Eastern or Western?

[Princess49]

For all of you pro's....

Eastern or Western... THAT is the question!

Which do you like more & why? & do the reasons have anything to do with your party(all adults, family with older or younger children?) Figured I'd go right to the source for those who know best! Thanks!!

 

[makaylee]

I am far from a pro, I have only been on one cruise so far, an eastern. You will find good things about both though. You just have to deside how many days you want to spend at sea (the eastern has 3 and western has 2) and what excursions interest you. I think either way you'll have a great time though. Were doing the eastern again because we love the days at sea and can't wait to snorkle in St. John again!

 

[Bbgrizzle]

I agree, it is a matter of whether you prefer port days or sea days. In my opinion, each route has one great port + the always fabulous Castaway Cay. The other stops aren't that great. For me, I like the Eastern route because at-sea days are my favorite and you get one extra. Also, I like St. Thomas just a tiny bit more than Cozumel.

 

[prymsu]

both are wonderful, but i also like the extra day at sea. it just seems to me so much more relaxing.

 

[KYCruiseCrazy]

never been on either YET, but the extra day at sea helps the "Vacation" to be a Vacation. last i checked a DCL cruise is for fun and relaxation for the family.

 

[AOPI57]

We've done both the Eastern and Western. Only advantage over the Eastern we feel is the extra day at sea. It just seems more relaxing. Loved Cozumel and St, Thomas. Grand Cayman wqs beautiful And St. Maarten was very nice. Of course CC is great. It depends on whether you prefer an extra day at sea or would rather be in port. Either way, both are fantastic!.

 

[Shebbieal]

Another thing to consider,,,,

If someone has mobility problems, the Eastern is MUCH more accessible!!

Sherry

 

[IrishCowboy]

Western ports seem to be more of a party atmosphere (Key West and Cozumel).

 

[natdencro]

Have done both and prefer the Eastern, as it is a much prettier route. Didnt care much for Grand Cayman, and Cozumel is pretty much like most other ports - but noisier!Key West is nice, but one day was enough. We had fun on both cruises, but opted to do the Eastern again this March, and enjoyed it just as much the 3rd time! Dont miss the island of St.John!Nat

 

[Princess49]

I know there is shopping in nassau, is there any shopping in any of the other ports? I don't know why I leaned towards the Eastern, I didnt even know that there WAS one more day at sea. So the ports are the same as far as how nice they are? I have a feeling that we are going to like the time on board the best, as we are going for the whole Disney atmosphere- I guess we'll find out on our first cruise! Thanks for the tips!

 

[CM_Mom]

Don't know that this is a deciding factor but Cingular cell phones ( and probably other providers) work in St Thomas so if you want to contact home in the middle of your cruise you can. On my plan the St. Thomas minutes are just charged as part of my regular minutes.

DD has said the Western is a little more of a "party" atmosphere than the Eastern but that may have as much to do with the "in port" times as with the location. You stay later in Key West (10:15)and Cozumel(11:00) than in St. Maarten(7:30) and St. Thomas(4:45). If you really like the port times, you spend more time in port on the Western--longer days and one more of them for Grand Cayman.

 

[tvguy]

For us, the ship is the destination.
Ports are just added bonus.
We HAD to get up early in St. Thomas to clear immigration, but since this was the first time our kids had been there, we had booked the Skytram in the morning, and Coral World in the afternoon.
This was the 6th time my wife and I have been to St. Thomas, the previous 4 times we used this as our morning to sleep in, since on other lines we didn't need to clear immigration, and other than some quick shopping there wasn't much we want to do there other than enjoy time on the ship.

Love the cell phone comment.......my mom was on a cruise on the Mercury the week before Easter and told us she wasn't taking her cell phone, and don't call her on the ship because "she wasn't coming back early, and there was nothing at home that couldn't wait until she got home". I agree, when I'm on a cruise, it can ALL wait until I get home!!!
Even at home, my cell phone stays in my car, because there are times I want to be unreachable!!!!

 

[CM_Mom]

About the cell phone. DD is a CM in the Club on the Magic. Her only voice contact with home is Saturdays from Port Canaveral, Sundays on the Western from Key West and Wednesdays on the Eastern from St. Thomas. She's kind of bad about checking e-mail cause she's so busy on the ship. I think the phone calls are more to keep her mom happy but I do enjoy hearing what's happening on the ship. Also lets me answer some questions for folks on the DisBoard occasionally.

The cell phone info is for folks who have situations at home that they need to monitor occasionally. When we're on VACATION the cell phone stays off too but some folks don't have that luxury.

 

[wdw47]

we had theis exact same question we have all but decided on a western in 2005 we have always wanted to see Key West FL. wondering how the weather is on the western cruise

 

[Princess49]

is key west really nice? I feel like it's florida- not an island, & won't be as much fun?? hey-- what do I know?!?! I wish I knew how to make a poll!! then we would really see what people prefer!!