re: What is your experience with all inclusive resorts in Mexico?

I've been to 14, 19, and 23 on that list. They were all very nice. Not crowded, perfectly manicured landscape, and the food and drinks were top notch. Only once did we just chill at the resort the whole time (which was the goal). The other two times, in Puerto Vallarta and Cozumel, we did something nearly every day. Ziplines (PV), snorkeling (both), deep see fishing (Cozumel), swim with dolphins (Cozumel), Mayan ruin tour (Cozumel), dinner show on a separate island (PV), champagne dinner on the beach (PV), and a historical city tour which also leaves time to eat/explore/shop.

Some of the resorts let you go to nearby sister resorts and eat/drink/swim as part of the all inclusive, so the options are expanded. Some also give you "resort bucks" which you can use for the excursions.

It's exponentially better than a cruise, including the food, drinks, options, and the people there. I don't get the "watered down" drinks complaint. Beer and wine are obviously good to go. For liquor, I've literally seen them break the seal and open the bottle and start pouring drinks. And you can tell them to make it as strong as you want. The bar tenders want you drunk, because it makes people enjoy themselves more and they get better tips (for the places that allow that). The liquor is typically mid-tier or call: Smirnoff/Absolut, Crown, Cap Morgan, Johnny Walker Black, Glenfidich 12 year old. The tequilla is of course more premium and with plenty of options of both well-known and local brands.

It's a great time, and you are only limited to the resort if that's what you want to do. I wish I could remember which one it was, but one of the ones I listed above (maybe) had ridiculously good restaurants and food, including a steakhouse, Italian, sushi, and Mexican.