Western or Eastern Caribbean?

[sevenfish]

Hi All. Trying to decide between a Western or Eastern Caribbean itinerary.  What did you like about each? Thanks!

[Lard Greystoke]

They're both warmer than Michigan in winter, for one thing.  

 

In general Western is more flat.  If you want Mayan ruins they're in the Western end.

 

Eastern routes generally get out around San Juan, Virgin Islands, maybe St Maarten, where the terrain is more mountainous and scenic.

 

You'll get plenty of palm trees either way.  

[Krazy Kruizers]

Love the eastern.  Not fond of the western which can includes Jamaica.

 

We much prefer St Thomas, St Lucia, St Maarten.

[leaveitallbehind]

Per my response on your other similar thread, each one is different and we like each one for different reasons.  That being said probably the island mix of the Eastern is more preferable to us. 

 

But IMO the Southern is the best of all, which would typically include the islands below St. Martin.  In particular, I think the itineraries that include the A-B-C's are among the best.  I realize that is not what you asked but it is certainly worth consideration.

Edited November 3, 2018 by leaveitallbehind

[NMLady]

3 hours ago, Krazy Kruizers said:

Love the eastern.  Not fond of the western which can includes Jamaica.

 

We much prefer St Thomas, St Lucia, St Maarten.

Us too

[MCC retired]

Have to compare actual itineraries , not just East or West .

If the East visits Nassau , I'd lean to any Western itinerary over that although a first timer may actually enjoy a Nassau stop.

The West cruises mainly in the Caribbean whereas the East will mostly sail in the Atlantic.

[SuiteTraveler]

Southern is the most diverse and interesting.

Eastern is nice but not a fan of Nassau - if you have not been to Atlantis, then that might be worthwhile otherwise, I'd just stay onboard that day.

Western ports are fun.  Jamaica has great tubing on the White River, we love going to private beach clubs such as Mr. Sanchos in Mexico.

[mimimou]

I'd pick Southern but it's not there so my next pick would be Eastern Carribean.

[cb at sea]

Eastern....if not Southern.  I'm not a fan of the Mexican ports.  The Eastern has GORGEOUS waters!

[Kruzer Zuker]

Western, especially Mexican, Belize, Guatemala all have amazing Mayan ruins.

 

Cuba, the biggest island in the Caribbean, has cities, beaches and mountains and everything in between. Beautiful.  

[leaveitallbehind]

On 11/7/2018 at 5:59 PM, Kruzer Zuker said:

Western, especially Mexican, Belize, Guatemala all have amazing Mayan ruins.

 

Cuba, the biggest island in the Caribbean, has cities, beaches and mountains and everything in between. Beautiful.  

 

True, but Cuba is more typically a single port of call - perhaps with Key West or a Bahama island as a second - on shorter 4-5 night itineraries as a focused destination and not usually a day port of call on typical 7 night multi port of call Western itineraries.

Edited November 9, 2018 by leaveitallbehind

[zqvol]

On 11/3/2018 at 12:29 AM, sevenfish said:

Hi All. Trying to decide between a Western or Eastern Caribbean itinerary.  What did you like about each? Thanks!

 

If you want snorkeling the western is better. If you want lush green islands the eastern is better. Shopping is better in the east.

[originolsin]

Another vote for Southern.  I would say that it is worth doing the East and West at least once to experience them, but after all of the times we have been down there, I would go back to Southern itineraries almost every time.