Eastern vs. Western...

[Bo'sMom]

Which is better?

 

[KANSAS]

I recommend the western cruise, with two stops to castaway CAY/DISNEY PRIVATE ISland

this was best port of call, of any cruise in my lifetime

 

[kcashner]

Most Westerns do not have 2 stops at Castaway...that was a special cruise.

I prefer the Eastern because it has the extra sea day and an extra adult programming series. I've done both, but never had a Western do totally what it was supposed to --usually because of weather. Grand Cayman is a tender port all the time, and we've never been able to get in there due to high waves. The Eastern ports are dock most of the time, tender sometimes, but we've always gotten into those. I like the ship--it is the trip, not the destinations. I choose my cruise due to the dates rather than the stops. Aside from Castaway (which I love), they could sail in circles and I'd be happy!

 

[Bo'sMom]

LOL KCashner!

It does appear that the Eastern cruise is slightly cheaper than the Western for the time period I'm looking at.

 

[mommasita]

I second the Eastern, with the same comments.. LOVE that extra sea day...Have done the Western as well, and do whatever fits best...Will sail anywhere, antime, in any spot on the ship..

 

[Otimon]

My vote is for the Western. Have been twice now and both trips were as perfect as could be.

 

[Laurajean1014]

We preferred Western!

 

[SCDizneyDawn]

I have sailed Eastern twice and Western 3 times, I MUCH prefer the western. The extra day at sea is a plus for Eastern, but the getting up early for customs in St Thomas negates any plus for me.

Cozumel is my all time favorite port too, so that has a little to do with it!

 

[Jillpie]

Dawn, we'll be going on the Western (2 CC days) for the first time next June. Can you tell me what you love about Cozumel? thanks!

 

[KANSAS]

JILLPIE

I am not sure, why you will like about cozumel

i know that you will love your two days at CASTAWAY CAY

 

[Jillpie]

JILLPIE

I am not sure, why you will like about cozumel

i know that you will love your two days at CASTAWAY CAY

Oh, you KNOW IT BABByyyyy!!!!!!

 

[tvguy]

Eastern is a Caribbean Cruise with extra sea day.

Western is a more domestic cruise. Although the Western with 2 Castaway Cay stops would be cool.

We did the Eastern because we wanted our kids to experience the Caribbean, we can drive to Mexico and Florida anytime.

I love to do either though since the ship is the destination for us, the ports are just an added bonus.

 

[TheWog]

We loved the Eastern and the extra day at sea. We will be trying the Western though to say we did.

 

[mrsfuzzmo]

Here's how I see it and explain it to people. (Now, these are generalities)
Eastern Caribbean: Hilly/mountainy Islands, lush, tropical. Beautiful secluded beaches in coves with bright blue water. Snorkeling is great in some areas, but not quite as good as some areas in Western. Eastern is a little more relaxed in general. With the extra sea day, instead of the extra port, if you want to sit and watch the world go by with a book in your hands, Eastern is for you. St. Thomas is a great shopping island and St. John is a tranquil location. Eastern draws more of a relaxation crowd.

Western Caribbean: Flat sandy islands with plam lined beaches that can go on for miles and miles. Great area for water sports. Snorkeling and scuba are second to none here. Many adventureous activities like 4 wheeling, jeep excursions, and a plethora of watersports. The western Caribbean/Mexico are know for activity. With an extra port day and ports that are know for their "partying" as well as their water sports (Cozumel/Key West) western usually draws the more adventerous crowd.

Now, of course, there is shopping on both and beaches on both, etc. etc., but I am just talking in general and after a number of cruises on a number of lines to both areas, these are my observations.

 

[DMMarla07860]

I've only did the Western, but I'd like to do the eastern if I ever get a chance, I think they would both be cool I mean you are on the magic

 

[momoftwodisneykids]

We have done both the Western and Eastern. We feel like 4 port days is a bit too much. There is so much fun to be had on the ship and we like having 2 days at sea in a row (although I wish it were on the way back, like it was on our Carnival cruise). We also love the snorkeling in St. Thomas and the shopping in St. Maarten, therefore we are doing the Magic Eastern sailing 11/26. Maybe next year we will go back to the do the Western route. It is all about personal preference and I don't think you can go wrong with either choice. Happy sailing.

Joanne

 

[callahanjulie10]

We prefer Eastern, have done both. St Thomas and the waters are BEAUTIFUL. St Maarten does have a lot of poverty but the people there are very nice. Just trying to make a living and if you say no, they will leave you alone. GC was just ugly to us(we live on the beach though and are used to white sugary sand and beautiful water) and Cozumel was not very friendly. We had problems with the excursion operator and no one could help since we didn't speak any Spanish and they didn't speak English (which I don't think was the actual case- they are in the tourist business). No one could help us even around the port area and to use the payphone was a waste of time. I have never felt more helpless. In Cozumel, we went shopping and were trying to deal on a hammock and the guy at the store said something rude and did a not very nice gesture to me! I wasn't impressed. We have always had good luck with the people on the Eastern cruise.
Our next cruise is Western, we are giving it another try though.

 

[lbgraves]

Eastern hands down!