Good evening,

Instead of doing our normal Christmas celebration, we are taking a cruise out of Fort Lauderdale (Royal Carribean 12-24-28). So....the wife and I are wanting to maximize our time in the decent warmth of Florida. Currently, we are exploring options of another cruise or visiting places in Florida for New Years. We would fly back to Baltimore January 1 or 2 and be ready to great our students in 2016. Any recommendations on cruises, hotels, rentals and New Years Eve celebrations?

The further south you can go - the Keys - better the chance for warm weather. Have been in the Miami/Ft. Lauderdale area at that time of year when a good jacket was required. And a swing around to the west side (Gulf) would improve your chances for warm weather. At this late date, Key West would be expensive and probably not much available but you might look along the upper Keys and Marathon (middle). Or try near the Naples area but do bring a jacket and a least one long sleeve.

Yes, Naples or Marco Island. They are often (usually?) warmer than the majority of the Bahamas at that time of year.

Naples is a very beautiful city with excellent beaches and great shopping and restaurants.

Marco is marginally farther south and has both hi-rise hotels and condos and many affordable single family house rentals, great for families. It is not as attractive as Naples but that is because Naples sets an extremely high standard, not because Marco is deficient.

You will want a jacket or sweater at night unless you are from Minnesota. The weather is likely to be plenty warm for hanging out at the pool or walking on the beach, but I certainly wouldn't go in the water because I don't go in the water unless the water temperature is 73 degrees and it isn't likely to be. It is warmer than beaches on Cape Cod during summer, though, so I am a wimp.

I live in Fort Lauderdale. Last year, a couple of times it actually dropped below 50 degrees but that was overnight and it didn't last long.

WE thought that was chilly but that's because we are used to warmer temps (as I type this it is 73 degrees and overcast; this week will be in the lower to mid-80's

Somebody from Minnesota would think the 50's is an absolute heat wave at this time of year.

I would bring something to keep what you might think is a "chill" away and believe me, it can get "chilly" down in the Keys, too.

Want more or less "foolproof?" Get on another boat that is going further south than the entire state of Florida or fly there.

Good advice from Dukey!

Hop a flight to San Juan and fly home from there. Lovely place to explore. Nice weather.

Paul. Read the rules. No ads!

Paul, No advertising on Fodors. Pay for your ads like everyone else.

You will not be guaranteed warm weather in Florida. If you could find a four or five day cruise going further south, do that. Or, I also like the idea of flying to Puerto Rico for a few days.

Dukey said it best:
<WE thought that was chilly but that's because we are used to warmer temps...

Somebody from Minnesota would think the 50's is an absolute heat wave at this time of year.>

"warm" is a relative term. Compared to Baltimore in January, southern Florida will likely be warmer.