Eastern vs. Wester Caribbean Cruise????

[TrueGravity]

Do any of you have opinions on which cruise is better? The Eastern or the Western Caribbean?
I'm sure they both are good but why do you choose the Eastern or the Western? Any special reasons? Or is just a personal preference.

Any pro's or con's with either trip?

 

[KJET54]

I prefered the Eastern. I like St Thomas and I also enjoyed the extra day at sea to relax. It depends what you enjoy, sightseeing on different islands or relaxing a bit more on the boat. I also think the shopping on St Thomas was the best.

 

[Surfergirl]

Eastern. We have done both and prefer the extra day at sea and the more tropical atmosphere of the islands.

 

[TrueGravity]

WOW so far 2 for the eastern. I think I'm going to try to figure out how to start a poll about Eastern vs. Western and see what the results are.

 

[NancyIL]

I went on an eastern Caribbean cruise with Holland America and a western Caribbean cruise with Royal Caribbean, and I preferred the western itinerary. Ours went to Grand Cayman, Costa Maya (Mexico), Belize City, and Cozumel. I swam with stingrays in GC and visited Mayan ruins in Costa Maya and Belize (very interesting). I shopped in Cozumel, and wish I had gone to the beach in addition. The eastern cruise I was on stopped in Tortola (BVI), St. Thomas, and HAL's private island in the Bahamas.

 

[Worfiedoodles]

I've been on both Eastern and Western itineraries on Explorer of the Seas, and we preferred the Western. It seemed more friendly to children. That said, we had a fabulous time on the Eastern itinerary as well!

 

[UGAFan0829]

I've only been able to do the 3 day so far, but hopefully, if we ever do get to do the 7-day then we will for sure do the Western. I really would love to go to Key West and to Cozumel!

 

[castlegazer]

I have only done eastern itineraries and deep southern ones. I had my choice this time around and chose to go again to the east. I travel with young children and felt that the western was not more child friendly, but I am talking really young kids so it may be different depending on age. I also really love St. Maarten and St. John. I also as stated before, really wanted that extra sea day. We did a cruise last time which stopped at five different islands over 7 days - I was exhausted and felt so stressed after it. I want to relax and see some of our favorite spots in the Caribbean.

Its seems to really be a personal choice - I think both itineraries are spectacular.

 

[TrueGravity]

Thanks, lots of great input so far.

 

[MnParrothead]

I took an Eastern cruise in January '02 and enjoyed the perfect weather (80's and the water was warm) in St. Maarten and St. Thomas/St. John's. I have heard from other posters that the Western cruise in the winter months are more iffy because those ports aren't as close to the equator. You may want to consider that if you are planning to go in the wintertime.

 

[TrueGravity]

I took an Eastern cruise in January '02 and enjoyed the perfect weather (80's and the water was warm) in St. Maarten and St. Thomas/St. John's. I have heard from other posters that the Western cruise in the winter months are more iffy because those ports aren't as close to the equator. You may want to consider that if you are planning to go in the wintertime.

Thanks, I never thought of that. I assumed all of the Caribbean was warm all the time.

 

[tinkerbellmagic]

Hi,
I have done the eastern and western on DCL, spring 2003 and spring 2005. I can honestly say both cruises were lots of fun and I have no preference for one over the other. We aren't really able to choose eastern or western, we go when my daughter's spring break allows us to go. In 2006, her spring vacation dictates it will be another western for us, so that's two westerns in a row. I have no regrets about this. I am thrilled!

That said, we did enjoy the shore excursions on the eastern a little more than on the western. But we swam with the stingrays on the western, which was a definite highlight. Funny thing though, we had more fun on the western last March, than I think any other cruise we went on. I think it may have been because it was our most recent cruise and due to the addition of pirate night (which you get on both cruises), and just knowing the ship and what it has to offer, even better. To me, you can't go wrong on either. Have fun!

Tink

 

[TrueGravity]

Hi,
I have done the eastern and western on DCL, spring 2003 and spring 2005. I can honestly say both cruises were lots of fun and I have no preference for one over the other. We aren't really able to choose eastern or western, we go when my daughter's spring break allows us to go. In 2006, her spring vacation dictates it will be another western for us, so that's two westerns in a row. I have no regrets about this. I am thrilled!

That said, we did enjoy the shore excursions on the eastern a little more than on the western. But we swam with the stingrays on the western, which was a definite highlight. Funny thing though, we had more fun on the western last March, than I think any other cruise we went on. I think it may have been because it was our most recent cruise and due to the addition of pirate night (which you get on both cruises), and just knowing the ship and what it has to offer, even better. To me, you can't go wrong on either. Have fun!

Tink

Pirate night? Sounds like fun!!!! I'm sure whichever cruise we choose will be fun. Beats working right?