Eastern vs. Western Caribbean - Pros and Cons?

[vjw1218]

Greetings fellow cruisers!

We are contemplating an April 9 or 10, 2005 cruise to the Caribbean. There are a few HAL ships departing on that date, but since we've never been to that region of the world, we were unsure which route to take. We aren't "beach-sitters", so water sports, etc. aren't an issue.

Any thoughts or comments would be appreciated. Thanks very much.

V

[DFD1]

Western Caribbean ports such as Key West, Cozumel, Grand Cayman offer plenty of shopping and other excursion experiences in addition to the usual water/beach activities. Some of the smaller ports along the Mexican coast are better for the beach/water activities.
The ports in the Eastern Carbbean of St. Thomas, Nassau and Bridgetown Barbados are good shopping ports as well. In most every port in either the eastern or western Caribbean there are a variety of shore excursions which include things of interest other than the beach. There are, however, a couple of exceptions where the primary attraction is the water, diving, or the outstanding beaches.
If it were me, I would not worry about it either way. Both areas are fascinating, especially for first time visitors. Not much chance of being disappointed.

[Tatka]

I only cruised Eastern but I absolutely loved St.Maarten and St.Thomas. Just Beautifull islands!

In 3 weeks I will be able to compare two itineraries!

[Krazy Kruizers]

:)

We have done both itineraries many times. And we love both. It would be hard to say which one is better as both offer lots of shopping and all kinds of shore excursions that don't have to include beaches.

:)

[dexter]

We had done the western itinerary five times before we did the eastern, but now I am hooked on the mountain views, the friendly people, the beautiful beaches, etc. of the islands of the eastern itinerary. Arriving in port in St. Thomas was the thrill of a lifetime. In the western itinerary (except for Jamaica) you see mostly flat land. Almost every island on the eastern and southern itinerary is very mountainous. I'll never forget seeing the Pitons in St Lucia. They rise to a height of 3000 feet right out of the water. IMHO the Eastern or Southern itinerary is the only way to go unless you just have to see Mayan ruins.

[Charlie2na]

It's all good... especially if you haven't been to either! Go with price ,or date ,or flip a coin ! It's all good!

[Orcrone]

I have to agree with Charlie. After you've done both you may wind up with a preference. But if you've done neither, then you'll probably love whichever one you choose. Go by price and itinerary.

[dakrewser]

We aren't "beach-sitters", so water sports, etc. aren't an issue.
We aren't, either. But both routes offer things to do other than burning in the sun (or drinking the local joy juice - althougth rum tastings are not something to quickly dismiss!).

Cancun/Cozumel offers the opportunity to fly to Chichen Itza or visit other archeoligical sites (something most of the islands don't offer), Grand Cayman has a lovely park to visit (and there's always the "turkle" farm) but the US Virgin Islands offer some of the best shopping in the Caribbean while the other islands of the area offer the chance for a bit of foreign culture (French, Spanish, British, etc.) without crossing the Atlantic. Flip a coin, or (even better) do a back-to-back such as the Zuiderdam sailings of 8/7 and 8/14 so you can do both!

[Tatka]

We aren't, either. But both routes offer things to do other than burning in the sun (or drinking the local joy juice - althougth rum tastings are not something to quickly dismiss!).

Cancun/Cozumel offers the opportunity to fly to Chichen Itza or visit other archeoligical sites (something most of the islands don't offer), Grand Cayman has a lovely park to visit (and there's always the "turkle" farm) !
Can you tell me about this park... (I am still undecided on what to do there)

Thank you. :)

[LAFFNVEGAS]

I actually think I like the Western better but then that was where we cruised on our very first cruise and fell in Love with cruising. We loved Georgetown,Grand Cayman. We really did like the Eastern on the Zuirderdam last year but we just have a special fondness for the destination of our first cruise.

Which ever you choose I am sure you will have a great time. The Caribbean waters are so beautiful and relaxing. The ports are all so charming.
I would go for what ever ship you think you might like and the price.

[iluvcruzin]

Both are nice. If you want calmer seas - Western is better. I think shopping is a flip of the coin for either - except Grand Cayman which I think is pricey.

Another place to visit in Cozumel is Channakaab Park. Even if you are not a sun bather, they have a mini Mayan Ruins display with lots of interesting information and lovely gardens. If you want you can swim with the dolphins, rent (or bring your own) snorkle gear and view the under water life in a area easy enough for a beginner. Last price I heard was $12 pp. Its a short cab ride from the pier and you will have plenty of time to come back into town and do a little shopping (for vanilla :D )

[cruisingangel]

Having done both eastern and western we decided we liked the western better. You will enjoy whichever cruise you choose, you're on vacation woo-hoo.:)

[toots]

Our favorite is the Southern Caribbean. We love Aruba, Curacao, Bonaire and Margarita Island. But like the others above, we have found that every island is interesting and so different from home, especially if you live inland in York PA (we've spent a lot of time at Lincoln Speedway in New Oxford).

The same applies to the huge variety of ships available. We've enjoyed them all for their differences. If you go with an open mind, you can't help but have a great time.

[gwilli]

We've sailed the Western routes (on a few different lines) with our children. We went to Roatan, Belize and Guatamala. We wanted them to see real poverty so they would appreciate all that the US offers. Most of the western Carib ports are English speaking - to some extent - and the kids felt like we really went someplace! There was lots of cheep shopping to do - so they were happy!

Last Feb my husband & I took an eastern route - and now we are thinking twice about going to Hawaii! The islands are just beautiful - and some not so developed. The falls we saw were breathtaking - and the local people very appreciative of us being there. We've booked another cruise on the eastern route for this Feb. (I think we'll do Europe after that!)

