Which would you choose?

[PlutoIsHerFav]

Background: We've done a 7 night Eastern (St Thomas, San Juan) and 5 night double dip. We've decided to use our placeholder to book another 7 night on the Fantasy next summer (2018). We'll be sailing with our then 6 yo and 2 yo DDs. We're conflicted on which to book:

• Western. We haven't done this itinerary before. We likely would only get off in Cozumel and Grand Cayman, stay on ship for Falmouth to have another day on ship (but know the activities will be more limited). The room category/location we want (4E extended verandah) is available. This itinerary/date will cost us about $300 more.
• Eastern. Obviously did this one before, but have not been to Tortola. I LOVED the 3 days at sea, and we enjoyed St Thomas and would be happy to stop there again. The only 4E rooms currently available are 5150-5156. We were in 5656 on the Dream and noticed how heavy the traffic was on the other side, so I'm a bit nervous to book one of those.

Any thoughts on whether one itinerary is better than the other? Anyone have experience with rooms 5150-5156? Other option is we could go back to a regular verandah or go with the deluxe that provides the bigger room (is that even noticeable?) on the Eastern, of course. We actually didn't use our extended verandah like we thought we would, but that was partially due to having a one year old who didn't allow us to relax out there and two, the more rushed 5 night itinerary.

This should be a really easy decision, but we just can't decide!

 

[mich723]

I have not done the Eastern Caribbean, but have done the Western and returning to the Western in January because of how much I loved it!
At Sea days are great and there are many activities and adventures that can be done on board, however
I love to see new areas and try out new excursions. Personally, I felt like I got hassled more in Cozumel and would have stayed on the ship that day over the Falmouth day. Falmouth is a tourist town, however I did not get stopped in Falmouth like I did in Cozumel with those trying to sell me something every few seconds.
I'd say view the activities and excursions of what you and your family can do together. If you don't see anything that day, stay on the ship and sometimes that's better because you have more of the ship to yourself! I loved being able to get on the Aqua Duck with no lines!
I'd choose Western for something new. Someday I hope to do the Eastern as well to get a different side of the Caribbean as well.

 

[kathi]

We have been on both Eastern and Western a number of times (although never to Tortola). I LOVE San Juan, so I would definitely pick the Eastern (but that's a personal choice). In Cozumel we always go to Nachi Cocum, a private beach that is low key and relaxing, so I would recommend you check that out if you pick Western. I do not care for Jamaica and we stay on the ship. Western tends, in general, to be smoother seas than Eastern. We also prefer to cruise in a 4E, but like the forward Starboard cabins. I agree that traffic will be heavier on that corner by the Oceaneers Lab, but I'm not sure if you really get a lot of noise. I would check out the cabin reviews and see what others have to say. I don't think you are going to go wrong with either, so don't sweat it too much. If there is a week that works better for your family, maybe just go with that choice.

 

[PlutoIsHerFav]

Thank you both!

I have not done the Eastern Caribbean, but have done the Western and returning to the Western in January because of how much I loved it!
At Sea days are great and there are many activities and adventures that can be done on board, however
I love to see new areas and try out new excursions. Personally, I felt like I got hassled more in Cozumel and would have stayed on the ship that day over the Falmouth day. Falmouth is a tourist town, however I did not get stopped in Falmouth like I did in Cozumel with those trying to sell me something every few seconds.

My husband and I also love to explore new areas - Disney Cruise is our first repeat vacation! What excursions have you done/will you do in Falmouth? We've been to Jamaica, but only stayed at resorts. We're much more limited with a then 6 yo (with extreme dietary restrictions) and 2 yo.

We have been on both Eastern and Western a number of times (although never to Tortola). I LOVE San Juan, so I would definitely pick the Eastern (but that's a personal choice). In Cozumel we always go to Nachi Cocum, a private beach that is low key and relaxing, so I would recommend you check that out if you pick Western. I do not care for Jamaica and we stay on the ship. Western tends, in general, to be smoother seas than Eastern. We also prefer to cruise in a 4E, but like the forward Starboard cabins. I agree that traffic will be heavier on that corner by the Oceaneers Lab, but I'm not sure if you really get a lot of noise. I would check out the cabin reviews and see what others have to say. I don't think you are going to go wrong with either, so don't sweat it too much. If there is a week that works better for your family, maybe just go with that choice.

