What is it like to cruise in Jan.?

[DKKJ]

Hi,

We are leaving on our 1st ever cruise- the Wonder- on 1/25/04.

I've been reading weather forecasts, but still have no idea what to expect or what to pack. Does anyone have experience cruising at this time of year who can help.

What about water temps? Is is too cold to plan for swimming? I'm a real novice here, so any and all help is appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[MarkLem]

last week (1/3 - 1/10) on the Western we/the kids swam everyday with the exception of the Thursday sea day (a bit cool and tremendously windy). Except for Thursday, air temps in the 80's.

 

[QueenTrident]

I don't know, but I'll find out in 6 days!

Have a great cruise and enjoy just being on vacation!

 

[kcashner]

It is wonderful to be in the Carribean at 70 degrees and think that you are missing the 20s back home. Seriously, we've always had good weather in Jan, but you do need to take one "cool weather" outfit as that is always a possibility. We just toss in one sweatshirt and long pant outfit for the parks and a sweater for the cruise. Usually don't need them, but better safe...

We did have a Feb. cruise that was too cool to swim, mostly because it was windy and overcast. When the sun peaked thru, it was lovely. That was one out of 4 DCL cruises at that time of year...so your odds are still very good.

 

[prymsu]

we have now cruised several times in January because you can get such good deals. It has always been good weather for us. Of course when you think of what the weather is like in Iowa, anything about freezing is like a heat wave to us.

Good luck with the weather and enjoy!

 

[inkkognito]

We've done January cruises and it has always been warm enough to swim. I like it because the heat is not so overwhelming. But when we did the Western in Jan., we were not able to visit Grand Cayman because the sea was too rough (we ended up going to Cozumel early).
The only other thing I've noticed is that sometimes there are a lot less people on the ship. On one of our Magic cruises in Jan., half the diningroom was empty! I know I'm weird, but personally I prefer a full ship to an empty one because I like the "energy" of having lots of other people around sharing the experience at the shows, etc.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[bengals01]

just back from 1/10 very cold on first day, wind was so bad couldnt sit out, we were freezing at the sail away but after that great, went last year end of january, and everything was fine until thursday afternoon, didnt dock at castaway cay,didnt even go outside that day

 

[karina]

I just came back from the 1/15 Wonder and the weather was very nice. Even being out on the top deck at night was comfortable. Castaway Cay day was especially nice. My dd (2 yrs old) stayed in the water for almost 3 hours straight! It was beautiful.

 

[piglet33]

We cruised in January in 2002 and had great weather. We did the 4 day Wonder. The only thing was we had to cancel our day at sea, because we couldn't dock in CC the first time. We went to Freeport instead and then tried and successfully docked in CC the next day. The weather was great. Not too hot and not too chilly. We swam everyday and got some nice color while on CC. I love to cruise in January.

 

[disneybride96]

DKKJ-
We are on the same cruise!!! Oh so close, yet so far!!

I am taking my linen & silk pants with sweater sets for the evening. I figure that way I can always shed layers if I get to warm.

My sister's wedding was in early January at the Wildrness Lodge. Wedding day was nice, but we wore winter coats before the week was out.

Here's what I found for Nassau....anything is better than the 8º that it will be here tonight:

Sun
Jan 25 Partly Cloudy 78°/64°
Mon
Jan 26 Partly Cloudy 78°/63°
Tue
Jan 27 Mostly Sunny 78°/64°
Wed
Jan 28 Partly Cloudy 79°/66°

 

[kcashner]

We've done a total of 6 cruises in Jan/Feb...4 on DCL, 2 before DCL existed. On 5 of the 6, the weather was wondeful (or should I say Magical?) One week in Feb, we had a cold spell. It was too cool for swimming then. All the others, we swam at all ports, were comfortable on deck, etc.

I believe in taking one "cool weather" outfit, and otherwise planning on summer weather.

 

[jrabbit]

What is it like to cruise in Jan.?

FUN!!!