Cruising in January...how is it? Specifically wondering about Castaway Cay weather.

[DLgal]

Title sums it up.

 

[ddonner]

The weather was nice for this Canadian here, but I was coming from very cold weather, so anything above freezing point was a bonus. Even though it was sunny, we couldn't make ourselves go into the water (which was very, very empty).

 

[Disneypeach]

It was sunny but the water was too cold for me to get in. otherwise, it was enjoyable.

 

[DLgal]

Well, we live in Southern CA where our oceans never really go much higher than low 70s. They are always freezing. So, cold water wouldn't be a problem.

What about winds? Is January one of those months with lots of failed attempts to dock at CC?

 

[Budzooka]

I’ve heard that it can be hit or miss, but it was a miss for us in Jan 2018. Wasn’t that cold outside, but wind was gusting and water was extremely chilly. They closed Serenity Bay and several excursions due to high winds.

Still enjoyed the cruise but was back on the ship pretty quickly. Hope you have better luck.

 

[DLgal]

I’ve heard that it can be hit or miss, but it was a miss for us in Jan 2018. Wasn’t that cold outside, but wind was gusting and water was extremely chilly. They closed Serenity Bay and several excursions due to high winds.

Still enjoyed the cruise but was back on the ship pretty quickly. Hope you have better luck.

Nothing booked yet. Contemplating booking Wish mid January, as the kids always have an extended weekend Friday as well as the following Monday and Tuesday. If the sail dates align, we might consider it, but not if the weather has a good chance of being crappy.

 

[Disneypeach]

It was very windy on my castaway cay day on the adult beach. So much so that I went back to the family beach which was more protected by the rest of the island.

 

[Ralph&Pam]

We’ve been to CC six times in January, and were able to dock every time. I always do the 5K fun run. Once, I returned to the ship soaked to the skin as it had started raining about 1/3rd of the way through, but otherwise the weather has been okay. Even that day, we were able to enjoy lunch at Cookies Too. We don’t do much on the beach, so we’re less likely to be bothered by colder water. Air temperatures have always been good, but we’re from the midwest, so anything in the Bahamas in January is a vast improvement.

 

[bbn1122]

I was at CC early January 2020, the weather was beautiful. The water was about 78 degrees, which is chilly but tolerable. I was there with my DH and adult sons, I was the only one to get in the water.
Once you are in it was comfortable. I rented a tube and just floated around under the beautiful blue sky. There were a lot of people in the water.
And we lucked out the winds were not that strong weeks before.

The prices are great in January and it was better than being in NJ.

 

[bcwife76]

The only time we've sailed in January was in 2017, did the eastern that time. Day time temps were lovely, but I thought the water at Castaway was quite chilly so I never got in all the way My kids did and my hubby tried snorkeling for a bit but gave up after a little while.

 

[Ronneeaght]

Is it better in February or about the same?

 

[squirk]

We live in Louisiana and often sail in February during Mardi Gras week. I have always found the CC water temp tolerable, but definitely on the chilly side for my taste.

I still enjoy swimming there, but if Mother Nature could see her way clear to dial up the temp another 5°, it’d be just about perfect.

 

[tvguy]

We were on Castaway Cay on January 2. The air temperature was about the same as the water temperature, low 70's for both, which made it feel cool when you got out of the water. It was also sprinkling, which sent many people scrambling back to the ship. We snorkeled all morning so we were already wet, so no issue. there. Ate lunch then rented bikes. We were among the last back on the ship.
Was very nice. But I'm from California where pool season starts when the air and water temperature got above 60. Actually, until the pandemic, I swam year round at the gym in the outdoor pool. They keep the pool at 78 degrees.

 

[Clojel]

I think it depends where you are from...if you, like me, are from New England...the castaway cay temp on its COLDEST day is still going to beat the northern Atlantic in august

 

[MickeySwirl]

The only time we haven’t been able to dock at CC was in January. It was too windy. The captain tried multiple times but couldn’t dock. We also got rained out at Cozumel. It was a really windy cruise.

 

[DLgal]

I think it depends where you are from...if you, like me, are from New England...the castaway cay temp on its COLDEST day is still going to beat the northern Atlantic in august

We are from Southern CA where it's perpetually in the 60s-80s and sunny almost every day.

 

[mmouse37]

As mentioned Jan, Feb or even March can be hit or miss with cooler weather in the Bahamas. We often sail that time and have had high 80's weather and low 60's weather.

Here is a pic from an early January cruise.



It was windy and cool and you needed a jacket or wrapped in a towel to stay warm. Some people were in the water that trip but not many. Other cruises in the early parts of the year we were sweating on the beach. We have also been in Florida in March where we needed our winter jackets....CC can have similar weather to Florida.

MJ

 

[ladyofthetramp]

I think it depends where you are from...if you, like me, are from New England...the castaway cay temp on its COLDEST day is still going to beat the northern Atlantic in august

We are from New England too! Water temps in the upper 70's works for me!!! I always find the water temps at our beaches too cold. To get the 70's you need to swim like late October (if you are lucky) and then the air temp is too cold! LOL

 

[Clojel]

We are from Southern CA where it's perpetually in the 60s-80s and sunny almost every day.

Then you might think that the water is a bit chilly...haha! I believe it’s usually around 75 in January.

 

[DLgal]

I think you've all convinced me to pick another time of year. LOL