Cruise in January? Too Cold?

[samoyed]

What do you think about a cruise in January? Is it too cold to use the pools? I would be traveling with a 5 year old, so she will want to use the pools and go to the beaches. Anybody travel in January before?

 

[SC Minnie]

We cruised this past January and the weather was beautiful- high upper 80's lows in the 70's. We even wore shorts while in Port Canavaral and were very warm. The pools on the ship were OK to swim in but the water on the island was a bit chilly for me but DH didn't have a problem. It was kind of weird coming back and wearing a coat while sporting a tan!lol

We are looking at cruising in January 2004.

 

[mcnuss]

I have not cruised in January but have gone to WDW many times in the latter part of the month, and but for 1 trip, have always had PERFECT vacation weather. Not too hot, not cold at all. And that's at Disney, which is lots further north than the cruise. For what it's worth, I wish we could cruise then, but DD8 has school.

 

[prymsu]

we have cruised before in January, and we think the weather is good, but then if you live in the middle of Iowa like we do, anything above a certain temperature is like a heat wave to us. I have never thought the weather cold at all.

 

[PiperG]

we have cruised before in January, and we think the weather is good, but then if you live in the middle of Iowa like we do, anything above a certain temperature is like a heat wave to us.

You got that right! The snow here in Minnesota starts falling right after labor day. LOL

 

[MFan]

We have done 3 cruises to the Bahamas and Caribbean islands in January. The weather of Bahamas and Caribbean in January will be perfect for traveling -- sunny, warm, and dry. In general, Bahamas will be a few degrees cooler (both ambient & water temperatures) than the Caribbean islands.

For us (from SF Bay Area), Bahama's ocean water was quite cold -- not intolerable, but definitely uncomfortable initially and can only stay in for maybe 30 minutes at a time. However, the Caribbean water will be quite a bit warmer (only a bit chilly for us). Once you get over the initial shock (because the ambient temperature was so warm), you can stay in it for long durations. The warmest water will the Mickey's pool on the ship, especially the ears section, which have black bottoms and after soaking up the sun all day will be like bath water in the afternoon. My DS3 & DD1 (age at the last January cruise) both loved it!!

 

[Jack & Monica]

My wife's and my anniversary is January 10th. We have gone on a few cruises in between return trips to WDW. If the cruise is to the Caribbean, have no fear. We have taken three cruises during that time frame and have always thought it was great. In fact do not be fooled if you are coming from the frigid north; you are entering a tropical sun area and can get burnt badly. We averaged in the low 80's. Pools were never a problem; water temps in the ocean would be a tad cool for folks from CA but not for folks from the mid- Atlantic states. Jack

 

[NCRedding]

We cruised the 7 night in January and loved it. The water at St thomas was perfect for swimming. Castaway Cay was chilly, but I got used to it quickly. The temps in the Mickey Pool were 82 degrees; Goofly pool 77 degrees. Goofy felt a little cool, but bearable.

 

[Dave_from_Marietta]

You're rolling the dice when you book a cruise or a Florida vacation in January. There is usually at least one cold snap every year where the temperature in Orlando and at the port drops into the 30's or 40's. Castaway Cay can drop as low as the 40's or 50's. Sure, that seems warm compared to the brutal temperatures up north, but it's really too cool to enjoy the summertime-type activities that you were hoping to endulge in when you planned your escape from the Great White North!

Most of the time, the temperatures will be much warmer, but as I said, you're rolling the dice when you book in January.

That being said... the more southern ports on the 7-day cruises (St Maarten, St Thomas, Grand Cayman, and Cozumel) are in the 70's and 80's year-round.

 

[wovenwonder]

A few years ago we spent 2 weeks in Florida in January. We experienced wonderfully warm weather and enjoyed swimming! We experienced so much rain that we were stuck inside our rental until the water went down (for a few hours). And during that SAME two week period we scraped frost from our windshields and wore our NORTHERN winter coats, hats and gloves to MGM studio's for the day. They were selling mittens and gloves, hats etc as you entered the parks.

YES, it was ALL during one two week period.

 

[Jack & Monica]

I have to agree with Dave and Wovenwonder. My Caribbean cruising has always taken me south of Florida. I have forgotten that Castaway Cay is much closer to Florida. Florida, especially northern to central Florida will be hit or miss; however, I have always felt that the parks being so empty more than made up for the cooler temps and having to wear a jacket. Jack

 

[Dave_from_Marietta]

Originally posted by Jack & Monica

Florida, especially northern to central Florida will be hit or miss; however, I have always felt that the parks being so empty more than made up for the cooler temps and having to wear a jacket.

I agree. It was quite cold (for Florida) when we went to the parks in February this year. Even our hardy northern Illinois farmer relatives were shivering in their sweatshirts. But it was so nice not having the long lines and I'd rather have that kind of weather than to melt in the heat and humidity of July. I'll never go the parks in the summertime again!

 

[Tluvs2talk]

I have cruised in January and LOVE the weather. I also agree that the water at Castaway Cay is Chilly, but we still swam. I would rather be a little cooler than hot. I guess that is an individual preference.

 

[HRCCrazy]

I did the cruise in Jan, the temps were nice, didn't need a jacket most of the time, the water at CC was to cold for me, as I was use to the water from our Sept. cruise, but then again, if it drops below 75* I need a jacket. Being from Phoenix it's a cool day here when it's only 110*

Big John aka HRCCrazy

 

[aseafish]

Compared to the weather at other times of the year, January sounds good to me. Even just warm temperatures sound good when you're freezing. And hot and humid sound pretty awful in the summer. I'll stick with January.

 

[disny4ever]

My DW and I sailed last January and had a great cruise. Temperatures were warm, and the nights just perfect. The water in the pools were a tad cool at times, but once in you really didn't notice.
I snorkeled at C.C. and found the water temperature comfortable.
Go in January with no concerns... ( you can have bad weather any month of the year ) its all based on the Magic !!!!