southern western or eastern?

which gives the best shopping on shore and scenery altogether? or just the better trip overall.. .

thanks for any info

I have been to both Western and Eastern Caribbean, and I honestly loved the Western mucho better. The scenery was beautiful in both areas, but Eastern depressed me. I was on a vacation, enjoying the sites, but I felt awful about lives and homes of the natives. St.Thomas, St. Martin.. ..look like Hurricanes JUST hit them. In the west..The Caymen Islands are very CLEAN..and seemed safe. Jamacia Is beautiful.. ..but The begging masses alarmed me. You are not safe away from tour areas there. Cozumel~ I loved. I felt at home there, had a great time. Although , I didn't stray away from the main shopping areas there, either.My next major trip will be to the Mexican Riveria. Viva Mexico!

I have been to both Western and Eastern Caribbean, and I honestly loved the Western mucho better. The scenery was beautiful in both areas, but Eastern depressed me. I was on a vacation, enjoying the sites, but I felt awful about lives and homes of the natives. St.Thomas, St. Martin.. ..look like Hurricanes JUST hit them. In the west..The Caymen Islands are very CLEAN..and seemed safe. Jamacia Is beautiful.. ..but The begging masses alarmed me. You are not safe away from tour areas there. Cozumel~ I loved. I felt at home there, had a great time. Although , I didn't stray away from the main shopping areas there, either.My next major trip will be to the Mexican Riveria. Viva Mexico! Shopping was better in Eastern Caribbean, but I am into scenery and relaxing, the better "time."

The difference is a matter of opinion, I have been to western and eastern two times each, I like both but have had the better time on the eastern, it seems more exotic. Have been to rccls private island it was wonderful, on one side of the island the ocean had the waves the other side was calmer great for swimming. Have been to ncls private island it was great also,
Our best cruise so far is Royal caribbeans Explorer, eastern caribbean intenery. We have a Carnival Conquest planned in January, it will be our 2nd Carnival cruise ,I wasnt very thrilled with the first, I hope this wont be a dissapointment