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We Tested Barbados All-Inclusive Against Our Cruise—The Numbers Don't Lie

Go Travel Life
Go Travel Life
🥈Expert
👁️ 43K views📅 6 months ago⏱️ 16:58

Key Moments

Editorial Summary

The creators evaluate a three day stay at an all-inclusive resort in Barbados to determine if stationary land travel can compete with a premium cruise experience. They begin by reviewing their room, noting that while the accommodations offer more space and better bathrooms than standard ship cabins, the layout and amenities differ significantly. The tour covers the resort grounds, including a well-maintained gym and a pool area, though they note the beachfront is rocky and difficult for swimming due to hurricane damage. Dining experiences are described as limited, with the creators noting that most meals were buffet style and specialty dining was difficult to access. They also highlight restrictions in the all-inclusive beverage package, specifically regarding wine variety. After exploring the local Bridgetown boardwalk and the historic Garrison District, the creators perform a cost comparison. They conclude that the resort cost approximately forty dollars more per person per day than their recent Holland America cruise. Ultimately, they determine that cruising offers superior value due to more diverse dining options, better entertainment, and more inclusive amenities like laundry services and premium drink packages.

Written by TripBacon from this video's transcript.

How This Review Compares

This review's score for Holland America Line
Solid Strip
All-time creator consensus for Holland America Line
A Nibble

This review is more positive than the all-time creator consensus.

What This Creator Said
Creator Had Mixed FeelingsShip Comparison🥈Expert Creator
❤️ Best for CoupleCaribbean · 3 nightsVeteran Cruiser

Source: Our analysis of the creator's lived experience, based on what they said in this video.

Creator's Key Takeaways

The hotel actually cost us $40 per day as our recent Holland America cruise. So the big question is, can a stationary hotel really compete with a premium cruise ship?

Our takeaway is uh we think cruising is a much better value for a lot of different reasons.

It's far and away a a better experience. Yeah. And we do understand that some people just aren't cruisers, and that's fine.

Creator's Tips & Advice

Keep your room water bottles to use at the resort's filling stations to avoid purchasing more.
Snap a picture of the restaurant schedule to know your meal options in advance.
If you have mobility challenges, avoid walking off the property due to rough sidewalks and uneven surfaces.

🆕New to Cruising? This Creator Addresses:

Hidden costs in all-inclusive packagesCheck the fine print for what is actually included, such as specific wine brands or water bottle limits.

Questions This Creator Answers

QIs an all-inclusive resort actually better value than a cruise?
QHow does a land-based resort experience compare to a premium cruise ship in terms of food and amenities?

Topics Covered

Value Pricing2 Happy BaconDining Buffet1 Happy BaconEntertainment Shows4½ Happy BaconCabin Interior2½ Sad Bacon

Port Highlights

Bridgetown1½ Happy Bacon
Bridgetown, Barbados3 Happy Bacon
Garrison Historic District2½ Happy Bacon
Top: George Washington Museum
How to read the Trip Bacon Score
Happy Bacon — creators loved this aspect
Sad Bacon — creators took issue with this
Meh — no strong opinion either way

Scale: 0–5 strips in half-step increments. 0 = “meh”, 5 = “bacon bliss”. Aggregated from creator-review sentiment, weighted by channel expertise.

About our Bacon Score methodology

Video content sourced from the creator's original upload. Watch on YouTube