7-day Carribean East vs. West

[disneymom&dad]

We're planning on doing our first Disney cruise w/3 kids next summer. Anyone have any strong feelings on East vs. West Carribean? Which ports are better or have more interesting shore excursions? Also we're looking for the cheapest cabin that sleeps 5, any suggestions there? Thanks

 

[IrishCowboy]

They both are great! Grand Cayman was fabulous and St John is also incredible. You'll have lots of fun on either choice.

I think the lowest category cabin that holds 5 people is a cat-4.

 

[prymsu]

Also one thing to consider is that the price for the western is more than the eastern, because it is a new itinerary. If price is a factor, I would lean towards the eastern. Both have good ports of call. Eastern is probably better for shopping though...Plus I like that third day at sea. The western only has two sea days.

 

[Towncrier]

As far as the cheapest category, you can also try for connecting Cat10 cabins. We've gone the Cat4 route and the two Cat10's route (both on Eastern 7-day cruises) and actually prefer the extra room afforded by having two cabins. Believe it or not, we didn't get that much use out of our verandah with 5 people in a Cat4 because the Murphy bed blocks the verandah when it is deployed. You have to climb over whoever is sleeping in it to get to the verandah.

 

[Pugdog007]

Prymsu: Eastern is less expensive? I didn't see that when getting both quoted for next May. Price was higher for Eastern May 31 as opposed to the Western May 24.

 

[prymsu]

that might be because it is around Memorial Day. Try other times of the year, and you will see a price difference...most of the time.

 

[IrishCowboy]

Are you cruising again in May 2003? We're booked on May 17 Eastern. I know of another B'ham family also booked on May 17.

 

[Pugdog007]

Hey Irish!

How did you manage the 17th with our school schedules??? That's the one I wanted... but Jefferson County schools do not finish up till around the 22nd

 

[markey]

We were eastern 2001, western 2002 August. Got prices on board and the western 8/16 (same price as 2002) was $400 less than the eastern 8/9. Booked the eastern anyway because we did not really care for Grand Caymen. Thought the eastern had more of a tropical feel, St. Thomas is just beautiful sitting in port and looking at the mountains. Also did not like to tender, a big waste of time getting off and on, Key West and Cozumel was great but liked that Sunday as a sea day, a day to relax after boarding.

 

[SueEllen]

Actually the reason that the Western Cruise is more expensive than the Eastern is because of the extra port. It's the port charges that increase the price. DCL told me this directly when I inquired about the difference.

Sue Ellen

 

[josierac]

Think of it this way.
Eastern Caribbean has more shopping options
Western has more water activities.

Here are some pictorial reports of the Western
Western Caribbean