December- water too cold?

[Jenntx]

We are sailing on our first ever cruise Dec 15-19 (2013) on the Dream. We are taking an adults only trip for our anniversary - 4 night Bahamian cruise. We were wondering if the water will be too cold on the ship to get in the pools? Also will the water @ Castaway Cay be cold as well? Will we even need swim suits? We've never been to the Caribbean so not sure what to expect especially in December. Thanks so much for your help! I'm learning so much on the DIS boards about DCL!!

 

[lbgraves]

The pools onboard are heated so they don't get cold. The weather has always been warm when we have cruised in December [3 7-nights] and January except for two days in 2011 when that snow storm met the warm Caribbean air in Cozumel. The water at CC is usually too cold for me, but not for the kids or DH -- and they weren't the only ones in the water. That one January there was no one swimming at CC but it was in the low 60s and very windy.

 

[clarkshel]

We went on a Carribean DCL cruise this past November. We didn't find the water cold on the ship at all. In fact I found the weather quite hot in the ports we stopped at. Including Castaway Cay. The water at CC was a little chilly, but you get used to it. There where tons of people still in the ocean. I am sure December will not be much different than November down there.

 

[neg58]

I've been to CC in mid-November, late December and early May - I thought it was perfect every time, but there were many many many fewer people in the water in May than Nov or Dec. All three days were warm and sunny.

There would have to be icebergs in the bay to keep me out of the water, but I really found the water to be great. We also swam at St. Maarten, St. John, and my daughter did the dolphins at Blue Lagoon on Nassau. She was a little blue at the end, but had been in the water for more than 2 hours.

Nancy

 

[LaurenAlamo]

We are sailing on our first ever cruise Dec 15-19 (2013) on the Dream. We are taking an adults only trip for our anniversary - 4 night Bahamian cruise. We were wondering if the water will be too cold on the ship to get in the pools? Also will the water @ Castaway Cay be cold as well? Will we even need swim suits? We've never been to the Caribbean so not sure what to expect especially in December. Thanks so much for your help! I'm learning so much on the DIS boards about DCL!!

I am on the same cruise and was wondering the same thing! Thanks for asking!!

 

[Kendal]

The pools onboard are heated so they don't get cold. The weather has always been warm when we have cruised in December [3 7-nights] and January except for two days in 2011 when that snow storm met the warm Caribbean air in Cozumel. The water at CC is usually too cold for me, but not for the kids or DH -- and they weren't the only ones in the water. That one January there was no one swimming at CC but it was in the low 60s and very windy.

The pools are only heated if the temperature drops below I think it was 72 as far as castaway cay u think the water is in te 70s it's cool but like a swimming pool once ur in its ok

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[tvguy]

The pools are only heated if the temperature drops below I think it was 72 as far as castaway cay u think the water is in te 70s it's cool but like a swimming pool once ur in its ok

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I agree with this. I think the record cold water temperature in the area of Castaway Cay is 72.
Although this is kind of a Coke Vs Pepsi question, just depends on what your definition of cold is. I'm a Californian, and swimming pool season opens when the water hits 65 here.

We were on Castaway Cay on January 2, water was fine, only time it felt cool was when you got out of the pool and the breeze kicked up.

 

[Bonniec]

Clearly I've been in Florida too long. 72?? That's crazy freezing. Anything below 75 and I can't handle it

 

[lbgraves]

The pools are only heated if the temperature drops below I think it was 72 as far as castaway cay u think the water is in te 70s it's cool but like a swimming pool once ur in its ok

Just because pools are heated doesn't mean the heat element will always be running. It just means that the water isn't going to go below a certain temperature, which according to DCL's website info is 75 degrees. There have been times on our December cruises when the water in the Mickey and Goofy pools was much higher than that due to the sun beating down on them while in port without a breeze to cool the air temp. Of course there isn't a need to heat the pool water if it is already warmer than the minimum allowed -- the same way the A/C doesn't turn on if it's not above a set temperature. I pointed out that they are heated to address the OP's question if they will be too cold to swim in.

As far as the water at CC, it was cold enough all four stops there in December for us that it felt as if it was burning my skin. Of course it wasn't, but it was that cold. We had booked the stingray excursion based on the reviews and pictures that showed people just past their knees in the water. Well, for whatever reason the CMs doing that excursion that day had us go out so we were chest high in the water and I am 5'5". It was too deep for any of the kids to reach the bottom. I felt numb while in the water. The kids and DHs all got back into the water at the family beach but the moms stuck to the beach.

