Often times the vacation planning process can feel overwhelming, especially to those who don’t travel frequently or who are intimidated by traveling outside their comfort zone. For whatever reasons, having a basic understanding of common travel styles can have an impact on whether or not you’ll love or hate your vacation. Let’s get started.
Cruises
The competition for cruise dollars has resulted in cruise lines stepping up their games from celebrity and world renown chef collabs for dining to exclusive access to privately owned beaches or islands to Broadway quality entertainment. The competition doesn’t end there, there’s more, plenty more.
For cruises, staterooms, dining, standard amenities, select beverages with meals only, and select activities/entertainment on the ship are generally included at the base price. This pricing model offers upgrades to enhance and customize your vacation experience. Additional charges apply to beverage packages, premium dining, premium beverages, Wi-Fi, etc.
What makes cruises appealing is all that’s included in the base price. For some, this will suffice. They know what the cruise will cost so no billing surprises, unless purchases are made outside of base price offerings or upgrades to the existing reservation are made. Others feel cruises are easier to budget because of base pricing. Cruises are cashless and the room key is the key. This key, really a card, is the only acceptable form of payment onboard. Your room key is linked to your preferred payment method on file with the cruise line. With this being said, others find this a negative as it is harder to keep track of spending.
Think of most cruise ships as small cities on water. The bigger the ship, the more it’ll have on board to do and keep you occupied. These ships have public spaces like parks and shopping promenades, bar hopping and even outdoor movies. Life on today’s cruise ships is anything but ordinary. For cruises, it’s all about what floats your boat.
Further considerations:
- Size matters. Bigger ships equal more people and crowds. Queues are almost unavoidable and form for just about everything. Embarking/disembarking on large ships can seem overwhelming, confusing and disorganized due to the sheer number of people. Medium or smaller ships are the opposite & embarking/disembarking is a breeze.
- Many cruise lines require you to choose a time for dinner at the main dining room. Expect to sit with the same people at the same time throughout the cruise. Unless you’re able to reserve a table for two or your party if available.
- Cruises are a great way to sample destinations.
- Limited time. Feeling rushed to “see it all” or not venturing further out due to having to be back on the ship.
- Check itineraries carefully. Expect a week-long cruise to spend about half that time at sea and a day at an exclusive property or island, leaving the remainder for land. If you want more days on land, 2 separate, 3-day itineraries (back-to-back) would be an option.
- Deviate from base pricing and cruises get very expensive. You will be charged for just about everything. Cruise line islands or properties are no exception.
- Expect to pay double for excursions purchased through the cruise lines.
- Big ships are made for days at sea and will have more to do for everyone of all ages. Think shopping, activities, amusement park rides, classes, kid’s clubs and much more. If you’ve experienced life aboard a large ship, mid-size ships and smaller will noticeably have less extravagance in contrast to their massive sized counterparts.
- Depending on the cruise line and itinerary, you may have to choose either an excursion or time on land. Time limits can make both impossible to do as excursions take up most of the time at port.
- Days on land, you don’t have to get off the ship if you don’t want to.
- The ultimate in relaxation, ahhhhhh.
All-inclusive Resorts
First, let’s clarify “Adults Only.” It doesn’t automatically mean the upside-down pineapple variety or ahem, adult adult. Generally speaking, it’s the minimum age, 18, for entry into age restricted properties or areas. (Outside the U.S. minimum drinking age is typically 18.)
All-inclusive resorts can be adults only (18+) or all ages. Accommodations, meals, snacks, beverages, drinks, entertainment, bars and activities are included. In room mini bars are stocked daily and you can eat & drink premium alcohol/drinks when you want and as much as you want. Some properties might have “premium” restaurants, for instance, steak houses, not covered in the all-inclusive price.
There is a trend toward exclusive or club level access, at an additional price, to designated members only areas, preferable room locations, pools, dining, and even separate check-in among some of the perks. Prices and amenities vary, not all resorts have this option.
Further Considerations
- Choose wisely. Exploring off property may depend on location and/or safety risks. Some properties are remote. Others aren’t safe to leave. It’s not uncommon for a property to be in a gated community.
- Properties can include roundtrip transportation to/from airport.
- Resorts may offer complementary shuttles to a central location in town for shopping, gastronomy, exploring, and so on.
- Inquiry at concierge for excursions and activities on/off resort. Expect to pay more and possible sell outs if not booked in advance.
