Is August The Best Time For An Alaska Cruise?

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For a better experience and to continue your booking with MSC, please update your browser by downloading the latest version below. Equal parts exhilarating adventure and blissful beachside retreat, the Baja Peninsula in Mexico is one of our favourite coastal getaways with something to satisfy every type of traveller. For an added bonus, after experiencing the best of Oregon’s coastline for a few days, Addison recommends continuing the journey further north to sample the delights of chic Vancouver. Croatia is strewn with charming islands and sun-baked towns and its idyllic beach coves, sensational gastronomy, and eye-opening heritage are captivating in equal measure. At the southernmost tip of arguably the world’s most epic continent, South Africa is a diverse country with so many facets to its terrain it’s impossible to ever get bored.

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He has become one of the foremost expert on a Royal Caribbean cruise. Hurricane season lasts from June through the end of November, but most storms occur during August and September. Speaking of hurricanes, if you have a Caribbean cruise in August, it's not unheard of for there to be a tropical storm that disrupts your itinerary. You should be prepared for an itinerary change if a storm does pop up. August tends to have a different sort of feel to it depending if you cruise the first half or second half of the month.

Is August The Best Time For An Alaska Cruise?

As crowds thicken over the summer, especially at popular tourist attractions, pickpockets will be on the prowl -- be smart about your belongings. Early August is still very much summer, and more similar to July in terms of weather, crowds, and prices. The Caribbean may not see the kind of temperature swings you experience across the United States in August, but it will rain every day in the Caribbean. On the plus side, ocean temperatures are at their warmest in August. The Bermuda cruise season is between May and October, with highest demand between June and August.

Iceland, Arcadia (J

The first, on Aug. 12, 2026, will start above Greenland, then strafe the west coast of Iceland and move along the Atlantic Ocean and over Spain. Almost a year later, on Aug. 2, 2027, another will skirt the Mediterranean coast of North Africa then cross Egypt and part of the Arabian Peninsula. The third, on July 22, 2028, will cut across Australia and the southern tip of New Zealand. A cruise tour to Denali National Park is an option for those sailing from or finishing in Vancouver, British Columbia. In August, it’s the perfect time to explore a top-rated Canadian city before or after your cruise.

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Cruises often port in Kenya’s biggest city, Mombassa, as well as visiting the islands off the coast of the country which boast spectacular coral reefs. The country’s spectacular safari opportunities make it the perfect candidate for a cruise and stay holiday. Typical August weather on land and at sea are at their best this time of year, so expect smooth sailing into port, and dry, sunny days ashore. A solar eclipse occurs when the sun, moon and Earth all align, and our planet falls behind the moon’s shadow, creating the illusion of night in the middle of the day. A total eclipse is a rare phenomenon – the last one we saw in UK skies was in 1999.

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Explore Cruise deals for this month of August and get amazed by the surprises and wonderful memories meant to last a lifetime. Once you get to late August, many kids are back in school, and the weather can also start to cool down in places like Alaska or Europe. In addition, hurricane season in the Caribbean starts becoming more impactful.

Become the first to know about win-a-cruise competitions, on-trend holiday inspo and don’t-miss travel advice from the experts. Sail to a host of fantastic destinations and relish countless cherished experiences. For anyone cruising to Europe, keep in mind many Europeans head out for their own vacation during August, so be aware that some businesses might be closed.

Since most lines have moved away from formal nights to “wear your best,” “evening chic,” or “dress up or not.” So, dark jeans and a shirt or blouse are perfectly acceptable for those who prefer to remain casual. Regardless of the weather forecast, take a jacket, preferably waterproof, a compact pair of binoculars, and mosquito repellent (because mosquitoes are rampant in Alaska). The chart above shows average temperatures, but I have experienced low 80s (Fahrenheit) or high 20s (Centigrade) in August. It’s advisable to check the weather forecast before flying to your embarkation port.

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Furthermore, Cruise Critic makes no guarantees for availability of prices advertised on our site. Listed prices may have blackout dates, qualifications or restrictions. Abercrombie & Kent Travel Group has announced the launch of its first-ever riverboat in Peru, South America, with sailings from next year. Cruise lines such as Celebrity, Oceania, Princess and Holland America Line operate here. For some complementary downtime, Carolyn Addison, Head of Product at Black Tomato, recommends pairing a Kenya safari trip with some chill time on the beach.

It’s key when travelling to make sure you’re heading abroad to the right destination at the right time, factoring in crowds, weather and wildlife sightings. August cruise holidays can be taken all over the world, whether you want to go east to Asia, west to Mexico, north to Norway or south to Kenya. Eclipse chasers will have several more chances this decade to view a total solar eclipse.

The Bering Sea Tour in Ketchikan provides an up close and personal experience, and a tour I would do again. Get a license, rent fishing gear, and try your luck on the Stedman Bridge in Ketchikan. The ABC Islands (Admiralty, Baranof, and Chichagof) are home to Alaskan brown bears. Brown bears are a cross between grizzly bears and polar bears, which you tell from their size. Choosing a balcony stateroom often allows for sightings of whales swimming along the shorelines of the inside passage. Watch for the flumes of mist from their blowholes with a pair of binoculars.

Cruise lines that package land tours provide a coach or glass-domed railcars to transport passengers inland. Since fewer people continue into the cruise tour, you’ll enjoy fewer crowds and a chance to see the towering Denali if it isn’t shielded by cloud cover. Alaska has an abridged cruise season from late April to early October. First-timers usually look for the best cruise option for Alaska and the best month to sail. When planning an Alaska cruise, know that itineraries in July and August command the highest prices and are considered the peak season. August is a great time to see Alaska if you need to travel when the kids are out of school.

