Thinking of taking a Caribbean cruise? Don’t make the mistake of assuming that all Caribbean cruises are the same. For cruising purposes, the region is split into the Eastern and Western Caribbean — and each section offers some pretty different cruising experiences. Ready to find out which is right for you? Here’s what you need to know.
In This Article:
Ports of Call
Depending on your Caribbean itinerary, you’ll stop into various ports of call. If you’re traveling on an Eastern Caribbean cruise, you can expect to potentially stop in:
- The U.S. Virgin Islands
- The British Virgin Islands
- Puerto Rico
- The French Antilles (an island group that includes Guadeloupe, Martinique, Saint Barthelemy, Saint Martin, La Desirade, Les Saintes, Marie-Galante)
- Turks & Caicos, particularly Grand Turk
- St Kitts
- Antiqua
- St Lucia
- Nevis
- The Dominican Republic
Western Caribbean itineraries, meanwhile, stop at some of the following islands, countries and ports of call:
- Jamaica
- The Cayman Islands
- Cuba
- Belize City
- Mexico (including Cozumel and Costa Maya)
- Costa Rica
- Roatan
- Honduras
Both Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises may stop in the Bahamas, particularly Nassau. Less frequently, you may find that cruise lines also bundle in some southern Caribbean destinations, into their Eastern or Western Caribbean cruise itineraries, such as:
- Barbados
- Grenada
- Trinidad & Tobago
- St. Vincent & the grenadines
- Aruba
- Bonaire
- Curacao
While there are definitely similarities between all of these cruise destinations, do note that there are also very large differences. If you have your heart set on visiting one particular island, or a handful of particular islands, you may want to pick an Eastern or Western Caribbean cruise accordingly.
Embarkation Ports
Cruise Ships Docked at PortMiami, Florida (Photo Credit: Anthony Giarrusso)
You may only want to take cruises that leave out of embarkation ports that are easy or convenient for you to travel to.
Due to how large the Caribbean as a whole is, you’ll find that many Eastern Caribbean cruises sail out of a handful of ports on the Eastern side of the United States, while many Western Caribbean cruises set sail out of a handful of ports that are further west.
Eastern Caribbean cruises often leave from cruise ports in Florida, like those in Jacksonville, Miami, Port Canaveral, Fort Lauderdale or Tampa Bay, and even from ports as far north as South Carolina, New York and New Jersey.
Western Caribbean cruises, meanwhile, may set sail from a Florida port, but many others also leave out of Alabama, New Orleans and Texas, with popular options including Galveston and Mobile.
Read Also: Florida Cruise Ports – Your Full Overview and Guide
Additionally, it’s worth noting that, depending on the individual cruise, as well as whether you’re sailing the Western or Eastern Caribbean, you may get sea days during different parts of the cruise.
Eastern Caribbean cruises often have sea days at the beginning and end of the cruise itinerary. Western Caribbean cruises often have sea days in the middle of the cruise itinerary.
So, think about both the embarkation ports you want to leave from, as well as how many sea days you might like (and when you might like them), before picking between a Western or Eastern Caribbean cruise.
One valuable tip: Whether you go for a Western or Eastern Caribbean cruise, consider embarking from a Caribbean island, not the mainland of the United States, such as St. Maarten and Puerto Rico. Doing so can get your island stops started faster, so you can avoid a sea day at the beginning or end of your cruise.
Cruise Line Private Islands
Celebrity Cruises Perfect Day at CocoCay (Photo Credit: Solarisys / Shutterstock)
Many cruise lines have private islands throughout the Caribbean, where cruisers can enjoy greater convenience and more land-based activities, and where many of the experiences (if not all of them) are already included in the price of your cruise.
There’s no arranging for a third-party tour, no fighting crowds from other ships and no struggling to get around a port city and then back to your ship on time to leave. The entire experience is perfectly orchestrated by your cruise line.
However, visiting one of these private islands will depend on your cruise itinerary.
Probably one of the most well-known cruise line private islands is Royal Caribbean’s CocoCay, which offers the first overwater cabanas of their kind, as well as the tallest waterslide in North America. This private island is located in the Bahamas.
Likewise, Holland America Line’s Half Moon Cay is also in the Bahamas, and it offers more of an all-natural vibe than a waterpark motif, with nature walks and horseback riding among the activities up for grabs.
Princess Cruises’ Princess Cay is also in the Bahamas, as is Norwegian Cruise Line’s Great Stirrup Cay, Disney Cruise Line’s Castaway Cay and Carnival Cruise Line’s Celebration Key.
The great thing about all of these private islands being situations in the Bahamas? It means that, feasibly, whether you’re on a Western or Eastern Caribbean cruise, you could experience them, without picking between the two.
