All inclusive

[CODMAN]

Compudude is right on concerning this! You really need to decide what you want from your vacation. A casual dive now and then? Tons of diving? The best diving possible at any price? Budget diving? Best quality/value diving? Lots to do for the non-divers, or really just a beach is enough? Shopping? In some places you can even combine an all inclusive, while diving with a separate dive operation that will pick you up at the resort.

More details are needed if you want any kind of real help locating the best for you! You need to HELP US HELP YOU!

Originally Posted by CompuDude

Where are you going? I've stayed at Sandals in Jamaica, and dove with them. Sandals has places all over the Caribbean. They're couples-only, though, no children, so you'll want their sister company, Breezes, which is the same but for families with kids.

The resorts are nice, there are tons of free and fun activities to enjoy, and the drinks are free and plentiful. Lots to do, but beware the sales pitches where they spend a lot of time convincing you to leave the all-inclusive resorts and spend lots of extra money on outside tours so they can get kick-backs.

The diving, however, is very much aimed at the "I dive once a year on vacation" crowd. Short and unchallenging, usually at fairly heavily-trafficked sites, under the strict supervision of a DM, and the dive is over when the first air hog hits 1500 psi. If that sort of thing appeals to you and the description fits you, it's actually a great and fun way to get a taste of diving with your vacation. But it's a vacation with a little diving sprinkled for fun, NOT a diving vacation, so it depends on what you're looking for.

[scubabell]

I've also done Couples Resorts in Jamaica. Two boat dives per day (one deep, one shallow) and all equipment were included. I've seen turtles, eels, sharks, dolphins, rays and a squid while diving with Couples. If you're in Negril, ask to go to the "shallow plane" - a crashed cessna - it was really cool.

[thor]

The Dominican Republic has some great all inclusives, and the diving is not bad. The Paradisus Palma Real is one of the nicest all inclusives that I have stayed at, and diving was included Like everyone has said, it depends what your destination is and also whether you are going on vacation to dive or ust something to do while on vacation.

[scubarobin]

Lots of All-inclusives to choose from where there is good diving. Check out Scuba Club in Cozumel, Little Cayman Resort in the Caymans, all dive resorts in Fiji, Anthony's Key or Cocoview in Roatan, lots of places in Belize....
I would start with a dive travel website like Caradonna Dive Adventures - Dive Travel and Vacations or Caribbean Dive Island Vacations at Bay Adventures and check out the specials they offer. for the dates you are looking at. I would not book a resort that is an all-inclusive just because it looks nice. These dive specialists have deals where the diving is GOOD. Stick with them.

[Doug B]

I'll be posting a review of Beaches Resort and the diving I did in Turks very soon. Checkout the "Turks and Caicos" thread(s) later in the week.

In summary, the diving was good, but I'll never consider staying at the Beaches Resort in Turks again.

[CODMAN]

Can,t wait to read your report Doug! Sorry to hear you weren't happy with Beaches... I must admit, I don't really like the all inclusive resorts...

Originally Posted by Doug B

I'll be posting a review of Beaches Resort and the diving I did in Turks very soon. Checkout the "Turks and Caicos" thread(s) later in the week.

In summary, the diving was good, but I'll never consider staying at the Beaches Resort in Turks again.

[mentalmarine]

Really ya dont like the all incusive resorts? I think they are the bomb, dont have to worry about drinks or food, just hang out and enjoy yourself.

Originally Posted by CODMAN

Can,t wait to read your report Doug! Sorry to hear you weren't happy with Beaches... I must admit, I don't really like the all inclusive resorts...

[CompuDude]

Beaches is a "family" all inclusive. May be different from others.

I've enjoyed all inclusives. I just have to very much lower my expectations of the diving they provide. Going with an offsite shop may provide a better diving experience as well.

[CODMAN]

The only things I like about all inclusives are: 1- the price; often, they are the better deals for diving and accomodations, 2- They force you to slow down and relax (cause you aint going nowhere!).

They really don,t fit my style that much. On vacation, I'm often a "busy-body" who likes to snoop around, meet with locals, try to learn about local cultures, food and society. Not to mention I love good food; All-inclusives are rarely up to my high standards (at best they are OK). But that's not what all-inclusives are about... But I have really enjoyed my time in Roatan in an all inclusive for the following reaons: 1- We dove a ton, 2- it was dirt cheap, 3- We met some really great people while there that added to the trip. But the food was not great and we were far from the local town (west end) which made exploring difficult...

Hey, you can't have everything!!!!!!!

Originally Posted by mentalmarine

Really ya dont like the all incusive resorts? I think they are the bomb, dont have to worry about drinks or food, just hang out and enjoy yourself.