Which Treasure itinerary? East vs West

[SugarSweetLee]

We are a late-30s couple with no kids! Debating the Western Caribbean vs Eastern itinerary for next April/May. I've read the Eastern ports/waters/beaches are beautiful and relaxing, but the Western looks to have more adventures/excursion options to engage with. So far we have only sailed DCL once for a 4 night on the Wish, and I haven't been on any other cruises at all, so any ports we visit will be new to me.

Which would you go for and why?

 

[Cfabar1]

I'd do the Eastern Caribbean... the routes and locations look far more appealing to us....

That said we have an eastern carribean booked on the fantasy in 2024, so we booked a western caribbean for 2025 on the treasure.

 

[Kwami]

If you like beaches and snorkeling, then the Virgin Islands are really nice. There's not much else going on. I prefer the western itinerary. Lots more stuff to do!

That said, the Treasure is new. So, if you want more days on the ship, then you get one more day at sea with the eastern itinerary.

 

[OKW Lover]

We've been on many cruises and enjoy both eastern and western caribbean itineraries. We try to alternate them.

For first time cruisers I think eastern is the usual choice though. It's a bit more popular and may have more port days.

 

[holula]

I would say I slightly prefer the Western itinerary as there is more to do than just snorkeling or a beach, however I booked the Eastern because a) I’m doing a Western on the Fantasy in 2024 and b) it worked with my dates, and honestly I’m going to experience the ship.

 

[Kwami]

We've been on many cruises and enjoy both eastern and western caribbean itineraries. We try to alternate them.

For first time cruisers I think eastern is the usual choice though. It's a bit more popular and may have more port days.

The eastern itinerary has one fewer port days than the western itinerary.

 

[dclpluto]

East vs west rocky 4 is what I thought about. Any other old timers thought about that also?

 

[Husker Mike]

Also, the Eastern itinerary typically has a later arrival at Castaway Cay due to the distance between the Virgin Islands and CC.

 

[DMMarla07860]

I booked Eastern because I’ve heard only one bar can be opening when in Grand Cayman and I want a extra sea day instead of port also we enjoy San Juan and have not been to Tortola

 

[AquaDame]

We did eastern before western. Getting to Mexico is easier than getting deeper into the Caribbean for us, and St Maarten (at the time a frequent stop) was more intriguing at the time than Jamaica as my husband wanted to go to the beach with 747s landing (that has since stopped).

We always pick based on what we want to do. We are going Eastern again on the Treasure because we haven't been to Tortola yet, and my husband really wants to go to Callwood. The extra sea day to explore the ship further is a bonus - many may prefer another port day, but I would rather be onboard for my first sailing (possibly only, still not interested in sailing on the Wish again).

 

[Kwami]

We did eastern before western. Getting to Mexico is easier than getting deeper into the Caribbean for us, and St Maarten (at the time a frequent stop) was more intriguing at the time than Jamaica as my husband wanted to go to the beach with 747s landing (that has since stopped).

People were still going to that beach to watch the planes land when I was there last year. And for an upcoming cruise on another line in April, there's an excursion to go there and watch the planes land. There aren't many 747s left, though.

 

[JM_97]

In general, the Eastern Caribbean is more laid back, while the Western Caribbean is more adventurous.

Keep in mind that if you want to, you can compromise and do a 5 night Western Caribbean cruise on the Magic or Dream. Maybe the Fantasy too, but I'm not as sure. You typically go to Cozumel OR Grand Cayman, and then Castaway Cay. It will give you a taste of the longer sailing and the price isn't quite as steep. It's easier to get to Mexico than to the Virgin Islands from Florida.

If the ship is that important, then the 7 night Eastern will have an extra sea day giving you more time to explore. If your focus is on the destinations, then it's all on what you want the experience to be.

 

[AquaDame]

People were still going to that beach to watch the planes land when I was there last year. And for an upcoming cruise on another line in April, there's an excursion to go there and watch the planes land. There aren't many 747s left, though.

Yeah he is ONLY interested in 747s, which is why I called them out. AFAIK, KLM is using a different plane these days.

 

[Kwami]

Yeah he is ONLY interested in 747s, which is why I called them out. AFAIK, KLM is using a different plane these days.

They were pretty great planes!

 

[byanks7]

We've been on many cruises and enjoy both eastern and western caribbean itineraries. We try to alternate them.

For first time cruisers I think eastern is the usual choice though. It's a bit more popular and may have more port days.

We took the Eastern cruise because they have 1 less port day than the Western

 

[iloveeeyore]

We have done both and prefer the Eastern. Especially excited for the extra sea day on the new ship!

 

[CaseyCruiser]

Eastern Caribbean

 

[Unvoiced_Apollo]

Been on an Eastern Caribbean and taking Western Caribbean. Went on a 5 night Western during Covid protocol.

I think I'm going to prefer Eastern because of the extra sea day. If you want port adventures though, go Western. M

 

[Drfate102]

We booked an Eastern on the Treasure two days before we left for a Western on the Fantasy.

 

[OhThePain]

We are also a mid to late-30's couple with no kids. I'd go Western. I think there are better excursions to be had. I'd also pick a port not to get off the ship at (Falmouth would be my choice personally) and I would use that day to relax by the main pools without the crowds or explore the ship a little more while most others are off the ship.