Weather coming out of NYC in February

[Family Travel Story]

I am booked on the GEM leaving February 14 and can only assume at this time of year, it will be very cold that first night and next day. At what point does the weather generally warm up enough to venture outside without the heavy winter gear?

When we cruised the Jewel last April, by the middle of the first sea day it was nice, but this was also mid-spring, and not the heart of winter. Additinally, on the Jewel, we hugged the coast on our way to Florida, as opposed to the GEM heading out to sea on its way to San Jaun.

[dinek1]

Originally Posted by Family Travel Story

I am booked on the GEM leaving February 14 and can only assume at this time of year, it will be very cold that first night and next day. At what point does the weather generally warm up enough to venture outside without the heavy winter gear?

When we cruised the Jewel last April, by the middle of the first sea day it was nice, but this was also mid-spring, and not the heart of winter. Additinally, on the Jewel, we hugged the coast on our way to Florida, as opposed to the GEM heading out to sea on its way to San Jaun.

Weather in February varies. Best is to check weather.com or accuweather shortly before the cruise to get temperature info. I remember one year when it was in the 60s to 70s in February, but that is rare.

Have fun on the cruise. The Gem is a great ship.

[dutchess43]

I left out of NYC this past Feb it was cold but not bitter cold as our February's can be. I had an aft facing suite & the wind back there is not as bad as the side balconies. We were out on the balcony taking pics. In NY last year we had the warmest winter on record hopefully this year will be the same.

[WaldosPepper]

We have sailed out of NYC in February twice, and both times were able to ditch the winter gear by the middle of the first sea day.

As a general rule, when sailing from NYC, you will pass Cape Hatteras between 10am and 1pm on your first sea day, and that is often the point at which the weather becomes more favorable.

The weather for your specific sailing will be determined by the locations of the Gulf Stream and the Jet Stream at the time you are sailing. If you are lucky, you will have crossed both by the time you pass Hatteras and enter the Sargasso Sea. If so, you can ditch the coats after lunch.

Worst case scenario would be that the Jet Stream is far south, which would mean cooler weather further south.

[aceparty]

Originally Posted by dutchess43

I left out of NYC this past Feb it was cold but not bitter cold as our February's can be. I had an aft facing suite & the wind back there is not as bad as the side balconies. We were out on the balcony taking pics. In NY last year we had the warmest winter on record hopefully this year will be the same.

We perfer Aft Cabins because if it is cold you usually are ok to be on your balcony. The ship seems to block all wind when moving forward.

[jdvmd]

Originally Posted by WaldosPepper

We have sailed out of NYC in February twice, and both times were able to ditch the winter gear by the middle of the first sea day.

As a general rule, when sailing from NYC, you will pass Cape Hatteras between 10am and 1pm on your first sea day, and that is often the point at which the weather becomes more favorable.

The weather for your specific sailing will be determined by the locations of the Gulf Stream and the Jet Stream at the time you are sailing. If you are lucky, you will have crossed both by the time you pass Hatteras and enter the Sargasso Sea. If so, you can ditch the coats after lunch.

Worst case scenario would be that the Jet Stream is far south, which would mean cooler weather further south.

Very good information to remember! Thanks!

[Vyhanek]

Ha! Generally speaking, leaving from Miami in middle February is usually cool that first day!! There was a pic. floating around this site a couple years ago. Someone snapped a shot of the pool deck as they were leaving NYC. There was about 3 inches of snow all over the pool loungers and furniture.

[WaldosPepper]

Originally Posted by Vyhanek

Ha! Generally speaking, leaving from Miami in middle February is usually cool that first day!! There was a pic. floating around this site a couple years ago. Someone snapped a shot of the pool deck as they were leaving NYC. There was about 3 inches of snow all over the pool loungers and furniture.

I suppose "cool" is relative to where you're traveling from. For rugged New Englanders (like the OP and myself) anything over 45 degrees is considered "warm" and anything over 65 is generally "hot."

[time2cruise1]

I have cruised out of NYC in Feb. 6 times. Everything from 50s to 10 at sailaway. One year 24"of snow the day we headed to the port. As others have said the winter coats are gone the afternoon of the first sea day. Hoodies or jackets may still be the dress of the day. Not pool weather until the next day.

[curzmavin]

Hello, not to go off the subject but mat I ask how rough the water is leaving out of NY? We want to take our family on a cruise and it would be much less $$ leaving out of NY. Children are concerned about getting sea sick. We have only cruised out of Florida, San Juan and Texas never the northern states?
Thanks for any info you can give me!
CMS

[scaaty]

Originally Posted by curzmavin

Hello, not to go off the subject but mat I ask how rough the water is leaving out of NY? We want to take our family on a cruise and it would be much less $$ leaving out of NY. Children are concerned about getting sea sick. We have only cruised out of Florida, San Juan and Texas never the northern states?
Thanks for any info you can give me!
CMS

Sea state varies with the weather. I'm prone to seasickness so I just take ginger tablets daily starting a week before the cruise. That's usually enough for me, and I've cruised out of NYC in all kinds of weather. We hit Sandy on the way back this year, but non drowsy dramamine did the trick, it was really rocking and rolling then .

I don't know the age of your children, but just check with their pediatrition for any med recommendations.

[CPT Trips]

Originally Posted by time2cruise1

I have cruised out of NYC in Feb. 6 times. Everything from 50s to 10 at sailaway. One year 24"of snow the day we headed to the port. As others have said the winter coats are gone the afternoon of the first sea day. Hoodies or jackets may still be the dress of the day. Not pool weather until the next day.

Of course the cooler temperature don't stop all the towel creatures from reserving "their" loungers right next to the pool.

[Family Travel Story]

Originally Posted by WaldosPepper

I suppose "cool" is relative to where you're traveling from. For rugged New Englanders (like the OP and myself) anything over 45 degrees is considered "warm" and anything over 65 is generally "hot."

The temp is definitly more of an issue for those who travel from down south for a loner period of time. I am hoping it hits about 50 degrees by the mid morning of the first day, so I can do the t shirt and jeens thing.

[WaldosPepper]

Originally Posted by Family Travel Story

The temp is definitly more of an issue for those who travel from down south for a loner period of time. I am hoping it hits about 50 degrees by the mid morning of the first day, so I can do the t shirt and jeens thing.

Mid-morning would be the best-case scenario, but more likely to be noon, or a bit after. Either way, it will be less than 24 hours after sailaway. Have a blast!