Is January too cold to cruise?

[karina]

We are thinking of going on the Wonder January 15 - 18. I have been checking the temps for January and many people have been telling me that I will need sweatshirts and long sleeves. Is the water too cold to swim in? Has anyone else sailed in January?

Thanks

Karina

 

[addie boy]

I think January is the ideal time to cruise. First and foremost the prices are much better than the summer. I think that the weather is much nicer in January also - no sweltering heat to deal with. The nights are a little cooler and you might need to wear long pants and sleeves (sometimes a light jacket) but during the day you can definitely wear shorts and t's. The water at Castaway Cay is warm no matter what time of year.
Also, I think that not having the threat of a hurricane cancelling the vacation helps the nerves while your waiting for your date to arrive.

 

[kcashner]

January is a great time to cruise. We have done at least 4 January/Feb cruises, and only hit cool weather once. Of course, 70s seems cool when you want to swim, but considering it was 20 at home......most of the time, the weather is in the mid 80s, and the water is wonderful. An added bonus, January prices are low.

 

[DisneyKids]

We sailed mid january, as you will and had great weather. It was a little cool leaving PC (not bad, really) but once we got a little south...no problem at all. All ports were warm and sunny. As was posted above, not especially hot (definitely "swimmable") and very comfortable. We only went once in January so keep that in mind. Check the average temperatures for the region or each port. They are available online. Here's a sample...

http://www.caribwx.com/climate.html

 

[jrabbit]

We did a 7 night eastern in January. The water at St. Maarten and St. Thomas/St. Johns was warmer than on Castaway Cay. When we went snorkeling at CC all of us said "Brrrrrr" and then we stayed in the water for two hours, got out had lunch and returned to the water for another hour or so.

The weather was always in the upper 70's to mid 80's without much humidity. As far as that goes it was by far the most comfortable weather we have enjoyed on a cruise. The first one was at the end of summer and the temp's were in the mid 90's and the humidity was way way way high. We stayed outside for 5 minutes at a time because it was so stifling.

 

[mmouse37]

We sailed the 7 day western on 1/4/03. Here is a link to our pics if you would like to take a look. Port Canaveral and CC were a bit on the cool side due to it being windy.

We could not pull into Grand Cayman due to high winds but Key West and Cozumel were warm. Our sea days were breezy but warm. People were wearing shorts and swim suits, but it was a bit cool when you just got out of the pool and were in the breeze.

http://community.webshots.com/album/61021700mgkcmV

http://community.webshots.com/album/61027011UZJmCn

MJ

 

[Cruisin]

We have sailed 3 times in January (soon to be 4).

Two times at the beginning and 2 times the end of Jan/first of Feb.

The weather was quite comfortable every time that we went, the water at Castaway Cay was sometimes cool but not uncomfortable.

We sailed once in August and it was so hot, you couldn't even go out on deck for very long without sweltering. January was a much more comfortable month to cruise in.

 

[aprilgail2]

The weather can go either way in January, last Jan my friend was staying at Atlantis and the temp was 40 degrees, they couldn't go swimming or walk around without sweatshirts ( they had to buy them never thinking it would be cold there), but then the following week it was 70 (which to me is still to cold to swim but that is just me....)personally I cruised once in Jan and wouldn't do it again, I would rather pay a little more and sail when it was warmer.

 

[DIScruisers4]

We sailed in January 2002 (7 day Eastern) and the weather was fantastic at all ports including CC. We are sailing again next month on the 7 day Western and hoping for the same. Cold weather is a relative term. We're from the Northeast, so even 60 degree weather now would seem nice to us. Even in January, GC and Coz will be warm. The only iffy port is CC. The January prices are attractive also. Therefore, I say go with whatever dates fit your schedule and budget and enjoy yourself regardless of the weather.

 

[brack]

We sailed in the middle of January 2003 and it wasn't bad. We wore a light jacket at night only twice. Castaway Cay was a little chilly but good enough to swim without discomfort. We're going again this January for two weeks.

 

[Amabelle]

It's great reading all of your great input!
Very helpful since I leave in January to start my first contract as a CM!
Talking to my agency rep, he says being Canadian, when everyone else is in jackets, i'll join the rest of the canucks in shorts and tank top, asking to be pointed to the beach!
I can't wait!!! Farewell winter!