Eastern Or Western 7 Day -Favorite & Why

[gooselover]

Easy question - do you prefer the Western or Eastern Iterinary? Why?

 

Thanks for the input.

[uksimonusa]

Easy question - do you prefer the Western or Eastern Iterinary? Why?

 

Thanks for the input.

 

I assume you are talking Caribbean and not Mediteranian. If so I vote for Eastern, While I like Cozumel, I am not keen on Jamaica, and tendering is sometimes not possible in Grand Cayman, causing am missed port.

 

The beaches of St Marteen and St Thomas are good for me, although a Southern caribbean that includes 1 or both of these 2 ports is ideal, but 7 days only leave from San Juan

[Tranquil Waters]

We prefer Eastern of the 2 iteneraries. St. Thomas and St. Maartin are 2 of our favorite Caribbean islands.

[Cruise Junky]

Neither! If we ever do the Caribbean again, it will be Southern and that's a big IF

[DonnaK]

We like them both, for different reasons!

 

The Eastern itinerary usually has 3 ports and 3 sea days. We really like St. Maarten, and can go there multiple times and do something different each time, but we are growing weary of St. Thomas and San Juan. The Private Island on the eastern itinerary is CocoCay in the Bahamas, which is just OK to us. I look at the eastern itinerary as being great for nice beaches and for shopping.

 

The Western itinerary generally has 4 ports and 2 sea days, which we like better. We like Ocho Rios (doing an organized tour with either the cruise line or with a private guide recommended on Cruise Critic), but I'm not sure about Montego Bay. Grand Cayman and Cozumel have lovely beaches, and also have great snorkling. I think excursions on this itinerary tend to be more active (or at least the ones we've chosen! lol). The Private Island on this itinerary is Labadee which we think is the most beautiful, nicest port in the Caribbean - perfect for a relaxing beach day.

 

If you are a cruise "newbie", then you'll probably enjoy either of these itineraries. Choose one now, and reserve the other for your next cruise!

 

For me, I'm looking for some new ports and islands I haven't been to yet, so I'm attracted to the Southern itineraries now!

[gooselover]

We have done the Western before and it was great....and we have booked the Eastern on Freedom for 10/09. It was just that I saw another Western itinerary on Liberty that had Belize, Costa Maya and Cozumel (been there) and wondered if it may be better.

 

Oh heck, I will just book the "other" western for 2010! Thanks!

[PH8]

EXCUUUUUUUUUUUSE me.......are you thinking of cancelling AGAIN??:eek: :eek: :eek: :)

 

 

We prefer Eastern,but really love going to Mexico.......love the food, love the people.....

[gooselover]

You are WAY too funny! Seriously, no way we are going to cancel! Just like I said, maybe for 2010 for the Western one. In fact, I have heard so many wonderful things are Mariner, who knows, maybe we will try that one from LA in 2010.

 

No need to worry, I'm not leaving ya!:D

[PH8]

You are WAY too funny! Seriously, no way we are going to cancel! Just like I said, maybe for 2010 for the Western one. In fact, I have heard so many wonderful things are Mariner, who knows, maybe we will try that one from LA in 2010.

 

No need to worry, I'm not leaving ya!:D

Ok,now I have it in writing too..:p

[CQG67]

Definitely eastern - it is a much nicer cruise with nicer ports and the shopping in St Thomas is great. I have done them all and the eastern is just so much better.

Easy question - do you prefer the Western or Eastern Iterinary? Why?

 

Thanks for the input.

[DCdoc]

We prefer Eastern of the 2 iteneraries. St. Thomas and St. Maartin are 2 of our favorite Caribbean islands.

 

Ditto. When we do the Western itinerary it feels like "Been there, done that". Yet with the Eastern itinerary, we always feel that we are in a new place because we have so many options on each island. And Trunk bay is the most beautiful beach in the world!

[cruizeblues]

Southern--Hands Down! But since that wasn't included in your choices....Eastern...St. Maarten is my all-time favorite island in the Caribbean! We have another Western booked for next year and I am actually not looking forward to re-visiting any of the ports with the exception of Labadee. I have done the southern ports three times, and would not hesitate to do them again, except airfare to SJU is more $$$ than to FL.

[bigsky]

Eastern hands down.....

I could do that itinerary over and over. Such beautiful places to visit. Much to do. Tired of the Western.

[BettyCruiser]

Eastern - better beaches and shopping:)

[bruce-r]

Easy question - do you prefer the Western or Eastern Iterinary? Why?

 

Thanks for the input.

 

Western because I prefer the diving in Cozumel and Grand Cayman. Won't book a cruise that stops in Jamaica.

 

Eastern cruises that include Grand Turk and Halfmoon Cay (Holland America's private island) are also fantastic. Don't care to stop at Puerto Rico and I'm not in love with St. Thomas either.

[ExploreroftheSeas92]

Whatever has Labadee or CocoCay in it...I like many others on the board love these two ports! :)

[katiel53]

Most of our cruises include traveling with my dad, sister and brother-in-law. We do mostly Eastern. My husband is not a beach person so when we get to St Thomas he might stay on the ship with my dad and the rest of us go to Magen's Bay. He has been known though to do a tour and when we go in October with a lot more family, he will go to Magen's with me. (A bit consulation for him.)

 

We love St Maarten. We are not big shoppers. We go to the casino just about 100 yards from where the water taxi docs. My dad, husband and I spend a lot of the day there, while my sister and brother-in-law shop and then join us. If I feel the need to shop, I leave DH and father there and do what I want to do.

 

The Western trip has tendering, another of my husband's not favorites, and no casino. We stayed in Grand Cayman for a week a few years ago, plus it's a tender port, so that would be a stop we would stay on the ship. We really like the Southern Caribbean ports, but that wasn't what you asked, lol.

 

No matter which you choose, enjoy.

[jillybabes]

Eastern for us...Love St. Maarten and St. Thomas

Cozumel is another favorite on the Western along with Labadee...

Heck, just put me on a ship, don't care where I'm going, as long as I'm onboard;) ...Later, Jill:cool:

[ERICnLISA]

Glad to see some good comments on Eastern Caribbean, we're going for Thanksgiving and taking my mom. Wasn't to convinced about some of the ports. Went to Western Caribbean last summer and really enjoyed Costa Maya. Can't wait to get back since its closing. Looking at Spring Break 09 to Costa Maya and Belize.