DCL Eastern vs Western 7-Day Cruise??

[Ccll4]

Our family can't decide. Have you done both? Which one would you recommend?

Tried searching but couldn't find a thread discussing both.

Thx!

 

[KashasMom]

We like the Western better. The Eastern seems to be a lot of shopping and beaches. The Western has more active excursions. We've had great excursions in Cozumel, Falmouth, Costa Maya, and Grand Cayman (although it was a while since we were there). I won't be surprised if we're in the minority though.

 

[Travel60]

We also prefer Western for much the same reasons. Do NOT enjoy Nassau which is standard on Eastern. Really enjoy Cozumel and Grand Cayman.

 

[Ccll4]

Sorry for not being more clear. The eastern goes to Tortola, St Thomas and Disney’s island. No Nassau.

 

[Chrissy-Mickey]

It depends on your interests:
We like being active and history and find the Western best meets our needs. However, we also like going snorkeling, and while we've done some snorkeling on the Western, research shows that there are better opportunities on the Eastern.

 

[lklgoodman]

We've done one Western and really enjoyed the variety of excursions available. We've done 3 Eastern. We've been able to go to different ports on our Eastern ones(St. Maarten, St Thomas(twice), San Juan, and Tortolla.) I really liked having an extra sea day on the Eastern cruises. Our 2020 will be another Western, sometimes I think I should have booked another Eastern since we like sea days so much. I don't see us doing another Western after our 2020 cruise, unless they go to some different ports.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

If your kids are under 8 or 10 you may struggle on Western with excursions.

 

[KashasMom]

We've been to Tortola 3 times. The only decent excursion was to the Baths and for us once was enough. I'm sure there are nicer beaches. I have lost count of how many times we've been to St. Thomas and the best excursion was taking the ferry and going snorkeling at Trunk Bay on St. John. Castaway Cay - IMO - is JUST a beach (and there are plenty nicer beaches in the Caribbean). The BBQ lunch is not great. I also don't like extra sea days. I'm not sure what it would take for me to go on an Eastern again.

 

[Cruising Engineer]

We have enjoyed the western cruises far more than the eastern. As said by others, eastern is more beaches, snorkeling, sea wild life. Western is more historical, cultural, sight-see, and beaches/sea life.
It's really what your family wants out of their vacation time.
But I would go again on a southern cruise any day.

 

[KashasMom]

If your kids are under 8 or 10 you may struggle on Western with excursions.

Not true for us... daughter was 3 when we did a Heritage Walking Tour in Falmouth.

She was 4 when we did Chacchoben Ruins Tour with Native Choice in Costa Maya, Turtle Farm and beach day on Grand Cayman, and day at Paradise Beach on Cozumel.

She was 6 when we did an amazing Rescue & Release baby sea turtles on Cozumel.

She was 8 when we went tubing on the Rio Bueno in Falmouth (which included swinging from a rope into the river Tarzan style) and a Royal Dolphin Swim at Chankanaab on Cozumel.

She was 9 when we went tubing again on the Rio Bueno in Falmouth and a Sea Lion excursion and snorkeling at Chankanaab on Cozumel.

Already planning Rio Secreto Caves on Cozumel and tubing on the Rio Bueno in Falmouth again when we book our next Western!

 

[lklgoodman]

Not true for us... daughter was 3 when we did a Heritage Walking Tour in Falmouth.

She was 4 when we did Chacchoben Ruins Tour with Native Choice in Costa Maya, Turtle Farm and beach day on Grand Cayman, and day at Paradise Beach on Cozumel.

She was 6 when we did an amazing Rescue & Release baby sea turtles on Cozumel.

She was 8 when we went tubing on the Rio Bueno in Falmouth (which included swinging from a rope into the river Tarzan style) and a Royal Dolphin Swim at Chankanaab on Cozumel.

She was 9 when we went tubing again on the Rio Bueno in Falmouth and a Sea Lion excursion and snorkeling at Chankanaab on Cozumel.

Already planning Rio Secreto Caves on Cozumel and tubing on the Rio Bueno in Falmouth again when we book our next Western!

