Which do you prefer, Eastern or Western Caribbean Cruise?

[MarineFam]

We have been on 2 Eastern Caribbean cruises on the Magic and now we are getting ready to go on the Fantasy for the first time in April on a Western Caribbean. I have heard that it is much more calm than Eastern. Just curious which everyone liked better.

 

[noahsmom]

Both have their positives and negatives. I LOVE Grand Cayman - my favorite island after Castaway Cay. We have only sailed in July and have not had any weather issues with either itinerary.

 

[lbgraves]

I always feel the easterns are more calm with the extra sea day.

 

[pillow]

I like the extra sea day on the Eastern. Also, I'm not a fan of Key West. Eastern wins for me!

 

[jodical]

Just got off a Western (so perhaps I am a bit biased, though I have also sailed an Eastern Itinerary in the past) and loved it! I like the cultural mix of Grand Cayman and Mexico stops.

In response to to the above poster, I would have loved a stop in Key West - I've never been - but perhaps your reasons for disliking Key West are similar to mine with the U.S. Virgin Islands, that is, one stop there is more than enough to last a lifetime. I could care less to ever go back!

 

[pillow]

In response to to the above poster, I would have loved a stop in Key West - I've never been - but perhaps your reasons for disliking Key West are similar to mine with the U.S. Virgin Islands, that is, one stop there is more than enough to last a lifetime. I could care less to ever go back!

Exactly! I'm a beach fan. No good ones on Key West. Love Magens Bay in St. Thomas. Enjoyed the beach in St. Maarten too.

Jodie

 

[disneywonderfun]

My vote is West. Dislike three sea days, two is enough for me. Nothing better than being at port with the ship to ourselves as everybody is off doing excursions. Also, cannot beat Cayman.

DWF

 

[TinkBell10]

My vote is West. Dislike three sea days, two is enough for me. Nothing better than being at port with the ship to ourselves as everybody is off doing excursions. Also, cannot beat Cayman.

DWF

This is exactly why we prefer Western! For our family, it's all about the ship! We don't get off very often, so don't really care about which ports we're in. So, having an extra port day and the ship more to ourselves is just awesome.

 

[disney1990]

We have only done the Eastern -- and we loved it. Love St. Thomas and the beautiful island of St. John. Would love to do it again. Have mixed feelings about the Western. For one, we donate blood every two months and you cannot donate for a year if you have been on the Western cruise.

 

[havaneselover]

Eastern (but am going on Western in 75 days). I like more sea days and LOVE Magen's Bay in St. Thomas. St. Maarten wasn't for me though. I just am not really a fan of Mexico. That said, when my kids were tiny we did Western and it worked out well because they were too young (both in diapers) for the pool so sea days weren't as important.

ETA: Our first Western stopped in Key West. Yuck. What a waste. So glad we are not doing that this time.

 

[RedxPanda]

I have done an Eastern on Carnival. I try not to hold that against the Eastern itinerary. Our stops were St Maarten, St Thomas, and San Juan PR. The islands were nice enough, but it seemed like a lot of the same thing. We live in Florida... it felt like we didn't even leave home.

I have not done a Western yet, but we are about to sail a 2 stop Western (5 night Miami on Wonder).

Just from my research, Westerns appeal to us more because we'd like to see all the ruins, love to snorkel, and generally like port days over sea days. Western ports seem more adventurous.

 

[bitlerzx4]

this is a great thread. I love everyone's different views on east and west.

 

[MarineFam]

Love the Beach and the nice water. Don't have any idea if there are any nice beaches close to port at Cozumel, Costa Maya, and Cayman. We are thinking of doing maybe a beach shore excursion or something but if not I do hope there is one close by as an option. Also, don't know much about the ports as it is the first Western cruise for shopping too.

 

[manateesmom]

Eastern. Love the private islands that each cruise line seems to have on the Eastern itineraries. Loved San Juan PR, love St. John's. I'd do Western, I suppose, but far prefer Eastern. In fact, I'd really rather do a Southern itinerary some day.

 

[Im_A_Princess]

For one, we donate blood every two months and you cannot donate for a year if you have been on the Western cruise.

Really? I did not know that.
Do they ask you?

I love the Eastern. Given a choice we sail the eastern. But ANY cruise is better than no cruise,

 

[christianweecare]

We prefer the Eastern. We like the ports better and love, love, love the extra at sea day!

 

[EDH Family]

Western, once Falmouth replaces Costa Maya.

 

[SeaNana]

We have done Western once, Eastern twice, with another scheduled for this year. We like the extra sea day, though the last time we just walked into the towns for the exercise and a little shopping. The quiet ship time was great, plus we like cruises for the actual ship time more than port excursions.

 

[disney1990]

Really? I did not know that.
Do they ask you?

I love the Eastern. Given a choice we sail the eastern. But ANY cruise is better than no cruise,

Yes, they ask if you have been out of the country. If you answer yes, then then ask what countries. Mexico disqualifies you.

 

[N365PA]

We've done 1 of each (1 Magic out of Galveston, 1 Magic our of Pt Canaveral) and I prefer Eastern Caribbean. St. Maarten is a personal favorite so I can visit Maho Beach. My wife and I also enjoyed St. Thomas.

On the west;
Grand Cayman is beautiful. Cozumel is alright. Costa Maya was a dump. The ruins are awesome but I wouldnt spend anytime in the tourist town.

Clint