2021 Fantasy Caribbean Itinerary??

[Jchali]

I’m having a hard time figuring out which itinerary is best for us. We are 2 adults with a 5 year old girl. I’m stuck between the Western with Cozumel and Jamaica, Eastern with St Maarten and Eastern with Tortola. I’m thinking excursions to beaches and snorkeling would be good. Anyone have any thoughts good or bad on these itineraries?

 

[Mitura]

We have taken 3 western (Cozumel, Grand Cayman and Jamacia) and 2 Eastern (St Thomas, Tortola) and like the the Eastern better. We are going to do the Eastern with St Maarten this fall, so I can't comment. In regards to the beaches, we did like the Cozumel all inclusive beaches with snorkeling (Chanakab and Playa Mia) and we loved Tortola (Cane Garden) and St John (St Thomas) beaches that we have done. We like the Eastern better for it gave us 1 more day at sea than the Western. Our last Western we skipped Jamaica and made that a sea day.

 

[Jchali]

We have taken 3 western (Cozumel, Grand Cayman and Jamacia) and 2 Eastern (St Thomas, Tortola) and like the the Eastern better. We are going to do the Eastern with St Maarten this fall, so I can't comment. In regards to the beaches, we did like the Cozumel all inclusive beaches with snorkeling (Chanakab and Playa Mia) and we loved Tortola (Cane Garden) and St John (St Thomas) beaches that we have done. We like the Eastern better for it gave us 1 more day at sea than the Western. Our last Western we skipped Jamaica and made that a sea day.

Thank you! I’m also very interested in the Feb 6th with St Maarten because I like that date and I’ve been to St Maarten (years ago)

 

[soniam]

We have done done 2 Western on DCL (and more on others) and an Eastern on RCCL 20+ years ago. We love snorkeling, and Grand Cayman has some of the best. Cozumel is OK. Jamaica doesn't really have much snorkeling. We will actually be staying on board next cruise for Jamaica. We prefer Western, because the excursions feel more active than Eastern. Eastern felt more shoppy, but that could have just been what was available as excursions then. The snorkeling we usually do is not from a beach but from boats, so that may not be the best for a 5 year old, depends on the child though.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

For snorkeling, I'd advise St. Thomas and Tortola over Saint Maarten, and definitely over a Western Caribbean.

Saint Maarten is good for beach, however, depending on what you want. The main beach is a ferry ride from the dock, or you can book outside of DCL to go to one of the other beaches easily enough. Be aware that the French-side beaches are better beaches, but are French, which is to say, often allow nudity.

 

[Dug720]

If you go Eastern and are porting at St Maarten, definitely hit up Captain Bob at Soualiga- AMAZING day of snorkeling at different spots!!