We thought about doing the river tubing in Falmouth, the Disney excursion on our 2017 cruise. We're going on another WC next Jan. Did you book your tubing independently or with Disney? Who was it with if you did it independently? It must have been good since you've done it a lot. I'd love to do the turtle release, but we'll be there in Jan and from what I've heard they don't do it that time of year.

 

[bcwife76]

We've done both and enjoyed Eastern more. Plus you get an extra sea day on that cruise.

 

[ScooterScott44]

We have done both twice on DCL and eastern once on another line. We personally like the eastern better for the timing more than anything. Starting off with a longer time before the ports helps to relax a little. The western the port days are more balanced across the itinerary.

Not sure who posted Nassau on the eastern. Is that new, I have never seen Nassau on the Eastern itinerary.

 

[Mom24Princesses]

It is a matter of opinion as you can see.


We have done both. Actually 2 Eastern and 3 Western. I prefer Eastern because I love the beautiful beaches. We were booked on that Eastern route but DD and SiL’s work bumped us a week. Now we’re Western. We were all bummed. I prefer Eastern ports and DD and SiL prefer more sea days.

But any cruise is a great week!!!

 

[tlprice]

We have done both. The Western was more adventurous and the Eastern was more relaxing. It depends on which type of vacation you want. I agree with a PP that the Southern is actually the best. It was by far my favorite Caribbean cruise.

 

[KashasMom]

We have done both twice on DCL and eastern once on another line. We personally like the eastern better for the timing more than anything. Starting off with a longer time before the ports helps to relax a little. The western the port days are more balanced across the itinerary.

Not sure who posted Nassau on the eastern. Is that new, I have never seen Nassau on the Eastern itinerary.

We did Nassau, St Thomas, and St. Maarten on an NCL Eastern years ago (2012). Have only seen Nassau combined with CC on Disney.

 

[KashasMom]

We thought about doing the river tubing in Falmouth, the Disney excursion on our 2017 cruise. We're going on another WC next Jan. Did you book your tubing independently or with Disney? Who was it with if you did it independently? It must have been good since you've done it a lot. I'd love to do the turtle release, but we'll be there in Jan and from what I've heard they don't do it that time of year.

I never saw that Disney offered Rio Bueno. The first time we did it we booked through RC since it was just my daughter and me. Since it was so great we booked again through RC when my husband sailed with us. I recently saw that you can book independently (https://www.riverrapidsja.com/home.html). There may be other companies as well (Viator does but they're subcontracting anyway). We really liked that it was only the 3 of us and the guide. The first time my daughter and I were paired with a father/son so it was just 4 of us - they let my daughter river board part of the way both times, which she loved too.

 

[lklgoodman]

I never saw that Disney offered Rio Bueno. The first time we did it we booked through RC since it was just my daughter and me. Since it was so great we booked again through RC when my husband sailed with us. I recently saw that you can book independently (https://www.riverrapidsja.com/home.html). There may be other companies as well (Viator does but they're subcontracting anyway). We really liked that it was only the 3 of us and the guide. The first time my daughter and I were paired with a father/son so it was just 4 of us - they let my daughter river board part of the way both times, which she loved too.

I don't think Disney's excursion is on Rio Bueno, I think they go down the Martha Brae(think that's the name, but not certain). I'll have to check out the independent site you listed. Thanks for the info.

 

[Pooh93]

Not true for us... daughter was 3 when we did a Heritage Walking Tour in Falmouth.

She was 4 when we did Chacchoben Ruins Tour with Native Choice in Costa Maya, Turtle Farm and beach day on Grand Cayman, and day at Paradise Beach on Cozumel.

She was 6 when we did an amazing Rescue & Release baby sea turtles on Cozumel.

She was 8 when we went tubing on the Rio Bueno in Falmouth (which included swinging from a rope into the river Tarzan style) and a Royal Dolphin Swim at Chankanaab on Cozumel.

She was 9 when we went tubing again on the Rio Bueno in Falmouth and a Sea Lion excursion and snorkeling at Chankanaab on Cozumel.

Already planning Rio Secreto Caves on Cozumel and tubing on the Rio Bueno in Falmouth again when we book our next Western!

We did the secret river/cave in Cozumel. Really enjoyed it. Felt like we were on the Amazing Race! Enjoy!