The short answer: the Mediterranean for the warmest sea; the fjords and the Baltic for summer without the heat; Alaska for salmon runs and the bears that come to fish. The last week of August is often noticeably quieter.
Where to go in August
| Destination | Weather | Why this month | Where from |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mediterranean | Hot, often 30 °C and more | The warmest sea of the year | Barcelona, Genoa, Civitavecchia, Marseille |
| Norwegian fjords | About 14–20 °C | Still full summer; crowds thin out towards the end | Rotterdam, Amsterdam, Hamburg |
| Baltic | About 16–21 °C | Still summer, long evenings | Northern European ports |
| Alaska | About 13–19 °C | Salmon runs — and bears that come to fish | Seattle or Vancouver |
| Canary Islands | About 23–28 °C | Steady summer weather | Tenerife or Gran Canaria |
Temperatures are typical daytime values and vary from year to year. Ships and routes are based on cruise line announcements for 2026–2027 and may change; always check the specific sailing.
What is special about August
- The warmest sea. In the Mediterranean the water reaches its highest temperatures of the year.
- The end of the holidays. In the second half of the month schools reopen in many countries, and ships become calmer.
- More rain in the north. Especially around Bergen: bring a rain jacket for fjord excursions.
- The peak of the hurricane season. From August to October the Caribbean has the highest chance of storms.
No flight needed
Fjord, Baltic and Iceland cruises leave Rotterdam, Amsterdam and Hamburg throughout August.
Booking an August cruise with points
Every way of paying in the club also works for sailings in August that are available in the club. You choose one per booking: the member price (INsider Pricing), roughly 17% below the listed price, or your Reward Points, which can cover up to half of the cruise price; they do not add up. To pay up to 100% with points, the booking must be made at least 270 days before departure — for a cruise in August, that is roughly November or early December of the year before — and you need to have accumulated enough points by then.
How booking with points works →
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Common questions
Is August a good month for the Mediterranean?
For swimming, yes: the sea is at its warmest. For sightseeing it is hot and busy, so plan excursions for the morning.
Can I see bears on an Alaska cruise in August?
August is the time of the salmon runs, when bears come to the rivers to fish. Sightings depend on the excursion and on luck.
When does it get quieter in August?
Usually in the second half of the month, when schools reopen in many countries.
When do I need to book a cruise in August to pay fully with points?
To pay up to 100% with points, book at least 270 days before departure — for in August that is roughly November or early December of the year before — and have enough points accumulated by then. Points can also cover up to half of the cruise price.
Weather figures are typical values; ships, routes and dates are based on cruise line announcements for 2026–2027 and may change. Percentages describe the club's rules and are indicative. Reislite is an independent information site run by partners, not a website of inCruises.