Opinions, please! 7-night Eastern vs. 7-night Western

[oybolshoi]

Greetings all!

DH and I just returned from our first ever Disney cruise - the 10/23 7-night Western cruise on the Magic.

We had a blast - so much so that we booked the 7-night Eastern for October 2005. For those of you who have sailed the Eastern, or for those of you who have done both Eastern and Western, could you tell me which you liked best, and why?

I can't imagine that we wouldn't enjoy the Eastern as much as the one we just did, but I'd love to hear the opinions of those of you here who know firsthand the advantages of both intineraries.

And by the way, anyone who says that couples without children won't enjoy a Disney cruise obviously has never tried it. We don't have kids and this was the best vacation we've had in years! I'm wondering why we waited so long to try it considering how many times we've gone to WDW.

So, thanks in advance for your responses - I'm really looking forward to your thoughts and opinions.

Brenda

 

[NCRedding]

Our comparison is a little off, since our Western was shortened by 3 days, but I prefered the eastern. I loved the extra at sea day, and found there was so much to do.

I also enjoyed our days at St Marten and St Thomas, a little better than at Costa Maya and Cozumel. The mexican itinerary seemed to be a little more rugged, and didn't feel as familiar.

Either way, you'll have a blast.

 

[Par8hed]

I vote for Western. I don't think a trip to paradise should include seeing Burger Kings, Pizza Hut's, and traffic jams as you do in St. Thomas.

 

[disneygatorfan]

I haven't done a "Western"' on DCL, but I have been to some of the Western ports of call on other lines, but I prefer the Eastern ports better. I hope DCL considers switching out St. Marteen someday though, I think there are better ports then St. Marteen personally. St. Thomas is more "urban" as someone mentioned right next to the port, but the best beaches in the world are just short ferry boat away at St. John... and ABOSLUTELY no port of call has had a beach to compare with Trunk Bay.



Everyone is different though... I think some of the Western ports have more to do other then beach-type excursions, which can be a nice change, but I guess I am a tropical girl at heart.

 

[BELLE16127]

We did the Western in 2002 and just did the Eastern on the October 16th sailing. I enjoyed both for different reasons but I think that the EASTERN seemed to be more relaxing maybe it was the extra day at sea??? And in Grand Caymen the beach was a little rocky, I love the soft sandy beaches we went to on the Eastern..Orient Beach in St Maarten was Beautiful.

 

[castlegazer]

Originally posted by Par8hed
I vote for Western. I don't think a trip to paradise should include seeing Burger Kings, Pizza Hut's, and traffic jams as you do in St. Thomas.

I so thoroughly disagree with this I had to post regardless of the fact that I have not been on a western, but have been eastern many times.

I have been to many caribbean islands - including remote and not oft visited ones like St. Kitts - and there is nothing to compare to the beaches of St. John. They are spectacular. You need only hike in the national forest to truly appreciate that you are in paradise.

St. Maarten is a favorite of ours also. Its a spectacular island with a diverse culture that needs to be explored. I loved shopping there and also experiencing the French side with the wonderful restaurants. We had the most fun we have ever had on an excursion with the Golden Eagle Catamaran and visited deserted islands off the coast to snorkel.

I picked eastern again because we love these destinations and its not often you get both St. Maarten and St. Thomas in one cruise itinerary. If they could add St. Kitts, I would be in heaven.

 

[Par8hed]

You so thoroughly disagree?? But my negative comment was directed at St. Thomas. I happen to love St. John and to a lesser degree St Martin. So where exactly did I bash either of these?

 

[Lloyd Dobler]

I like the eastern for the extra day at sea, and especially for having a sea day on Sunday. On the western, it's hard for me to get up and get going on Key West after travelling all day Friday and then going through the initial runaround of boarding, reservations, etc. on Saturday. It's much nicer to just relax on that first full day. I do like Grand Cayman quite a bit, but could really take or leave Cozumel.

 

[oybolshoi]

Thanks, everyone for your input. I think we'll do just fine on this intinerary - I am actually looking forward to the extra day at sea which should give us a better chance to explore some areas of the ship we didn't have time to visit (and more Spa time, too!!).

Thanks again, and keep those insights coming!

Brenda

 

[wide awake]

We've done the Eastern and Western...have decided we liked the Eastern better, but that could be because we were more familiar with the cruise and spent time and money in a more efficient manner. That said, we want to do both again...the Western because we loved Key West and want to see more than we did last time, Cozumel because DH wants to dive, and Grand Caymen because I want a day at the beach. On the Eastern I would do a tour of the island of St. Martin...just did the beach and shopping this time, and would go to St. Johns...went to Megan's Bay and shopped this time. We had a fabulous time on each...I would pick whatever fit your schedule and budget the best. It also could depend on how you're going into the cruise...if you're tired the Eastern with the sea day on Sunday may be a better choice. If you've planned a couple days rest beforehand, the Sunday at Key West could be the perfect day.

 

[kcashner]

Eastern--extra sea day plus more adult programming. We schedule our cruises based on dates rather than which direction the ship is going, but when I have a choice, Eastern wins.

 

[tvguy]

We took the Eastern because that was where the ship was going the only week we could go.
Given the choice, it still would be our pick. The extra day at sea one one reason. The other is I don't consider ports in Florida or Mexico to be any big deal.

 

[inkkognito]

We have done the Eastern once and the Western several times, so I guess you can tell which one we prefer.
The Eastern isn't bad, but to me it's mostly "beach ports." I prefer having lots of different, adventurous shore excursion options. I dearly love all of the ports on the Western, especially Cozumel. The only thing I like better about the Eastern is the extra day at sea, but other than that, I love the array of options presented by Key West, Grand Cayman (gotta swim with those sting rays!) and Cozumel.
Barb

 

[luv that cruise]

Western - first day is at key west which means you miss that relaxing day at sea. however, key west is historic and sunset is the most beautiful I've ever seen. I have heard rumors that ship leaves key west earlier now so check that if sunset is an important factor in your decision. Cozumel and Grand Cayman have lots to offer the beach lover, the nature lover, the history lover and the shopper (as any port does).

Eastern - love that first day at sea. A real downer for most people is the immigration thing. ship goes to st. maarten (a foreign port) first and then to st. thomas (a us territory). So on morning of st. thomas everyone has to haul themselves out of bed and go to the walt disney theater with thier passport or birth certificate to be cleared by immigration BEFORE anyone is allowed off the ship. This starts at 6:00am (I think, maybe 6:30) and times are staggered depending on excursion and breakfast seating times. Overall there have been lots of improvements over the years and wait times usually aren't that bad. But still a drag and lots of cranky people, especially those who don't realize they HAVE TO do this, even if they aren't getting off the ship. That said... St. John (an excurstion from st. thomas) is absolutely the most beautiful beach I've ever seen.

Hope this helps.

 

[jollytammy]

We chose the Western because of more ports, but after our first cruise, we decided it would be better to have more sea days to relax! When we were in port we always seemed to be rushing to get ready, but at sea, we just relaxed. We had no where to hurry to, and everything we wanted was right there close by. More sea days!!
Tammy