Eastern vs Western Caribbean. Thoughts?

[fantasybound]

Am planning our 5th cruise for next summer. Cheaper for Western Caribbean, but not by much. Which do you prefer (Eastern or Western) and why.

 

[castawaycayfans]

We like both, but prefer the Eastern due to the 2 sea days at the beginning.

 

[LWQuestie]

Eastern. More sea days and ports of call that I'm more interested in visiting.

 

[jrabbit]

Been on two eastern and two western caribbean cruises. After 12 DCL cruises, Would prefer more new itineraries (like the southern ones next year)

If you are looking at the Fantasy cruises, they are both 7 nights which is a nice length cruise. Here are my "highlights" from each cruise...
Eastern: Orient Beach on Sint Maarten (well its on the French side - so it's St. Martin) - very beautiful beach, the water, sand and facilities are very nice. And you just might see some nekid people walking around
Eastern: St Johns (from St. Thomas) - snorkeling here is very good. Trunk Bay is one of the top beaches in the World
Western: Grand Cayman - Snorkeling (pick any of them) are very good, Also sting ray city
Western: Cozumel: Xplor park - AWESOME Zipline courses (2 - with 8-10 lines each), underground rafting (save for last), underground swimming, "off road jeep course" that is above and underground. Several good beaches with facilities on the island (where the ship docks)
Western: Costa Maya - Mayan pyramids - very interesting excursion.

If you are doing the western on one of the classic ships, you might stop at Key West - we liked the Old Town Trolley (hop on/off), Truman's Little White House, Hemmingway Home, Southernmost point, Key Lime, Chocolate Dipped Key Lime Pies, Easily walk-able city area

 

[jedijill]

Love the Eastern. More sea days and St John is worth the entire trip.

HTH

Jill in CO

 

[disneywonderfun]

Prefer Western, fewer sea days, more ports, more time with people off the ship on excursions. Also, really like the ports on the Western run.

Unfortunately, we are stuck with the Eastern run on our next sailing in a few weeks.

DWF

 

[shburks]

Prefer Western, fewer sea days, more ports, more time with people off the ship on excursions. Also, really like the ports on the Western run.

Unfortunately, we are stuck with the Eastern run on our next sailing in a few weeks.

DWF

I like Eastern for the exact opposite reasons...prefer 3 sea days, like ports better!

 

[disneywonderfun]

I like Eastern for the exact opposite reasons...prefer 3 sea days, like ports better!

My entire rationale for liking fewer sea days is that our family enjoys the ship and all it has to offer most often when the ship is at port and 80% of the passengers are off somewhere. Aquaduck, no problem at port, less than 5 minute wait. Spa service, good luck scheduling one on a sea day. Crowds at character appearances, basically Zero crowds. Just our preference. Everybody has their own reasons.

DWF

 

[darkwing818]

We like both, but prefer the Eastern due to the 2 sea days at the beginning.

Agree, we like both, but love the extra sea day on the Eastern .

 

[Silverfox97]

Eastern - 3 sea days and St. John

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[Zeppelin]

have done both....both are great....we did EC in Aug and going on our 3rd WC next August- price was a factor...

taking costa maya out of the picture I think there is slightly more to do at the other WC ports (GC and Cozumel)....i will say the EC ports are great as they are fractionally as crowded versus the WC carib ports and unlike the WC ports, there aren't hundreds of people outside the EC ports trying to sell you anything and everything under the sun....

 

[fantasybound]

Thanks all. Cruise would be 7 day Fantasy. I agree about adding new ports. We've actually done one of each. Western in 2009 and Eastern in 2012. Probably enjoyed Eastern more, but not quite sure if it was just being on new Fantasy or the extra sea day. Jamaica will be a different/new port for us if we choose Western this time. Still undecided, but then again how could either be a disappointment.

 

[iloverags2]

For us it depends on what we are looking for at that particular time. We love the Western for the three ports (we love seeing more places!); but we also love the Eastern at times when we just want to relax, and love that extra sea day. Both are great options - it really depends on what you are looking for in a vacation.

As for the ports themselves, I gotta say I fell in love with the Eastern ports. Nothing like seeing mountains shooting up into the sky right next to the water. Just majestic beauty, in my opinion. Until we sailed there, I just never imagined how beautiful it would be. St. Thomas was incredibly beautiful to see from above, so I would suggest a tour that takes you up to lookout spots.

On the Western itinerary I really fell in love with Grand Cayman. Love the relaxed and friendly vibe of the island!

 

[Happy100]

Done both prefer Western Carribean because I like the ports and one more stop. You can always stay on the ship at a port if you prefer 2 sea days. IF you do the ship will be practically empty!