Price dropped for Eastern Cruise, should I switch?

[ML_LovesDisney]

Since I have never been on a cruise I have been changing my mind a few times since booking. I was just looking on Disney website and the Eastern Carribean cruise price for March 9, 2013 (1 week later than my current cruise which is the Western Caribbean) , appears to have gone down by $500-700 for the room I want which is the reason I didn't book it initially. Should I switch?? I feel like my chances of getting warmer weather will be better if I go a little later....Plus it sails on my birthday! What do the experienced Caribbean cruisers thing? Eastern or Western? Better excursions/islands on one than the other?

 

[weluvMM]

I would switch- better ports and yes a chance of warmer weather. Feb can be very cold

 

[JJsmama]

I would switch too because I would rather do the Eastern than any of the others. I would much rather do St Thomas/ St Maarten, etc than Mexico. If the price has gone down that much, switch it and put the extra into the onboard account for vacation extras, excursions, tips, etc!

 

[clj1410]

We have done both the Western and the Eastern and enjoyed both. We just did the Eastern in November 2011. If it is going to save you money, i would switch.

On the Eastern you get an extra sea day, which we enjoyed.

 

[ragdoll]

I prefer the Eastern. I would jump at this!

 

[mmouse37]

I like the ports on both itineraries but I love the extra sea day that the Eastern gives you...plus saving money is always a bonus.

MJ

 

[NancyIL]

I like saving money, and cruising on my birthday would be a big plus! As to weather - the Caribbean ports won't be cold in February, although it could be chilly when you leave Florida and at Castaway Cay. I would switch...quickly!

 

[DisneyOHFan]

I would also switch. We like the Eastern much better than the Western.

 

[ranidayz]

Since I have never been on a cruise I have been changing my mind a few times since booking. I was just looking on Disney website and the Eastern Carribean cruise price for March 9, 2013 (1 week later than my current cruise which is the Western Caribbean) , appears to have gone down by $500-700 for the room I want which is the reason I didn't book it initially. Should I switch?? I feel like my chances of getting warmer weather will be better if I go a little later....Plus it sails on my birthday! What do the experienced Caribbean cruisers thing? Eastern or Western? Better excursions/islands on one than the other?

I would switch for the extra sea day! The lower cost and better weather are wonderful bonuses!

 

[cmclaura]

As usual, I'm the one with a differing opinion.

I much prefer the Western and am not so crazy about the sea days (overcrowding at pools and in the spa, etc.). You can arrange to celebrate your birthday the week earlier.

If saving money is the big deal, then change. But if you want better ports, stay with the Western. St. Thomas is okay but St. Maarten was a total let down.

 

[Alexander]

As usual, I'm the one with a differing opinion.

I much prefer the Western and am not so crazy about the sea days (overcrowding at pools and in the spa, etc.). You can arrange to celebrate your birthday the week earlier.

If saving money is the big deal, then change. But if you want better ports, stay with the Western. St. Thomas is okay but St. Maarten was a total let down.

I agree...my kids are swimmers and the sea days don't allow for much of that unless you like human soup bowls.

However, on the Fantasy, there is no stop at Key West (ship is too big) so there is the same number of sea days on both the Eastern and Western I do believe. Whoops--never mind, I just looked and there is an extra stop in Mexico for the Western. And, this Eastern sailing goes to San Juan not St. Maarten....Hmmmm tough decision I guess.

 

[kcashner]

I just looked...both of the sailings the last 2 weeks of March are significantly less costly than either during the first 2 weeks. If you are changing dates, I'd go for the much cheaper ones if they fit your schedule. Um...aren't you within the penalty period? So you will pay a penalty if you switch now? That's likely to eat your savings.

 

[NancyIL]

I just looked...both of the sailings the last 2 weeks of March are significantly less costly than either during the first 2 weeks. If you are changing dates, I'd go for the much cheaper ones if they fit your schedule. Um...aren't you within the penalty period? So you will pay a penalty if you switch now? That's likely to eat your savings.

The OP is going in 2013.

 

[kcashner]

The OP is going in 2013.

Sorry.....

 

[Alexander]

Sorry.....

I initially thought the same thing! Since we are sailing on the March 30th of this year and the penalty starts tomorrow.

 

[MelissaE1]

We also enjoy both itineraries. I do love the extra sea day on the Eastern route, but I will qualify that by saying I don't have the pool space issue since I am not a sunbather on vacation. I just find it incredibly relaxing to be out in the middle of nowhere with water all around me.

Since you have not done either, I would say go with the better price.

 

[ML_LovesDisney]

I just looked...both of the sailings the last 2 weeks of March are significantly less costly than either during the first 2 weeks. If you are changing dates, I'd go for the much cheaper ones if they fit your schedule. Um...aren't you within the penalty period? So you will pay a penalty if you switch now? That's likely to eat your savings.

This is 2013 that I am planning for so I don't think there is a penalty is there? If so I wouldn't change. THe TA I am working with said only a 4E is available not 4D like I am booked now, but I have no idea what this means. Does this mean it is not a verandah room? I am currently booked in Family oceanview with verandah

 

[ML_LovesDisney]

Thanks for all the responses all, I really appreciate it! Looks like the Eastern is the preferred.

 

[peachygreen]

This is 2013 that I am planning for so I don't think there is a penalty is there? If so I wouldn't change. THe TA I am working with said only a 4E is available not 4D like I am booked now, but I have no idea what this means. Does this mean it is not a verandah room? I am currently booked in Family oceanview with verandah

4E is still a verandah room it is just the "next" catagory down. This could have to do with location on the ship from a "preferred" deck to midship/aft etc. It could also mean that it has a slightly obscured balcony.
I think some of the 4E's have much larger balconies but the rooms are the size of a regular verandah and not an oceanview verandah. So if you were a family of 4 and booking the Family Oceanview with Verandah you would need to make sure it came equiped with the bed arrangements you were expecting.

 

[disneywonderfun]

I do think Eastern is preferred overall, however, like some others, I prefer the Western. I do not care for an extra day at sea at all. Two is enough for me especially considering how crowded the ship can be. Nothing is better for me than being on the ship with everyone off doing an excursion somewhere. Also, I do not care for the ports of call on the Eastern run.

DWF