Winter out of NYC - when warm enough to swim?

[letsgomets]

We leave a month from today on the GEM! Our last cruise out of NYC was on the HAL Noordam, which has a retractable roof over the pool so we were able to swim from the moment we boarded and the pool water was never exposed to cold air. At about mid-afternoon on our first day (24 hours out), they opened the roof to sunny skies.

 

Wondering what we can expect from those who have taken the GEM (or any of the other NCL ships from NYC) in the winter. Not sure how cold the swimming pools might get being exposed to NYC weather in February and how long it'll take for them to heat back up. Would love to hear from people who have done this cruise in wintertime -- when were you able to enjoy the outdoors (pool and otherwise) and, on the way back, when did you start feeling the need to stay indoors?

 

Thanks!

[time2cruise1]

Usually the first afternoon at sea. I have seen a couple if brave souls in the pool the first day as they are heated to 82F.

[jkneern]

Pools are heated. We have cruised the past 2 yrs during feb and march. We were lucky both years as we had unseasonably warm weather leaving NYC. You will be able to use the outside pools by the second sea day or day 3 of the cruise.

[Mom2B&Z]

We were on the 30-12-12 sailing of the Jewel out of NYC. People were using the pools on the first sea day, and they were filling up by the afternoon. Coming home, the pools were full on the first sea day, but by the second we were the only brave souls left in the pool! Iirc the air temperature was 10C (?50F), but the hot tubs were still nice and warm! I didn't go in but my boys and DH did, we bundled them up quickly in towels and had a nice warm shower back at the cabin :)

[letsgomets]

Thanks, all. Didn't realize the pools were heated.