Western Caribbean cruise during late December

[Candycane83]

Hi all! As I needed to cancel our cruise this year, I got DH to agree to one next year. How is the weather in December? His concern is that we will have issues with weather then. Thank you!!

 

[pixiedustedme]

Hi all! As I needed to cancel our cruise this year, I got DH to agree to one next year. How is the weather in December? His concern is that we will have issues with weather then. Thank you!!

We've cruised three times in late December and have had lovely weather each time. Warm and dry. Caribbean waters were perfect for swimming. Castaway Cay waters were chilly, but still just fine for swimming & watersliding after a quick adjustment upon entering the water.

 

[Candycane83]

We've cruised three times in late December and have had lovely weather each time. Warm and dry. Caribbean waters were perfect for swimming. Castaway Cay waters were chilly, but still just fine for swimming & watersliding after a quck adjustment upon entering the water.

Sounds wonderful! Thanks!!

 

[lklgoodman]

We've cruised three times in late December and have had lovely weather each time. Warm and dry. Caribbean waters were perfect for swimming. Castaway Cay waters were chilly, but still just fine for swimming & watersliding after a quick adjustment upon entering the water.

We've sailed early Jan twice with another WC booked for Jan 2020. We've had the same as above poster. If you live up North, you will LOVE cruising in Dec!

 

[Candycane83]

We've sailed early Jan twice with another WC booked for Jan 2020. We've had the same as above poster. If you live up North, you will LOVE cruising in Dec!

Toronto so yes, I’m sure it’ll be much warmer than here! Lol! Thank you!!

 

[pixiedustedme]

If you live up North, you will LOVE cruising in Dec!

I'm a Southerner and I love it!

 

[MomOTwins]

I mean... I don't want to be a debbie downer it is kind of luck of the draw though. We took a vacation in the Cozumel area for New Year's (one of the stops on the Western cruise) and we were super lucky to have nice weather, but I was super nervous watching the weather because it was cold and rainy in the weeks leading up to it in December. And we picked a resort that had a heated pool and were sure glad we did because the unheated pool and ocean were COLD based on my midwestern sensibilities (granted, those of you who have posted from colder climes like Canada may have a better tolerance from cold than I do).

If weather is super important to your DH, I might suggest going a little earlier (e.g., early November) before things start to cool down. We are doing that as a precaution, but then I am like your husband and hate when whether ruins a vacay. It's also cheaper to avoid late December because of the school holidays then.

 

[LeiaOfAlderaan]

We did a western from Miami for New Year’s 2018/2019 and had fabulous weather. I think it was high 70’s/low 80’s the entire time with very little humidity. Castaway Cay water was on the chilly side but we adjusted to it pretty quickly. I’m sure it can vary each winter but I wouldn’t let it keep you from cruising.

 

[dad of 3 addicted to DCL]

4 Cruises in December and had only one iffy day

 

[Candycane83]

I mean... I don't want to be a debbie downer it is kind of luck of the draw though. We took a vacation in the Cozumel area for New Year's (one of the stops on the Western cruise) and we were super lucky to have nice weather, but I was super nervous watching the weather because it was cold and rainy in the weeks leading up to it in December. And we picked a resort that had a heated pool and were sure glad we did because the unheated pool and ocean were COLD based on my midwestern sensibilities (granted, those of you who have posted from colder climes like Canada may have a better tolerance from cold than I do).

If weather is super important to your DH, I might suggest going a little earlier (e.g., early November) before things start to cool down. We are doing that as a precaution, but then I am like your husband and hate when whether ruins a vacay. It's also cheaper to avoid late December because of the school holidays then.

Thanks for the info!

Lol we’re taking this cruise due to school holidays then. Otherwise, I would take it in the summer or March break. He is more worried about hurricanes and such though, not so much the cold. I’m glad the weather sounds generally nice still and I’m hoping it’ll be warm.

 

[deliela999]

We went in March and the weather was beautiful! BUT, the water at Castaway Cay was FREEZING. We stayed in for a while and never adjusted. Eventually my daughter asked if we could go back on the boat. The one thing I was most excited about was snorkeling and we skipped it because of the cold water. We wanted October 2020 (with insurance for hurricanes) but with the shifting around we couldn't do what we'd planned and in trying to figure out what to do instead my husband got super excited about Christmas. So our next cruise will be Christmas 2020, 25th at sea and 26th at Castaway Cay.

 

[Candycane83]

We went in March and the weather was beautiful! BUT, the water at Castaway Cay was FREEZING. We stayed in for a while and never adjusted. Eventually my daughter asked if we could go back on the boat. The one thing I was most excited about was snorkeling and we skipped it because of the cold water. We wanted October 2020 (with insurance for hurricanes) but with the shifting around we couldn't do what we'd planned and in trying to figure out what to do instead my husband got super excited about Christmas. So our next cruise will be Christmas 2020, 25th at sea and 26th at Castaway Cay.

How exciting!! The one we booked has us at castaway cay on Christmas Day. Hoping it’s warm enough to swim and use the slides!

 

[DWillowBay]

We did the Western during the early part of January, 2019. Weather was terrific. Water temps were fine. Balmy breezes and warm without being hot.

 

[deliela999]

How exciting!! The one we booked has us at castaway cay on Christmas Day. Hoping it’s warm enough to swim and use the slides!

Have fun! We wanted to do that one but I couldn't handle the price. That's the exact itinerary we had picked out for October that they aren't doing because of the Dream being out of commission. I'm a cheapskate and still struggling with how much more this cruise is over going any other time, but I'm sure Christmas will be amazing.

 

[MomOTwins]

Thanks for the info!

Lol we’re taking this cruise due to school holidays then. Otherwise, I would take it in the summer or March break. He is more worried about hurricanes and such though, not so much the cold. I’m glad the weather sounds generally nice still and I’m hoping it’ll be warm.

You are well out of hurricane season in December, so no worries there!