Eastern vs. Western question

[MJwritestuff]

Hi! I've been reading these boards ever since we decided to do a November cruise and we had planned on traveling the Eastern route, but my twins really wanted to go over their birthday, which the Eastern route doesn't sail on (11/9). So although I think we'll be traveling on the 11/1 cruise on the Eastern itinerary, I was wondering what people thought was preferable and why. I think more days at sea are better, although if we choose not to disembark at a particular port, we stand a good chance of having the ship to ourselves. Any veterans of both itineraries out there? If so, which would you repeat? Also, are the ships (Magic v. Wonder) basically the same other than decor? I like the fact that the Magic gets out of dry dock by November however. Also, I've tried to print out a copy of a Navigator and it hasn't worked. Anyone know if it's no longer possible to do this? We're all getting pretty excited (we've watched the video numerous times!!) and we'd love to see a copy of one. If it makes any difference in the itinerary, my kids ages are DS and DD age 8 (turning 9) and DD age 7, plus my husband and myself. Thanks for any help!

 

[jlawall]

I've sailed in the summer and I really liked the Western ports. The extra sea day didn't work out for us because it was really windy one day and the other day it rained.

I'm not sure how the weather is in November. Also, the sea was like bath water (no rocking on the Western.) Now, I'm not sure if it is always that mild but I had no seasickness at all on the Western.

It would be interesting to see what other people think at other times of the year.

 

[catspjmas]

We have done both and preferred the Western due to the extra ports & excursions offered. We also had better sailing weather in the Gulf waters but both cruises are terrific!

 

[gwtw110oscars]

I know someone else said they prefer the Western, but I actually preferred the Eastern...but I love spending time on the ship and you have an extra day at sea...plus St. Thomas/St. Maarten are what you think of when you think of cruising to an island...white sands/blue water....

however, the western Grand Caymen was awesome...but Key West to me was just too hot and all about walking around and shopping in the heat...I would think w/ 2 young kids the Eastern is more relaxing...but it's not like you can't just go to the ship any time yout want, right! hehehe.

The people I went w/ this time and last time are going again next summer on the Eastern....

I probably didn't really help, but basically, the ship experience is so amazing, I don't think you can go wrong w/ whatever cruise you take....

Have fun!!!!

 

[tigger53]

hi i've been on both the eastern and the western, just came back from my second eastern sailing and I must say the eastern is my favorite. The western islands just seemed so flat and the eastern has the mountains which to me makes it more scenic and lush, the way you want a caribbean island to look, but either way your on a Disney ship and everything is magical no matter where you are.

 

[imgoingtodisney]

Last Nov 30th we were booked on the Eastern

When we rebooked for this Nov we changed to the Western. The dates were better. We are cruising over Veterans Day and my actual birthday! I cruised to both Key West & Cozumel Dec 01 w/MIL but neither DH nor DS have ever cruised.

 

[WDWLVR]

We've cruised both and to me both have their pros and cons so it really is a personal preference:

Eastern - Pros

More days at Sea - 3 full days instead of 2 1/2
St. Thomas - beautiful island with great shopping
St. Martin - more great shopping - got a beautiful ring here

Eastern - Cons

Early wake-up in St. Thomas for immigration - everyone must attend.
Only 2 ports plus Castaway Cay

Western - Pros

More ports!
Great excursion to Stingray City - my all time favorite!
Wider variety of excursions

Western - Cons

Don't think shopping is as good as the Eastern
Pushy vendors in Cozumel

Best thing about each - Castaway Cay!

I don't think you can go wrong on either.

 

[markey]

We have done the Eastern twice, just returned on Saturday, and the Western once, booked Western again for 2004.

I spend very little time shopping, I enjoy the beaches we have stores at home, so I could not comment on the difference. The only thing we do try to hit is the outdoor markets and to me each port has the same whether Eastern or Western.

The Eastern Islands are beautiful when you pull into port, lush green hills with houses spread about. But if you take a tour of the Islands you will see the poor state of things. But the beaches are incredible, beautiful calm seas and the most incredible blue colors. Having Sunday as a sea day is very nice, after the rushing of getting on the ship and getting organized on Saturday. You can stay on the ship, but I have heard it is very hot on deck certain times of the year when the ship is not moving.

The Western Islands do not seem as tropical, flat as someone else said. But once on shore there really is not that much diference. Key West is ok, maybe our choice of the trolly tour was not the best, very hot. Next year I will opt for the waverunner excursion. If you go into town at night leave the kids on the ship, it really is an adult town. GC was a tour in the am and afternoon beach was cancelled due to weather, would have liked to see a beach there. At Cozumel we spent the day at Chum (can't spell) National Park, that was the highlite of the trip. Great Park, lost of things to do.

When I an on the Eastern I think it is the best, and when I am on the Western I think the same. Maybe it just has something to do with being on the Magic!

 

[cruzindon]

Now that I have gone on both I can comment on this popular question.

We prefer the eastern mainly because we love sea days and there is one more on the eastern.

Also although you can stay aboard the ship when it is in port and pretend it is a sea day, there are not nearly as many activities scheduled.

 

[MJwritestuff]

Thanks everyone for your input!
Looks like it will be the Eastern for us - we're not shoppers, plus, seeing as this is our first cruise, I like the relaxation of Sunday. Next time (if luck has it) maybe we can try Western.
Thanks again! - MJ

 

[mrspat2]

We too are going on the Nov 1 cruise with kids the same age it looks like, we have a 7 1/2 and 9 1/2 yr old by then. We chose Eastern because we have been to Cayman which is great. We were there for a week and the best part of the week was the snorkling and scuba at Stingray city. We would have liked to have the kids try that one, except at the time 7 year old were not allowed to snorkle, although I think they changed that rule now. Plus, the dates work out better for the NOv 1 since school is out two of the days.

 

[GinaDice]

As many of the posters have already said - both have pros and cons.

Cayman was my favorite stop on the Western route -which we did in May. A great time of the year to cruise.

But the Eastern route has the extra at sea day which is really nice if you are looking for a relaxing vacation. You are able to enjoy the activities of the ship at an enjoyable pace.

But the best stop - and it is on both Eastern and Western is Castaway Cay - so you cann't go wrong with either!

Enjoy your trip!!

 

[cruzindon]

We too liked Grand Cayman the best on the western, St Thomas on the eastern.