Weather for Short Cruise to the Bahamas in January
 

My sister knows how I would love to get away from my cold climate home for a few days in winter and has suggested we head somplace warm in late January. I was thinking we might enjoy a short (3 or 4 day) cruise to the Bahamas in late January. The itinerary would include a stop in Nassau, a stop on the cruise lines's private island and a stop in Key West (if we do the 4-day cruise). Will it be warm enough to go to the beaches and/or swim in the ship's pool on this cruise in late January?
Any advice/suggestions are appreciated.

I've been on two cruises in the early months to those destinations and both times it was too chilly to do any water activities. But who knows - the weather can change at any time.

Are you limited to driving to the port? You might want to look into a cruise farther south - like one that stops in Cozumel. Did a quick search and there are some that leave out of Galveston, New Orleans and Alabama.

This is actually a great price for this one, although its 5 nights -
http://vacationstogo.com/fastdeal.cfm?deal=16690

The Bahamas (and south Florida) can be "iffy" weatherwise in January, especially if swimming is high on your list of planned activities.

If you want insure you'll be visiting "someplace warm" you have to go further south.

Yes, I'd love to go further south, but it now it looks like we are restricted to a 3-night cruise, which leaves us with the Bahamas. I'm not set on going into the water, but will it be warm enough to sit on the beach or next to the pool and read a trashy book?

No one can give you any gurantees regarding how warm or cold it may be in Nassau during January. I can tell you that historically the highest temperature ever recorded in Nassau during January was 95 degrees F and the lowest was 46 degree F. That's a wide rage but on average you could probably expect daytime temperatures in the low to mid 70's.

You can research average weather statistics for Nassau at:

www.weatherbase.com

www.wunderground.com

If you are interested in more detailed information the "History & Almanac Section for Nassau on the latter site has daily, weekly and monthly charts that will tell you what the give you actual temperatures & weather conditions were for every day for the last 10 years.