Back to Maldives All Inclusive Holidays | What’s included checklist
This is one of the most common Maldives questions, and the answer is simple: it depends on how you actually spend your days. If you drink cocktails, enjoy wine with meals, snack between meals, or plan to lounge at the resort, all inclusive usually feels smoother. If you are a light drinker (or non-drinker) and you are mainly paying for meals, full board can be the smarter value.
Before booking, confirm what counts as included: What’s included checklist.
If you are a non-drinker, this guide makes the decision simple: Non-drinkers guide.
Resorts use different names and small variations, but the core difference is drinks. Full Board usually covers meals only. All Inclusive covers meals plus a defined drinks list and sometimes extras like snacks or minibar. The details matter, so it’s worth checking the inclusions properly.
| Plan | Typically included | Typically extra | Where people get surprised |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full Board | Breakfast, lunch, dinner (often at the main restaurant) | Most drinks, snacks, minibar, specialty restaurants, excursions, spa, diving | Drinks and snacks add up quickly, especially for families |
| All Inclusive | Meals + selected drinks (and sometimes snacks/minibar/non-motorised sports) | Premium alcohol, some specialty dining, many excursions, spa, diving | “Selected beverages” has rules (brands, bars, times) |
To compare apples-to-apples, use the checklist page and confirm these four areas: drinks list, minibar rules, snack coverage, and restaurant access. What’s included (copy-paste checklist).
The meal plan is only part of your spending. What changes your total most is how the resort charges for extras. Here is what to focus on before deciding.
If you enjoy cocktails, wine, or beers daily, full board often becomes “full board + daily drinks bill”. All inclusive feels better when your daily drink spend would be high.
Check drinks inclusionsSome resorts have snack hours and include minibar soft drinks. Others charge for everything outside meal times. Families feel this most.
Minibar and snacks checklistIf all inclusive locks you into one main restaurant, it can feel repetitive. A plan with specialty dining credits can feel more valuable than “unlimited buffet”.
Restaurant access questionsExcursions are usually extra on both plans. If your holiday is activity-heavy, full board can still make sense.
AI vs Half BoardSpa credits might be included on some all inclusive plans, but treatments are usually not unlimited. Diving is typically extra unless clearly stated.
Confirm spa/dive inclusionsIf you want a slow holiday with long pool days, all inclusive usually feels worth it. If you want a simple meal base and pay for extras only when you use them, full board can be smarter.
Non-drinkers guideIf you expect cocktails by the pool, wine at dinner, and a few bar visits during the day, all inclusive is often the smoothest choice. The key is checking if the drinks list is genuinely useful (not just a tiny “selected menu”).
Full board covers meals, but kids want snacks and drinks between meals. If those are paid, the bill grows fast. For families, an all inclusive plan with snack coverage can be more predictable and less stressful.
Focus on: snacks, minibar soft drinks, and what drinks are included for kids. Check inclusions.
Full board often wins if you mainly want meals covered and you are happy to pay for a few soft drinks or mocktails. If a resort offers all inclusive with strong dining credits and useful extras, it can still be worth it.
Use: Non-drinkers guide.
If you are out on trips most days, you may not use snack hours or bar time enough to justify all inclusive. Full board can work well as a base, especially if your drink spend is low.
Also compare: All inclusive vs half board.
Use this quick test to estimate whether all inclusive is likely worth it for you. You do not need exact prices, just your realistic habits.
If you want to confirm those hidden items quickly, use: What’s included checklist.
This removes the usual confusion between all inclusive and full board. Send it to your agent or resort.
1) Under Full Board, what drinks are included (if any)? What are typical drink prices on the island?
2) Under All Inclusive, which drinks are included (beer, wine, spirits, cocktails)? Which brands are excluded?
3) Are drinks included all day, or only at specific bars and specific hours?
4) Is minibar included? If yes, what items are included and how often is it refilled?
5) Are snacks included between meals (afternoon tea, bar snacks, late-night options)?
6) Which restaurants are included under each plan? Are specialty restaurants included via credits or set menus?
7) Are any activities included (snorkel gear, non-motorised water sports)? What is charged?
8) Are transfers included in either quote? If not, what is the exact transfer type and cost per person?
Full board is usually cheaper upfront because it covers meals only. The total cost depends on your drinks and snacks. If you drink daily, all inclusive can be better value overall.
Drinks. All inclusive typically covers selected drinks, while full board usually does not. The second biggest difference is whether snacks and minibar soft drinks are included. Use: What’s included checklist.
Sometimes, but only if the plan includes useful extras you will actually use (snacks, minibar, dining credits, activities). Otherwise full board can be the smarter choice. See: Non-drinkers guide.
Often transfers are charged separately, even on all inclusive. Always confirm transfer type and exact cost per person in writing.
If you will be out often and miss snack hours or bar time, you may not use all inclusive enough to justify it. Compare with half board too: All inclusive vs half board.
Checklist for drinks, minibar, snacks, restaurant access, and the questions to confirm.
Open the checklistBest if you plan excursions or want a lighter meal plan strategy.
Read the comparison