This makes a Bermuda cruise in August probably more expensive than if you sailed in September or October. In the Caribbean, August represents the off season as the hurricane season is about to kick up in chances of a storm. Europe will be quite warm, and Alaska cruises can enjoy comfortable outdoor temperatures too. These include several nights stay in a hotel or a land tour before or after your cruise.

For those seeking isolated indulgence in Indonesia, some of the finest five-star accommodation sits on some of the planet’s more beautiful beaches. Indonesia boasts unbelievable beaches and is both exotic and exhilarating. Thanks to a fascinating cultural patchwork of tribes and traditions, history and hedonism there’s plenty of variety here. These are the top 10 best destinations to take a cruise to in August.

If you're taking a Royal Caribbean cruise in August, expect to find lots of families enjoying their summer break trip. In fact, August is such a popular month for cruises that demand for cruises can be quite high, especially in the first half of the month. August is a popular month for a summer cruise, with some of the warmest temperatures you'll find anywhere a Royal Caribbean cruise ship sails. An overnight in Reykjavik gives you the opportunity to explore the dynamic Icelandic capital with its bustling café and bar culture and thriving art and music scene.

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• South Africa
• Night Vida Portugal: Vineyards & Villages Along The Dour...Details
• More Royal Caribbean
• Night Glaciers & Volcanos: Alaska To HawaiiDetails
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A waterproof spray may do the trick if you want to avoid investing in new items. Since I live in a wet city, I wear Vessi runners everyday, as they are 100% waterproof. Before booking a cruise, compare hours in pork and where the ship docks. If there are more than for ships scheduled to stop in Juneau, some vessels will need to tender. Residents from the south, might not want to cruise to Alaska in May because it may be to cold for them. Choose the ship, departure port and itinerary that best suits your needs.

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With congested ports, some ships spend 12 hours in port, while others dock for half the time. Choosing an itinerary with maximum hours to explore the ports is recommended. In August, travelers experience long hours of daylight, ideal for enjoying the pristine landscapes and looking for wildlife. August is a fantastic time to visit the land of the legendary midnight sun when the days are long and warm and rolling green hills and grand fjords stretch as far as the eye can see.

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Its untouched landscapes, abundance of wildlife, and magnificent glaciers will add to your enduring memories. The weather may vary in southeast Alaska from the first week to the last. Cruises in late August and early September, could experience a lot of rain. Wildlife sightings increase in the national park, with chances to see moose, caribou, grizzly bears, and wolves. In August, bears are foraging for food to sustain them during the winter hibernation, so they are easy to spot than in the earlier months. As rain increases this month, having waterproof shoes, a waterproof jacket, and a compact umbrella is advisable.

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This means you should expect a washout during your Alaska shore excursions. Daytime average high temperatures are in the low- to mid-60s in August, and lows are in the upper 40s and lower 50s. On sea days, there are endless ways to entertain the whole family on Ventura, our fun all-rounder.

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In terms of prices, you can probably find much better prices for an August cruise in the final two weeks compared to the early part of the week. Someone looking for a last-minute cruise deal could probably have some degree of luck with a late August cruise. August isn't a bad month to take a cruise to The Bahamas or Caribbean, but you should be aware of the risks of an itinerary change.

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While the longest day of the year is past, August still has long daylight hours, warm weather, and reasonably high temperatures. In August you’ll have to search a bit harder to avoid the crowds, but the temperatures and upbeat spirit are high, and for gastronomy lovers and culture seekers especially, Portugal is an excellent choice. August is the end of winter in South Africa and the best time to visit for wildlife watching, including whale spotting.

With children out of school, cruise ships welcome many families in the month of August. They also see travelers from Australia who are escaping their winter. Cruise Critic is not a booking agent and does not charge any service fees to users of our site. When you book with one of our partners, please be sure to check their site for a full disclosure of all applicable fees as required by the U.S. Most big-name cruise lines sail Norway – think Hurtigruten, Ambassador Cruise Line, Viking, Celebrity, Royal Caribbean and more – calling at such famous ports as Bergen and Flam. Falling within the warmest and driest period of the year, August is one of the best months to visit Oregon, a state famous for its dramatic coastal scenery and quirky cities.

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To witness one is extraordinary; to see it from on board a P&O Cruises ship is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Rita, Holland America and Princess offer the best options for cruise and land tours. You can choose to start or end your land tour in Anchorage or Fairbanks.

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On average, Anchorage receives 16 hours, Juneau 15 hours, Hubbard Glacier 15.5 hours, and Fairbanks 16.5 hours of daylight. Depending on the area, some towns receive ten days of rain in August. Being the peak time of year, expect to pay 50% more than one offered in colder weather. But summer weather allows for outdoor activities without wearing heavy clothing. Cruising in August allows offers some of the warmest weather conditions, so you down jacket or fleece-lined raincoats aren’t necessarily needed.

The end of the month is best when trying to avoids sailing with children. As families get ready for back to school, the last week may sail with unsold cabins. With changing weather, tour operators may choose to discontinue their excursions early, and those that run may be subject to cancellation. Sailing at the end of August gives a better opportunity to see them than at the beginning of the month.

Starting in Alaska, you'll find August to be Alaska's peak season because of warm weather and school out of session, which enables families to visit. However, crowds and higher cruise fares are to be expected at this time of year and rain is likely, especially in August. You will want to book well in advance for an Alaska cruise in August, as itineraries tend to sell out quickly.

And in case you're wondering, it's unlikely for your cruise to be cancelled due to a hurricane. The most likely scenario if a tropical storm is projected to be in the path of your ship is for your itinerary to change. You'll find a smattering of Royal Caribbean ships operating in the Caribbean during the month of August, mostly because a portion of the fleet has is in Europe.