Christmas Cruise Advice - The DIS Discussion Forums

kkbutterfly · 11-16-2012, 01:34 PM

This is a bit of a ways off, but never too early to book! We are thinking of taking a Christmas 2013 cruise on the Dream but I've read some posts where people say that it's much colder on Castaway Cay (which I loved so so much on my October honeymoon). For people who have went during this time person (or just more in the winter months), was it worth it? Would we be better taking an anniversary cruise in mid November (following the Wine and Dine Half) instead of going at Christmas?

Any advice is appreciated!

Thanks!

RemysMom · 11-16-2012, 01:50 PM

When we went in an early January it was chilly. Impossible to get in the water. But I thought the water was cold when we were there 2 weeks ago too!

I do believe the experience of Christmas on DCL is worth it despite any cooler temps at CC. Plus, there are so many other things to do while you are there, the CC 5k, ride bikes, or even a short explore of the island and then head back on ship. We'll be headed on a Western Carib. for Christmas next year with a stop in potentially chilly Castaway.

EeyoreIsMyName · 11-16-2012, 07:45 PM

We went on a Christmas cruise with WDW prior to the cruise. It was cold in Florida, Nassau and Castaway Cay. Our photo in Nassau shows the wind blowing my hair straight out! We wore winter coats in Florida and lived in our jeans as we packed warm weather clothing for the trip! It was miserably cold and we didn't venture into the water anywhere...just saying.

jdb in AZ · 11-16-2012, 07:56 PM

We had a great time on our DCL Christmas cruise a few years ago on the Magic. There's more to Castaway Cay than the ocean, and it's still Disney.

but if the ocean/beach are truly a priority, then scheule a different time of year.

Also, December is after hurricane season. yeah, I know hurricanes are rare after September, but try telling that to the Fantasy cruisers from the 3rd wk in Oct.

kcashner · 11-16-2012, 10:19 PM

We've had great weather in December...and another year had cold weather. I don't think there is any way to predict. If the weather is critical, this is not your season. However, it's a great time to cruise.

Husurdady · 11-17-2012, 12:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kkbutterfly

This is a bit of a ways off, but never too early to book! We are thinking of taking a Christmas 2013 cruise on the Dream Any advice is appreciated!

Thanks!

Make sure SANTA can swim...................... Forgive me.....but that was the first thing that came in my mind...

Bear3412 · 11-17-2012, 12:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Husurdady

Make sure SANTA can swim...................... Forgive me.....but that was the first thing that came in my mind...

or sail .....

jdb in AZ · 11-17-2012, 03:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Husurdady

Make sure SANTA can swim...................... Forgive me.....but that was the first thing that came in my mind...

The reindeer have life jackets. No problem.

owensamo · 11-17-2012, 06:54 AM

We did a Christmas cruise in 2009 - it was a 7-night Eastern. If you want to make sure you can hit a beach and swim, go with a 7-night (or longer) Fantasy itinerary. You can do beaches on the other islands, and enjoy Castaway for other activities if it's too cold to swim.

We did get in the water on Christmas Day when we were there (it was chilly, but we'd also cruised twice in January), but mostly we rode bikes and enjoyed the beach. It was warm enough to wander around in shorts and bikinis, so it was still a great break from winter weather at home!

scootch · 11-17-2012, 07:16 AM

Water is already chilly, went last week.... I got in, but others with us thought it was too cold. We had been in very warm water in St. Thomas and PR though, so maybe it just felt cold due to a big change from there.

realityland · 11-17-2012, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scootch

Water is already chilly, went last week.... I got in, but others with us thought it was too cold. We had been in very warm water in St. Thomas and PR though, so maybe it just felt cold due to a big change from there.

We are wimps when it comes to cold water. We Iive in Florida and generally don't do the beach until the water is a minimum of 80 degrees. We were at Castaway this past Tuesday and it was fabulous. Yes, a bit of a chill factor for the first two steps into the water. But after that, no problems. I snorkeled around for nearly an hour and never felt cold.

tessasmom · 11-17-2012, 05:26 PM

We did the Dream 12/4/11 and the water at CC seemed cold at first, but we did adjust to it. We ended up getting a tube to float and as the day went on it felt refreshing. We had awesome weather, every day in the 80's so we were lucky.

As others have said, if the weather does not cooperate for you there is much else to do on CC! Also, there is NOTHING like cruising DCL at the holidays! Magical does not even begin to describe it...the decorations are to die for, the festive atmosphere perfect! If that's when you want to go to celebrate I would say do it! We loved it so much we are sailing the Fantasy on 11/30/13 and cannot wait!! Have a great time!

kkbutterfly · 11-18-2012, 10:29 AM

Thanks so much for all of your help everyone! We're still on the fence, possibly considering the DVC member cruise instead (if we can get a spot!)

