Jan questons

[amyadams1020]

We are debating on takin our first cruise ever this early Jan. Is it warm enough to swim? We are coming from the Midwest so super cold and snowy when we leave. Also, will we need a passport? The only stops are Nassau and Castaway Cay. Anything else about Jan I should be aware of before I book? Thanks.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Officially no passport, but I would not cruise internationally right now without one.

The water at CC may be a little chilly but still fine to swim.

 

[poohs4me]

We have cruised in early January several times. For me personally (I am from Arizona) the water is usually too cold to swim; however there are normally tons of people in the water.

I would also prefer to have a passport but last we heard it is not required so that is your preference.

Watch the weather is my biggest piece of advice for January sailing. Sometimes Florida is colder than one would expect - not traditionally Midwest water though.

 

[lanejudy]

WE haven't cruised in January, but we have in February. The pools onboard are heated and in my experience kids are fine with the air temp. Castaway Cay the water temp will be cooler, but we've always been fine in February since we are from the northeast and Bahamian "winter" is akin to our summer temps.

Right now I would definitely want a Passport BOOK for any international travel. The book will allow for flying home if anything happens; the card would not be helpful.

 

[MomOTwins]

It gets cold at CC! You always get people who swim, but my kids were teeth chattering in minutes. Still it is a beautiful beach for enjoying the view while kids build sand castles.

A passport is needed if you have to leave the ship and fly home, then which is what guests who have started sailing on other cruise lines have been required to do if they test positive for covid. Even before covid, you might need to leave the ship and fly home for other reasons—an accident or other medical emergency, a problem at home/family emergency you may have to get back to suddenly, or missing the ship at a foreign port (eg car accident delays your return to the ship from an excursion).

 

[jrapps]

We have cruised twice in January. Once it was beautiful and warm, the other it was unusually cold and we really couldn't go in the water at Castaway. But it was a beautiful day!

 

[MomOTwins]

One more thing—I recall a while back that someone posted an analysis ranking each month of the year by the number of times. Disney cruise was unable to dock at Castaway Cay due to rough seas. January was the worst month. So just be aware that is a risk (true any time of year but especially in winter) of that happening.

 

[dad of 3 addicted to DCL]

We've done a few in January and I grew up in IA & MO (and went to school in WI). The water is about like swimming in Lake Michigan in summer. Shockingly cold at first, but then fine as I get used to it. I wear a rash guard at Castaway Cay because we like to stay out for a long time and the floatation vests they make you wear rub something fierce. The guard helps with the chill, as well.

Seawater temp varies from 71 deg F to 77 deg F.

https://seatemperature.net/current/bahamas/castaway-cay-sea-temperature
Re: the passport, I'd never leave the country without a passport. With my luck, I'd need to fly home from Nassau and be stuck.

 

[OpieDoodle]

We cruised in Jan 2020 and swam at both Nassau and Castaway Cay. It was nice but not overly hot. We are from Ohio so it was plenty warm enough for us.

As for passports officially you don't HAVE to have them but I'd highly recommend it. It'll make your trip easier especially in case of an emergency.

 

[Cheburashka]

We are debating on takin our first cruise ever this early Jan. Is it warm enough to swim? We are coming from the Midwest so super cold and snowy when we leave. Also, will we need a passport? The only stops are Nassau and Castaway Cay. Anything else about Jan I should be aware of before I book? Thanks.

We've sailed to Castaway Cay four times in late December or early January, and swam there (along with many others) every time. The water is chilly when you first get in, but after you've been completely submerged your body gets used to it. The air was warm every time we were there, so getting in and out of the water at Pelican Plunge was no problem for us. I'll add that I'm a Texan and that my body has minimal tolerance for cold, so it's not like I just wouldn't mind if it were terribly cold. It's chilly water, but that's all. To add a point of comparison, we went to Vero Beach (central Florida) last December, and the ocean water there was way too cold for me to even wade in. But I've never had a problem at Castaway Cay in the winter. It's the Bahamas, not Florida, so it's quite a bit warmer. Also, winter is the dry season in the Bahamas, so it's less likely to rain during your trip than if you cruise during the hot weather months.

I could never recommend leaving the country without a passport. You just never know what could happen (accident or illness requiring non-cruise repatriation to the U.S., for example) and a passport is your golden ticket to prompt re-entry to the United States. Worth every penny & the slight hassle to get one imo.

 

[Disneypeach]

If you’re from the US, I saw a news report recently that the US passport office is way behind their normal timeframe to process passports so if you want to get one for January 2022 you might want to get the process started now. They were talking 18 weeks or more when it’s normally 3 weeks or so.

 

[tvguy]

Well, can we talk about some safe......like politics or religion? LOL.
Define "warm enough". The record cold water temperature in the area of Castaway Cay is 73 degrees. I live in California where pool season starts when the water hits 60. We were there on January 2, 2004 and were amazed how many people thought the water was cool. The air temperature was probably 75 and it was cool when you got out of the water but the water was great.

 

[amyadams1020]

This helps a lot! Thank you. I heard about the slow passports so I will start to get those rolling.

 

[ladyofthetramp]

Yes- passports. If you want/need one, things are really backed up. Plan accordingly. The advice I heard was renew early and renew early even if you have no travel plans.

 

[lanejudy]

Yes - Passports are way backed up! It's been big news here as lots of out-of-staters have come thinking they can get walk-in service at my local Passport office and they are getting turned away. Be aware that the usual processing times do NOT include mailing time, it only includes from time received at the Passport processing until it is sent out again. Mailing times have significantly added to the delays. They are now recommending the following timing:

• Routine service can take up to 18 weeks from the day an application is submitted to the day a new passport is received. The 18-week timeframe includes up to 12 weeks for processing and up to 6 weeks for mailing times on the front and back end.
• Expedited service (for an additional $60) can take up to 12 weeks from the day an application is submitted to the day a new passport is received. The 12-week timeframe includes up to 6 weeks for processing and up to 6 weeks for mailing times on the front and back end.

 

[n2mm]

We are also seeing up to 18 weeks. My daughter is getting all of her renewals together for next week. Unfortunately she has one under 16, so requires in person apply with both parents present. My SIL did his renewal in May, with expedited fee, took 2 weeks. Things went downhill fast. Her next cruise is February 2022, so hope it’s here for check in.

 

[jujubiee4]

One more thing—I recall a while back that someone posted an analysis ranking each month of the year by the number of times. Disney cruise was unable to dock at Castaway Cay due to rough seas. January was the worst month. So just be aware that is a risk (true any time of year but especially in winter) of that happening.

Do you happen to know where that link is? I did a search and couldn't find it. thanks

 

[mevelandry]

We are debating on takin our first cruise ever this early Jan. Is it warm enough to swim? We are coming from the Midwest so super cold and snowy when we leave. Also, will we need a passport? The only stops are Nassau and Castaway Cay. Anything else about Jan I should be aware of before I book? Thanks.

Water will be chilly. Weather should be nice. As for sailings conditions, it could be choppy at times… Bring sea sickness meds just in case?