what would be better January or February

[minnieluvzmickey]

Thinking of sailing one of those two months. Anybody been at that time? How is it?

 

[jott3]

We went in February 2002 and it was very windy. We did not get to go to Castaway Cay. Otherwise the weather and the trip were great.

 

[minnieluvzmickey]

bump

 

[aprilgail2]

I've cruised in Jan. before but I would not do it again, the water was to cold to really enjoy it at all! April or May is a really nice time to go.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

We did a 4-day this year in January and it was too chilly for us to go into the water at the ports. We swam on the ship, but that was it. The benefit of cruising in January is that it doesn't seem as packed onboard and the biggest benefit/bonus is that the prices are lower. We'd definitely do another 4-day in January because the price is right and we're not as concerned with the ports on the 4-day. In fact, this December's 4-day we aren't even planning on leaving the ship on port days.

 

[Favorite Auntie]

I was on the Magic this past January. The last week that ended February 1st. The weather was great and we were able to swim in every port. I would do it again. Before that we cruised in November and ended up in a Hurricane! We didn't miss any ports that time, but it was a bit "rough"!!

 

[kdmkdm7]

We cruised on the Magic Jan. 26, 2002, and June 7, 2003. We absolutely loved both cruises. I did prefer the weather in January. We swam at every port, and it was very comfortable. In June, the heat and humidity on the islands, if you weren't swimming, was too much for us. I guess it depends on your heat tolerance. Have fun!

 

[cruisinpenguin]

Hi we cruised this past Feb 1- 8 2003 and we had the best weather on our Western cruise. The temps were in the high 80's every day and the seas were very calm (flat) and we made it to every port with beautiful HOT weather!! We swam and snorkled at every port and the water temps were perfect!! This was our 4th Disney cruise sailing the same week for the past 3 years. The only time we had bad weather was our 2nd cruise which was the end of January and we didn't make it to Castaway because of high winds and seas. We've always had luck the 1st week of Feb and I'm sure the 2nd week would be nice too!! Let me know if I can help on any questions you may have.
Good Luck, & Happy cruisin'
Laurie

 

[tkd lisa]

Depends on which cruise. I also did a 4 day in January and wouldn't do it again because it was too cold to swim. It was REALLY cold in FL (28 degrees one day!) so the whole vacation didn't seem worth it.

On the other hand, if I were going on the 7 day where it would be plenty warm for probably at least 5 days, I'd say the price break and the huge difference from temps at home would encourage me to do it.

 

[woody64]

We cruised 2/22/03 Eastern and loved the weather. It was in the 80's and swam at all ports. The only cold weather we had was leaving Port Canaveral. Loved the time so much doing #2 a day earlier in 2004. Come join us!

woody64

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Don't forget that cruising in the Bahamas is going to be almost a 10 degree temperature difference than further south in the Eastern ports and many Western ports. We've cruised in December on the Eastern and it was plenty hot.

 

[married@wdw]

We did our first DCL cruise in January 1999 for our honeymoon. The weather was pretty good -- warm enough that we swam at both ports. We did a dolphin swim at Dolphin Encounters (didn't go through Disney because they didn't offer the swim at the time) and also snorkled at Castaway Cay.

That said, the weather can be hit or miss in January and February. We are going back for our 5th anniversary this coming January though. The quieter ship and cheaper prices are worth it to us.

 

[kshabare]

Cruised Western this past February and weather in all ports were great, the water in Castaway Key was a bit cold, but otherwise everything went as planned.

Norm and Kim

 

[CRSNDSNY]

One of my favorite websites for finding out weather history is: http://www.wunderground.com/history/airport/KORL/1995/5/28/DailyHistory.html

You can enter almost any location and date and find tons of historical weather information.

 

[abitjaded]

Nice thread, we are trying to plan non-water activities for CC in case we cannot stand the water. We will be cruising for the first time in January. We did do a lot of trips to Mexico and the Carribean and Hawaii in January before kids. We usually dove and snorkeled. January can be variable, lousy weather or great, just depends on the fates. Generally, as far south as Can Cun in Mexico or farther south than the Bahamas, even Puerto Rico, the water is warm enough to be pleasant. But any random storm can kick up the silt and waves. Note that for the shorter cruises, the Bahamas is only as far south as Florida. You can get in the water in Florida in January, but it is pretty dang cold, and you cannot stay long. (Except the French and the Germans in Sanibel--they seem to be able to take anything .)

 

[minnieluvzmickey]

well now i'm scared..........we were planning on going on a 3 day in january but i definately want to be able to snorkel in castaway cay.....hmmmmmmmm

 

[kshabare]

Oh my goodness - you all are toooo funny. Are you honestly worried about the cruise air and water when here in CT it will be about 20º? Hey listen - don't you remember how we used to just run into the water or jump into the pool and we were fine? ((brrrr))

We were lucky enough to have perfect weather when we went 02/01/2003-02/08/2003. However, dates before and after us weren't able to dock for various weather-related reasons. It's luck of the draw. Sit back and enjoy!!

Kim

 

[jlp651]

ok I didnt get a chance to read all of these-I'm at work...but what did everyone pack?