Can someone tell me about sailing in Jan-Feb from Galveston?

[thelmalou]

I can't imagine sailaway in winter weather. How far down in the Gulf or Caribbean before it feels like "cruise weather"? There are some good deals for January, but I just can't wrap my mind around a cold cruise.

 

Could y'all please share your experiences?

[Uncle Doug]

We sail most years in January. The weather in SE Texas that time of year can be chilly but rarely freezing. You could expect sail away temps from 40 to 70F. By noon on the first sea day the ship is far enough south for the temps to start warming up.

 

The coldest temps I have seen was actually during spring break from NOLA where the ship hit a cold front on the way back and on disembarkation morning there was ice on the open decks from the ocean spray.

 

Take advantage of the great off season rates. We are booked in Jan 2010 out of Galveston.

[sappygirl]

We sailed out of Galveston this past Feb. It was pretty cold at the time. The weather in that area is pretty much hit and miss. It may be warm when you go. We just happen to have a cold front coming through when we went. Actually had to stop at Walmart there to pickup a jacket for DH. We had a Balcony cabin and really could not enjoy the first day or so because it was windy and chilly. The closer you get to the Caribbean the warmer it will get. On the way back we had some high winds and the boat was rocking and rolling. When we got back to Galveston it was still pretty cold. We usually go up to Lido and wait to be called but this time we waited in the casino area because it was to just cold for us to be on lido. So I would say be prepared for anything when it comes to the temps. Bring a light jacket or sweater.

[jhale]

I've lived in Houston my whole life and it could be jeans & t-shirt weather or full on winter wear here during the winter, lol. The good news is that by the time you wake up the first sea day, it's usually warmed up quite a bit if it's cold when you leave.

 

I'd take a jacket either way, because as I said the weather down here is crazy, it could be warm when you leave and freezing when you get back.

[bipper40]

We sailed last December from Galveston and on our sail away day we spent some time at the beach, in shorts, enjoying the area. But on the way back we ran into a cold front that caused the ship to rock and roll, it was rainy, windy and cold. By the time we docked it was in the 30's with very gusty winds. However we knew this would be the case before we sailed because I checked the weather, so we packed accordingly. Like others have said, you never know what you will get in Texas, so check the weather before you leave and then you will be prepared.

[bipper40]

I just wanted to add that aside from the cold front on our last sea day it was nice and sunny and warm. From the time we sailed until about 3 pm on that last day it was nice. We were hot while touring the Mayan ruins in Progresso but the water was chilly so we didn't swim.

[BlueJacketsFan1]

I send my mother on a cruise in January a few years bad out of Tampa. The weather was great for her whole cruise. Sunny and beautiful everyway they were, 70's in Florida and 80's in the caribbean. The only down side is that it is considered the windy season, but she didn't have any trouble.

[firefly333]

Our coldest sailaway was early April where just north of Houston they had a ft of snow the night before sailaway. January we did have cooler weather, but not so much that a hoodie wasnt enough. We had 80s weather in our ports late January.

[jam82]

We sailed in January and left on a beautiful 75 degree day. We returned to the 50's. It was cold and windy. Since we were in cruise mentality, we didn't pack any warm clothes. We now own carnival jackets and sweatshirts. I just felt sorry for the folks getting on the boat that day. Be preapred for any kind of weather.

[oldvato]

The question I have is, what are the water temps in the pools during those winter months? How about in Cozumel, Jamaica, or Grand Caymen?

[thelmalou]

Thanks for all of the replies, y'all!

I guess even a cold start and finish wouldn't be too bad if it's warm in between.

Again, thanks for your responses!

[dmdiver]

I too, am curious about sailing during the winter.

 

For the person asking about Grand Cayman, we were there in early December one year for 10 days. The weather was sunny, around 84 degrees water temp & 86 or so air temp. I would have to find my diving log to be exact, but I remember water & air temps being very close.

[MicksMom]

We have cruised out of Galveston twice. First time in July, 2nd time this past January. If it is up to me, I will never cruise in the summer again. In January, we spent time on the beach the day before but did wake up to heavy fog & no ship the morning of our cruise. :( We made the best of it, did a little sightseeing & decided if we were going to have to wait in line it was better to be at the beginning of the line. Think we finally boarded around 5:00. It was chilly that night on deck. Woke up the next morning & the weather was beautiful. :cool: We all wore shorts & t-shirts & were never cold. Ports were warm. We did hit a cold front heading back the last night. Got ourtof the late show & wanted to walk the deck one more time. Didn't happen, very cold & windy that night. We could feel the waves crashing that night but it wasn't bad enough that any of us got sick. We loved cruising the first week of January so much that we booked the same week again for this coming January.

 

Happy Cruising!

[browneyes7]

I can't imagine sailaway in winter weather. How far down in the Gulf or Caribbean before it feels like "cruise weather"? There are some good deals for January, but I just can't wrap my mind around a cold cruise.

 

Could y'all please share your experiences?

 

Have you been to Texas before? There have been times where it was 75 to 80 degrees in December! Not always, but it happens. It is rare for it to be "really cold" in Texas, even in December. Even if it happens to be cold the day you leave, it will be warm by the next morning. The closer you get to Mexico.....the warmer it gets.:)

[joe&mike]

Sailed on Ecstasy January 24, 2009 and the weather was in the 70's. The weather was beautiful for the entire 5 days on board.:) Will probably do the 4 day cruise this upcoming January.:D

[Houstoncruiser2007]

I sailed on the Ecstasy in early February this year. The weather is nice but for me, the water was too cold to enjoy in both Progreso and Cozumel. We got a good deal on the price so it was worth it to go but since I'm a lay out by the pool, tanning, beachy sort of person it was a bit disappointing. Oh well, live and learn. :o