Eastern Caribbean or Western Caribbean?

[ChicosWife]

We are looking at itineraries for one of the cruises above. Any experiences/preferences? And why?

 

[Mousemommy1]

We have zero interest in going to Mexico, so we would pick the Eastern Caribbean.

 

[hoffman1]

We have done both and we prefer the Western. Grand Caymans has a really nice port area. There is a wide variety of things to do in Cozumel. I know a lot of people don't like Falmouth but I did food tour and it was fun and interesting.
I think the Eastern has really pretty views when in port. We had a private guide that took us all over St. Maarten. In St. Thomas we did a DCL excursion. It was ok. Just not our favorite.

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

We are looking at itineraries for one of the cruises above. Any experiences/preferences? And why?

We've done both and I think it just depends on what you are trying to achieve on your vacation. If you want more relaxation and chilling out, I'd go Eastern. If you want more sightseeing and adventure, I'd do Western.

I've never felt so zen and relaxed as I did on our eastern cruise, but........I've never had so much fun on a vacation as our western.

I say do either for your next trip and book the opposite on board for your following trip.

 

[TXAKDisneyFan]

We're thinking Eastern because DH wants a relaxing vacay (he works outside of the house 90-100 hours a week, and then works more at home - basically sleeps 4 or so hours a night, showers, and is otherwise working), and because my bff said she thought the Western ports were "dirty." (She's used to Hawaii and wasn't impressed with the cleanliness in ports on her 14 night Caribbean cruise - we've only been on beach vacations in Hawaii, Australia, the Cook Islands, and Bora Bora, so idk if we'll feel the same about the Caribbean.)

HOWEVER, some friends are currently on a Western cruise (not DCL) and their pics look gorgeous! Beautiful blue water, clean beaches (no seaweed or grass),... It's making me question our plans!

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

We're thinking Eastern because DH wants a relaxing vacay (he works outside of the house 90-100 hours a week, and then works more at home - basically sleeps 4 or so hours a night, showers, and is otherwise working), and because my bff said she thought the Western ports were "dirty." (She's used to Hawaii and wasn't impressed with the cleanliness in ports on her 14 night Caribbean cruise - we've only been on beach vacations in Hawaii, Australia, the Cook Islands, and Bora Bora, so idk if we'll feel the same about the Caribbean.)

HOWEVER, some friends are currently on a Western cruise (not DCL) and their pics look gorgeous! Beautiful blue water, clean beaches (no seaweed or grass),... It's making me question our plans!

I thought the beaches in GC and Cozumel were amazing. I enjoyed them much more than the beaches in Hawaii, I actually thought the Hawaii beaches were a huge let down in terms of crystal clear water. We didn't do a beach in Jamaica but the actual Falmouth Port is nice, new and extremely clean.

 

[TXAKDisneyFan]

I thought the beaches in GC and Cozumel were amazing. I enjoyed them much more than the beaches in Hawaii, I actually thought the Hawaii beaches were a huge let down in terms of crystal clear water. We didn't do a beach in Jamaica but the actual Falmouth Port is nice, new and extremely clean.

Idk if she's just being dramatic or what. Pics of Caribbean beaches look amazing. She did go on her cruise in January, so idk if maybe there was some sort of storm that made the water not as clear? I know as far as the towns, she was very put off by them - "dirty," too many people peddling things... Her exact words were "the Caribbean is a ****hole." I'm not quite as worried about "dirty" towns - we've been to Central and South America, and I personally like less-than-pristine towns sometimes (I like a little local flavor!). She's not really into cultural things, going to museums, etc. - she's more into very touristy shopping, and beach resorts away from real life. We like both (minus the shopping, since I don't like knickknacks, t shirts, etc).

 

[OKW Lover]

In general we prefer the Eastern ports to those on the Western itineraries. Just our preferences. The real differentiation though might be the extra day at sea during the Eastern cruises.

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

Idk if she's just being dramatic or what. Pics of Caribbean beaches look amazing. She did go on her cruise in January, so idk if maybe there was some sort of storm that made the water not as clear? I know as far as the towns, she was very put off by them - "dirty," too many people peddling things... Her exact words were "the Caribbean is a ****hole." I'm not quite as worried about "dirty" towns - we've been to Central and South America, and I personally like less-than-pristine towns sometimes (I like a little local flavor!). She's not really into cultural things, going to museums, etc. - she's more into very touristy shopping, and beach resorts away from real life. We like both (minus the shopping, since I don't like knickknacks, t shirts, etc).

Grand Cayman is by far the nicest of all the islands but I guess in her defense they all are 3rd world islands for the most part. I just don't worry myself with that stuff though, I appreciate the islands and people for what they are, not for what they're not.

