End of Jan, good time to cruise?

[Grumpy56]

Hi,
Thinking of taking our first ever cruise in next January with DCL. Is this a good time to go as far as weather and price? Any input appreciated! Thanks.

 

[sandee]

If it's the 7 day you should be fine, but the 3 and 4 day only go as far south as nassau and it can be very cold there in Jan. , but doesn't stay cold. Unfortunately for us, the folks returning the day we sailed had 3 beautiful sunny warm days . Ours was 4 day and we froze at Port Canaveral,Nassau and day at sea. Our day at CCay was perfect, and we later heard the cruise to Nassau after ours had perfect weather. I guess I'm saying it should be okay , but you are taking a chance if it's a Nassau cruise.
You can get some great rates at this time of year.

 

[Grumpy56]

Thanks, Sandee, that helps. I'm trying to decide between the 7 day and the 3 day and what you say makes a lot of sense. Would love to do the seven day but I think we can only manage a week away then and my kids would be disappointed to not do the park at all. Decisions, decisions. thanks again.

 

[doulasue]

We took a 7 day cruise last Jan (left on the 21st), the weather was absolutely perfect, 80 degrees and sunny every day! It was much better than I had anticipated. I agree that Nassau was the chilliest, but St. Martin and St. Thomas could not have been better. Also, we got a fabulous rate for that time of year. It was almost too hot on the decks of the ship! We are planning on going again next January, hope we get lucky again! Sue

 

[Chattyaholic]

and the weather was beautiful all week. It was a bit chilly in Florida, but with us being from Michigan we were just thankful to be amidst the palm trees and only having to wear a sweatshirt instead of heavy coats, hats, mittens and scarves!! I thought it was hot when we were shopping in St. Maarten, and it was really warm at Castaway Cay too. We had a verandah room and were able to keep the door open every night so we could be lulled to sleep by the ocean sounds and breezes, it was wonderful! We're going again next January and hoping for good weather, and another "magical" cruise!!

 

[dmoller]

and air temps were always in the 80's (except in Fla. ports where it was cold, windy and raining for both embarkation and debarkation). Water temp on the beach in St. Thomas was probably upper 70's to 80, but we pulled in to Castaway a day or two after a cold front swept through the southeast US. While the air temp was great, the water was very cool (maybe 70) to the point many didn't even get in the water for swimming.

 

[SC Minnie]

We sailed 1/19/02 and the weather was perfect even at Port Canaveral. It was in the mid 80's everyday and sunny. We plan to sail again January 2004.


We had an hour or so before we could go to the port so we went for a walk on the beach.

 

[NCRedding]

we sailed on the 7 night 1/12/02, and the weather was wonderful. It was a little chilly the day we left as Florida was having a cold snap, but the weather the rest of the trip was in the 80s. I felt the price of the cruise was great (about $1200 less that an Oct. one), plus we got vouchers for the $99 3 night. The only drawback to January that I can see is it does seem to be flu season and the sailings the 2 weeks after us appeared to have several people with flu/bugs on it--just that time of year, not implying that the ship made anyone sick.

 

[Gretel]

We were on the same cruise as SC Minnie....weather could not have been better...............we plan on going Jan 2003 again the same time (western this time)

 

[prymsu]

Sometimes a four, five or seven day. We always have had good weather, and thought that it was warm. Of course though we are from Iowa and almost anywhere is warm compared to here in January.

Also, i believe that you can get some of the better prices and deals if you cruise in the month of January.

 

[Mmketeer]

Hi Grumpy,

We sailed on the four day cruise on Jan. 20th of this year. It's one of the best sail dates we have ever done. The weather was warm and sunny (and this is coming from a Florida native...I don't deal well with anything below 70 degress). The ship cruised on the calmest seas we have ever sailed on and though the ocean was way to cold for DH and I's taste their were lots of fmaily swimming at Castaway Cay. I wouldn't hesitate to book another sail date in Jan.

Hope this helps...Mmketeer
next cruise: Nov. 14th, 2002 "Wonder"

 

[Grumpy56]

Thanks for all your replies. I guess it's a matter of luck with the weather and as long as we are prepared for the possiblity of cool weather, it might be a good time to go. Thanks again!