but that's not the case at this place. Everyone is well behaved. Perhaps the fact that it's an older crowd helps.
Anonymous
12/17/2024 14:31
Subject: never realized all-inclusive snobbery was such a thing
Resort vacations are great when you have little kids. We did a vacation with our then three year old where we just went to the same pool and beach and chicken fingers and strawberry daiquiris from a plastic jug every day. My kid still talks about it. They thought it was absolutely the greatest place on earth. We all got to nap and be warm. Mission accomplished.
Anonymous
12/17/2024 14:29
Subject: never realized all-inclusive snobbery was such a thing
Anonymous wrote:I always went to all-inclusives as a child, because my parents were too busy to plan trips by themselves (and it was harder pre-internet). But they were not luxurious - just Club Med stuff around the Mediterranean. Usually it was fine. One time we had rats scampering about in our room in Greece and the gardener came in and, with unerring accuracy (you could tell he did this every day), broke their skulls with the side of his rake. I will never forget it.
Having the gardener break the rat skulls with a rake is very old money.
Anonymous
12/17/2024 14:24
Subject: never realized all-inclusive snobbery was such a thing
I've never been to one in my life. I'm going this spring for a girls' weekend. When I told someone else the first thing she said was "I thought you'd be too cool for that." I honestly didn't know what she was talking about but now it makes sense.
Anonymous
12/17/2024 14:22
Subject: never realized all-inclusive snobbery was such a thing
Anonymous wrote:Some people like a very corporate, catered experience when they “travel”, and that is fine.
It’s called a vacation, pp. Travel is something you do for work.
Unless you are one of those insufferable people who rush to tell others you are a traveler and not a tourist?
Anonymous
12/17/2024 14:19
Subject: never realized all-inclusive snobbery was such a thing
Anonymous wrote:Sometimes I travel, sometimes I take a vacation. For me they are not the same thing. If I go to an AI or Disney that's a vacation. Meals and activities are onsite and I don't have to think much at all.
Travel is trying new things, doing research, taking more risks. I like both and think they are all valid, good uses of money and time.
Let me guess ... you "like to get off the beaten path" and "avoid the touristy stuff." Lol, sure.
Anonymous
12/17/2024 14:16
Subject: never realized all-inclusive snobbery was such a thing
Anonymous wrote:Would love to know what a luxury AI is. IME, travel agents call them 5 star, but they absolutely are not 5 star.
Lol, lol, lol...
Anonymous
12/17/2024 14:15
Subject: never realized all-inclusive snobbery was such a thing
It's all just a matter of taste.
The biggest problem with many AI resorts is the access to alcohol. People have paid for it, and feel the need to drink it. Which = lots of drunk folks. Which = an atmosphere some of us are not into. This is going to be a problem everywhere, and it might not be a problem at all times at the places where it can be. But it is a problem for those who are not interested in that. Especially for folks really wanting to get away from it all and relax; loud drunk people at the beach or pool get in the way of relaxing under the palm trees. At least for some of us who are quieter and more introverted.
And the food is never great if you have decent taste. There is no sense in arguing about this; tastes differ. My sister, who has more money than just about anybody and can eat anywhere, swears that the food on a Carnival cruise was "Incredible!" She also chooses Outback for her birthday dinner. So. No arguing with people like that. But some of us want good food, and don't find the food at AIs "good" like OP did.
That said, really small AIs are often great. We really enjoyed The Caves in Jamaica. Highly recommend.
The biggest problem with many AI resorts is the access to alcohol. People have paid for it, and feel the need to drink it. Which = lots of drunk folks. Which = an atmosphere some of us are not into. This is going to be a problem everywhere, and it might not be a problem at all times at the places where it can be. But it is a problem for those who are not interested in that. Especially for folks really wanting to get away from it all and relax; loud drunk people at the beach or pool get in the way of relaxing under the palm trees. At least for some of us who are quieter and more introverted.
And the food is never great if you have decent taste. There is no sense in arguing about this; tastes differ. My sister, who has more money than just about anybody and can eat anywhere, swears that the food on a Carnival cruise was "Incredible!" She also chooses Outback for her birthday dinner. So. No arguing with people like that. But some of us want good food, and don't find the food at AIs "good" like OP did.
That said, really small AIs are often great. We really enjoyed The Caves in Jamaica. Highly recommend.
Anonymous
12/17/2024 14:08
Subject: never realized all-inclusive snobbery was such a thing
Anonymous wrote:I always went to all-inclusives as a child, because my parents were too busy to plan trips by themselves (and it was harder pre-internet). But they were not luxurious - just Club Med stuff around the Mediterranean. Usually it was fine. One time we had rats scampering about in our room in Greece and the gardener came in and, with unerring accuracy (you could tell he did this every day), broke their skulls with the side of his rake. I will never forget it.
Ha - my childhood vacations were always packing into the station wagon and sleeping in the living room of my uncle and aunt's condo in Atlantic City. Club Med in the Mediterranean, or getting overrun by rats in Greece, sounds like luxury I never even dreamed of - and we were very middle class, not poor.
Anonymous
12/17/2024 14:06
Subject: never realized all-inclusive snobbery was such a thing
The only time I go AI is when I am the guest yoga teacher. I guess I'm kinda a snob, without the money. I just feel like a gluttonous pig when I'm there. It's overkill in every way.
Anonymous
12/17/2024 14:04
Subject: never realized all-inclusive snobbery was such a thing
I love an AI, and I'm still kind of an AI snob!
To me, one of my favorite things about vacations and travelling is seeing new places, trying new things. So when I hear about someone going to an exotic locale, and staying within the same few acres of resort, I am a little shocked. But I think the same about people that travel to the same place every year, stay in the same place, eat the same things etc. My aunt and uncle have been going to the same resort for 10+ yrs now, and it just seems so boring to me! But ultimately it's not my money or vacation time, so more power to them.
I love a good AI, but I still leave the resort to go check out the local places. And I can't stand the super cheap resorts overflowing with children and college kids, so it's definitely a specific experience that I look for. I like to do some adventure vacations and some AI relaxing vacations. They scratch different itches for me.
To me, one of my favorite things about vacations and travelling is seeing new places, trying new things. So when I hear about someone going to an exotic locale, and staying within the same few acres of resort, I am a little shocked. But I think the same about people that travel to the same place every year, stay in the same place, eat the same things etc. My aunt and uncle have been going to the same resort for 10+ yrs now, and it just seems so boring to me! But ultimately it's not my money or vacation time, so more power to them.
I love a good AI, but I still leave the resort to go check out the local places. And I can't stand the super cheap resorts overflowing with children and college kids, so it's definitely a specific experience that I look for. I like to do some adventure vacations and some AI relaxing vacations. They scratch different itches for me.