Western or Eastern About This Page:

[Tiggergirl]

We are planning to go on a 7 day cruise with DCL. But we are not sure which one to take. the Western or the Eastern.
Any tips?

[dmpyron]

Yes.

It depends on a couple of things. Are you more interested in sea days or shore days? Eastern has more sea days. Since it looks like you hit WDW frequently, you could combine a WDW visit with a cruise if, like many Europeans do, you take extended US visits.

The Eastern ports tend to be less visited, which we consider a plus. Depending on when you go, hurricanes can be an issue for either, but the Gulf of Mexico tends to be more protected by storm induced rough seas until a hurricane "visits", but they tend to be rougher once they hurricane gets there. But the cruise lines plan for this and can make alternate itineraries.

We went on our first Eastern last month (on the Liberty of the Seas) and will probably go again next fall.

Cozumel, Jamaica and Grand Cayman are the three most visited ports in the world, it that makes any difference to you.

[Colexis Mom]

We did the Western in August. The ports appealed to me more than the Eastern ports! We had a great time and I'd highly recommend it!

[Moxrox]

This will be our 3rd Eastern. Our first was the 3 day to Nassau, and we had 1 Western as well.

I'm not enamored with Mexico, to be honest. I found the ports crowded and not nearly as much to see as the Eastern trip ports.

Just my .02 worth, but Eastern is better.

[HallsofVA]

We've done both a Western and an Eastern, and are doing another Western this December, and they each have a different feel to them. I consider them fairly interchangeable as the each have pluses and minuses and we've chosen one versus the other based on cost, timing and alternating them.

As mentioned above, Eastern has three sea days, which we loved! On the Western, DCL treats the Key West day as somewhat of a sea day, since they hold brunch and character breakfasts in the morning, which are normally held on sea days.

I'm not a fan of the Key West stop on the traditional Western, and have always wanted to do the double-dip Western cruise instead that makes 2 stops at Castaway Cay but the timing just hasn't worked for us. We enjoyed St. Maarten on the Eastern, but St. Thomas seemed almost too "american" for us. Maybe because we had to sit in a traffic jam just like at home.

Though we did each cruise the first week of December, the weather was definitely warmer on the Western than on the Eastern. I don't know if that's typical or unusual, or just really depends on the weather at the time.

[hunnybe]

Well, I think everyone has put some good information up there...But I will put in my two cents anyway I have gone on two Disney Eastern cruises and felt, too, that the ports are smaller and less traveled. However, St. Thomas is crowded. Visit St. John instead. That said, I have traveled the Western on another cruise line () and felt that they were very touristy. You really have to travel out of your way to get to historical sites or places that are more than glorified malls.
There...my two cents...

[Tiggergirl]

Thank you everyone so far. I'm going on my first Disney cruise on the 22nd of november. We are already thinking about ideas for next year. When we'll found out if cruising is something for us we are planning to take the 7 day trip. It will be probably the eastern because you have more days at sea. And we are planning to take a category 5 or 6 stateroom because of all the verandah's.
So I'll keep you guys posted.

[JEB13]

You will have a great time any where you go with DCL!

[Moxrox]

Originally Posted by JEB13

You will have a great time any where you go with DCL!

Truer words have not been spoken!

[has]

We took our first cruise June 2009 to W. Carr. LOVED IT! So much to do and see. Swam with the dolphins in Grand Caymans, rented dune buggies in Cozumel, snorkeled, toured the island, enjoyed an authentic mexican lunch, and a gorgeous oceanview while eating our lunch.
Was disappointed with Castaway Cay. I know what you're thinking so let me explain. Snorkeling is right next to the swimmers so visability is ZERO. Ask for directions to our nature walk/kayaking adventure and was sent clear across the island to snorkeling rental. Since when do you need snorkel equipment on a kayak? (no snorkeling allowed on this part of the island) Very few umbrellas to protect you from the intense sun. On a positive note, we did enjoy the kayaking tour, seeing the sealife, and the BBQ was excellent.

We are returning to the Magic June 2010 for the European cruise. Very excited.