Late December /early January BAHAMA Cruisers...HOW WAS THE WEATHER???

[lakehead92]

We are cruising the first week of january 2011.

How is the weather in the bahamas at that time...should i be packing more shorts or more pants for the trip.

I realise that weather changes and fluctuates from year to year, but as this is our first cruise i could use the help.

 

[TheWog]

Coming from Canada in January.....shorts.


http://bahamas-guide.info/weather/january/

January is a popular time for travelers to escape the cold conditions in their hometown by visiting the balmy Bahamas. The weather during this high tourist season feels like early summer with mild temperatures in the high-70s and a low occurance of precipitation.


Typical Weather in January


During January the temperatures in The Bahamas typically vary between a daily high of about 77.0 degrees and a daily low of approximately 64.0 degrees

 

[Bobby2414]

We were on the New Year's crusie this past year and I would describe it as chilly. We actually bought sweatshirts at Castaway Cay and I wouldn't go in the ocean. Now for my kids on the otherhand....it didn't stop them.

The cool 60-70 degrees plus the wind made it chilly.

We did do the Atlantis excursion in Nassau. Even though it was chilly there too, we were playing enough at the waterpark to keep warm.

Would I do it again? Absolutely! It beats the 30 inches of snow that fell on my driveway when I came home!

 

[cassiebear]

we'll be there january 2011 as well. our first cruise. first time to the bahamas. we'll be very disappointed if we cant go in the water, or enjoy the beach i'm starting to wonder if we made a mistake.

 

[ladyandthetramp2]

I have seen it both ways......About 5 years ago when we did the New Year's eve cruise it was hot, swam in the pools and at castaway cay. Last year it was FREEZING!!! Could have worn my Northface coat and ugg boots if I had packed it. Put my bathing suit on for a total of 3 hours the entire cruise. I am hoping and praying that was a fluke because I am set to board on the 5 night MAGIC Dec. 29th!!!!

 

[TheWog]

I have seen it both ways......About 5 years ago when we did the New Year's eve cruise it was hot, swam in the pools and at castaway cay. Last year it was FREEZING!!! Could have worn my Northface coat and ugg boots if I had packed it. Put my bathing suit on for a total of 3 hours the entire cruise. I am hoping and praying that was a fluke because I am set to board on the 5 night MAGIC Dec. 29th!!!!

From all accounts Winter 2010 was a fluke. While not August, it is usually warm and nice. We were at CC in January 2004 and loved it. In the water the whole day, both ocean and pools.

 

[riggins]

We were at CC last Christmas and have done two Bahamas cruises on RCCL in mid-January. I think your opinion of the weather depends on where you're from, what's "cold" to you, and what you plan to do. Both times we were in Nassau in January, it was great for the touring and shopping we were doing. It was sunny and mid-70s and we were ok wearing shorts and t-shirts. But Castaway Cay and CoCo Cay were a different story. I wore a long-sleeved t-shirt all three times we were there. Mid-70s combined with an "ocean breeze" is not swimming weather in my book. But there were people in the water and laying in the sun in their swimsuits. I figured they must all be from Canada or New England!! Based on what TheWog says, maybe I was right.

 

[travelbug24]

We had nice weather (a little cool) last December but it was very windy. We weren't able to dock at CC because of choppy waters. Some people were very disappointed as this was their first cruise and they missed CC.

 

[Evan&Kimberly]

We had nice weather (a little cool) last December but it was very windy. We weren't able to dock at CC because of choppy waters. Some people were very disappointed as this was their first cruise and they missed CC.

When in Dec did you go?

 

[travelbug24]

When in Dec did you go?

We went the third week of December getting off the ship on December 21. We also did a January cruise and the weather was perfect for our CC visit.

 

[TheWog]

I figured they must all be from Canada or New England!! Based on what TheWog says, maybe I was right.

 

[diskam]

We're going the first week of January, and it'd have to be pretty cold before I'm unhappy. This was our lane this past January:

http://farmhousefling.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/img_2295.jpg

If I remember correctly, it was eleventy-million degrees below zero at the time.

Any day off work is a good day regardless of the temperature, right?

 

[tvguy]

We were at CC last Christmas and have done two Bahamas cruises on RCCL in mid-January. I think your opinion of the weather depends on where you're from, what's "cold" to you, and what you plan to do. Both times we were in Nassau in January, it was great for the touring and shopping we were doing. It was sunny and mid-70s and we were ok wearing shorts and t-shirts. But Castaway Cay and CoCo Cay were a different story. I wore a long-sleeved t-shirt all three times we were there. Mid-70s combined with an "ocean breeze" is not swimming weather in my book. But there were people in the water and laying in the sun in their swimsuits. I figured they must all be from Canada or New England!! Based on what TheWog says, maybe I was right.

Well put. We were on Castaway Cay on January 2, 2004. The air and water temperature were both in the mid-70's, with a few sprinkles in the early afternoon. It was great in the water, put maybe a hair on the cool side out of the water when you get out. We snorkled all morning, ate lunch, and then rented bikes and rode in the sprinkles in our wet bathing suits, plenty comfortable.
But the minute the sprinkles came, folks streamed back to the ship. Even my wife who is ALWAYS cold was comfortable.

 

[travelbug24]

We're going the first week of January, and it'd have to be pretty cold before I'm unhappy. This was our lane this past January:

http://farmhousefling.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/img_2295.jpg

If I remember correctly, it was eleventy-million degrees below zero at the time.

Any day off work is a good day regardless of the temperature, right?

You call that snow? Come to the U.P. eh. One of my favorite sayings is the worst day of vacation is still better than the best day at work.

 

[Jennifer in MI]

From all accounts Winter 2010 was a fluke. While not August, it is usually warm and nice. We were at CC in January 2004 and loved it. In the water the whole day, both ocean and pools.

Sure was!!! We were at WDW during the freeze. We have wonderful pictures of us in winter gear - mittens, hats, etc. It was COLD!! (AND, I ran my first half marathon at Disney that weekend - in the snow, sleet, and rain!!)

Anyway, we took a cruise the week afterward. It was AWESOME weather!!!! Seriously - AMAZING! We were in shorts the ENTIRE cruise. LOVED it!!!!

The year before we took a 7 day. There was one chilly day. Now, the water at CC was too cold for my tastes, but my kids didn't mind! They were IN! I was fine up to my knees!

You call that snow? Come to the U.P. eh. One of my favorite sayings is the worst day of vacation is still better than the best day at work.

LOL!!!!!! I SO agree with that. I try not to care too much about the weather on my vacations. I try to be happy with what I'm given. Last year at Disney, as we were in mittens, scarves and hats, I kept reminding everyone how lucky we were even to BE there!!!! We have wonderful memories!!!

 

[lakehead92]

Me too... I just know the weather will be better there than it would be here that time of year.

 

[diskam]

You call that snow? Come to the U.P. eh.

I've been to the U.P. when it snowed. In September!! I'll definitely pick a cold day at Castaway over January up north!