August cruises 2027up to -46%

August 2027 brings an impressive spread of ocean cruising — from the glaciers of Alaska and West Canada to the ancient ports of the Mediterranean Sea, the coastlines of Japan, the dramatic scenery of Norway, the storied shores of the British Isles and closer-to-home options including South East Asia and Australia. Voyages range from short 4-night breaks to immersive 67-night journeys, with the middle ground around 7 nights — long enough to feel like a proper holiday, short enough to keep things manageable. A good share of sailings are all-inclusive, and many carry reduced fares. Whatever draws you to August, our cruise specialists will find the right fit.

Where do August cruises go?

Close to home — South East Asia and Australia

If a long-haul flight is not what you have in mind, August has options closer to the Asia-Pacific region. South East Asia features a healthy mix of ocean sailings — island-hopping, coastal cities and cultural contrasts — while Australian waters also appear in the mix for those who want to explore home shores. If you are based near a departure port, you may not need a flight at all; if you are flying from another Australian state, it is a short domestic hop rather than a long-haul journey, and our team can add that leg, your hotel the night before and transfers straight to the pier as part of a single booking. If the itinerary is one-way — finishing in a city different from where you board — a domestic connection at the other end is just as easy to arrange, and we will sort it for you. For a longer Australian adventure, have a look at our 28-day cruise around Australia.

The long haul — Alaska, the Mediterranean, Japan, Norway and beyond

August is when Alaska and West Canada cruising is at its most popular among Australian travellers, and it is easy to see why — glaciers, wildlife and wilderness on a grand scale, with Vancouver and Seattle both serving as key embarkation and disembarkation ports. Many Alaska sailings are one-way, so the voyage ends in a different city from where it begins; we can connect both ends with flights, a night’s hotel and transfers so it feels seamless rather than logistically complicated.

The Mediterranean Sea and the Western Mediterranean are strongly represented in August, with Rome (Civitavecchia) and Barcelona both among the busiest disembarkation ports in the mix. A Mediterranean sailing typically pairs history and coastline in a way that is hard to match — classical ruins, whitewashed towns and harbourside evenings. Southampton also features as a port in August, making it a gateway to both British Isles itineraries and wider European voyages.

Japan cruises feature prominently in August too, with Tokyo among the ports in play and a range of ocean itineraries threading through Japanese coastal destinations. Norway and the British Isles round out the key long-haul choices, each offering dramatic coastal scenery and a distinctly European pace. Further afield, China sailings also appear, with Shanghai serving as a port of call. For almost all of these destinations, we will book your flights, hotels either side, airport transfers and any tours you want, so the cruise becomes the heart of a fully arranged holiday rather than something you have to build around yourself.

Which cruise lines sail in August 2027?

Viking River Cruises leads the August programme with the largest number of sailings — though it is worth noting that river cruises make up a very small share of the overall August mix, which is overwhelmingly ocean. MSC Cruises is the biggest ocean presence, followed by Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruise Lines, AmaWaterways and Princess Cruises. Beyond those six, Norwegian Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, Holland America Line and Viking Ocean Cruises all have sailings in the month. That breadth means August genuinely has something for different styles and budgets — from party-friendly mega-ships to boutique luxury vessels.

What are the fare options for August sailings?

Fare structures vary considerably by cruise line, and understanding what is included — and what is not — is one of the most useful things our cruise experts can do for you. Here is a snapshot of what some of the major lines offer.

Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean is running a Buy One Get One promotion (second guest up to 60% off) alongside a Savings Fare that includes a balcony upgrade on certain sailings. There is also a Last-Minute Fare with discounted pricing on selected departures, and a promotion where the 3rd and 4th guests sail at a reduced fare — useful for families or groups travelling together. Each fare tier has its own booking window and sailing window, so it pays to ask our team which one applies to the specific departure you are considering.

Princess Cruises

Princess Cruises offers a choice between Princess Standard (the base fare, with packages available to add) and the Princess Plus package, which is included in several current fare tiers. Princess Plus covers 4 casual dining meals per voyage, beverages up to A$15 each with a daily limit of 15 drinks, MedallionNet Max Wi-Fi, pre-paid crew appreciation, unlimited digital photographs plus 3 prints, and reserved theatre seating. If you are debating whether to add the package, our team can walk you through the numbers based on how you typically spend on board.

Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Cruise Line offers a base fare (Just Cruise) as well as bundled packages that include a Premium Beverage Package, Speciality Dining Package, Wi-Fi and shore excursion credits at participating ports. The plus-tier version adds even more generous dining and beverage inclusions. For those who prefer to know their costs upfront, the all-in packages can represent meaningful savings over buying each element separately — but it depends on how you cruise, and that is exactly the kind of conversation our experts are here to have.

Which ships are sailing in August 2027?

August draws an impressive fleet. Below are some of the ships you will find in the programme.

Sun Princess — new in 2024

Sun Princess is the newest ship in the Princess Cruises fleet, having entered service in 2024, and she is the biggest and most innovative Princess ship ever built. With 29 dining options and 5 pools, there is always something new to discover — and as the sun sets each evening, The Dome transitions from a Santorini-inspired pool deck into an energetic South Beach entertainment venue. If you are curious about cabins on board, the Sun Princess cabins and deck plans page has everything you need.

