How to decide between Eastern or Western?

[firstmickey]

Hi....Im new to the Disney cruise and I just wondered which cruise people like better and why?

The Eastern or Western itinerary?


And what month is best? Im thinking of early November.


thanks in advance!

 

[webray]

We chose by which ports we had wanted to see first, so we did the western and it was excellent.

 

[jel0511]

We picked the Western first because those ports were more exciting to us then the Eastern. We are sailing the Western again, first and foremost because we like the ports and second because it's during Jersey Week. My kids get 2 days off that week and the other 3 are half days. It's a no brainer and it's also a less expensive time to sail. Also, with DCL's alternative itineraries next year, they are only sailing the Eastern once a month (mainly because repeat cruisers usually have done that one), Western twice a month and the Castaway Cay two times once per month. So, for your time period you might have no choice. If you're looking at 2006, there is an Eastern the last week of October, Western the first week of November and the new itinerary (Castaway Cay, Costa Maya, Cozumel, Castaway Cay) the second week, with the third week being the EXPENSIVE Thanksgiving sailing.

 

[kcashner]

I've done 12 cruises on the Magic, so I've had Eastern, Western, 4 day, and some creative cruising (read that Hurricanes!)

Personally, I like the ports and the extra sea day of the Eastern.

On the Western, Key West is nice....I don't care for Cozumel. We've never (on 3 Westerns) ever gotten into Grand Cayman. It is a tender prot, and if the seas are rough, they won't go there.

The extra sea day allows for additional adult programming. The only negative on the eastern is that since USVI is a US port, there is an extra Customs check in. I really don't pick my cruise by which way is it going now....I pick by the dates that work for me.

 

[tvguy]

Here is a gross generalization...

Western, more ports, but not exotic.

Eastern, more sea days, exotic ports, better shopping.

We did not pick a Disney cruise because it was Disney (although we love Disney), but because of the Eastern ports.

 

[brack]

We have done 5 cruises on the Magic and only one was the Western. We really like the extra day at sea that the Eastern gives and the ports are better. Our next cruise is one of the odd ones in that it goes to Castaway Cay twice with some different ports.

 

[jdm]

I think it's a really personal decision based on your preferences. We did the Eastern. We had 0 desire to do the Western. We live on the West coast and Mexico just isn't that appealing to us. We've been to Cabo and didn't like it. I'm sure the ports are different than that but St. Martin and St. Thomas just sounded so inviting to us. We loved it. Initially, I was wishing the extra port day was on the Eastern, thinking we'd be bored at sea. Oh contrare (spell?!).... we LOVED that extra day at sea! If we go again, we'll probably do the Eastern again. I do hear there is more active, outdoor-sy stuff on the Western. So, that might be a consideration if you're the active, sporty, outdoor-sy type. We were the lay in the sun, piggy toes dipped in soft white sand, Corona commercial, sipping a fru fru -type!

Have fun whichever you choose!
Jenn

 

[firstmickey]

We were the lay in the sun, piggy toes dipped in soft white sand, Corona commercial, sipping a fru fru -type!

Sounds like me!


thanks for all of the input!


Im leaning towards the Eastern also!

 

[Joan1]

Here is how my TA explained it to me

If you are a shopper then go with the Eastern
If you are into more water sports and relaxation go with the Western

Both have nice beaches but I personally think that the Western has nicer beaches

 

[Skaught]

My honeymoon was a RCCL to the Eastern Carribean, which included St. Martin and St. Thomas (and three others). I found most of those to be the same...same shops, same taxis, same t-shirts with just the names swapped out. I wasn't impressed. I visited Grand Cayman and Cozumel when I was 14 on a cruise, so I decided to go that route. I prefer interesting sites to shopping any day. Key West is fun, too, so I chose Western. I figure if we don't want to get off the ship somewhere, we have the option. No choice if you're out at sea.

Scott

 

[TheWog]

We initially chose our first cruise to be the Eastern, because of the ports... we wanted to see St. Thomas and St. Maarten and the extra sea day.

 

[HooKooDooKu]

Because ANY Disney Cruise is great, I always suggest that you do the one you have not done before, and if you've never do either, then do the cheapest.

 

[poconoboatniks]

We like the western because it stops in Key West. The kids like the eastern because of the extra sea day. Either way, you're going to have a great trip.

Poconoboatniks

 

[firstmickey]

Thanks everyone!

 

[pbharris4]

Here is how my TA explained it to me

If you are a shopper then go with the Eastern
If you are into more water sports and relaxation go with the Western

Both have nice beaches but I personally think that the Western has nicer beaches

It was tough for us to decide. But I am the "shopaholic" and DH is the more active person. We just ended up booking the western because we all want to do the Stingray City thing and the Eco Park and see Key West..I can shop anywhere.

 

[Liz]

I probably would have booked Eastern, given a choice. But Western worked with our dates so that's what we are doing. This is our first cruise so hopefully we'll like it enough to do Eastern another time! Have fun whatever you decide!