December cruise weather??

[MrsRamos]

My family and I are novice DCLers&I have been obsessively doing research and have found some wonderful things that I would have NEVER thought of and are going to make our trip so much more memorable for by 3 DD (like the FE and door magnets). The one questions that I have that I havent been able to find on here is how the weather in during a December cruise. I am a habitual over packer and am trying to avoid this since we are a family of 5 that need to fit in a stateroom. Thanks in advance for your advice!!

 

[jdb in AZ]

We've found that the farther south the ship goes, the warmer the weather. We were freezing in Orlando but hot and sticky in the Caribbean.

and of course the weather changes from year to year.

 

[Jadee]

We cruised in early December in 2011 and 2012 and had lovely weather. One cruise was a 7 day and the other a 4 day and I don't think we had any rain. In 2011 it was a bit cool for swimming at Castaway Cay but a great beach day and in 2012 there were a lot of people in the water. We did a snorkel excursion at Grand Cayman and the weather & water were warm. The holiday decorations on the ship and on Castaway Cay are an added bonus to cruising in December.

 

[Luv2Diz]

We did the W. Caribbean last year in early December. Weather was gorgeous. We were going around the ports in shorts and T-shirts. Loved it! It was a real shock to the system to have "instant summer" after the crummy winter weather we were having at home.

 

[CowboyPrincess]

We did the W. Caribbean last year in early December. Weather was gorgeous. We were going around the ports in shorts and T-shirts. Loved it! It was a real shock to the system to have "instant summer" after the crummy winter weather we were having at home.

Our eastern carribean dec 15-22 was far warmer than I thought it would be. We overpacked. PC was in the upper 70's when we left but it felt even warmer since it was very sunny. Castaway was windy and we had rain. But the other port stops were very hot and humid. We brought light jackets and never wore them. When we got back to PC it was in the 50's and the cast members where bundled up in winter jackets. So you just never know.

Also we cruise in April of 2012 to key west and Nassau and that was the colder than December.

 

[Magic3forme]

we cruised 12/4-12-11 2010. The weather was warm wore shorts in all the ports... the water temps in St Thomas and CC were too cold for me.. but everyone else in my family went swimming.

 

[MinnesotaMouseketeers]

We love cruising early December. The air temperature has always been VERY COMFORTABLE, the water was a little cool at CC but once we got moving it was great. I just jump in quickly and go.

And the Christmas decorations are up

 

[jrbdad]

Been wondering the same thing - thanks for posting. We've been on 4 DCL cruises, all July. Thinking of sneaking in a late December cruise so that DS17 can get to the Vibe one last time .

How are the seas? Any rougher than normal?

Would you need a jacket at night?

Also a family of five and very prone to overpack.

 

[DISNEYFAN3260]

Been wondering the same thing - thanks for posting. We've been on 4 DCL cruises, all July. Thinking of sneaking in a late December cruise so that DS17 can get to the Vibe one last time .

How are the seas? Any rougher than normal?

Would you need a jacket at night?

Also a family of five and very prone to overpack.

I agree with PP - very nice daytime temperatures in December, but sometimes a bit cool at night and in the water. I would have a windbreaker or sweater handy, but I think many of us already do for the MDRs! I've cruised twice at that time and don't recall rough seas, so either I'm lucky not to notice or they haven't been bad. I'm going again this December and LOVE it - the Christmas decorations and festivities make it unique and special! Enjoy!!

 

[MedicGoofy]

Did the 8 night Caribbean this past January. And I have AMAZING weather. Hot at every port, as well our day in Orlando (Port) was beautiful. We spent it at WDW and it had to have been 75, with sunny sunny skies. So, while not in December, if we could have such nice weather in January, it could be just as nice in December.

 

[jrbdad]

Y'all are making me feel pretty good about this idea.

I knew I should have booked a "dummy date" on the Fantasy .

 

[Dawg91]

We cruised December 2012 from PC to the Bahamas. It was chilly and windy a lot of the time. I was fine in long pants yet the kids swam one day. They weren't really interested after that. The wind and currents (and a late arrival due to detour for medical emergency) kept us from docking at Castaway Cay.

I finally bought a hat to disguise the mess the wind made of my hair. We huddled in a doorway to watch the fireworks and then hurried back inside.

This was a our second December cruise to the Bahamas, and we won't do it again. If we go in December, we'll go further south, not that I have any wish to so the Bahamas again anyway.

 

[lbgraves]

It was warm to hot on our early to mid December 7-night cruises 2003-2006. One time it was chilly at PC, but beautiful the next morning.

 

[CarmenJames865]

We are cruising in December and I am hoping it will be nice and warm in St. Thomas and St. Maarten but I am a little concerned about Castaway Cay.

Do the seas tend to be rougher during the winter months?

 

[Justicebreez]

So shorts and a jacket should be ok?

 

[yarlenna]

I live in the Orlando area.
The weather in the winter is like the spring up north. Some days it is lovely and warm. Other days it is cold. I have seen snow twice in Orlando. It did not stick, but it was pretty coming down.
Castaway Cay is a little warmer than Orlando. The seas may be cool for swimming, That depends on want you are used to.
Have a great time. Bring a jacket and enjoy

 

[mshalaw]

I was wondering the same thing. Thanks for all the examples.

 

[Jenn-N-Bryan]

Been wondering the same thing - thanks for posting. We've been on 4 DCL cruises, all July. Thinking of sneaking in a late December cruise so that DS17 can get to the Vibe one last time .

How are the seas? Any rougher than normal?

Would you need a jacket at night?

Also a family of five and very prone to overpack.

We cruised last July (our 4th also) and are doing the same exact thing in December since our DD will be 17 and it's her last chance! Too funny!!!

 

[pmwweston]

Always bring a sweatshirt or light jacket, at night it can get pretty cool. The seas are generally calm unless there is a strong cold front.