Geography and Weather
Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship in Bad Weather (Photo Copyright: Cruise Hive)
As mentioned, just about every cruise stop that you could make on either an Eastern or Western Caribbean cruise will take you to some beautiful beaches. However, some say that the Eastern Caribbean’s white sand beaches are overall more beautiful.
Additionally, while there are islands in the Eastern Caribbean where you can explore mountains, waterfalls and rainforests, those geographic features are usually more accessible on a Western Caribbean cruise.
As for weather, specific islands may cause you trouble. For one, Grand Cayman is frequently skipped on cruise itineraries due to winds, as are many of the cruise line private islands that require tendering.
All of the islands will offer you warm, even hot weather, and tropical climates. Likewise, all of the Caribbean is at some risk (even if it’s minor) for a tropical storm or hurricane, come hurricane season, which is June to November.
Historically, the islands that are most impacted by hurricanes include the Bahamas, St. Kitts and Nevis, British Virgin Islands and Antigua and Barbuda. These are all typically included on Eastern Caribbean cruises.
Meanwhile, the islands historically least likely to be hit by a hurricane during hurricane season are Trinidad and Tobago, Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, Barbados, Grenada and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. While these islands lie to the south of the Caribbean, they may pop up on either a Western or Eastern Caribbean cruise.
In short, if you want to take a cruise during hurricane season and you want your best chances of avoiding a hurricane, plan a Western Caribbean cruise with the possibility of visiting some southern islands.
Shopping at the Cruise Port (Photo Credit: Joni Hanebutt)
You can find shopping in just about any port, whether you’re sailing in the Western or Eastern Caribbean. However, the type of shopping may differ.
Wherever you are, you can safely assume that you’ll be able to pick up your typical tourist souvenirs. However, for high-end goods and luxury items, look to the Eastern Caribbean.
Eastern Caribbean destinations known for their excellent shopping options include the U.S. Virgin Islands, the British Virgin Islands and Saint Maarten.
If it’s not luxury you’re shopping for, though, and you’re after a deal, you might want to head to the Western Caribbean, such as Grand Cayman or Jamaica.
History and Culture
Fortaleza San Felipe (Photo Credit: Viagens e Caminhos)
But when it comes to actual things to do on an Eastern or Western Caribbean cruise, beyond shopping or heading to the beach or rainforest, what can you expect?
Worth Reading: When is the Best Time to Cruise the Caribbean?
Again, there are major differences. For example, while just about all of the islands offer beaches and water activities, if you want luxury shopping and dining, you might prefer an Eastern Caribbean cruise that stops by some of the less crowded islands. If, though, you want to see Mayan ruins or go for a land-based nature trek, you might prefer a Western Caribbean cruise.
In general, an Eastern Caribbean cruise can offer you:
- Gorgeous beaches
- Lots of water sports
- Plenty of shopping
- Fine dining
- High-end, glitzy nightlife
In general, a Western Caribbean cruise can offer you:
- Ancient ruin excursions
- Active adventures
- Wildlife excursions
- Surfing
- Snorkeling and diving
In terms of similarities in history and culture, just about all of the Caribbean islands offer a laid-back, relaxed vibe (think “island time”). All of them likewise have their own histories, but the history that’s on display to travelers will differ.
For example, on a Western Caribbean cruise, you might see Mayan ruins. On an Eastern Caribbean cruise, you might visit a former plantation or the streets of Old San Juan.
Unfortunately, though, unless you specifically choose a small cruise that goes to smaller ports, you’ll also find that just about all of the Caribbean islands can be crowded. Some are more crowded than others (think St. Maarten or St. Thomas), but don’t expect a Western or Eastern Caribbean cruise to be reliably more intimate than the other.
The Bottom Line on Eastern vs. Western Caribbean Cruise
Cruise Ships Docked in St. Maarten, Caribbean (Photo Credit: Dennis MacDonald)
At the end of the day, you can have an amazing experience on either a Western or Eastern Caribbean cruise. Both regions come with their pros and cons and, depending on the type of traveler or cruiser you are, you may prefer one to the other.
If you’re interested in a more leisurely, relaxed trip with plenty of opportunities for sunning, sightseeing and nightlife, with maybe a few luxury experiences and shopping added in, opt for an Eastern Caribbean cruise.
Read Also: When is the Best Time to Cruise the Caribbean?
If you want thrilling adventures and a very wide array of high-adrenaline activities, you might have the best time on a Western Caribbean cruise. Trying to stay out of a hurricane’s path? Opt for a Western Caribbean cruise there as well.
The best way to really know which is right for you? Try them both! There’s hardly a better excuse to book an extra cruise vacation.
Appeared first on: Cruisehive.com
