By Mary Ann Anderson
From Tribune News Service
When my husband and I married more than 30 years ago, we honeymooned in Jamaica at an all-inclusive, all-couples resort. Until our travel agent told us about it, I wasn’t really aware of all-inclusives, but I liked the concept. Everything was built into one price, including airfare on Air Jamaica, food, drinks, watersports with diving classes and dives, and even tipping. There were no surprises or hidden costs, which meant no stress and plenty of relaxation without having to worry over whether or not to have that extra celebratory glass of champagne.
While all-inclusives now span the globe, the Caribbean in particular is clustered with them. The pioneer of the idea, though, was Club Med, which officially became a brand in 1950 when the first one opened in the Balearic Islands of Spain. While Club Med wasn’t luxurious, the all-inclusive resort has since metamorphosed into a galaxy of five-star suites with private plunge pools, plush extras like mahogany beds and Egyptian sheets, private islands, gourmet cuisine and top-shelf wines and spirits.
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