All-Inclusive Beach Resort Day Passes: What’s Included + Sneaky Extras (Pro Tips!)
1) The port day question I always hear
If you’ve cruised even once, you know the feeling: you wake up in port, you’re excited… and then you’re like, okay, what excursion is actually worth it? For me, all-inclusive beach resorts are one of the easiest “yes” answers—because when they’re done right, they’re fun, relaxing, and ridiculously simple. Beach, pool, food, drinks, bathrooms, shade, and activities all in one place. It’s the kind of port day that feels like a true vacation day inside your vacation day.
2) Watch the episode (this is the full breakdown)
We just posted a brand-new Wander with Wonder episode that covers everything you need to know about all-inclusive beach resorts as cruise excursions—what’s actually included, what costs extra, what’s “fine print,” and the pro tips that help you get maximum fun, relaxation, and value for your time and money. 🎥👇
3) What Wander with Wonder is (and why we made it)
If you’re new here, Wander with Wonder is our weekly series where we take one cruise topic at a time and break it down in a way that’s actually useful. Not hype, not vague tips—real expectations, real logistics, and the stuff you wish someone told you before you booked. We make these episodes for people who are researching and planning, but also for anyone who wants their cruise time to feel smoother, easier, and more fun.
4) Why all-inclusive resorts are one of the best cruise excursions
The magic of an all-inclusive beach resort day pass is freedom. You can order food and drinks and lay down and relax… or you can go out in the water and have fun—whatever you feel like doing in the moment. You don’t have to “solve” your day. You’re not bouncing between places. You’re not pulling out your wallet every five minutes. You just show up, get settled, and the day takes care of itself.
5) The fine print that can sneak up on you
Here’s the honest part: “all-inclusive” doesn’t always mean every single thing is included. Premium alcohol, cabanas, spa services, and other upgrades can add up fast—so knowing what to expect is everything. We also talk about a specific surprise at Paradise Beach in Cozumel: there’s a 20% gratuity charge added at the end based on your total food and drinks, and you pay it before you leave. It’s not a scam—it’s just something you want to know ahead of time so it doesn’t feel like a gotcha.
6) Same resort, totally different day (weather is the boss)
One of the biggest takeaways from our resort days is that weather can completely change your experience. We’ve done Paradise Beach in Cozumel twice and the two days couldn’t have been more different. We’ve also visited the Riu resort area in Puerto Vallarta, and we had an absolute blast—especially with the included boogie boards. And in Antigua, we had some of the best snorkeling we’ve ever done—short, easy swim from shore and suddenly we were surrounded by thousands of fish. That’s why this episode isn’t just “here’s what we did”—it’s the expectations and pro tips that help you win no matter what conditions you get.
7) Go watch, then tell me your port day style
If you’re considering an all-inclusive resort day pass, go watch the video before you book. It’ll help you avoid surprises and set your day up to feel effortless. After you watch, drop a comment and tell me your port day personality: are you a “lay on a lounger with a drink” person… or are you sprinting straight to the water activities? And if this helped, a like + subscribe genuinely helps our channel reach more cruisers who are planning right now.
8) Next week’s post: Lord of the Rings on Celebrity Constellation (yes, really)
Okay—now for the part I’m ridiculously excited about. Next week’s post is all about the Lord of the Rings events on Celebrity Constellation, and as a huuuuuge LOTR fan, I was in my element. If you’ve ever wanted to feel like you stumbled into a little pocket of Middle-earth… on a cruise ship… this was it. And for the next few episodes, we’re rolling out more Comic-Con Cruise content, including one of the funniest things we’ve ever done at sea: Family Feud… with hobbits. If that sentence doesn’t make you curious, I don’t know what will. 😄
-Cody
