Rough Seas, Eastern vs. Western

[ntmec]

We will be taking our 2nd cruise in a few weeks. Two years ago we were on the 7 day western (also in Feb.) and didn't experience much boat motion. This time we are on the eastern 7 day and I've been reading some older TRs and it seems that several people have complained A LOT about rough seas on the eastern. We are taking my parents with us this time and I keep telling them "No, we didn't ever really feel the boat moving at all", but now I am concerned that the eastern will be completely different.
For those of you with experience on both routes, is the eastern really much rougher than the western?? Should I be concerned?
(I realize it's weather dependent, but I am asking for your general opinion)

Thanks a bunch!

 

[tvguy]

The Eastern goes further south and away from the protection of islands and other land masses, so yes, it will be rougher than the Western.
I've only done the Disney Eastern, but have done 5 other Caribbean cruises on other lines, and the stabilizers on the Magic make the waves ALMOST undetectable.
Mind you, my first cruise, a Caribbean cruise, was on the MS Mermoz, a ship half the size of the Magic/Wonder, WITHOUT stabilizers. It was a 2 week cruise that went all the way south to Barbados, far further south than the Disney Eastern, and went to the east of the Caribbean, so it was rough. There were several nights when you would be walking uphill down the hall, and 20 seconds later you were walking downhill, it was rocking so much.

 

[WiscBill]

We will be taking our 2nd cruise in a few weeks. Two years ago we were on the 7 day western (also in Feb.) and didn't experience much boat motion. This time we are on the eastern 7 day and I've been reading some older TRs and it seems that several people have complained A LOT about rough seas on the eastern. We are taking my parents with us this time and I keep telling them "No, we didn't ever really feel the boat moving at all", but now I am concerned that the eastern will be completely different.
For those of you with experience on both routes, is the eastern really much rougher than the western?? Should I be concerned?
(I realize it's weather dependent, but I am asking for your general opinion)

Thanks a bunch!

It really is weather dependent, mainly if there is a cold front that starts to push south. On our first Eastern (in January), we had to sail along cold front which led to 30 foot seas the first two sea days (By the second day, they had to drain the pools and close off deck 4). Once we got to St. Martin, we were finally south of the front and everything was fairly smooth after that.
On the Western cruise we took (also in January), the first two days were fine. After we left Grand Cayman, a cold front pushed through and the seas got up to 50ft. On pirate night, the seas were still at 30ft and the temps were in the 40s. Second Eastern (in May) no real seas (15-20 ft at most), no cold fronts.
Smoothest cruise was the last one, a 4 day on Jan 17th. It was like being on a lake the entire time.

 

[HallsofVA]

As others have said, I think it really depends on the conditions, time of year, and where your room is located. Our first 3 cruises were all in December - 2 westerns and 1 eastern. We didn't feel any motion on the 1st Western in 2005. We were also in a H/C suite at the back of Deck 8, so instead of any side to side motion, we felt more like a shimmy the entire time. The Eastern in 2008 seemed to have more motion, but it also seemed like the boat was going much faster since it was covering such a distance to get to the first port. We were in the Roy suite on that cruise which is Deck 8 mid, and we felt a lot more motion than on the previous cruise. It didn't help that all of the wood paneling in that room creaked which emphasized the noise. They had high wind warnings most evenings, so Deck 4 was closed every night.

Our last Western in Dec 2009 was another story altogether. That sailing was a week later than the other ones, and there was some storm activity on the east coast. We had rough seas down to Key West (almost half the people in AP that night didn't make it through dinner, including half of our table), a great sea day to Grand Cayman and easy ride to Cozumel, a rougher ride back to Castaway Cay, and a wild roller coaster ride back to Port Canaveral as we sailed through the east coast blizzard with 15-20 ft seas.

So I agree in concept that the Western generally has smoother sailing since it's more protected, and we've had smoother sailings once past Florida.

 

[Tony94]

I have been on 3 westerns and 2 easterns. The westerns are much smoother. On Mariner of the Seas (which is almost twice the size of the magic with stabilizers was rough.) It wasn't too bad on either ship though. While your by the pool you will notice the swaying a lot more. I like the eastern itinerary much better.

 

[mousefan64]

thats good info, i never really thought about it, my dh and i have been on the wonder to cast away caye but no were else. we are planning a trip to the western in a couple of years, so this will help with planning. we did hit the back end a tropical storm on my first cruise, man did that boat rock. i am happy to say no sickness...20 to 25 foot waves woo hooo