Eastern or Western Caribbean ?

[tommysb1]

So we are about to go on our 1st cruise in 10 days. My wife has told me for years that I will never catch her on a cruise ship. Well after years of persistence she finally agreed and is SO excited to leave. She is so excited that she is even thinking of re-booking while onboard due to the tremendous savings. We are setting sail on Sept 5 on the Dream for a 4-Night Bahamian cruise. If we rebook, I know we have time to decide, but wee were thinking of a longer,.. maybe 7-Night E or W Caribbean cruise. I was wondering the thoughts of previous Caribbean cruisers. East or West? Pros and Cons. We would probably sail on the Fantasy out of Port Canaveral as that is the most convenient.

 

[Quellman]

Congratulations on your persuasion!!

You can book a place holder, which is essentially a deposit to be applied later. This will allow you to still retain all the benefits with it without committing to a date. This matters because you aren't throwing down a huge deposit on a trip on dates you may not be committed to.

The Eastern has 1 less port and 1 more sea day. So you will have to gauge based on your 4 day what you think you may like more. Then of course you have the port stops. Western usually has a rotation of ports which include Mexico. Eastern usually has St. Thomas and a mix of torotla, st. maarten, or puerto rico.

We have only sailed Eastern. Once on the Magic, once on the Fantasy. We also have another Eastern booked for next year. We enjoy the ship and usually don't do excursions in the port. That may change as our kid gets older, but for now that is our preference.

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

So we are about to go on our 1st cruise in 10 days. My wife has told me for years that I will never catch her on a cruise ship. Well after years of persistence she finally agreed and is SO excited to leave. She is so excited that she is even thinking of re-booking while onboard due to the tremendous savings. We are setting sail on Sept 5 on the Dream for a 4-Night Bahamian cruise. If we rebook, I know we have time to decide, but wee were thinking of a longer,.. maybe 7-Night E or W Caribbean cruise. I was wondering the thoughts of previous Caribbean cruisers. East or West? Pros and Cons. We would probably sail on the Fantasy out of Port Canaveral as that is the most convenient.

Congrats and have fun on the Dream. We've done both Eastern, (St Thomas, St Maarten and CC), and Western, (Cozumel, GC, Falmouth and CC), on the Fantasy.

It's really a toss up for both for me, I loved the ports on the western better but LOVED having the extra sea day of the Eastern. Overall, I felt more relaxed at the end of the eastern and at the end of the western I felt like I had more of an adventure. I really love sea days and generally look for itineraries that have the most of those.

Both are great and trust me when I tell you this, just book one now and don't look back on the decision because you'll end up booking the other for the following year.

 

[Sytrace]

We have done both Eastern Caribbean a few times (St. Thomas, Tortola, San Juan, St. Maarten) and Western a few times (Jamaica, Cozumel , Costa Maya (once) and Cayman Islands) on the Fantasy.

We really enjoy having an extra sea day on the Eastern cruises as opposed to the Western route which was more port days. It really depends on how you feel while you are at sea. On a 4 night you have one sea day to check out if you prefer being on the ship all day or if you prefer to explore the ports.
When we go to the Caymans, we don't get off the ship and use it as a "sea day" instead. . lol And last year we got off the ship in Cozumel long enough to buy some Tequila . We have enjoyed Jamaica both times though and would love to go back...maybe next year.

Congratulations on persuading your wife to give it a whirl...I bet she will fall in love with cruising.

 

[scgustafson]

Southern Caribbean.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

Eastern versus Western can come down to a personal preference/personality decision. I enjoy sea days so Eastern Caribbean is my preference for the extra sea day. Another consideration is what you like to do in port. When I was considering our first 7 night cruise, I read that if you are looking for beach days, the Eastern Caribbean has better beaches. But if you want more active excursions, something other than relaxing on a beach, the Western Caribbean ports are better. From my limited experience, I'd say there is some truth to that.

 

[tommysb1]

Thanks so much for your input. I know we will love it. I'm sure the kids will have a blast as well. I don't know if we would like the extra port or not. If we did get off the ship, I'm sure it wouldn't be for long. It's stressful enough worrying about the kids wandering off at WDW. I'm sure being in a whole different country would just add anxiety.
Aid there typically a difference in price? Meaning is the western more expensive due to he extra POC?
I've always wanted to visit St Thomas and that area mainly for the beaches and crystal clear waters. Cozumel sounds. I've to from what I've heard from people that have been there.