 

[Kendal]

Just because pools are heated doesn't mean the heat element will always be running. It just means that the water isn't going to go below a certain temperature, which according to DCL's website info is 75 degrees. There have been times on our December cruises when the water in the Mickey and Goofy pools was much higher than that due to the sun beating down on them while in port without a breeze to cool the air temp. Of course there isn't a need to heat the pool water if it is already warmer than the minimum allowed -- the same way the A/C doesn't turn on if it's not above a set temperature. I pointed out that they are heated to address the OP's question if they will be too cold to swim in.

As far as the water at CC, it was cold enough all four stops there in December for us that it felt as if it was burning my skin. Of course it wasn't, but it was that cold. We had booked the stingray excursion based on the reviews and pictures that showed people just past their knees in the water. Well, for whatever reason the CMs doing that excursion that day had us go out so we were chest high in the water and I am 5'5". It was too deep for any of the kids to reach the bottom. I felt numb while in the water. The kids and DHs all got back into the water at the family beach but the moms stuck to the beach.

I don't see anywhere that I said the element wi always be on I said that the pos are only heated if I drops below 72 witch I see I was wrong its 75 I'm 100 percent sure te element is not on all the time... Only whn the temp drops below a certain degree

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[2disneycruzrs]

We sail often in early Dec and though the water at CC is a tad cold, you get used to it quickly. Ship is never an issue for us.

 

[Jenntx]

I am on the same cruise and was wondering the same thing! Thanks for asking!!

Fun- hope you have a great cruise!! Is it your first one too?

 

[Jenntx]

I agree with this. I think the record cold water temperature in the area of Castaway Cay is 72.
Although this is kind of a Coke Vs Pepsi question, just depends on what your definition of cold is. I'm a Californian, and swimming pool season opens when the water hits 65 here.

We were on Castaway Cay on January 2, water was fine, only time it felt cool was when you got out of the pool and the breeze kicked up.

Thanks- for the tip. I am a Texas girl and I have thin skin - like it to be at least 90 outside before I get in the water. But like you said if I make myself get in - I'm usually fine once I'm use to it.

I will definitely take my swimsuit and if it's too cold for me I'll enjoy walking along the beach & sit by the pool & enjoy the sun.

 

[Jenntx]

Clearly I've been in Florida too long. 72?? That's crazy freezing. Anything below 75 and I can't handle it

Me either - lived in Texas my whole life!

 

[Jenntx]

The pools are only heated if the temperature drops below I think it was 72 as far as castaway cay u think the water is in te 70s it's cool but like a swimming pool once ur in its ok

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Thanks! DIS members are always so helpful. May just look at the gorgeous water from the beach this trip.

 

[Jenntx]

Just because pools are heated doesn't mean the heat element will always be running. It just means that the water isn't going to go below a certain temperature, which according to DCL's website info is 75 degrees. There have been times on our December cruises when the water in the Mickey and Goofy pools was much higher than that due to the sun beating down on them while in port without a breeze to cool the air temp. Of course there isn't a need to heat the pool water if it is already warmer than the minimum allowed -- the same way the A/C doesn't turn on if it's not above a set temperature. I pointed out that they are heated to address the OP's question if they will be too cold to swim in.

As far as the water at CC, it was cold enough all four stops there in December for us that it felt as if it was burning my skin. Of course it wasn't, but it was that cold. We had booked the stingray excursion based on the reviews and pictures that showed people just past their knees in the water. Well, for whatever reason the CMs doing that excursion that day had us go out so we were chest high in the water and I am 5'5". It was too deep for any of the kids to reach the bottom. I felt numb while in the water. The kids and DHs all got back into the water at the family beach but the moms stuck to the beach.

Great thanks for all the info!! Will take my suit & hope it's unseasonable warm so I can get in the water.

 

[Jenntx]

We sail often in early Dec and though the water at CC is a tad cold, you get used to it quickly. Ship is never an issue for us.

Thanks! As always the DIS members have been so helpful. I have asked a couple of questions on the DCL board & everyone has been so kind to answer my questions with great detail!!

Not just here but when I have had questions on the WDW Board & the DVC Board. This is a great community with a wealth of knowledge. Thanks!!