Western Carribean vs. Eastern Carribean December??

[maryivo]

Hello fellow sea lovers!

 

I apologize in advance if this topic has been discussed.  I wanted specific info so I thought I'd post a new thread.  Like many of you I've had multiple cruises cancelled.  I am now booked on the Breakaway Dec 26 going to the western Carribean.  We are super excited about Roatan Bay and Harvest Cay and the Mexico ports.  However, our original cruise way back when was on the Encore.  I noticed the Encore going out of Miami same day but Eastern Carribean.  US Virgin Island (St. Tom and Tortolla) and also Great Stirrup Cay.  I'm considering switching bc I really wanted to sail the Encore but I like the other itineray better.  Although full disclosure I've never been to any of those places on either itineray.  So anyone out there have any thoughts or advise for me?  I've never sailed out of NOLA or Miami either so this is all brand new to me.  We stick to NYC but for obv reasons we cant' this time around.  Thanks in advance!  One more thing...is the weather basically the same in December for all of those ports?

[Darcy03231]

We've cruised both itineraries several times and prefer the western over eastern.   St. Thomas is very developed and to us it doesn't really feel any different that going to Florida.  Roatan is one of my favorite ports so I would always choose to go there.

[maryivo]

Just now, Darcy03231 said:

We've cruised both itineraries several times and prefer the western over eastern.   St. Thomas is very developed and to us it doesn't really feel any different that going to Florida.  Roatan is one of my favorite ports so I would always choose to go there.

Thank you!!! We're seriously leaning that way.  Do you also think it's a better itinery for teens?  We have a 15 and a 17 year old and we want them to have fun adventures!  

[cmecruise1962]

I'm  not sure if it will be open/available, but I took my young 20-somethings here:

 

https://www.littlefrenchkey.com/

 

And they LOVED it!  Rope swing over the beautiful water, kayaking, paddle boarding, snorkling...and did I mention the monkeys?  So much fun!  It was a private excursion, so not sure if it will be available.

[ColeThornton]

If you haven't done so already check out the Caribbean ports of call section.  It has sub-forums for all the ports on those itineraries and has great info on things to do and places to see.

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/456-caribbean/

[maryivo]

35 minutes ago, cmecruise1962 said:

I'm  not sure if it will be open/available, but I took my young 20-somethings here:

 

https://www.littlefrenchkey.com/

 

And they LOVED it!  Rope swing over the beautiful water, kayaking, paddle boarding, snorkling...and did I mention the monkeys?  So much fun!  It was a private excursion, so not sure if it will be available.

OMG thank you!!!! This is perfect.  I think you just made up my mind 🙂

[maryivo]

41 minutes ago, cmecruise1962 said:

I'm  not sure if it will be open/available, but I took my young 20-somethings here:

 

https://www.littlefrenchkey.com/

 

And they LOVED it!  Rope swing over the beautiful water, kayaking, paddle boarding, snorkling...and did I mention the monkeys?  So much fun!  It was a private excursion, so not sure if it will be available.

How did you get there?  I don't see it on the NCL site.  

[Darcy03231]

3 hours ago, maryivo said:

Thank you!!! We're seriously leaning that way.  Do you also think it's a better itinery for teens?  We have a 15 and a 17 year old and we want them to have fun adventures!  

 My children are all young adults and much prefer the western itinerary over the eastern one.  We tend to be pretty adventurous and it seems like we just find more things that we like to do on the western side.

 

One of the best tours we did in Roatan was to charter a catamaran from West Bay Tours.   There were 10 of us and we had a ball!

[Middleager]

@maryivo It'll help to give some info on what your family likes to do.  We've been to both, and S Caribbean.

 

Do you like to relax at a beach, and/or want to kayak, parasail, etc.? 

Do you want to sightsee, visiting maya ruins, get immersed with local cultural, try to food there? 

Do you want to swim with dolphins, scuba/snorkel (westeran is better), Standup Paddleboard, etc.?

Do you want to go shopping, buy local crafts, or go hiking and be with nature, zipline?

Any budget or is money no concern?

 

Going to each port of call and see what people do there, excursions, prices.  That'll give you an idea if you don't know what you like yet.

 

 

[maryivo]

2 hours ago, Darcy03231 said:

 My children are all young adults and much prefer the western itinerary over the eastern one.  We tend to be pretty adventurous and it seems like we just find more things that we like to do on the western side.

 

One of the best tours we did in Roatan was to charter a catamaran from West Bay Tours.   There were 10 of us and we had a ball!

We're definitely more adventurous. I think we're going to stick with Western Carribean and the poster above gave me a great idea to visit Little French Key.  Looks amazing.  I was getting swayed by the Enocre and it's newness.  I'm sticking to the Breakaway out of NOLA!!!  Thanks to everyone here for great input.

[maryivo]

19 minutes ago, Middleager said:

@maryivo It'll help to give some info on what your family likes to do.  We've been to both, and S Caribbean.

 

Do you like to relax at a beach, and/or want to kayak, parasail, etc.? 

Do you want to sightsee, visiting maya ruins, get immersed with local cultural, try to food there? 

Do you want to swim with dolphins, scuba/snorkel (westeran is better), Standup Paddleboard, etc.?

