Why We’re Rethinking The All-Inclusive—And Dreaming About A Luxury Cruise Instead

We’ll admit it: for years, our idea of the perfect vacation was simple. Fly somewhere warm, check into a beautiful all-inclusive resort, claim a lounger by the pool and stay put for a week.

But lately, we’ve started wondering whether we’re thinking about luxury travel all wrong.

After all, why spend an entire vacation in one destination when you could wake up somewhere completely different every morning?

That’s exactly what’s drawing us to MSC Yacht Club, the luxury “ship within a ship” experience aboard MSC Cruises. It combines everything we love about a five-star resort—beautiful suites, exceptional dining, spa access, cocktails by the pool and personalized service—with something an all-inclusive simply can’t offer: the thrill of discovering a new destination almost every day.

One morning you’re sipping coffee as your balcony overlooks turquoise Caribbean waters. The next you’re stepping ashore to explore another island before returning to your floating boutique hotel.

And perhaps the biggest surprise? The value.

A comparable five-star all-inclusive resort in the Bahamas can cost around $1,400 CAD per night for two, while an MSC Yacht Club Caribbean sailing starts at approximately $900 CAD per night for two on select seven-night itineraries.

The savings are impressive—but it’s everything that’s included that really caught our attention.

Guests enjoy elegant suites, premium beverages throughout the ship, unlimited Wi-Fi, thermal spa access, 24-hour butler and concierge service, priority embarkation and disembarkation, exclusive restaurants and lounges, reserved entertainment seating, and a private sundeck complete with pools, whirlpools and attentive service (yes, someone even cleans your sunglasses while you relax).

One of the biggest perks? Exclusive access to the MSC Yacht Club area at Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, MSC’s breathtaking private island in the Bahamas, where pristine beaches and crystal-clear water feel wonderfully removed from the crowds.

What we find especially appealing is that MSC Yacht Club offers the best of both worlds. When you want privacy, you can retreat to exclusive spaces reserved only for Yacht Club guests—from the panoramic Top Sail Lounge to the private restaurant and tranquil pool deck. But when you’re in the mood for the excitement of a world-class cruise, the rest of the ship—with its restaurants, entertainment, shopping and activities—is right outside your door.

It’s luxury without feeling isolated.

And perhaps that’s why cruising is having such a moment.

Travel today isn’t just about where we stay—it’s about making every vacation day count. Instead of unpacking once and watching the same sunset every evening, you’re collecting multiple destinations, experiences and memories in a single trip.

The older we get, the more we value experiences over excess. Luxury, to us, isn’t necessarily about spending more—it’s about feeling like every detail has been thoughtfully considered.

If that means waking up in a new port, having breakfast overlooking the sea, spending the afternoon exploring somewhere we’ve never been and returning to find our favourite cocktail waiting in a private lounge?

Suddenly, that beach resort we’ve been loyal to for years has some serious competition. —Noa Nichol