Comparing Eastern Caribbean with Western Caribbean Cruise Destination?

I have been to all of them in the last few years, and enjoyed them all. Naturally, there is a lot of overlap in what you see and have available. Generally, however, Eastern has more commercial areas and great shopping; Western is less built up and has great shore excursion possibilities; Southern is almost a blend of Eastern and Western with greater distances and more days at sea.

Eastern Caribbean Cruise

I like eastern Caribbean but prefer the ones that do not stop in the Bahamas. The last one I was on went frome Miami to San Juan, St Thomas and St Maarten. The best thing about these that there were no tenders. The ship pulls right up to the dock so you can get off and on without haaving to wait for a boat to take you into port. My favorite (which I have not done yet) is booked for April 2011 is the Carnival Victory leaving from San Juan,Puerto Rico, stopping at St Thomas, Barbados, St Kitts, St Lucia, and St Maarten (also no tenders) Some tender stops are Cozumel Mexico and Georgetown Grand Cayman (both Western Caribbean)

Actually I'd say exactly the opposite. Western is better than Eastern b/c Eastern often includes a stop in Bahamas. I hate the Bahamas. There is nothing unique about it. Everything is made in China, each booth sells the exact same things and it's more expensive than buying it on the ship itself.

Western cruises often include Cozumel and Belize which are the best ports of call that I've been to so far. The Bahamas was my least favorite. Western has better ships and better more unique shore excursions.

I haven't been to them all yet but I've been to Cozumel, Belize, Honduras, Grand Cayman, San Juan, Aruba, Barbados, St Thomas, St Martins, Dominica, Grand Turk, Key West and several in the Bahamas (private islands and Freeport).

Personally I prefer the Western Caribbean cruises (but without a stop in the Bahamas). San Juan, St Thomas and St Maarten all feature in many Western Caribbean cruise itineraries, and all are ports where you can walk off the ship and find lots to do without a long coach ride. My favorite of these three is St Maarten, a pretty town with great shopping and a beautiful beach.

Not all Eastern Caribbean sailings include Bahamas. Personally, I have enjoyed both Eastern and Western. Eastern Caribbean sailings do tend to be a bit more expensive than Western however. The Western ports of call I've enjoyed the most have been Labadee (Royal Caribbean's private port of call in Haiti) and Grand Cayman. Love Grand Cayman. As a travel agent I can tell you that both types of sailings sell about the same. Southern Caribbean sailings (out of San Juan, PR) are popular as well.

I'd say just the opposite. I don't care for Nassau as a cruise stop - much prefer Cozumel. But it's all a matter of opinion. The Southern is nice because you'll hit some "new" islands. Only problem is that, unless you go from San Juan [which can be problematic] you'll have to take a 10-day cruise to really get down into the Southern Caribbean. But, that's not REALLY a problem....

I definitely loved the western much more than the eastern, except roaton. there just seens like there is a better variaty to the excursions. You cant cave tube in the eastern and that was so awesome!!!

you dont have to shop at any of the ports. but they are right eastern is more for shoppers. also the water in the bahamas was kind of cold in november so you really couldnt swim nuch. I dont know if that is an always winter thing or it was just that day. I think belize was our favorit

Eastern...more interesting places.....more islands and more cruise ships to pick from.

A good cruise is from Montego Bay to Aruba, San Blas Islands, Panama and Colombia