Any direction you choose will offer lots to see and experience. Just being on the ship is a vacation! Look at the day you will be leaving - you may want a day home before getting back to "life" - and that may help you decide which trip to take.

Happy sailing......

gwilli

[vjw1218]

Your replies are very helpful indeed! I'll have to keep some of your suggestions in mind.

NOW - any thoughts on which ship? Again, we're planning for a 7-day cruise departing on April 9 or 10, 2005. Considering the Zuiderdam, Zaandam, and the new Westerdam. (Is it really true there are no laundry facilies on board the W?) All have similar prices and availablity.

Trouble is, our very first cruise was the May 23rd sailing of the ms Amsterdam to Alaska and now we're afraid our first cruise was our best one!

[doone]

There are no self-service laundry facilities on the Westerdam, Oosterdam or the Zuiderdam. There are, however, self-service laundry facilities on the Zaandam. I can usually go 7-days without doing laundry, but on a longer cruise, I do like the convenience that I have come accustomed to with the self-service laundries. A pity they didn't put them on the Vista Style ships.

Your first cruise is always your best cruise, nothing will ever compare to your first cruise. Don't worry, any of these ships are great, you'll have a wonderful time on any of them.

[Leslieswiger]

:) The Caribbean islands are some of the world's most spectacular tropical destinations. You cannot go wrong believe me. Do the Eastern one year and Western the next. You and the wife will find that you will be returning year after year. GO FOR IT AND ENJOY:D

[vjw1218]

:) You and the wife will find that you will be returning year after year.

Um, If I had a wife, that is! I'm a single female who travels with family and friends. Thanks.

[Mary Ellen]

NOW - any thoughts on which ship? Again, we're planning for a 7-day cruise departing on April 9 or 10, 2005. Considering the Zuiderdam, Zaandam, and the new Westerdam. (Is it really true there are no laundry facilies on board the W?) All have similar prices and availablity. The Zaandam will be most like the Amsterdam. This would be our choice. We like having a passenger laundry on board. We may not use it, but like life boats, we want one should the need arise.

While your dates are a few weeks after Easter, you will likely still have some Spring Break children on board. Possibly QUITE a few on the Zuiderdam and Westerdam.

[dakrewser]

Your first cruise is always your best cruise, nothing will ever compare to your first cruise.
I hope nothing ever compares to my first cruise, because it was such an all-around bad expeerience we didn't cruise again for 5 years! ;)

[vjw1218]

The Zaandam will be most like the Amsterdam. This would be our choice. We like having a passenger laundry on board. We may not use it, but like life boats, we want one should the need arise.

While your dates are a few weeks after Easter, you will likely still have some Spring Break children on board. Possibly QUITE a few on the Zuiderdam and Westerdam.


YES! We actually did use the facilites on the Amsterdam and decided we'd do that again in the future because it saves on packing extra things. However, we've been to Europe several times for week-long stays and survived without laundry facilities. We could do it again. :)

As for the Spring Break issue - we'd considered that. Unfortunately, we're going with several friends - as well as family and that date seemed to work best for everyone. We also talked about fall 2005, but none of us wanted to wait that long! :D

[Giorgi-one]

We have been on fourteen cruises about evenly split between Eastern and Western. I no longer book cruises based on the ports. Most have nice beaches and that's usually what we do. Water is warmer in Western/Southern Caribbean than Eastern except for Summer where both are warm.

After 14 cruises I firmly believe that you can buy almost anything cheaper in the U.S. either online or at a discount store. My wife was looking at earrings in St. Thomas last month. Started at $800 and eventually came down to $450. She passed. Bought even nicer earrings at BJ'S for $199 last week. I bought a camera in St. Maarten last year. Found it on the internet for $10 less but with a 3 year warranty as opposed to 1 year. Longer warranty is not available for cameras purchased outside U.S. I understand that many people like to wander thru shops and pick up souveneirs and I am not criticizing that. Most islands offer this type of shopping, but you sometimes have to fight the vendors off like in Jamaica and some parts of the Bahamas.

IMHO, when you book a cruise the most important choice you make is the ship where you will spend all your time except for about 24 hours (4 stops @ 6 hours each).

[Mary Ellen]

As for the Spring Break issue - we'd considered that. Unfortunately, we're going with several friends - as well as family and that date seemed to work best for everyone. We also talked about fall 2005, but none of us wanted to wait that long! :D That is one of the main reasons we'd go with the Zaandam. The other two ships are being marketed more toward families with children.

We finally got my parents on a cruise (Amsterdam, Alaska Aug 2002). This was (in their minds) a one time event. As soon as the TA opened after that cruise ended, we all booked the Zaandam for May 2003 - they couldn't wait to sail (HAL & Alaska) again.

[Leslieswiger]

Sorry for the misstake.:eek: In anycase, when your with friends and loved ones, this and the beautiful Caribbean will make for a wonderful vacation.
Enjoy yourself:)

[vjw1218]

Sorry for the mistake.:eek: In anycase, when your with friends and loved ones, this and the beautiful Caribbean will make for a wonderful vacation.
Enjoy yourself:)


Just letting you know I wasn't offended. It was kind of amusing. :) Hopefully, someday "you and the husband" will ring true! :D

[bdmarine]

The Zaandam would be my ship of choice. It is just the right size.

I would avoid the eastern runs as Jamaica can be anything from a pleasant ripoff to life-threatening and there are currently some political problems in Mexico that have caused a state department warning.