Castaway Cay in December

[steph12]

We just got off the Dream last week and are thinking about booking our next cruise on the Magic in December 2015. Has anyone taken a cruise in the middle of December? Is the water warm enough at Castaway Cay to swim? We would also be stopping in the Cayman Islands, so don't know about the weather here also.

 

[disneycrazy2004]

Would love to know that as well! We are cruising this December

 

[dcassetta]

Typically air temps will be in the 70s with water temps around 75. This may feel a little chilly to some. The air temps may be cooler, which will affect how the water feels.

That being said, people from northern states would probably find this comfortable.

 

[drclaws]

Most of our cruises have been December and only one time was cold weather and wind an issue.

 

[StarsForAlice]

I've been to CC in December and was able to swim. The water was a tad chilly at first but you quickly got used to it. The day itself was very calm and sunny. If it had been windy or overcast, swimming might not have worked out.

 

[Ajojo]

Last year we went the first week of December and it was quite chilly. No one in my party of 6 swam. 3 of them were bummed out because they rented the snorkel gear before they tested the water and never got to use it. I didn't notice many people in the water that day

 

[NCConch]

We sailed the day after this past Christmas. This Fla boy living in North Carolina was able to fish and snorkel without a problem. We were in Daytona Beach for Christmas and it was much cooler there.

 

[Toy Story Fan]

We were there last year, mid december. It was very warm and lots of people were in the water. Then again, what do I know? Anything would be warmer to me, living in Canada! . We are again going this December. Hopefully with the same kind of weather!!

 

[disneycrazy2004]

We were there last year, mid december. It was very warm and lots of people were in the water. Then again, what do I know? Anything would be warmer to me, living in Canada! . We are again going this December. Hopefully with the same kind of weather!!

That it what I was thinking as well! Another Canadian here 75* doesn't sound bad at all!

 

[princesshalo22]

We cruised the week before Christmas in 2009, that was a long time ago but the weather was perfect. We also were in the water and it wasn't too cold.

 

[MinnesotaMouseketeers]

Typically air temps will be in the 70s with water temps around 75. This may feel a little chilly to some. The air temps may be cooler, which will affect how the water feels.

That being said, people from northern states would probably find this comfortable.

I am one of these people, after all I'm one of the MinnesotaMouseketeers.

We have done several cruises in December and have always been lucky with the weather. We will be cruising again this December The air temperature had been very comfortable closer to 80 (27 C) but even for someone from MN the water was a little cool when first putting the toes into the water. But once we started moving around we quickly became acclimated to the water and enjoyed our snorkeling.

 

[tvguy]

Typically air temps will be in the 70s with water temps around 75. This may feel a little chilly to some. The air temps may be cooler, which will affect how the water feels.

That being said, people from northern states would probably find this comfortable.

Last year we went the first week of December and it was quite chilly. No one in my party of 6 swam. 3 of them were bummed out because they rented the snorkel gear before they tested the water and never got to use it. I didn't notice many people in the water that day

Totally personal preference. The record cold water temperature in the region is 73 degrees which is plenty warm to swim IMHO, but the wind can make if feel cooler. But here in California pool season starts when the water hits 68.
Just depends what you consider cool. I was there on January 2 and I was amazed at how many people went back to the ship about noon when it started sprinkling. We snorkeled all morning, ate lunch, then went bike riding in the sprinkles in our already damp swimsuits.

 

[jcjen519]

thanks for the post and feedback. I was wondering this too as we're also cruising this december.

 

[CarolinaBlue]

We were there 12/21/12 and had the worst weather in all of our 6 cruises. We were on the island for a little over an hour before a storm came in. The wind and rain were enough to send everyone running for shelter in the restrooms. The rain stopped, but the wind and cold temps ended our day at the beach fairly early. We had a rough trip going back to the port that night, too.

 

[ubish00]

That it what I was thinking as well! Another Canadian here 75* doesn't sound bad at all!

Another Canadian here. We are sailing the first week of December. Looks like there's a good chance I won't be going in the water at Castaway Cay. If it's not in the 80s then it's too cold for me. brrr

 

[disneycrazy2004]

Another Canadian here. We are sailing the first week of December. Looks like there's a good chance I won't be going in the water at Castaway Cay. If it's not in the 80s then it's too cold for me. brrr

we will be on Dec 7th cruise on the Magic.

 

[princessmocha]

We were there right after Christmas last year and I thought the water was fine. We spent the day at beach and in and out of the water. It was in the 80s while we were there though.

 

[mareed]

I think the main thing is that at that time of year, it all depends on whether there's a cold front pushing through or not. Cold front will likely mean rain, wind, and cooler temperatures and thus not the best days at Castaway Cay, and even greater possibility of missing the port completely. I speak from experience from an early March cruise when cold front pushed through and we missed it completely, and a Thanksgiving cruise that was cool and rainy with almost nobody in the water.

I'm 0 for 2 on my winter cruises to CC so far so hopefully my chances are better on at least one of my upcoming XMAS back-to-back cruises that both stop at CC 5 days apart. I figure odds are good that we'll have at least one decent day, but I certainly don't expect both.

 

[tvguy]

Another Canadian here. We are sailing the first week of December. Looks like there's a good chance I won't be going in the water at Castaway Cay. If it's not in the 80s then it's too cold for me. brrr

80's! That's hot tub temperature. All my cousins in Canada brag that they take their first swin of the year a month after the ice has melted off the lake

 

[ubish00]

80's! That's hot tub temperature. All my cousins in Canada brag that they take their first swin of the year a month after the ice has melted off the lake

I would never dream of doing anything like that. lol
BTW...80s is good. I seldom swim anywhere but in the Caribbean. Lakes in Ontario are way to cold for me, even in the summer.