Choosing between a full board package and one that offers all-inclusive options can change how a family experiences a Maldives holiday. Both cover the main meals, making it easier to plan days around swimming, beach time and excursions. The difference comes in what happens between meals. Full board generally focuses on breakfast, lunch and dinner, while all-inclusive packages can add drinks, snacks, activities and entertainment. Understanding these differences can help families choose a package that matches how they expect to spend their time at the resort.
Overview
Full board can be a straightforward choice for families who want the three main meals included and plan to spend their days independently. It keeps the essential meals covered while leaving families free to choose additional activities or drinks as needed.
All-inclusive packages at the best family-friendly resorts in the Maldives for family vacations with kids generally build on this by featuring selected beverages, snacks and a wider range of activities and entertainment. For families who expect to spend plenty of time enjoying the resort itself, having more included can make the holiday easier to plan and provide better value over several days.
Full Board vs All-Inclusive: At a Glance
| Feature | Full Board | All-Inclusive |
| Breakfast | Included | Included |
| Lunch | Included | Included |
| Dinner | Included | Included |
| Drinks | Usually limited to specified drinks / mealtimes | Wider selection during specified periods |
| Snacks | Usually extra | Often included at selected bars / outlets |
| Activities | Usually charged separately | Selected activities may be included |
| Water sports | Often extra | Non-motorised activities may be included |
| Kids’ facilities | Resort facilities available, inclusions vary | May include children’s play areas and activities |
| Entertainment | Resort-dependent | May include regular live entertainment, DJ nights and movie nights |
| Excursions | Generally extra | Selected excursions may be complimentary |
| Spa | Treatments generally charged separately | Some packages may include spa credit |
| Best suited to | Families who want meals covered and a simpler package | Families wanting more resort experiences included |
Meals, Drinks and Snacks
Both plans can take care of the three main meals, which is particularly useful when travelling with children who tend to want food at fairly regular intervals. Full board generally covers the main meals, while drinks outside specified meal inclusions are usually additional.
An all-inclusive package can extend the convenience further. For example, it can include the main meals at the onsite restaurant, with drinks served during set periods. Selected beverages such as wine, cocktails, spirits, soft drinks, fruit cordial, tea, coffee and mineral water can be on offer as well. Drinks and snacks are also available at the bars during designated periods, giving families more flexibility between meals.
Activities and Things to Do
A Maldives family holiday can involve plenty of time at the resort, so the activities included in the package can make a noticeable difference. With full board, families can enjoy the resort’s facilities, but many activities or excursions may carry separate charges.
Meanwhile, an all-inclusive package at resorts like Adaaran Club Rannalhi can bundle more into the stay; for instance, it includes unlimited use of snorkelling equipment, windsurfing, canoeing and paddle boarding, along with beach volleyball, beach football, table tennis and water aerobics. Children also have access to a dedicated play area, while activities such as darts, boccia, Zumba and yoga provide options for different ages. Excursions like a complimentary sunset photo cruise are on offer too for stays over a certain number of days.
Entertainment and Family Time
For families, entertainment can be useful when everyone wants something to do after dinner without leaving the resort. Full board guests can generally enjoy whatever entertainment the property offers, although the meal plan itself does not necessarily include additional experiences.
An all-inclusive package may bring more of these moments into the overall holiday. An ideal package will feature daily live-band entertainment, outdoor DJ nights twice a week and sundown DJ music at a cocktail bar. There can also be karaoke and weekly movie nights, as well as a beach party with a bonfire. These give families opportunities to spend evenings together while adding variety beyond swimming and daytime activities.
Extra Inclusions and Celebrations
Another difference can be the additional extras attached to an all-inclusive package. Full board can provide the essentials, while other experiences are usually selected and paid for separately. Some all-inclusive packages add credits or complimentary touches that can be useful during a family stay; from spa credit to discounts on selected excursions, alongside access to the resort’s recreational activities, there will be much to look forward to.
Special occasions can also receive extra attention. Birthday celebrations can come with a complimentary cake, fresh fruit platter, wine and bed decoration, while anniversary packages can include cakes, wine, food and beverage credit and room decorations. These inclusions can make an all-inclusive package feel more comprehensive for families celebrating something special.
A Quick Cost Comparison
In the Maldives, full-board packages can typically start at around USD 200 to 250 per person per night, while all-inclusive options may start from around USD 270 and can go considerably higher; of course, this depends on what drinks, activities and extras are included. Full board usually covers three meals, whereas all-inclusive adds selected beverages and other inclusions, making it easier to manage daily spending.
| Package | Approx. rate* | Usually includes |
|---|---|---|
| Full Board | USD 200–250+ | Breakfast, lunch & dinner |
| All-Inclusive | USD 270+ | Meals, selected drinks & additional inclusions |
*Approximate rates only; actual prices are subject to change based on season, resort, room category, promotions, taxes and inclusions.
Who is Each Option Best For?
Full Board May Suit Families Who:
- Want the main three meals included.
- Prefer to keep the meal plan straightforward.
- Expect to spend considerable time away from the resort on separately booked excursions.
- Do not expect to order many drinks or snacks between meals.
- Prefer to choose and pay separately for activities.
All-Inclusive May Suit Families Who:
- Expect to spend most of their holiday enjoying the resort.
- Want drinks and snacks included alongside the main meals.
- Have children who enjoy regular activities and entertainment.
- Want to try non-motorised water sports without arranging separate payments.
- Prefer having selected excursions, activities or spa credits included.
- Are celebrating a birthday, anniversary or another special occasion.
Conclusion
Both full board and all-inclusive can work well for a family holiday in the Maldives. Full board keeps the focus on the essential meals, while all-inclusive can make a longer resort stay feel more comprehensive by adding drinks, snacks, activities, entertainment and selected extras. For families who plan to spend most of their time enjoying everything the property has to offer, the broader inclusions of an all-inclusive package can make planning simpler and provide greater value.