 

[tommysb1]

Eastern versus Western can come down to a personal preference/personality decision. I enjoy sea days so Eastern Caribbean is my preference for the extra sea day. Another consideration is what you like to do in port. When I was considering our first 7 night cruise, I read that if you are looking for beach days, the Eastern Caribbean has better beaches. But if you want more active excursions, something other than relaxing on a beach, the Western Caribbean ports are better. From my limited experience, I'd say there is some truth to that.

Thank you. That makes sense and would help with our decision as our kids are 10/6 at this point, beach days may work out better than sightseeing.

 

[Northof54]

We did the Western Caribbean itinerary which included Cozumel, Falmouth, Cayman Islands, and Castaway Cay. We enjoyed it but in hindsight would have preferred less ports and more ship days. Although it is completely up to you whether or not you choose to get off the ship!
Just my 2 cents!!

 

[lilozz_6]

I've only been on a 4 night Bahamian cruise on the dream but I wasn't a huge fan of the day at sea. It could be because we had 3 kids under 4. I felt like the pool areas were so over crowded compared to port days. The kids clubs were super packed too. So I guess I like the idea of more stops to take advantage of less crowds!

 

[Justacruiser]

I would do a previous posted stated and book a placeholder cruise. It requires a $250 deposit and you have to cruise within 2 years. Just tell the CM you are wanting a placeholder, it takes about 5 minutes if you have a credit card handy. You can cancel for a refund prior to final payments are due. To answer your question, we like the Eastern and Southern cruises more. Have been on each of the Western, Southern and Eastern several times now and we only do the Western for the prices (if applicable) otherwise we will do one of the others.

 

[WDWChloe]

We did the Western Caribbean last September - ports included Cozumel, Mexico | Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands | Falmouth, Jamaica. The only port we truly enjoyed was Grand Cayman, since we could go off on our own to 7-Mile beach and walk along the Main Street of Georgetown for rum and souveniers. AWESOME SNORKELING. It was really easy to navigate throughout this port, and we felt safe the entire time on our own. We didn't have any port adventures booked this trip so it was perfect. Our waiters recommended Excursions for both ports of Cozumel and Falmouth, otherwise it's "sketchy/not safe". We did briefly get off at both to do some local shopping in Mexico (not that great) and some aloe and the local drugstore in Jamaica, for our Grand Cayman sunburn!

We are about to embark on the Eastern Carribbean including St Thomas and Tortola, USVI. I already like this itinerary better! This sailing does have an extra sea day (who doesn't want more Disney ship-time?!) and the ports are gorgeous. I've been to St. Thomas once before and loved it. We're already thinking of doing the Eastern itinerary again as our onboard booking this trip!

Happy sailing!

 

[2Bnºoºt2B]

It all depends on what your preferences are ... we did the Western on DCL and a Pacific Coastal on another line. Once was enough for us. We certainly enjoy the Eastern and Southern Caribbean more ...

 

[Steelers0854]

We much prefer the Eastern Caribbean for the ports, but sometimes the Western out of Galveston is cheaper and more convenient for us than going to FL. I often say the ship could sail in a circle and I would be happy (on Carbbean itineraries).

 

[Disney or Nunn]

Headed out on our first cruise. Its a 7 night Western itinerary. i can't post on which is better, but does anyone know which night is Pirate Night and which is typically the formal night?

 

[PoopDeckPappy]

Eastern versus Western can come down to a personal preference/personality decision. I enjoy sea days so Eastern Caribbean is my preference for the extra sea day. Another consideration is what you like to do in port. When I was considering our first 7 night cruise, I read that if you are looking for beach days, the Eastern Caribbean has better beaches. But if you want more active excursions, something other than relaxing on a beach, the Western Caribbean ports are better. From my limited experience, I'd say there is some truth to that.

I agree and I prefer the Eastern sailing myself. We get off in ports with nice beaches and even like to stay on board on port days because the ship is relaxed.