Eastern Caribbean vs. Western Caribbean

[Minnie368]

Which cruise has the better ports- eastern or western? Or do they offer pretty much the same experience? This is for a family of 4 with a 16 yo and 18 yo.

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

Which cruise has the better ports- eastern or western? Or do they offer pretty much the same experience? This is for a family of 4 with a 16 yo and 18 yo.

I feel like the eastern cruises have a more casual laid back, beach feel to them. While the western was a bit more adventurous for us, the excursions just seem to be a little more fast paced.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

I feel like the eastern cruises have a more casual laid back, beach feel to them. While the western was a bit more adventurous for us, the excursions just seem to be a little more fast paced.

When I was deciding Eastern versus Western for my first cruise, the above is how the two were described to me and I've found it to be true. If you enjoy relaxing at the beach, the Eastern ports are better. If you prefer to be more active and adventurous, you'll probably enjoy the Western ports better.

 

[NewYorkcruiser]

I enjoyed the western ports better. We're doing eastern because my husband has never been, but I'm positive he's going to wish we did the west again. I like st. Thomas on the eastern, but I was not impressed with st. Croix (I think cruise ships pulled out of there not long after I went) or Tortola. I much preferred grand caymans, cozumel and jamaica.

 

[MickeyD]

I prefer the Western. I like a more active port and these fit the bill. The Eastern does have nicer beaches, but other than that, I could take it or leave it. They seem to push the shopping aspect more there. I also prefer sailing through the Western as the seas seem calmer.

 

[Minnie368]

Calmer waters sounds good. Is the weather about the same for both? We're looking at next April. Would love to do February but I'm afraid it'll be too cold.

 

[MickeyD]

I have cruised both anywhere from Jan to May, and I would say the closer to April, the more humid, but January/February typically had more rain showers (brief) and in the East, choppier waters. I am from the Pacific Northwest, so water temps were perfect for me any of those times. Those from warmer temps tend to think Feb is too cold in the water.

 

[Minnie368]

I have cruised both anywhere from Jan to May, and I would say the closer to April, the more humid, but January/February typically had more rain showers (brief) and in the East, choppier waters. I am from the Pacific Northwest, so water temps were perfect for me any of those times. Those from warmer temps tend to think Feb is too cold in the water.

Thanks for that info. Is there usually a breeze on the ship from ship movement? I'm thinking of the beach where there's always some wind so that even when temps are high it doesn't feel too bad.

 

[MickeyD]

Oh yes, especially on the upper decks it can be super windy. That is why they have so many windbreak areas. In Feb one year it was so windy on deck 13 (Satellite Falls) they turned off the water fall and you really couldn't stand up well there. May usually isn't as breezy, so I assume April is close to that. It has only been one or two times that the wind was bad enough to make it unpleasant to be on deck, other than that, it helps to keep the humidity and heat down.

 

[Janederella]

How's the weather in late September?
Will it be that hot and humid?
Thanks!

 

[Dug720]

How's the weather in late September?
Will it be that hot and humid?
Thanks!

Hurricane season - the typically more active part.

And yes, probably hot and humid.

 

[Quellman]

Well western has 1 more port, so that is one more chance to scuba/snorkel/sail/zipline. I agree that many of the isalnds simply exist as a beach. But getting to Mexico and Jamacia opoens up a world of possibilities as those countries are larger and have more terrain.

 

[blabadie]

I personally don't feel comfortable enough with Mexico or Jamaica from a safety perspective to enjoy port excursions there. I know others love them and statistically we'd be safe, but I don't find the destinations compelling enough to have a nagging thought of risk. That leaves only Grand Cayman for a Western Caribbean port excursions so I heavily favor Eastern.

 

[momto2girls]

I personally don't feel comfortable enough with Mexico or Jamaica from a safety perspective to enjoy port excursions there. I know others love them and statistically we'd be safe, but I don't find the destinations compelling enough to have a nagging thought of risk. That leaves only Grand Cayman for a Western Caribbean port excursions so I heavily favor Eastern.

I agree!

 

[asunutgirl]

I personally don't feel comfortable enough with Mexico or Jamaica from a safety perspective to enjoy port excursions there. I know others love them and statistically we'd be safe, but I don't find the destinations compelling enough to have a nagging thought of risk. That leaves only Grand Cayman for a Western Caribbean port excursions so I heavily favor Eastern.

Parts of Mexico aren't safe but Cozumel isn't one of them. We have been there several times - both on a cruise ship as well as on island. It's a very laid back island. Jamaica isn't safe to wander on your own but if you go on a tour, it's fine. We've stayed on-island twice and had a fabulous time. It's just important to be smart anywhere you travel.

We are SCUBA divers and prefer the Western for that reason. Diving in Cozumel and Grand Cayman is some of the best in the world.

 

[beachdrmn]

We just got back from the Western. Cozumel didn't feel unsafe to me at any time and we were all over the island. Jamaica we chose to walk around the port but it had the feel of Mexico with the vendors pressuring you to come into their stores and booths. Grand Cayman we had a beach day at the Royal Palms and had a great time but it isn't the prettiest drive there so you are definitely not seeing the beauty of the island. I personally wouldn't do the Western again as it just wasn't our cup of tea but I would absolutely do the Eastern again especially once Tortola is back up and running. We really liked the Virgin Islands so much that we are planning a land based vacation in a couple of years so we can island hop.

 

[mevelandry]

I personally don't feel comfortable enough with Mexico or Jamaica from a safety perspective to enjoy port excursions there. I know others love them and statistically we'd be safe, but I don't find the destinations compelling enough to have a nagging thought of risk. That leaves only Grand Cayman for a Western Caribbean port excursions so I heavily favor Eastern.

I agree with you regarding Jamaica.

However, Cozumel (Mexico) is more than reasonably safe. It's SOOOO different from Jamaica! Never been harassed by vendors in Cozumel.

 

[jalapeno_pretzel]

We are trying Western. It was an easy decision since it had an extra port day. This will be our second attempt at a cruise... the first time around we got bored, so I want to minimize sea days and plan fun and active port adventures.

 

[meliscan]

I personally don't feel comfortable enough with Mexico or Jamaica from a safety perspective to enjoy port excursions there. I know others love them and statistically we'd be safe, but I don't find the destinations compelling enough to have a nagging thought of risk. That leaves only Grand Cayman for a Western Caribbean port excursions so I heavily favor Eastern.

I have been to Cozumel on several cruises and never worried at all. We even walked around quite a distance from the ship. (Great deals on liquor in Cozumel) We never go far in Jamaica just because I don't like long travel times from the ship. I would rather be on deck relaxing than in a cab or van.

 

[blabadie]

I know people travel there safely every day, but after the recent issues with bombs planted on Cozumel ferries, I personally would feel uneasy going into port there.