MSC Magnifica

MSC Magnifica offers one of the more distinctive wellness experiences at sea — the Aurea Spa includes a genuine halotherapy salt grotto, unique to this class of ship, that you will not find on most cruise vessels. Entertainment runs to a 1,200-seat Broadway-style theatre and a 4D cinema. Guests looking for something more private can book into the MSC Yacht Club: an exclusive enclave with its own pool, private restaurant and butler service, operating within the larger ship. Cabin options on MSC Magnifica range from:

• Premium Balcony Fantastica — 18 m², sleeps up to 4, with a seating area and sofa for extra relaxation space
• Premium Suite Aurea — 25 m² balcony suite on Deck 14, sleeps up to 4, with the finest views and closest access to upper deck facilities
• MSC Yacht Club Deluxe Suite with Partial View — the full MSC Yacht Club experience, with personalised Concierge service and enhanced onboard privileges

See the full MSC Magnifica cabins and deck plans for more detail. MSC Cruises Australia sailings are worth exploring if the line appeals.

MSC Bellissima

MSC Bellissima is known for her spectacular 80-metre LED sky promenade — an indoor boulevard of bars and boutiques that comes alive after dark. On deck, Grand Canyon-themed waterslides keep things lively, while a Cirque du Soleil partnership brings genuinely theatrical entertainment to sea. Those who want total seclusion can book the ship’s private enclave, which comes with its own pool, round-the-clock butler service and fine dining included. Cabin and deck detail is on the MSC Bellissima cabins and deck plans page.

Queen Elizabeth

Board Queen Elizabeth and you step into the Art Deco grandeur of a golden age of ocean travel — chandeliers, promenade decks and the kind of White Star Service that means your table in the Britannia, Princess or Queens Grill is always exactly as it should be. The Royal Court Theatre is a highlight for evening entertainment, the Queens Room ballroom invites proper dancing, and deck croquet on a sunny afternoon is precisely as civilised as it sounds. Full cabin options are listed on the Queen Elizabeth cabins and deck plans page.

Seabourn Ovation

Seabourn Ovation sets the standard for luxury at sea — an intimate, all-suite ship where elegant dining is complementary throughout. For those who want the ultimate in space, the Grand Wintergarden Suite comes in at approximately 115–120 m², nearly twice the size of an Owner’s Suite, with a separate bedroom, generous living area and a full kitchen with bar. It is also one of very few cabins at sea with a private outdoor hot tub. Details are on the Seabourn Ovation cabins and deck plans page.

Are there all-inclusive options in August?

Yes — a substantial share of August sailings are offered on all-inclusive or semi-inclusive fare tiers, covering meals, drinks, Wi-Fi and gratuities to varying degrees depending on the line and the package. The MSC Cruises Yacht Club, MSC Bellissima’s private enclave and the base Seabourn experience all fall into this category in their own way. Our cruise experts can compare the inclusions across lines side by side so you know exactly what you are paying for before you commit.

One-way vs round-trip: what does that mean for you?

Among the August sailings sampled, one-way itineraries are well represented alongside round-trips — so it is worth understanding the difference before you book. On a round-trip, your ship departs and returns to the same port. On a one-way sailing, you board at one city and disembark at another — which often produces a more varied itinerary, but it does mean arranging your travel at both ends. CruiseAway handles exactly that: we will book the outbound flight, the return leg from the disembarkation city, any hotels on either side, and transfers throughout, so the whole thing sits in one booking.

Make it a holiday

For most Australian travellers, an August cruise means a flight — and for the vast majority of sailings in this month, the embarkation port is overseas. CruiseAway’s team can turn that into a seamless package: flights, hotels, transfers, tours, train connections and travel insurance all arranged around your cruise, either as a DreamAway Package or built to your own brief. There is no obligation to take everything — some people just want the cruise priced, others want the full door-to-door service — but having it all on one booking means one point of contact if anything changes.

Our cruise specialists know these ships, these ports and these fares, and they will give you a straight answer about which cabin grade, which fare tier and which add-ons make sense for how you actually travel.

Plan ahead for August — and keep September in mind

August tends to book ahead, particularly for Alaska sailings and popular Mediterranean itineraries — cabin choice narrows as departures approach. If you are still building your plans, our Christmas in July Royal Caribbean offers are a useful comparison if you are open to July, and if you are thinking about the month after, sailings for September 2027 from Brisbane are worth a look alongside September 2026 options that may still have availability. Cunard travellers planning further ahead will find the Cunard 2025–2027 season programme useful for locking in the right voyage at the right grade.

Top alternatives throughout the year

If August does not quite work, or if you want to compare it against neighbouring months, our broader Australian cruise programme covers the full year, and the cheap cruises section is the right place to start if price is the primary filter. Whatever month you choose, the same team, the same guarantee and the same ability to wrap a complete holiday around your cruise applies.

*Prices are per person based on 2 people sharing, and are subject to change. This price is not kept up to date and therefore does not reflect live pricing and availability.