Questions about winter cruise from NYC to Carribean

Hi, I'm considering taking a cruise out of NYC to the Eastern Carribean in January 2015. We've only sailed out of NYC in the spring so I'm just looking to get feedback and thoughts on what to expect, etc from anyone who's cruised out of NYC in winter...thanks so much in advance!

This question has been asked many times and if you scroll around, you'll see a few posts and LOTS of comments. Anyway....yes, we have sailed out of NY/NJ many times in Jan/Feb for Caribbean cruises. There is NO definitive answer. Some years, the sea was like a mill pond and in the 70's the first and/or last full day out. We have been able to sit by and go into the pool the first and last full day. Some years, the first or last day was cold (probably in the 50's) and rocky. As you are out in the gulf stream it almost always will be warmer then the same latitude on land along the US coast. As far as the roughness of the sea, that really is not congruous to the season. One might think it's always smooth in the summer, rough in the winter. We have sailed in July with 20 ft swells an it was a rocky ride. In January, and we've sailed in January when it was as smooth as glass. As we live fairly close to the NY/NJ ports, the winter cruises out of there are our first choice. The possibility of a day or two of not tropical weather trumps spending a day coming and going in and out of airports and on and off of planes. Not to mention that added expense, and usually if you fly to a cruise it's the day prior so there's the cost of a hotel, too. I just wish there were more options (lines/ships) in the winter months out of NY/NJ for 10-12 day cruises.

Highly recommend flying in the day before, if indeed you are flying. We've also have cruised in the winters months and totally enjoy it. It is so cold when you leave and she may have a little snow on her decks. Happiness is knowing within a day or two you'll be outside wearing shorts or swimming in a pool.

Also agreed with Marco, you just can't predict the weather or the seas.