East vs. West on the Magic?

[Buttercup Roberts]

Hiya folks,

I had a not so hot time on the Disney Magic cruise, Eastern route, several years ago (it wasn't the cruise, it was the company) , but now my new wonderful dbf thinks it's time for a "do-over"!

I LOVED St. Thomas, but I was not thrilled with St. Martin/San Maarten -- it was really a bit of a dump .

I see the Western route goes to Key West, but we aren't really into drinking, and it looks like a big booze scene, and then Cozumel looks nice but I just don't know... I wanted to go back to the USVI and take a boat over to St. John, if I ever went again. It was so lovely!

Has anyone been on both cruises? Comparisons?

We will have my son with us, who will be seven or eight when we go. Is one itinerary better for a boy that age?

Anything to do in Key West besides get tanked? (DBF would say "hammaed" )

 

[kcashner]

We've been on both routes, several times each. We prefer the Eastern due to the extra sea day and additional adult programming. I was less than thrilled with Cozumel....Key West was fine. We don't drink, but there was plenty to do. I choose my cruise based on the dates since we've done it before.

Of course, I could be totally happy sailing in circles for 7 days. My destination is the Magic.

 

[tvguy]

I'm going to make what some may think is a gross generalization here, but basically, every little bit of "paradise" in the world is basically rundown.
Not necessarily a ghetto, but if the weather is good, the standard of living for the resident's isn't.
Having cruised 6 times, our mindset is the ship is the destination. The ports are just something extra.
We cruised New Year's week, and actually booked on HAL at first, only to discover that for that week only, they had different ports, party ports for New Years. We spend more than we planned to go Disney because the week we wanted to go was the Eastern, and we wanted our kids to experience the Caribbean. Nothing against Florida, or Mexico, but I don't consider those to be cruise destination. I can drive to Florida or Mexico, and I can't drive to the Caribbean.

 

[CM_Mom]

If you went to St. Thomas but missed St. John, then I would do the Eastern. St. John is breathtaking. Maybe with your son you might want to do the Barefoot Catamaran Sail and Snorkel or the Doubloon Sail and Snorkel if you like water activities.

 

[jhorstma]

I actually preferred St. Martin over St. Thomas - Phillipsburg and Marigot were quite nice, as was boating thru Simpson Bay. Portwise Charlotte Amalie doesn't hold a candle to Philipsburg, although Paradise Point is really neat. If I was to do the Eastern again I'd definitely do St. Johns as the previous poster mentioned, plus I'd do Orient Beach, Anguilla, 12 Metre Regatta, or some form of a catamaran sail and snorkel (possibly private) at St. Martin (we've already done Rhino Riders - highly recommended if you like excitement and don't mind being on little boats in deep water).

 

[natdencro]

Thank goodness...........at last someone who appreciates that THE SHIP is what the holiday should be about...........not just the destinations!

We have done both routes, including two back-to-backs in 2003+2005. The Western doesnt have nearly so much to offer in our opinion, and the Eastern is FAR prettier. St. Martin has had a MAJOR "facelift" and is now much nicer than St.Thomas.

Also agree, dont miss the beautiful island of St.John: paradise! Castaway Cay isnt a patch on it!

Maho beach is another place to visit if you love a day on the sands: wonderful bar/amenenties/shops...............and planes landing next to you! Fantastic day out! Short taxi ride from the ship, but beware: dont leave it til the last minute to head back to the Magic: there is a bridge which is raised on route apprx 3.30pm and could mean you miss the ship if you dont allow for this happening. Ah, those wonderful memories!Nat

 

[TheWog]

Anything to do in Key West besides get tanked? (DBF would say "hammaed" )

Hey I resemble that remark..... <a href='http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb008_ZSYYYYYYYYUS' target='_blank'><img src='http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/18/18_7_20.gif' alt='Red Sox' border=0></a>

I am not sure what you like to do, but there are museums in Key West. There are jet ski tours you could do. www.islandwatersports.us
or electric cars to ride around in... http://www.vacationkeywest.net/mopeds.htm

my son will be 9 the next time we go and he wants to go on the dune buggy excursion at Cozumel. www.cozumelhomes.com

He loved the Atlantis Submarine trip we did on St. THomas, but if you want to go to St. John, then definitely do that and we loved the extra sea day. If it is truly a "do-over" you need to go on the Eastern to redo it, then go on the Western for a brand new wide eyed experience..... Have fun!!!! <a href='http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb008_ZSYYYYYYYYUS' target='_blank'><img src='http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/10/10_1_10.gif' alt='Pirate' border=0></a>

 

[Buttercup Roberts]

Thanks everyone for your replies so far.

I'm surprised, but I think maybe I'm leaning towards the Eastern route now, based on what I've read here!

Any links to places with pics of the St. Martin "redo"?? Are we talking the downtown area, with the market and shops and the hill with the fort overlooking it?