Eastern vs. Western?

[actormcfamous]

My family is going on a DCL cruise next Thanksgiving (2006). We went on the Eastern cruise back in 2001, and loved it. I know we would definitely be happy on that one again, but I was wondering what everyone's opinions are about the Western and/or Eastern vs. Western. Thanks!

 

[Lloyd Dobler]

While I like both itineraries and have been on both several times (7 E, 4 W), I lean toward the eastern for a few reasons. First, I like the extra day at sea. These are the days when I'm truly on vacation and do very little, other than eating, drinking, reading, and swimming. I mostly hang out on deck 10 with a book. In the late afternoons, I move to deck 4 and grab one of those comfy lounge chairs on the sunny side of the ship. I also like that Sunday is a sea day. While I like Key West just fine, I find it hard to get myself up and off the ship after flying across the country on Friday and embarking on Saturday and getting the cruise going. With the fatigue of travel, the requisite sleepless night on Friday night prior to the cruise, and the over-doing it on the first night, I'm really dragging on the first full day on board. Finally, I like St. Thomas as a cruise port. There are a lot of different things to do: golf, the Atlantis Sub, anything on St. John, the various St. Thomas beaches, banana daiquiris at MountainTop, or just wandering downtown Charlotte Amalie.

So for those reasons, I'd give the eastern a slight advantage. At this point, though, we usually book the date/price rather than the itinerary. With all things being equal, I go for the eastern.

 

[druiser]

Depends on what type excursions you'd like to do. I've only cruised the east, but have been to all locations at different times. For one day stops, I'm sure you can find great stuff to do, whichever you chose. For natural beauty, the east wins hands down, based on the Virgin Islands alone, and the extra day at sea ended up being a huge amount of fun for us. If anyone in your party does or will scuba dive, I'd send you west, as Cayman and Cozumel have outstanding diving.

 

[BobandLee]

Definitely the Western. Key West, Cozumel & Grand Cayman. We've done both Eastern and Western. Did the Western a second time. Probably would do a third sometime.

 

[mommasita]

After 2 easterns, and 1 western...If I had the option I would go for the eastern... Usually it would be whatever worked well with our schedule, but like I said if I had the chance, eastern first, then western..We love the beaches on the eastern, but I think like a lot of people, the extra sea day just does it for me... I find it seems longer than 7 days...

One thing I can guarantee is; Eastern or Western: fun will be had by all..

 

[inkkognito]

We have done the Eastern once and the Western three times, so you can tell which one we prefer! I like the extra sea day on the Eastern, but it's outweighed by my love of the Western ports (especially Cozumel).
Barb

 

[laujac]

Frozen key lime pie, on a stick, dipped in chocolate... enough to make anyone sail the Western!

 

[tecdavidt]

We prefer the eastern. We did the Western for a second time over New Years this January and if we never do another western we would not care. We just prefer the eastern ports. We have been to St. Thomas several times and I still love it when we go there. Kathy

 

[actormcfamous]

My thanks to all who replied.

Still quite torn, though. We absolutely loved going snorkelling in St. John (took a ferry ride to Trunk Bay, the snorkelling there was AMAZING- highly recommended!) and I know we would love to do that again. But that key lime pie also is quite appealing

 

[natdencro]

Just come home from our back-to-back on the Magic. Key West is ok for a day, but Grand Cayman and Cozumel dont have much to offer in our opinion. The Eastern is far prettier and offers more options. We probably wont do the Western again until they change the itinery. If the weather is bad on the Western, you will be stuck for things to do - unless you have booked an excursion. However, our excursion was cancelled in GC due to upcoming bad weather conditions, and tendering stopped at 3pm.

If you can only afford one week on the Magic in your lifetime........Eastern is best all round........... well, thats our opinion anyway.ANY Disney cruise is great though........ we loved the whole trip! Nat

 

[QuiltTeddy]

We've done both. Liked Eastern much more than Western. Like the extra sea day and the Islands much better than the Western ports.

 

[mketting]

We aren't going on our eastern cruise until next April. Is there any chance Disney would change the itenarary before then or do they only make changes before booking start for a cruise?