End of January

[adams3880]

Good morning, all. Our family has cruised Disney in the past, but it's only been in summer or fall--all Fantasy Caribbean itineraries. It's been about 5 years since our last cruise but we are considering an unexpected Dream 4 night at the end of January 2020. What is the weather genuinely like in the Bahamas at that point? I can search up averages, but I was hoping for more first hand accounts of cruisers. Did you kids want to swim on the ship and at the beach? It may be another long break before we could do this again, so I want to make sure it's worth it. Our kids barely remember the past cruises and I want to make sure it's magical for them. Thanks!

 

[Barbydoll8]

The Bahamas are only about 300 miles from PC. Slightly south so Ft. Lauderdale weather-ish is to be expected. I live in central FL near Tampa and have sailed at the end of Jan there. Northerners may think it's warm but it probably will be too cold to swim at Castaway Cay. The pools on ship are heated to 84 so they are doable.
Jan in FL is a mixed bag. By end of Jan it could be quite chilly. Especially at night. I will be on the Jan 24th Dream sailing next year with my S&BIL from PA. I've told them not to expect to be able to swim.
Us FL people will be in long pants and probably a light jacket. Northern and Mid-western folks will be in shorts and tees.

 

[adams3880]

Thanks! We’re from MD so that is incredibly helpful. Still weighing whether to pull the trigger.

 

[CaseyCruiser]

Castaway Cay can be a little cool to swim but if you did a seven night on the Fantasy the air gets warmer as you sail south. It is a great feeling.

 

[MomOTwins]

The ocean water is COLD. But it was still super fun! My littles took a quick dip with me, but I made them get out when teeth were chattering. But then they built sandcastles and buried me in the sand while I sipped on a pina colada and we all had a great time.

 

[Mainsail Minnie]

We've been in early January, and the water was fine. Chilly, but fine after you fully submerge yourself & get used to it. We had no problem enjoying Pelican Plunge.

 

[lklgoodman]

Where would you rather be in Jan? MD with a foot of snow and freezing temps or on the ship/beach with sunny skies and 70/80s temps. We live in OH and have taken 4 cruises, with a 5th coming up during Jan-Mar. The air temps will be nice at CC. I find the water chilly, but my dd and dh have no problems with it. If you drink, sign up for the mojito tasting at the Heads Up bar at CC and think about how you aren't freezing in MD.

 

[Spiffy MacSpiff]

I think a lot of it has to do with what you're used to. We live way up north and do a lot of lake/river swimming. When we cruised in February the people around us on CC were all complaining about how cold the water was. It felt warm to us!

 

[lunaland]

We are from Seattle and went on the Dream the end of this January. My mom (first cruise) swam at Castaway Cay and loved it. I (4th cruise) waded and found it the coldest weather I've had yet (prior cruises in March, February, and December). Still better than home! But also the first cruise I've been cold on- on the sea day and at Nassau.