All-Inclusive resorts are my one of my favorite getaways. In an earlier post I talked about the reasons why. If you decide to take an all inclusive resort vacation the following tips will make your trip easier and more enjoyable. Here are another 10 all-inclusive resort vacation travel tips.

1. Pack nice clothes for dressing up for dinner or the disco at night. Some theme restaurants do enforce a dress code.
2. Decide on tours before you arrive at the resort so that you get to do everything you want. Remember there is a lot to do at the resort. You may not want to leave. You can book tours at the resort or online before you go with a local tour company.

3. Bring books, an  iPod, eReader, iPad, puzzles, magazines, handwork, etc to do while waiting for shows to start, sitting at the beach, or sitting in the airport.
4. Bring a camera with a bag to keep the sand out. An underwater camera is fun if you are going snorkeling or scuba diving.
5. Bring a T-shirt to wear to keep your shoulders from getting burnt while you’re walking on the beach.
6. Watch your skin in the sun in a new place to see how easily you will burn. You will usually get burned before you can see or feel that you have been in the sun too long.
7. An umbrella is a treasure for the occasional downpour, or sun screen.
8. Bring a jacket for cool evenings.
9. Take Tylenol, cold medicine, Pepto Bismol, sunscreen and bug spray; remember the airline size rules.
10. Package you medications in your carry-on bag. Don’t let all the fun make you forget to take it.

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Capture your memories in video with the Kodak Zi8 Camera (text link) Kodak Zi8 Pocket HD Digital Video Camcorder, Black

A cruise on land is my description of an all-inclusive resort vacation. It is my favorite getaway. Everything is included even the drinks. Do you ever spend time on your vacation saying, “Where do you want to eat?” “How much can we spend?” and wondering if you have enough money to really enjoy the food you would like to have.  There won’t be any skipping meals trying to save money or staying in your room because of the cost of activities; everything is included. Unless you decide to take a day tour away from the resort you will have paid for everything in advance and know exactly what your trip will cost.

Even though the most widely accepted definition of an “all-inclusive resort is when all your meals, snacks, drinks and non-motorized sports are included with your vacation package make sure to check the packages that you look at so that you know what is included in the quote that you receive. Packages can even include the airfare, transfers, taxes and gratuities. Ask if it includes airfare, transfers, resort stay, tips, food, drinks, sports, activities, and entertainment? Other questions to ask if these are important to you; is it on the beach, is there free internet access, a gym, more than one swimming pool, several theme restaurants to choose from, adult’s only rules, and are there programs for children?

Following these travel tips will help you enjoy your trip to the fullest. Planning ahead with these 10 all-inclusive resort tips will make your trip to an all-inclusive resort more enjoyable.

1. After checking into the resort find out where to make reservations for the specialty restaurants as they fill up almost immediately. The number of evenings you can book a specialty restaurant are usually limited to 1 restaurant choice for every 3 night you stay.
2. Pre-sign up for the kids “club” or “camp.” If you can’t do it ahead of time do it as soon as you can when you get there and get a copy of the schedule.
3. Review the resort map and familiarize yourself with where the various parts are and where different activities are held.
4. If you are not given a list there is an activities/game/entertainment schedule posted on the activities and games board. Make a note of when and where the ones that you are interested in are taking place. Some activities you need to go early and sign up if required. Most sporting activities need to be signed up for. Reservations for using the canoes, sail boats, snorkeling equipment, ping pong tournaments, etc. fill up quickly.
5. One option if it is expensive to use your cell phones there is to take Walkie Talkies with you so that you can find each other easily if you separate or want to do separate activities.
6. Time slips away so take a watch so you know what time it is. There won’t be many clocks around. Co-ordinate your activities so that you can meet up after separate activities or get to your spouse’s activity in time to cheer for them.
7. There are so many food choices that you may want to walk around the buffet and see all the food choices before you start piling your plate. You will eat less and eat the things are you favorites.
8. Take your towel or sandals and reserve your chair on the beach early in the day. Go to the outer edges of the seating area to find seats when they all appear to be taken.
9. If drinks are included (usually are) enjoy but not so much that you are sick or lose control. It can be tempting when you don’t pay for them.
10. If you love snorkeling bring your own snorkels & fins in case they limit the amount of time you can have them checked out.

Hotels offer several different “Meal Plans” depending on the hotel or resort. Having some meals included can make a big difference in your overall vacation expenses.  Check to see what time of the day the meals are offered. There is no sense paying for something you won’t be there to eat. Find out how many people staying in the room the “Meal Plan” will include. Many times the room will hold more people than the “Meal Plan” will provide for so you may be required to pay for additional guests.

(AL) All inclusive Plan (also called Full Pension, or Full American Plan) Check what they mean by all inclusive it could be just 3 meals a day with drinks, dessert, snacks etc. or it may include some meals but not drinks

(EP) European Plan – No meals included

( CP) Continental Plan – Continental Breakfast: This varies by hotel. Usually it is pastries and coffee. I have been in several hotels where it includes fruit and cereal, tea, coffee, juices and hot chocolate so you will have to check with the hotel.

(AP) American Plan – Includes three meals daily

(MAP) Modified American Plan (sometimes called demi-pensions, half pension or half board depending where you are in the world) – Includes some meals

(B&B) Bed and Breakfast – Some sort of breakfast is included with your hotel night stay. The breakfast can range from a drink or coffee with a roll to a full breakfast buffet.

Each hotel, resort or accommodation may interpret the meaning of these terms differently so this is another reason to check exactly what is included before you book your hotel. We always try to have meals included as it usually costs more to purchase meals independently than to have them included in the room rate. It is always good to check and see if the meals that are included in the rate make it a better deal than booking a hotel without.

The invention of mobile applications has made getting information while you are traveling so much easier. It used to be that you would have to go to the library or book store and check out or buy a travel book on the destination where you were traveling to. Then came the internet with the ability to look up information from the comfort of your home but you still couldn’t get real time on the spot information. Now we have mobile apps that provide immediate results and information.

The mobile apps can supply you with real time weather, tour information, airline check in, maps, and even information for opening and closing times of the places you are visiting.

What’s even better is most apps are very inexpensive compared to buying all those books, maps, and printing costs for printing from the internet and it eliminated the bulk of room all those things took up. With airline weight restrictions we really need our apps.