Weather in December

[jeanb]

We are planning a Celebrity cruise to South America in 2006. There are 2 sailings we are looking at. Dec. 3 and Dec. 30. How is the weather in the beginning of December as compared to the beginning of January?

[Keith1010]

Either date will be nice for your cruise. There should be fewer visitors in the major ports in South America in early December as more cruise ships are there in January and Feburary.

 

Keith

[Splinter]

I'm assuming by South America you mean a 'round Cape Horn trip. December is late spring in the Southern Hemisphere. We went in late November and early December. We had a lot of rain south of Santiago, and this continued on and off (with some spectacular sunny but cool days in between) through the Falklands. We had both rain and sunshine there. Daytimes were in the 30s to 50s, and it dipped well below freezing once we were into the Straits and at the Cape at nighttime. Wind can be a significant factor in feeling colder.

 

Once we got to BA and further north, we had daytime temperatures in the 80s and above and no more rain, except when we went to Petropolis during our Rio stay. In Rio it was in the mid 90s.

 

This trip gives you a full range of temperatures, regardless of when you go. Be prepared with both tropical and cold weather clothing. It makes packing a challenge.