What is cruising in January like?

[msbinky]

We are currently scheduled for May 2006 Western cruise but was having second thoughts. Is January cold? Is it warm enough to swim? I am also wondering if you prefer the western to the eastern? Any experience? Thanks!

 

[Dis]

We have cruised one time in January. The seas were rough, and the temp was in the low 70's until we got farther south. Once we were south of Cuba the weather was great and the sea calm.

 

[TooPure4u]

cruised twice in jan...once eastern, once western....had great weather on both and was hot enough to get a nasty sunburn but castaway cay was chilly both times and the water cold. Had warm water in all other ports! I love sailing in Jan.

 

[Mmketeer]

Hi,

Jan. is my favorite time to cruise! You can't beat the rates that time of year. I am a Floridan and it's the only time during that part of winter time that I get to wear my shorts for any length of time outside! I'll be the first to admit that the water temp is to cold for me to swim at the island, but the air temp. is still warm and the sun still shines! As far as the seas...unless you happen to be unlucky enough to set sail just as one of those nasty cold fronts makes way through Florida it's smooth sailing. But, take heart no matter what the seas it's always better once you get closer to the islands.

This time sailing DCL Feb 2nd, cause I am already sailing 12/16/05 and need as much time in between the two sailings as possiable. Otherwise, I'd be sailing in Jan.! Mmketeer

 

[the kabuki]

Thanks for the info! We're doing the Jan 8th wonder and I was a little worried about the weather. So don't plan on doing much swimming then? We're coming from Michigan, so temps in the 70's is swimming weather to us. Shoot, it was 64 degrees this past week and the kids wanted to run through the sprinklers.

 

[DisneyWorld Delight]

We cruised in Jan this year and I thought it was too cold. There was a cold snap all over, but I wouldn't take my chances again. I was able to lay out, but the chill was not nice, and if you were not in direct sun, forgetaboutit. From Ohio, so still better than home, but if I were to book again, it would be in a later month.

 

[Lynderella]

We sailed January this year. The week prior to our cruise I was all over the DisBoards and was concerned because the cruise the week prior had terrible sea conditions. We left and had mild seas the first night and calm seas the rest of the time. My family and I were first time cruisers, so we didn't know what to think. The weather was 70's and 80's and we swam in the ships pool or were at the beach the whole cruise. And then the cruise the week after us also hit some bad seas. Maybe we were lucky or maybe we had "bad seas" too and didn't know any better.

 

[TheWog]

Two cruises in January. Both were fantastic. Seas were calm. Weather was hot. DCL cruise in Jan 04 we had temps in the low 80s each day and swam at each port and on the ship. CC was high 70s and swam there as well. This past January Jamaica and GC were both mid to high 80s and very beautiful beach days. Water temps were fine for us.

 

[DDreamer]

We've cruised twice in january before (not disney ), but we found it to be too cold. We sailed to the Bahamas both times, so we didn't go very far south. Where are you sailing to? That would make a huge difference in the decision because I've heard that if you go farther south or west the weather is much better.

We had temps in the 50's at port canaveral the day we left and had temps in the mid to upper 70's at the ports. The water was pretty chilly too.

Good luck in your decision!!

 

[skibum]

Cruised 4 day Magic to Nassau and CC right after New Year's. Temps in the 80's, blue skies, calm seas, and swimming was a little chilly at first, but not for long. Certainly a lot better than home. Enjoyed our first Disney cruise so much that we booked for next spring break (3-25-06 Magic).
Will probably do another January cruise in the future due to $$$.