Eastern vs. Western in late August 2015

[durangojim]

So excited! We booked an Eastern cruise for the end of August 2015 (thanks Tammy). We were thinking that we might like the Western itinerary better but it was quite a bit more expensive, so what can anyone tell me about the Eastern vs Western itinerary and experiences on the Fantasy? Thanks!

 

[durangojim]

The Fantasy is a very cool ship! You'll love it. I've done 2 Westerns on the Fantasy and an Eastern in Allure of the Seas. I prefer the Eastern itinerary for the better ports and the Fantasy for the ship. You've got a win/win going there!

Thanks! I was hoping you'd chime in. Where was the airport you guys went to to watch the planes land? That looked really cool and something I'd like to do.

 

[durangojim]

St. Maarten. Go to Maho Beach. If I remember correctly it's a per person cost for the taxi out & back. Right at the port there will be a central transportation/taxi stand. Rates are pre-set and standard. You'll see a sign with the rates posted so there's no surprises. Tell the guy there where you want to go and they'll put you in a taxi van with others going to the same place or who are going somewhere along the way. Our taxi had prob'ly 10 passengers but a couple got out downtown to shop. Us and some others went to Maho. It's a neat drive. You go over a mountain! While doing my planning I worried that we'd have no taxi to bring us back unless we pre-arranged one. Oh no. Doooooon't worry about that! Behind where the Sunset Bar & Grill is there's a whole row of shops and clubs and things. After the early afternoon "heavies" there's tooooons of taxis waiting to cart people back. They know the tourist schedules very well. Keep in mind the biggest planes typically come in in the early afternoon. When figuring out when to leave to return make sure you go by the SHIP's time vs. local time if there's a difference while you're there. Give yourself at minimum 1.5 hours to get back. If the drawbridge is up (not sure if the new causeway is finished but it was close) or if there's an accident on the road it could mess up traffic BAD. We left ourselves a 2 hr window. We were back in under half an hour but I didn't want to chance anything. Maho is awesome! Sunset (on the left if you're facing the water) is your best bet. Feel free to bring swimming/sunning clothes & stuff. The water there is gorgeous!

Thank you!

 

[Ariel484]

We were looking at the Eastern vs. the Western itinerary too (in July) and ended up going with the Western. As @Disneyfalcon pointed out to me, the Eastern has an extra at sea day (total of 3 with 3 port stops) vs. the Western having 2 sea days and 4 port stops. That sealed the deal for me - 2 at sea days seems like a good amount for us, 3 might be pushing it.

 

[mammaminnie]

We've done both and personally we liked the Eastern better, mainly because of the ports.

 

[Disneyfalcon]

We were looking at the Eastern vs. the Western itinerary too (in July) and ended up going with the Western. As @Disneyfalcon pointed out to me, the Eastern has an extra at sea day (total of 3 with 3 port stops) vs. the Western having 2 sea days and 4 port stops. That sealed the deal for me - 2 at sea days seems like a good amount for us, 3 might be pushing it.

Yes, I really do like both pretty equally but if you like more days at sea, Eastern is for you!

 

[durangojim]

Thanks to everyone who's replied. A couple of silly questions: When traveling do you pay with US or native currency? Also does anyone know or remember the cost to get to Maho beach? Also is the Sunset Bar & Grill a good place to have drinks and lunch?

 

[ChuckElias]

The nice thing about having an extra day in port is that most of the passengers leave the ship. And that means that if you stay on the ship, everything is MUCH less crowded. Nothing like a sea day when you're in Costa Maya.

 

[Disneyfalcon]

The nice thing about having an extra day in port is that most of the passengers leave the ship. And that means that if you stay on the ship, everything is MUCH less crowded. Nothing like a sea day when you're in Costa Maya.

It's true. But the downside is they don't schedule quite as many things to do when you're in a port!

 

[ChuckElias]

It's true. But the downside is they don't schedule quite as many things to do when you're in a port!

Maybe not, but they still send the drink servers to the Quiet Cove pool, even if you're the only one in it!!

 

[Andrew C]

Stick with eastern. I did it on the Fantasy and it was amazing. I also just like the Eastern ports of call more. The eastern Caribbean to me is better in general. And 3 stops of the Fantasy is enough. You will definitely find things to do on this amazing ship.

 

[Disneyfalcon]

Maybe not, but they still send the drink servers to the Quiet Cove pool, even if you're the only one in it!!

Lol! You speak from experience? I thought you were a teetotaler like me?

 

[ChuckElias]

Lol! You speak from experience? I thought you were a teetotaler like me?

From experience, yes. It just happens to be my wife's experience.

Ok, that's a joke at my wife's expense. (Sorry, honey!) But there was one time when I stayed onboard while the ship was in Cozumel, and I was literally the only person in the pool for a good half hour. It was awesome. It was so hot, the pool felt like a hot tub. It was a great afternoon.

 

[Disneyfalcon]

From experience, yes. It just happens to be my wife's experience.

Ok, that's a joke at my wife's expense. (Sorry, honey!) But there was one time when I stayed onboard while the ship was in Cozumel, and I was literally the only person in the pool for a good half hour. It was awesome. It was so hot, the pool felt like a hot tub. It was a great afternoon.

Lol! Sorry Mrs. ChuckElias!

I have loved the days we got back onboard early on port days when most people are still gone. It is so relaxing.

 

[donsullivan]

I just got back yesterday from the western itinerary (Grand Cayman, Costa Maya, Cozumel, Castaway Cay) on the Fantasy and at least for me, I would not choose that itinerary again. We were constrained by school break schedule so ended up on the western route. Most of the ports are extremely small with very little to see or do if you don't have some sort of an excursion booked. And on top of that, the range of excursions are somewhat (my opinion) limited at most of those ports.

As I understand it, Costa Maya is off the schedule going forward which is probably for the best- not much there for my taste and the time in port was so short it made excursions a little tight.

Choice of itinerary is always a personal choice but the ports on the Eastern itinerary are all more developed and more interesting to experience in my eyes.

Thanks to everyone who's replied. A couple of silly questions: When traveling do you pay with US or native currency? Also does anyone know or remember the cost to get to Maho beach? Also is the Sunset Bar & Grill a good place to have drinks and lunch?

In all 3 of the ports I was in they took US currency for merchandise purchases. Most merchants will take credit cards (very few take AMEX) and some will charge an additional fee to use a card vs. paying in cash.

 

[durangojim]

I just got back yesterday from the western itinerary (Grand Cayman, Costa Maya, Cozumel, Castaway Cay) on the Fantasy and at least for me, I would not choose that itinerary again. We were constrained by school break schedule so ended up on the western route. Most of the ports are extremely small with very little to see or do if you don't have some sort of an excursion booked. And on top of that, the range of excursions are somewhat (my opinion) limited at most of those ports.

As I understand it, Costa Maya is off the schedule going forward which is probably for the best- not much there for my taste and the time in port was so short it made excursions a little tight.

Choice of itinerary is always a personal choice but the ports on the Eastern itinerary are all more developed and more interesting to experience in my eyes.



In all 3 of the ports I was in they took US currency for merchandise purchases. Most merchants will take credit cards (very few take AMEX) and some will charge an additional fee to use a card vs. paying in cash.

Good to know, thank you.