January 22, 2026

Planning a trip for the whole family can be a daunting task, especially when you have varying ages and activity levels in the mix. We have found that families often opt for cruising or all-inclusives when they are bringing the whole bunch along, specifically because planning is a breeze. With accommodations, activities, and meals all booked at once, we understand why these two types of travel top the list for family vacations. But, they do have their differences and, depending on your family’s specific needs, one may be better than the other. Let’s break it down.

Cabin or hotel room - is space a priority?

Depending on the cruise ship or resort, accommodations vary widely. However, it is generally true that cabins on cruise ships will be quite a bit smaller and have fewer features than rooms at resort hotels. Bathtubs, wifi, and extra closet space can be limited in cabins, while these things come pretty standard in hotel rooms. This is the first consideration we suggest making when deciding which avenue is best for your family. With both types of travel you may say, “well we won’t be in the room much at all!” And, although this may be true for the most part, traveling with young kids or elderly adults may mean afternoon naps and reset time in the room are a must. Of course, there is almost always the option to upgrade. Most cruise ships now have options for balcony cabins, suites, and other room upgrades. Of course, these things may come at an extra cost, but, for your dream vacation and your family’s comfort, it may be worth it.

Cost - upfront costs don’t always show the whole picture

The rule of thumb when considering cruising versus all-inclusives is that cruising will usually carry a smaller upfront cost with more additional costs along the way and all-inclusives will usually carry a larger upfront cost and almost no additional costs along the way. We don’t think this makes one option better than the other, it is just something to be aware of. Typically, the upfront price for cruising will include accommodations, basic food and drinks, and some activities. Alcoholic beverage packages, upscale dining, and shore excursions are almost always add ons. On the flip side, the upfront price of all-inclusives (especially the ones we partner with *wink* *wink*) generally includes everything from accommodations, alcohol, fine dining, water sports, and activities. When it comes to budgeting, it is a good idea to decide on your priorities. If food is not a central piece of your vacation, the basic packages on cruise ships should suit you just fine and help you save some money while, if it is, the upscale dining experiences at all-inclusives might be worth the higher upfront cost.

Activity Levels - go, go, go or relaxing on the beach, take your pick

Now, don’t get us wrong, cruising and all-inclusives can really be what you make them depending on the activities you sign up for and where you decide to hang out on the ship or at the resort. But, generally speaking, cruises tend to be more high energy while all-inclusives are pretty laid back. On cruises, there will be a mix of days at sea and port days. Sea days can be filled with time by the pool, attending live performances, and hopping around to different bars and restaurants, while port days can be spent exploring beachside towns, enjoying water activities, or immersing in cultural excursions. With cruising, you are on a schedule and your days will depend on where you’re at in the itinerary. On the contrary, all-inclusives operate on the opposite of a schedule. You are at one resort the entire time and can decide as each day comes and goes if it will be a beach day or if you’ll kick up the energy with water sports or a journey into town. The high energy and schedule of cruising means you won’t have to plan much and the laid back energy of all-inclusives means you can just go with the flow. Both options are fantastic, the right fit just depends on your travel style.

Ages - ensure kids, teens, and grandparents all enjoy themselves

Coupled with activity level, the ages of your family group may be the most important factor to consider when choosing which route to go. Cruise ships usually have a lot of activities and excursions for school aged kids and teens, but not much for babies and toddlers. With waterparks, teen clubs, on board entertainment, and exciting water excursions, cruising tends to be a great option for families with high energy kids ages 6-18. All-inclusive resorts offer more of the comforts of home - quiet rooms, afternoon naps, and more food options. While there tend to still be a lot of activity options for kids and teens, babies and toddlers will also probably adjust better with the easy pace of resort life. Additionally, resorts like Beaches (which was named the best Hotel Brand for Families in the Caribbean at the TravelAge West WAVE Awards) have specific programming just for babies and toddlers and for families with special needs (Beaches was the first resort company in the world to complete the IBCCES training and Autism Certification). And of course, let’s not forget about the family members at the other end of the age range. Elders and grandparents have historically enjoyed cruising and all-inclusives alike. For your family members it may be important to consider their mobility level, interest in shore excursions, and proneness to sea sickness.

At the end of the day, there are so many things to enjoy about cruises and all-inclusives alike. If you still need help figuring out which option may be right for you, our expert travel specialists are here to help! Reach out to [email protected] for any specific cruise questions and [email protected] for info on all-inclusives. Happy travels!

Written by Erin Finneman