Eastern Vs. Western & Inside Vs. Outside

[Alice Sr.]

I have finally committed to a cruise next year. Now to try and sort out what will work best for us (myself (mom) and 2 DD's 16 & 13) I have researched some of the previous threads and hope you can help direct me to our best options.

I have read that some people that have a tendency towards motion sickness did better with an inside cabin. I glad I read this because I was leaning toward cat. 4 or 5 with a verandah.

Also, I was leaning toward the eastern itineracy but, I think I read that the western has more port calls (less sailing time, still worried about feeling queasy). I would prefer the eastern as I have been to Key West and Cozomel several times.

I know there are a lot of products out there to help with sea sickness but I want to stack the deck against it as much as possible.

One last question what is the best time to sail. I'm looking for the hottest, sunniest, smoothest sailing time.

I'm currently looking at March 20, 2004 eastern cat. 4 or 5

Thanks for your help,
Alice





Alice

 

[Gillian]

Bonine once a day should prevent most/all motion sickness. I don't get car sick, but boats of all kinds make me ill. When I take Bonine I never feel bad.

An outside cabin is really nice. With only 3 people, you don't really need a cat 4. They aren't a whole lot bigger than a 5/6, from what I understand. Cat 5 cabins are the same as cat 6, but on a different deck. We liked deck 6 and have booked a cat 6 again for our second cruise.

If saving money is or becomes an issue, you may want to look into the cabins with partially obstructed verandahs. They only sleep 3, have a plexiglass verandah, but there is a partial overhang that could obscure the view slightly. see http://www.disneycruiser.info/obstruct.htm for pictures.

 

[AnnMorin]

If I was prone to seasickness I think I would want the veranda even more.. fresh air can be a big help when you are feeling under the weather. We always get a veranda and on our last cruise I had an ear infection and felt terrible for a day.. I just napped on the veranda which was very peaceful.
We have done both the eastern and the western and are going on the eastern again. I prefer the extra day at sea and the shopping can't be beat on the eastern!

 

[Denine]

We prefer the Eastern for the extra sea day, plus I love to go jewelry shopping in St. Martin.
We have sailed DCL 5 times and always with a category 11. That being said, it was just the 2 of us. We are booked for Oct 2004 and there will be 3 of us. DD will be 2 when we go. We booked a cat 6 so that we could have a verandah for nap time. We have had verandah's 2 times on a different cruise line and love them.
If you opt for an inside, I would go with a cat 10, at least. With 2 teenage daughters, you will want the split bathroom.
I tend to get seasick. I don't feel any different with an inside or balcony. I just put my patch on and go. This next time though, I am going to try just taking bonine.
Have fun deciding!

 

[CRB#33]

I vote for bonine once or twice a day and a verandah!!!!

The verandah makes for some wonderful peaceful times, especially when you have more time to enjoy them on a 7 day.

Start taking the bonine a few days before your trip and any side effects you may feel, will be gone by sail away time!

Can't speak to Eastern or Western until next year though!

 

[Bev J]

Go for the balcony! If you are very prone to seasickness then ask your doctor for a script for the patch, if you are still worried about this you can go to the ship dr. for a shot and you will never have a problem at all. Our friend sailed with us for the first time in March and she was truly green as we pulled out of Ft. Lauderdale, she had not taken any kind of meds. She went to the dr got a shot and also took some oral meds of some kind and had no further problems at all, even on small boats during tours.
Have a great cruise.

 

[inkkognito]

I LOVE the Western itinerary! Although I enjoy days at sea, the Western ports of call win me over. We have done one Eastern and two Western, and we're doing the Western again in May.
Whenever possible, I say go for a verandah! We have been fortunate enough to have a verandah on all three of our 7-day cruises so far, and in May we'll be back in good old 5650 once again. But you really think you will be more comfortable in an inside stateroom, there is plenty you can do to get out and around. We had a secret porthole room for our three-peat (not quite an inside stateroom, although technically an inside category), and we spent more time on the "secret" deck 7 aft verandah and in the Rainforest. Instead of reading out on the verandah, I'd curl up in a heated tile lounger with my book. But nothing beats breakfast outside in the morning or star gazing before you go to bed, so if at all possible, go for the Bonine or a sea band and do the verandah.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[Gillian]

The patch is great for some people, but do try it out before you go, for a few days, at least. Some people have awful side effects, and you'd want to know far in advance.

 

[strawberryblonde]

We are booked for that sailing (3/20/04) but in a cat. 6 for all of the reasons mentioned above. Try and get a Starboard side if you can, opinions differ but you should be pleased with the view. It will be our first cruise so I can't tell you for sure you're making the right choice, just that we are on the same wavelength

 

[imgoingtodisney]

I voted for Western Outside

 

[Incharge]

Hate to be a dummy, but which side is starboard? If you are facing the front, would it be on the left or right? So sorry. Is this side better for seeing the islands? My room is 2572. Is this starboard? Thanks

 

[strawberryblonde]

Facing the front of the ship, it would be on your right, and your cabin number is. This only holds true for the Eastern, don't know about the Western, and not all of the time. IMO you have better odds of a great view