Do you want to go shopping, buy local crafts, or go hiking and be with nature, zipline?

Any budget or is money no concern?

 

Going to each port of call and see what people do there, excursions, prices.  That'll give you an idea if you don't know what you like yet.

 

 

So my husband and I like the beach but we want our kids to have a fun adventure.  We've been traveling the states with them in a motorhome since they were little and they were sick of it!  Imagine!!  They haven't been anywhere tropical since they were 4 and 6 and we cruised out of NYC.  I have terrrible flight anxiety hence the RV and the NYC port.  But, I'm biting the bullet and flying to NOLA.  Trying not to focus on my fears.  My kids are 15 and 17 and we want them to have the time of their lives.  We don't concern ourselves with cost within reason of course.  I'm ready to spend some money on excursions within reason.  We are so excited!  

[HowardK]

I usually go from NYC but one time I took the Epic from Miami in December. It went to Nassau, St Thomas and St Marteen. I love going from NYC as it is local but felt when I was going from Miami that I was very detached and truly away. I really liked how the air felt when I was out at night on the ship. It had a "fresher" feel to it than my cruises on the northern Atlantic (which I love as well).

 

Maryivo- you mentioned RV- what kind? I was looking at getting a small one at some point to work in, puy my keyboard , radio - but would have to fit it on my driveway

[maryivo]

13 hours ago, HowardK said:

I usually go from NYC but one time I took the Epic from Miami in December. It went to Nassau, St Thomas and St Marteen. I love going from NYC as it is local but felt when I was going from Miami that I was very detached and truly away. I really liked how the air felt when I was out at night on the ship. It had a "fresher" feel to it than my cruises on the northern Atlantic (which I love as well).

 

Maryivo- you mentioned RV- what kind? I was looking at getting a small one at some point to work in, puy my keyboard , radio - but would have to fit it on my driveway

We just sold our RV.  It was a class A bus style.  Since I've been afraid to fly most of my life my husband and I started RV'ing when our kids were really small. Taking like 5-6 trips a year.  We'd take two longer trips and a few long weekends to Hershey, Jersey shore, OCMD, VA, places like that.  We're from the northeast also so in the summer we'd head down to Florida.  We upgraded 3 times over the years.  My favorite RV was the class C.  It was smaller than the one we just sold and just right in my opinion.  You wouldn't need something like that if it's just sitting in your driveway.  Check out Jayco lite... they are very accomodating and would be perfect forwhat you need.  The hybrids are super neat too.  I already miss RV'ing and it's only been a few months.  I loved having all my own things and cooking for my family.  We made some great memories and got to see some really cool things.  I am looking forward to getting back to the open sea, it's been about 11 years since we last cruised (out of NYC).  The kids don't even remember it.  A few months ago I flew to Florida with my best friend.   It was the worst flight of my life....turbulance the whole way.  I cried most of the way home and took 4 xanex.  I even begged for alcohol but apparantly they don't give on shorts flights.  I'm surprised no one commited me when I got off.  People were staring...pretty pathetic I know.  Anyway, I think that was the best thing that ever happened to me because now I'm like the hell with it.  I lived through that, let's fly.  Go figure.  I can't wait to sail from a warm port and your description of the air makes me even more excited! Bring it!  Plane and all...lol.

[Notnewtoit]

Yep West... we always find it a touch warmer at the time of year and Little French Key is sweet.

[MNcruisingcouple]

We've done both several times and slightly prefer the Western itinerary.  My husband loves to snorkel and Roatan is his absolute favorite.  Part of our group did an ATV ride in Cozumel that they loved too.  And we love NOLA, so we are always looking for an excuse to add on a couple days pre-cruise.

[Cruzinnana47]

Another vote for the Western Carib.!  And sailing out of NOLA (at least to us) is a lot more fun...

[BetsyInVT]

On 5/6/2021 at 1:01 PM, ColeThornton said:

If you haven't done so already check out the Caribbean ports of call section.  It has sub-forums for all the ports on those itineraries and has great info on things to do and places to see.

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/456-caribbean/

Thanks!   🙂   I see that it can be done, but what are the pros and cons if you really don't have a relationship w/ anyone but your computer keyboard?

[vswan]

We've cruised a lot in the carribean - East, West and Southern. Living in MN we just want to get away from the cold weather, get into the sun and put our feet in the water. You really can't go wrong with either itinerary, but I would vote for the Western. There are two basic Western itineraries - they can vary. One has Jamaica, Grand Cayman, Cozumel - the other Roatan, Belize, Costa Maya and Cozumel.  I like the one with Roatan and Costa Maya. Seem a little more natural, yet has really changed since we started going there. On a beach day in Roatan we stood in water about thigh high and were surrounding by fish trying to get treats from us. Just amazing. Another time my young grandson was along and had a sand pail and had a star fish in it for a while. Put it back quickly, but it was really fun. Costa Maya doesn't have as nice of a beach, but the downtown area is more rustic than many ports which I appreciate.

 

Many areas in the East have gotten pretty commercial. Not all of the ports, but they seem to be more  built up than the West. I don't go to the islands to shop at high end jewelry stores or pay large sums for drinks and snacks. I prefer a local market and a $2 beer at the local stand.

 

I really like the Southern the best, but those cruises from FL or generally longer than 7 days.