Thanks! I'll look into Nachi Cocum in case we do that itinerary. Did you go through DCL? Right now the Eastern forward 4E rooms are for 3 passengers only according to our TA. I think some are available on the Western. We were great in 5656 on the Dream, but hear you can feel the vibrations more in aft on the Fantasy (we stayed forward on her prior).

Thank you both, again. I know we can't go wrong, so I'm not sure why I'm having such a hard time choosing! LOL!

 

[MickeyD]

We have done both, the Western far more than the East. I would still love to see Tortola, which we were supposed to in May, but they changed our itinerary. So keep that in mind, DCL can change the itinerary at the last minute, so be willing to be flexible to changes like that. I (personally) think the Western has better excursions, and more diverse. The Eastern all seemed like "go snorkle, go to the beach, go back to the ship." jmho

 

[PlutoIsHerFav]

We have done both, the Western far more than the East. I would still love to see Tortola, which we were supposed to in May, but they changed our itinerary. So keep that in mind, DCL can change the itinerary at the last minute, so be willing to be flexible to changes like that. I (personally) think the Western has better excursions, and more diverse. The Eastern all seemed like "go snorkle, go to the beach, go back to the ship." jmho

Thank you! I looked at the port adventures for the western and it seems like the only options for us since we'll have a 2 yo are the beach excursions, or maybe the stingray/dolphin observer. Are the beaches better between of the two itineraries? We won't get to do anything too adventurous this time, although I'd love to snorkel, zipline, etc!!

 

[kathi]

Nachi Cocum we do on our own through their website. It's about a 20 minute cab ride from the port.

Only a few of the 5E forward rooms are for 4 people. Most do not have the bunk bed, just the sofa that sleeps 1. The ones closer to the elevators sleep 4.

 

[MickeyD]

Thank you! I looked at the port adventures for the western and it seems like the only options for us since we'll have a 2 yo are the beach excursions, or maybe the stingray/dolphin observer. Are the beaches better between of the two itineraries? We won't get to do anything too adventurous this time, although I'd love to snorkel, zipline, etc!!

Well St Thomas has Megan's Bay Beach, which is gorgeous, but gets super busy. You can ferry over to St John and there are gorgeous beaches there, so on the East, those would be my pick. On the Western, Cozumel has Nachi Cochum, Paradise Beach, and Mr Sanchos, which are all nice, but more rocky. Grand Caymen has Rum Point and 7 mile which are pretty, but get super busy. I am sure others on here can speak more to the different beaches than I can because I have only been to these. As far as are they better East vs West...I think probably Eastern. Any of these beaches you can do on your own and save a ton of money over an excursion. It is easy to take a cab in any of these ports (I don't know about Jamaica) and head to the beaches yourselves. Go online and look up the websites for Mr Sanchos and Nachi Cochum and you can get an idea of what the cost is per day depending on the amenities you want to indulge in. Grand Caymen, you can walk off the tender and catch a cab for cheap to 7 mile beach. All the cabs have prices listed on a board.

 

[lklgoodman]

We've done both. Western has a better variety and exciting excursions. Your kids are still too young for a lot of the more thrilling excursions on the Western cruise. I'd go on the Eastern and save the Western until your kids are older, unless you don't care for the thrilling excursions.

 

[joycsk]

Well St Thomas has Megan's Bay Beach, which is gorgeous, but gets super busy. You can ferry over to St John and there are gorgeous beaches there, so on the East, those would be my pick. On the Western, Cozumel has Nachi Cochum, Paradise Beach, and Mr Sanchos, which are all nice, but more rocky. Grand Caymen has Rum Point and 7 mile which are pretty, but get super busy. I am sure others on here can speak more to the different beaches than I can because I have only been to these. As far as are they better East vs West...I think probably Eastern. Any of these beaches you can do on your own and save a ton of money over an excursion. It is easy to take a cab in any of these ports (I don't know about Jamaica) and head to the beaches yourselves. Go online and look up the websites for Mr Sanchos and Nachi Cochum and you can get an idea of what the cost is per day depending on the amenities you want to indulge in. Grand Caymen, you can walk off the tender and catch a cab for cheap to 7 mile beach. All the cabs have prices listed on a board.

We did Chankanaab in Cozumel on our own and really loved that as well!

 

[PlutoIsHerFav]

Thank you all so much! We'll have a blast either way, but with as much money spent, want to really think through the best option for our family!

 

[socaintexas]

We love Nachi Cocum!

In Jamaica we have been to the Rose Hall Hilton twice and have enjoyed it thoroughly both times!