- Have the best of both worlds. Want to be with family but have the adults only experience? Many resorts are adult only on one side and all ages next door! With privileges you can visit sister properties.
- Know your resorts. Some have a party atmosphere, are low key, geared toward couples, multi-generational, kids orientated, luxurious, health and spa orientated, others may implement a points system.
- Like cruises, you can do as little or as much as possible. You don’t even have to leave the resort if you so desire.
- Another excellent option for relaxation and pampering oneself.
Escorted (Group) Tour
For those reluctant to travel because of language barriers, traveling solo, unfamiliarity navigating foreign countries, and so forth, escorted tours make vacations possible. Group travel is also great for people who enjoy the company of fellow travelers and the camaraderie they provide. A major pro to escorted travel is the comfort of an experienced guide and the planning being done for you. All you have to do is show up.
Group travel can feel rushed and lack personalization. Most average itineraries will scratch a destination’s surface, providing a great introduction. Hence, a productive vacation in a specified time frame. You’ll likely visit significant landmarks and learn their stories and general history. An experienced guide, can point you to the best vantage point for that iconic photo opportunity, a local café, and other non-tourist, only locals known “secrets.” Escorted tours are knowledgeable; you WILL learn a lot.
Moreover, escorted tours are an excellent tool for scoping out destinations for deeper exploration at another time. If efficiency and the removal of planning a multistep vacation is a priority, then this travel style will best compliment you.
Further Considerations
- Know your and the itinerary’s activity level. Don’t expect a leisurely tour if the activity level is categorized as “heavily active,” “rated 5 out of 5” activity level and so on.
- Likewise, be sure you can keep up. Group tours may entail physical challenges – to some- long periods of walking, inclines, stairs, standing.
- If mobility is an issue, find out if you can be accommodated before you decide to book; ask questions. Accommodations can’t always be made due to location or lack of updates to structures for the sake of keeping its integrity, specifically for wheelchairs or motorized scooters. They might not be permitted everywhere. Be on the lookout for slippery or uneven pavements; in old cities, uneven walking surfaces are unavoidable.
- Group travel can be fast paced, not leaving much in the way of free time.
- Schedules can be rigorous making for long days. Expect most group itineraries to get very early starts. Often times, luggage must be either set outside your room or at a central location as early as 5 a.m. or meetup times between 6 – 7 a.m.! If you don’t like this, book a different itinerary.
- Be prepared for stops that include demonstrations or presentations that end in selling opportunities for the demonstrator/presenter. These may or may not be listed in itineraries. On one trip, my group stopped at a small workshop where we witnessed someone work with clay pottery as he explained the process. Afterwards, we were led into a small room where these wares could be purchased. Sometimes sellers can be aggressive; items tend to be on the expensive side.
Fully Independent Travel (FIT)
Fully independent travel is the ultimate in freedom! You go where you want, when you want, at your own pace, you are in control of your vacation. Ideal for travelers who are confident, flexable and comfortable going solo; you can wing it, plan an itinerary to your heart’s content or a little of both.
The outcome of your holiday is the direct result of the effort you put into it. You’re responsible for any research, reservations, logistics and all components of your vacation. If your trip is international, you’ll also need to be aware of entry requirements and costs, if applicable, beforehand. It also wouldn’t hurt to have some familiarization with general areas, public trans, customs, acceptable/unacceptable mannerisms or behaviors and the like. Insight into how things are “done over there” can prevent incidents, fines and offense or insults to locals.
Further Considerations
- When traveling abroad, don’t take for granted that the way things are in the US, will be replicated elsewhere. Example, it’s not uncommon for hotels overseas to NOT have elevators and/or air conditioning. If you require these or other “amenities,” it’s best to know whether or not a hotel has them prior to booking. Exercise due diligence!
- It’s all you; can’t blame anyone, you’re the one responsible.
- Self- planning entails keeping track of payment schedules, various refund/cancellation policies and applicable terms and conditions.
- If interested in fully independent travel, but, are unsure of DIY, Capricorn Vacations offers this and other customization options to meet your vacation needs.
The popularity of these four vacation styles will continue to have record years as they evolve to meet the demands of vacationers. The competition for consumer dollars via brand exclusives, unique experiences, upgrades and customization, has made travel more appealing than ever. A range of price points and fitness levels have also contributed to the rise. Now that you have a better understanding of vacation styles, which do you prefer? – MMR