Weather in winter

[Tiiiigergirl]

Planning a cruise for next January/February. What is the weather like in both the parks and on the western itinerary? Sorry if this has been asked before.

 

[wdw1972]

Originally posted by Tiiiigergirl
Planning a cruise for next January/February. What is the weather like in both the parks and on the western itinerary? Sorry if this has been asked before.

It's unpredictable. Normal at the parks would be 70 for a high, low 50's for a low. However, it could be 80 or it could never get above 50...with nights at or below freezing.

The islands will be similar to FL, except that if a cold front comes down and stops below the parks but north of the islands than it'll still be nice down there. I'd figure 70's and hope no fronts get that far south. The beach water is definitely too cold for me at that time of year, especially on Castaway Cay. I was there this February - and may have gotten one toe wet...that was all I wanted to handle! Bring a sweater or light jacket for nighttime on the cruise.

 

[actuarian]

As the previous poster said, it is unpredictable in the Parks, Key West and Castaway Cay. However, cold air almost never makes it to the real Caribbean ports. So, you can almost always count on warm temperatures in Cozumel and Grand Cayman (though there is always the chance that it will be windy and/or rainy). However, DW and I experienced fantastic weather on two January cruises this year, although it was freezing in Orlando during the two days in between (they actually had snow flurries near by). We are trying it again for two cruises next January.

 

[aprilgail2]

I had a miserable time in Florida a few years back in January, we had to wear jeans and coats the whole time, it was darn cold. This past January my friend stayed at Atlantis for 5 days and they said everyone there was wearing coats and it was to cold to even swim, they were very dissappointed and said they would never go back before March again.

 

[mmouse37]

We sailed the Western on 1/4/03 this year. We flew down a day early to get some sun before heading to the Caribbean by the pool at the Radisson, but it was only about 44 degrees. That night it was even colder. On Saturday it was still very chilly and really did not warm up that much, though the sun did come out and they still had the sail-away outside on deck...with most people were wearing jackets.

The days at sea were breezy but sunny. You could definately hang by the pool but was cold when the sun hid behind a cloud. That was the one cruise that I never set food in the pool. The hot tubs were crowded all day long.

We did not make it Grand Cayman due to high wind and waves, but Cozumel was great....sunny, high 80's, no humdity. Cold again when we got back to Port Canaveral. Many people said this was an exceptionally cool January. I would sail again in January as the prices were great.

MJ

 

[jrabbit]

We did the Eastern in January 2002 - MLK jr. week. The weather was great - low to mid 80's NO humidity - very comfortable. We spent the day at St. Maarten on the beach and in the ocean. At St. Thomas, we went to St. John's and snorkeled. The water was terrific!! At Castaway Cay the weather was perfect, but the water was noticably cooler. But we snorkeled for several hours there too! We had a "Magic"al experience on that trip and would go during that time period again. We are going on the Western cruise in June and expect the temps to be only 7-10 degrees warmer but with way more humidity - so it will feel much hotter.

 

[rae519]

Hi Tiiiiigergirl!!!!!

We sailed last year in February (Eastern) and it was very warm and comfortable. One night had some high seas but otherwise it was great!

Hope you, DH and DS are well - take care!
Rae

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

We were on the 1/19 Wonder, and had great weather! Port Canaveral was pretty chilly, but the Bahamas were warm. Didn't really get into the water at CC as it was cold (so was the sand), but it did make a nice beach day. We had friends go on the 3 day Wonder right after we got off, and they said it wasn't good weather for their cruise (can't remember if it was just cold or if it rained).

We're debating if we should go back next January or not. If the weather cooperates, it's a great time to go!

 

[Tiiiigergirl]

Well I must say the price is right! And since we've now done Castaway 4 times even though we've only cruised 3 times (courtesy of the mystery cruise last September, right Rae! ) I figure if the real Carribean is warm enough to get into the water then we are set. We don't get into the water in Florida and can live with it if the Bahamas are cool.

And I've lived long enough to know that nothing in life is certain.

Thanks for all the replies.

 

[disneybets]

The weather south of Key West is almost certain to be in the 70s or 80s. Although rain and wind can kick up at anytime. The water a Castawat Cay was refreshing but did take a minute to get use to.