 

[Happy100]

We have done both and really like Western because of 4 ports and we really like Mexico. However, Puerto Rico is a favorite too. In the end they are both great and whatever itinerary we end up with since the dates matter to us, is fine.

You can't go wrong with either IMO.

 

[Drusilla99]

We've done both, preferred the eastern. We only do beach excursions, so that's all I know about. On the western we loved grand Cayman, and had a nice time in the other ports, but they were okay, and a bit of a bus ride to get to the beach. On the eastern, we only got off in st Maarten, and of course cc, & LOVED IT!! We love staying on the ship, so that's what we did at the other port. I'd book another eastern just for the one day in st Maarten vs a western cruise. Btw, we also love Hawaii and the beaches there. If you haven't been to either flip a coin, they're both beautiful.

 

[MickeyD]

We have done both as well and it is a toss up on the favorite. The beaches are nice and sandy and the water crystal clear on either itinerary...depending on the time of year. I have been to three of the Hawaiian islands, and didn't think the water was as crystal clear or turquoise (still beautiful though). Eastern ports have just as much "hawking of wares" as the Western, they just didn't seem as aggressive. Do you like a port intensive cruise, then the Western is good? Do you like to shop, then the Eastern is good? Do you prefer more sea days, Eastern; more activities, Western; calmer seas, Western (not always the case, but typically the Caribbean sea is calmer than the Atlantic); if you only stay by the port areas, any of the Western ports are clean and nice...it is when you go inland towards the "real" part that it becomes much poorer, ie, Cozumel. I agree with the post that said if you are looking to relax and spend a lot of time on the ship, choose the Eastern; if you are looking for activity and a chance to disembark, choose the Western.

 

[ChicosWife]

We have done both as well and it is a toss up on the favorite. The beaches are nice and sandy and the water crystal clear on either itinerary...depending on the time of year. I have been to three of the Hawaiian islands, and didn't think the water was as crystal clear or turquoise (still beautiful though). Eastern ports have just as much "hawking of wares" as the Western, they just didn't seem as aggressive. Do you like a port intensive cruise, then the Western is good? Do you like to shop, then the Eastern is good? Do you prefer more sea days, Eastern; more activities, Western; calmer seas, Western (not always the case, but typically the Caribbean sea is calmer than the Atlantic); if you only stay by the port areas, any of the Western ports are clean and nice...it is when you go inland towards the "real" part that it becomes much poorer, ie, Cozumel. I agree with the post that said if you are looking to relax and spend a lot of time on the ship, choose the Eastern; if you are looking for activity and a chance to disembark, choose the Western.

Which one do you think is better for kids' activities?

 

[MickeyD]

I think there are a lot of fun excursions for kids on the Western. Not sure how old your kids are, but when my son was younger, the best times he had were on the Western cruise. From Pirate ships in Grand Cayman to off road Jeep tours in Cozumel. He loved it. When he was much younger we did Xcaret in Cozumel and the turtle farm in Grand Caymen. The only tour we did that he liked in Key West was the speed boat tour. We have not been to Jamaica.

 

[cdoc29]

I would look at the excursions that are offered for each port on both itineraries and let that decide which one you want to do. Having been on both western and eastern cruises I can say they are both pretty awesome.

 

[MickeyEarrings]

We have zero interest in going to Mexico, so we would pick the Eastern Caribbean.

Ditto!!

In general we prefer the Eastern ports to those on the Western itineraries. Just our
preferences. The real differentiation though might be the extra day at sea during the Eastern cruises.

.

I do love my sea days!...an the extra opportunity for brunch at Palo

 

[ChicosWife]

The sea days didn't seem too boring for you or the kids?

 

[Jennifer777]

I definitely prefer eastern. We did St. Maarten, San Juan and Castaway Cay on our Eastern last year and loved all three. I would love to go back. Beautiful beaches with white sand and clear, turquoise water, clean ports and we felt safer there than we did in Mexico. Grand Caymen is beautiful too though so you'll have fun either way. My kids were never bored on the sea days and neither were we. There's so much to do on the ship and not much time to do it so those sea days give you a chance to spend time enjoying what's available on board.

I also found Hawaii beaches to be a huge disappointment. We didn't cruise there, just went a couple different times to different islands and both times I left disappointed with the beaches. Everything else there was awesome but the beaches, not so much.

 

[Trera]

We had great cruises both ways. I feel like western was a little better for us and we even stayed in the boat in Jamaica.

 

[Msidescooter]

We enjoyed our Western Caribbean on the Magic last March and would do it again. That being said, I'm really hoping to get a Eastern Caribbean booked for next year because I want to visit those island and enjoy the extra day at sea that the itinerary offers.