Eastern vs Western Caribbean on Disney Treasure

[Raya]

We currently have an Eastern Caribbean cruise booked - Tortola, British Virgin Islands, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands & Castaway Cay. We may have to switch to a Western Caribbean - Cozumel, Mexico, George Town, Grand Cayman, Falmouth, Jamaica, & Castaway Cay. I'm trying to decide if the ports would be better for us one way or the other. We don't drink or gamble. Most of us would rather go to a knit shop or a bookstore than a bar or the beach. We like history, learning, and shopping for very unique cultural things (like handmade art not t shirts). There's no little ones in the group but we do have some car sickness issues that make bus excursions not fun. While we love to snorkel, we have people who can't be out in the sun for more than a few hours. We've done two 3-night trips with stays in Nassau, Bahamas. Nassau was deeply not our thing. On our second trip we didn't bother to get off the boat.

I'm leaning toward a Western trip because of the possibility of seeing the Mayan ruins in Cozumel, but with the need to avoid long bus trips that might not be an option. What else should I consider?

 

[sponica]

Grand Cayman is a tender port, if that factors into your decision making.

 

[JM_97]

I think Eastern might be better. To me, the Western has more active excursions, where Eastern is more what you are looking for.

 

[iloveeeyore]

We have done both and enjoyed both, but preferred Eastern. The Eastern gives you an extra day on the ship, and we enjoy the Virgin Islands.

That said, we would do Western again for sure! You should try both at least once to decide your own preference. Do the one that works best for your schedule this time, and plan another cruise in the future that fits the other itinerary.

In Cozumel there are ruins that are close, but they do not compare to the ruins that are a long bus ride away. But you get a little taste. Jamaica has some nice rain forest excursions. We got a private taxi to take us to the Blue Hole, which was beautiful. But that was about 2 hours away from the port.

 

[scrappinginontario]

We’ve done both and prefer Eastern.

 

[Mercenary]

The Eastern is a really nice trip. We have our 2nd Western coming up but on our last we could not tender at the Cayman Islands, so looking forward to do that again.

That being said the Virgin Islands were amazing and some of the best waters I have seen.

I think you will see ot do some great things either way!

 

[shosh1530]

We've loved our Eastern Caribbean cruise last summer on the Fantasy and are now booked for a Western Caribbean on the Treasure this summer.

I was more drawn to Eastern for the beauty of the Virigin Islands and more dramatic landscapes. But as far as car sickness goes there roads in both Tortola and St. Thomas can be steep, narrow, winding and intense. You might want to check out some videos of the roads to get a sense and then also find out how close to port any historical things you might want to do are. There was definitely some pirate type history things in both ports. Not sure about shopping as we don't do usually do that.

We snorkeled in both Tortola (day sail) and St. Thomas. Some of the beach snorkel spots were close to port and could be done in under a few hours for sure. I'm super sun sensitive so I wore swim tights and a long sleeve rash guard. Our day sail in Tortola was longer (10 am-4 pm) but there are much shorter excursions as well.

Sounds like it will be an amazing cruise whichever one you decide on.

 

[PAGA2003]

I think a Western would be perfect for what you described. We just did that itinerary last year and did a wonderful private tour in Cozumel to the local San Gervasio Ruins, followed by lunch at a smaller beach club Sky Reef. The food was excellent and you can snorkel right there. We finished with a tequila tasting at Tres Tonos.

In Grand Cayman we did a small group tour to Stingray City followed with a second snorkeling stop. In Falmouth we did a tour of a historical home, Greenwood Great House, and church through DCL.

I think you get a much more culturally diverse experience on the Western with so many excursion opportunities that don't have to involve the beach. We've done several land based and sailing vacations to both the USVI and BVI and I really feel those destinations are all about water activities and beaches though St. John has some great hiking trails. The BVI is also known for several great beach bars and restaurants (Soggy Dollar, Foxy's, Willy T and more). I feel like from what your list of wants I would lean Western.

 

[OKW Lover]

We've done both and love each. So we alternate. If we just did Eastern, then we will book Western the next cruise. FWIW, we are older and sedate so not looking for huge, exciting excursions in the port. Mostly we get off and do a bit of shopping and sightseeing.

 

[Chrislovesdisney]

I’ve done both, Eastern more recently, western over 20 years ago. I am not a beach or activity person and prefer the nerdier excursions. My favorite places, too, are yarn stores and bookstores! Western has more interest-based tours (ruins in Cozumel, I remember going to a turtle farm and rum cake factory in Grand Cayman). Eastern is mostly beaches. Having said that, I think the natural beauty of the Eastern and the extra days on the ship make me sway more towards preferring the Eastern. My favorite stop on the western was key west which is no longer offered. I also remember that the ruins in Cozumel were absolutely swarming with mosquitos which took away from the experience - we couldn’t even concentrate and were eaten alive. I’d love to do the eastern again and pack a bag of books and knitting projects, sit back, and relax.

 

[Raya]

I’d love to do the eastern again and pack a bag of books and knitting projects, sit back, and relax.

That's my plan! Let the kids hit the pool or go to a beach, I'll be in the Haunted Mansion lounge happily knitting away. My only worry is that they limit how much time I can spend on that comfy looking couch.