Best time to cruise · Good time to go
Transatlantic cruises in August
Late August brings the first northern-route voyages from Northern Europe to New England and Canada via Iceland and Greenland, with long daylight and icebergs drifting in Greenland’s fjords. Queen Mary 2 crossings continue. Atlantic hurricane season ramps up, which can affect southern routes passing near Bermuda.
- Good time to go
- Avg high 79°F
- 14 hrs daylight
Photo: Oceanhistory46, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Transatlantic in August: Good time to go
Late August brings the first northern-route voyages from Northern Europe to New England and Canada via Iceland and Greenland, with long daylight and icebergs drifting in Greenland’s fjords. Queen Mary 2 crossings continue. Atlantic hurricane season ramps up, which can affect southern routes passing near Bermuda.
Across Transatlantic cruise ports, August brings average highs around 79°F (26°C) and lows near 71°F, with about 2.7 inches of rain over the month and roughly 14 hours of daylight.
- Verdict
- Good time to go
- Season
- Repositioning March to May and October to December; Queen Mary 2 crossings for much of the year.
- Average high / low
- 79°F / 71°F
- Rainfall (month)
- 2.7 in
- Daylight
- About 14 hours
- Typical cruise length
- 7 nights on Queen Mary 2; 12 to 16 nights for repositioning voyages
What to pack: warm-weather clothes with layers: shorts and light pants, a sweater or light jacket for breezy evenings on deck, and comfortable walking shoes.
How August compares with the rest of the year
- Jan: No regular sailings
- Feb: No regular sailings
- Mar: Good time to go
- Apr: Best time to go
- May: Best time to go
- Jun: Good time to go
- Jul: Good time to go
- Aug: Good time to go
- Sep: Good time to go
- Oct: Best time to go
- Nov: Best time to go
- Dec: Shoulder season
- No regular sailings
- Shoulder season
- Good time to go
- Best time to go
Transatlantic weather in August
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F (°C) | 5915 | 6015 | 6217 | 6519 | 7021 | 7524 | 7926 | 7926 | 7625 | 7122 | 6519 | 6116 |
| Low °F (°C) | 5211 | 5211 | 5412 | 5714 | 6116 | 6619 | 7021 | 7122 | 6820 | 6418 | 5815 | 5513 |
| Rain in (mm) | 2.872 | 2.462 | 2.564 | 2.563 | 2.769 | 2.974 | 2.358 | 2.770 | 3.487 | 3.793 | 3.282 | 3.179 |
| Daylight (hrs) | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 |
August weather port by port
| Port | Avg high | Avg low | Rain | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southampton (London) | 74°F | 56°F | 2.5 in | 15 h |
| New York City | 85°F | 67°F | 4.3 in | 14 h |
| Fort Lauderdale | 86°F | 83°F | 6.8 in | 13 h |
| Barcelona | 91°F | 73°F | 1.6 in | 14 h |
| Ponta Delgada, Azores | 76°F | 73°F | 1.1 in | 14 h |
| Funchal, Madeira | 77°F | 72°F | 0.4 in | 13 h |
| Tenerife | 78°F | 73°F | 0.1 in | 13 h |
| Lisbon | 74°F | 65°F | 0.1 in | 14 h |
| Reykjavík | 56°F | 48°F | 4.4 in | 16 h |
| Miami | 86°F | 83°F | 6.8 in | 13 h |
| Rome | 85°F | 75°F | 1.3 in | 14 h |
| King's Wharf (Royal Naval Dockyard) | 83°F | 82°F | 3.6 in | 13 h |
Average daily highs and lows, 2015–2024, from NASA POWER, adjusted to sea level. Rain is the average monthly total.
Other great cruise destinations in August
Transatlantic in August: FAQs
Is August a good time to cruise Transatlantic?
Yes, it's a good month. Late August brings the first northern-route voyages from Northern Europe to New England and Canada via Iceland and Greenland, with long daylight and icebergs drifting in Greenland’s fjords. Queen Mary 2 crossings continue. Atlantic hurricane season ramps up, which can affect southern routes passing near Bermuda.
What is the weather like on a Transatlantic cruise in August?
Across Transatlantic cruise ports, August brings average highs around 79°F (26°C) and lows near 71°F, with about 2.7 inches of rain over the month and roughly 14 hours of daylight. Conditions vary from port to port and day to day.
What should I pack for a Transatlantic cruise in August?
Pack warm-weather clothes with layers: shorts and light pants, a sweater or light jacket for breezy evenings on deck, and comfortable walking shoes. Check your cruise line's dress code for evenings.
When is the best time to cruise Transatlantic?
Repositioning March to May and October to December; Queen Mary 2 crossings for much of the year.. The best months are usually April, May, October, November.
Where else can I cruise in August?
August is also a top month for Alaska, Canada & New England, Northern Europe, Norwegian Fjords, Baltic Sea.
Updated November 2026 by the BookMyDreamCruise editorial team. How we research and fact-check.
Sources: NASA POWER climate data.