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Many honeymooners head straight for the tropics even before the rice has been swept up at the reception hall. The appeal of sun and sand and impossibly blue water is almost irresistible after the months of wedding planning are over. The choices for a beach honeymoon are endless and couples often turn to the convenient and economical option of an all-inclusive honeymoon. All-inclusive trips to destinations such as Hawaii, Mexico and the South Pacific are available. And for winter weddings you can occasionally find an all-inclusive ski vacation. The Caribbean, however, is the hub for this type of fun-filled honeymoon.
All-inclusive is a term used by many resorts to describe vacation packages where for one pre-determined sum, virtually everything on your trip is paid for except for your airfare. Your ground transportation, meals, beach activities, entertainment and drinks are usually covered in an all-inclusive vacation package. Naturally, things such as gifts, activities and meals outside the resort are not included in such a vacations, but if you stay on the resort property, you generally won't have to pay for a thing. Many resorts even include tipping as part of the package. Their aim is to make everything as worry-free and relaxing as possible. At Sandals Resorts, for example, they have kept things simple for the honeymooning couple by including everything in one price. With luxurious ocean view rooms and suites, a selection of gourmet restaurants (offering table service and not just buffets), unlimited premium brand beverages, a wide selection of land and water sports, including golf and scuba diving, and roundtrip airport transfers and tipping, Sandals represents the ultimate luxury all-inclusive honeymoon experience.
Please be aware that the "all" part of the all-inclusive can vary widely from one resort to another, as can the quality. There is usually consistency within resort chains concerning what's included. Here's a complete list of features in a typical all-inclusive package.
Accommodations
The price of your all-inclusive package depends on the accommodation option you select. Some of the other choices that may determine the amount you'll pay could include:
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Location of the room -- Oceanfront, ocean view, and garden view are three typical location options. Oceanfront rooms are usually the most desirable and costly. In some resorts, every room is an oceanfront.
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Size of the room -- From standard double rooms, to suites, to the deluxe penthouse, you'll always be offered several options.
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Special features -- The price of certain rooms may be affected by the unique amenities such as hot tubs and plunge pools.
Dining
Here is the point at which the choices are varied and the price is not affected. At an all-inclusive resort you will virtually never pay a separate fee for your food. And you'll never have to look too far to find it.
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Large buffets overflowing with food you love and local delicacies are provided for breakfast, lunch and dinner, usually in a large dining room.
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Quality resorts, such as Sandals, will offer a variety of sit down gourmet restaurants offering wide menu selections and even formal white glove service.
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Some resorts feature smaller restaurants with varied hours for your convenience.
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Light fare -- sandwiches, snacks, fruit plates -- is usually available poolside, all day long.
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Room service is often an option at upscale all-inclusive resorts, just as it would be in any luxury hotel.
Bar Service
All beverages are free of charge at most all-inclusive resorts. The more luxurious resorts even include unlimited premium brand liquors. Bars of various sizes are positioned throughout the resorts, some staying open all night.
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Swim-up pool bars are a favorite. Sip your favorite tropical drinks while sitting on a submerged bar stool, feeling the tropical sun warm your shoulders.
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Hotel bars are another option, usually positioned off the main lobby where you can enjoy a drink in air-conditioned comfort.
- Music bars vary widely, from piano bars, to venues for featured performers and even karaoke bars.
- Discos or dance bars. There is usually one such bar per resort and dancing goes on all night. These bars generally stay open the latest.
Sports
Land Sports
- Tennis is almost universally available at all-inclusive resorts. Some even offer tennis lessons, free of charge.
- Golf is not always going to be included in your package, but at the more upscale properties it is often on the list and represents a great value. Golf school and greens fees are usually included in the price, but most resorts charge extra for caddies, clubs and carts.
- Fitness centers are now commonplace at resorts. They feature the latest equipment, fitness trainers and even aerobics classes.
- Basketball courts are available at certain resorts, and pick-up games are a common sight.
- Beach Volleyball games are vigorous and most often followed by a plunge into the beautiful Caribbean.
These are some of the main activities typically included although many others could well be available. Spa facilities are not available at all resorts. However, if an amazing massage is a must on your honeymoon agenda, ask in advance to see what's available. Spa services are generally an extra expense.
Water Sports
A considerable portion of an all-inclusive honeymoon trip will revolve around the water. As a result, the resort management strives to provide an enormous variety of fun, water-centric activities. These are some typical options you'll be offered:
- Learn to windsurf
- Try out water-skiing
- Paddle a sea kayak
- Become a scuba diver, even if you haven't tried it before. Luxury resorts, such as Sandals, even offer free scuba certification courses. Snorkeling is always available, too.
- Sail across the water, wind in your hair.
Again, it's important to remember that the quantity of what's included can vary, but so can the quality. So always make sure you ask your travel consultant about the details, because they make a huge difference to the value you are getting.
Beach or pool
All resorts feature multiple swimming options.
- The Beach. Naturally you'll spend some time on the white sand and having fun in the clear, blue water you can hardly believe is real.
- Pools of several shapes and sizes are key features of these resorts, some splashing with activity, others serene.
- A Jacuzzi is a wonderful and romantic place to relax.
Entertainment
Programming of entertainment at the resorts is extensive and varied. You may find a torch singer at a piano or a steel band drumming their hearts out. There's dancing in a disco, as well as movie nights. You'll find no shortage of entertainment at an all-inclusive resort.
Special Activities
Each all-inclusive resort provides activities to separate themselves from every other destination. Whether it's a specific type of entertainment, a circus school, or unexpected parties, the resort staffs strive to show the guests a good time. The vacation can be as private as you wish or packed with activities, and since a significant portion of the clientele are couples on their honeymoon, rest assured that the resorts understand your desire for privacy.
As you finalize your plans for an all-inclusive honeymoon, double-check the details of exactly what's included. Each resort determines the features included in its packages, so be sure to go over the elements of the package you're purchasing. Confirm the details about everything from food and beverages to lodging and activities. Ask for an itemized list of all that's included in your travel package, and if you see an omission, question it. You don't want to be alarmed by an unexpected bar bill or activity fee when you check out.
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