7 nights- Eastern or Western Caribbean?

[Angeliki19]

Hi! We are starting to think about 2023 and after our recent trips to WDW, I think we are ready to try something different. We have done DCL only once before, and it was a quick 3 night Bahamas on the Dream. We didn't get off at Nassau as I really wanted us to just experience the ship. We LOVED it! But this time my kids are older (11 and 13) and I would like to make this trip a little more about sightseeing... visiting different places, etc. We are happy to leave out of Miami or Cape Canaveral, as long as the itinerary includes Castaway Cay. Ship doesn't matter to us.

Any preference on Eastern vs. Western?

Thanks!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Hi! We are starting to think about 2023 and after our recent trips to WDW, I think we are ready to try something different. We have done DCL only once before, and it was a quick 3 night Bahamas on the Dream. We didn't get off at Nassau as I really wanted us to just experience the ship. We LOVED it! But this time my kids are older (11 and 13) and I would like to make this trip a little more about sightseeing... visiting different places, etc. We are happy to leave out of Miami or Cape Canaveral, as long as the itinerary includes Castaway Cay. Ship doesn't matter to us.

Any preference on Eastern vs. Western?

Thanks!

We've done both. In times when things were "normal". Right now, I'd be wary whether the itinerary would remain what you've booked. That said, I felt both were pretty good. I'd suggest you look at the itineraries and excursions (currently) being offered to see what looks most interesting to your family.

 

[bethy]

Our fav is the Eastern for the extra sea day and the beautiful ports and beaches. That's during normal non covid times when you can actually port there.

 

[bethy]

Adding that for your kids' ages there are a lot more "adventure" type excursions on the Western from what I can tell. And the Mexican people are very warm and welcoming to tourists.

 

[Cruising Engineer]

Western has more adventurous excursions while eastern is known for the beaches, rum distillery tours, and shopping.
Check the current offering for what your family wants to do and see.

 

[soniam]

We love snorkeling in Grand Cayman, which is western. Cozumel is ok and has an interesting cave diving excursion, but other than the adventurous excursions, it’s not great. Falmouth is actually kind of bad. The excursions take forever to get to on the Ocho Rios side. The port itself was made for cruises; it’s not a town where anyone lives. We will be staying on the ship in Jamaica from now on, after having done everything that we were interested in. Even though 2 of the ports are kind of meh, we have felt western was worth it for Grand Cayman. It’s hard to tell what will be happening with the ports next year though.

 

[Birklej]

We love snorkeling in Grand Cayman, which is western. Cozumel is ok and has an interesting cave diving excursion, but other than the adventurous excursions, it’s not great. Falmouth is actually kind of bad. The excursions take forever to get to on the Ocho Rios side. The port itself was made for cruises; it’s not a town where anyone lives. We will be staying on the ship in Jamaica from now on, after having done everything that we were interested in. Even though 2 of the ports are kind of meh, we have felt western was worth it for Grand Cayman. It’s hard to tell what will be happening with the ports next year though.

We had a great time in Jamaica! We did a resort for a day. Hyatt ziva.

 

[Angeliki19]

We love snorkeling in Grand Cayman, which is western. Cozumel is ok and has an interesting cave diving excursion, but other than the adventurous excursions, it’s not great. Falmouth is actually kind of bad. The excursions take forever to get to on the Ocho Rios side. The port itself was made for cruises; it’s not a town where anyone lives. We will be staying on the ship in Jamaica from now on, after having done everything that we were interested in. Even though 2 of the ports are kind of meh, we have felt western was worth it for Grand Cayman. It’s hard to tell what will be happening with the ports next year though.

We've done both. In times when things were "normal". Right now, I'd be wary whether the itinerary would remain what you've booked. That said, I felt both were pretty good. I'd suggest you look at the itineraries and excursions (currently) being offered to see what looks most interesting to your family.

Thank you! I will definitely check out the excursions more. I have not been paying too much attention to what is going on with DCL regarding closed ports.. can you elaborate on what the situation is and any advice you would give someone who is planning? I know everything is so uncertain now... but do you recommend just booking a cruise based on what DCL says the ports are, and then be prepared for changes? Or is there something else I need to know to be more savvy about making a choice? Thanks!

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Thank you! I will definitely check out the excursions more. I have not been paying too much attention to what is going on with DCL regarding closed ports.. can you elaborate on what the situation is and any advice you would give someone who is planning? I know everything is so uncertain now... but do you recommend just booking a cruise based on what DCL says the ports are, and then be prepared for changes? Or is there something else I need to know to be more savvy about making a choice? Thanks!

GC is closed to ships. USVI and BVI have been turning away ships. Various other islands have been open or shut. DCL has been rerouting most Eastern cruises to the West route right now, skipping GC and adding Costa Maya.

It's a good idea to always be ready for changes. Western has more than one tender port, and tender ports are more weather-dependent.

 

[tvguy]

We are Caribbean fans so prefer the Eastern. I don't consider Mexico to be the Caribbean so no Western.

 

[soniam]

Thank you! I will definitely check out the excursions more. I have not been paying too much attention to what is going on with DCL regarding closed ports.. can you elaborate on what the situation is and any advice you would give someone who is planning? I know everything is so uncertain now... but do you recommend just booking a cruise based on what DCL says the ports are, and then be prepared for changes? Or is there something else I need to know to be more savvy about making a choice? Thanks!

Since your cruise isn’t until 2023, I would just book what you want and hope for the best. Things seem to be slowly going back to normal.

 

[elittleton]

We booked western this time last year for this summer. My daughter had been asking to go to Jamaica so I book western for that reason. Neither one of us care for the beach and are more on the go for our vacations so reading the replies here we made the right choice. Now I’m hoping things settle down by this summer but who knows what will happen.