11-16-2012, 01:34 PM	#1
kkbutterfly Mouseketeer Join Date: May 2012 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 220	Christmas Cruise Advice This is a bit of a ways off, but never too early to book! We are thinking of taking a Christmas 2013 cruise on the Dream but I've read some posts where people say that it's much colder on Castaway Cay (which I loved so so much on my October honeymoon). For people who have went during this time person (or just more in the winter months), was it worth it? Would we be better taking an anniversary cruise in mid November (following the Wine and Dine Half) instead of going at Christmas? Any advice is appreciated! Thanks!

11-17-2012, 06:54 AM	#9
owensamo DIS Veteran Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Cary, NC Posts: 1,210	We did a Christmas cruise in 2009 - it was a 7-night Eastern. If you want to make sure you can hit a beach and swim, go with a 7-night (or longer) Fantasy itinerary. You can do beaches on the other islands, and enjoy Castaway for other activities if it's too cold to swim. We did get in the water on Christmas Day when we were there (it was chilly, but we'd also cruised twice in January), but mostly we rode bikes and enjoyed the beach. It was warm enough to wander around in shorts and bikinis, so it was still a great break from winter weather at home! __________________ Disneyland - 1976, July 2012; Walt Disney World - 1984, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 Disney Wonder: 4N - 4/15/07, 6/1/08; 5N - 6/8/10, 6/13/10 (B2B); Disney Magic: 7N - 1/19/08, 1/17/09, 12/19/09; 14N TransAtlantic - 5/14/11

11-17-2012, 07:16 AM	#10
scootch DIS Veteran Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 3,432	Water is already chilly, went last week.... I got in, but others with us thought it was too cold. We had been in very warm water in St. Thomas and PR though, so maybe it just felt cold due to a big change from there. __________________ ~Amy~ ~~WDW for ONE day in 1980(it was 105 degrees!!) ~~Nov 2004 Polynesian with my 2 princesses , ages 2 1/2 and 5 ~~Nov 2005 Contemporary ~~November 2006 Contemporary/POFQ Making memories with my 21 year old niece with cancer Sweet Lindsey passed March 2007 ~~November 2007 WL ~~Nov 08 VWL ~~Nov 09 WDW BLT DiscoveryCove SeaWorld and DCL Wonder ~~April 2011 B2B Disney Dream ~~Nov 2011 WDW/BLT ~~Nov 2012 VWL/ Eastern Fantasy ~~Going to CALIFORNIA DL/CA here we come

11-17-2012, 05:26 PM	#12
tessasmom Mouseketeer Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: NW Suburb of Chicago Posts: 404	We did the Dream 12/4/11 and the water at CC seemed cold at first, but we did adjust to it. We ended up getting a tube to float and as the day went on it felt refreshing. We had awesome weather, every day in the 80's so we were lucky. As others have said, if the weather does not cooperate for you there is much else to do on CC! Also, there is NOTHING like cruising DCL at the holidays! Magical does not even begin to describe it...the decorations are to die for, the festive atmosphere perfect! If that's when you want to go to celebrate I would say do it! We loved it so much we are sailing the Fantasy on 11/30/13 and cannot wait!! Have a great time! __________________ Julia Sam Tessa MagicMomentsMom on ETSY DREAM 12/4/2011~POP 12/1/2011~WDW too many times to count as a child!

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11-16-2012, 01:50 PM	#2
RemysMom Earning My Ears Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 9	When we went in an early January it was chilly. Impossible to get in the water. But I thought the water was cold when we were there 2 weeks ago too! I do believe the experience of Christmas on DCL is worth it despite any cooler temps at CC. Plus, there are so many other things to do while you are there, the CC 5k, ride bikes, or even a short explore of the island and then head back on ship. We'll be headed on a Western Carib. for Christmas next year with a stop in potentially chilly Castaway.

11-16-2012, 07:45 PM	#3
EeyoreIsMyName Mouseketeer Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 184	We went on a Christmas cruise with WDW prior to the cruise. It was cold in Florida, Nassau and Castaway Cay. Our photo in Nassau shows the wind blowing my hair straight out! We wore winter coats in Florida and lived in our jeans as we packed warm weather clothing for the trip! It was miserably cold and we didn't venture into the water anywhere...just saying.

11-16-2012, 07:56 PM	#4
jdb in AZ It could end up curdled Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 4,349	We had a great time on our DCL Christmas cruise a few years ago on the Magic. There's more to Castaway Cay than the ocean, and it's still Disney. but if the ocean/beach are truly a priority, then scheule a different time of year. Also, December is after hurricane season. yeah, I know hurricanes are rare after September, but try telling that to the Fantasy cruisers from the 3rd wk in Oct.

11-16-2012, 10:19 PM	#5
kcashner DIS Veteran Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 33,275	We've had great weather in December...and another year had cold weather. I don't think there is any way to predict. If the weather is critical, this is not your season. However, it's a great time to cruise.

11-18-2012, 10:29 AM	#13
kkbutterfly Mouseketeer Join Date: May 2012 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 220	Thanks so much for all of your help everyone! We're still on the fence, possibly considering the DVC member cruise instead (if we can get a spot!)