With the Eastern you get a Caribbean cruise with 3 days at sea.
With the Western you get a Florida/Mexico cruise with 2 days at sea.
Can't speak to shopping in the various ports, because I was going on vacation, not a shopping spree. But frankly, after 8 cruises, 7 to the Caribbean, EVERY port except Castaway Cay has too many shops.
We went on the Eastern because we wanted a Caribbean cruise. I don't consider Key West Florida to be high on my list of cruise ports (no, never been there to know for sure). And as a West Coast resident, if I wanted to cruise to a Mexican port, I could do that for half the cost here on the West Coast, and not have to fly across country.
Wont make much difference to the children's enjoyment at those ages, so would opt for the Eastern - which is far prettier and offers more in our opinion.Have great time!
My personal preference is the eastern, mainly because you get more days at sea (which is why I cruise) and ST. THOMAS........ my favorite island and shopping place!!!
It is a personal preference of eastern/western.
We are doing a western in June and an eastern in September.
Can't decide..... do both!!
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