IS August as bad as people say?

[stal]

We are planning on an August Cruise to the Bahamas / Caribbean.

Am I making the right choice? Probably can't go any other time of year, but don't want to feel like we made the wrong decision.

 

[insureman]

Well it is going to be hot also be prepared to get rerouted or cancelled for tropical storms and hurricanes. Probably a good idea to get trip insurance.

 

[Mle8308]

When you say bad, what do you mean? In terms of crowds, weather (it is hurricane season), heat? End of August is great in the parks because it is so hot and a lot of schools are back in session - and you're not in the middle of the ocean if a hurricane comes up! But seriously, they know how to handle hurricanes. It will be hot!

 

[DCLMP]

The water is nice and warm.

 

[Geomom]

We did a late June Western Caribbean in 2022, and is was cooler (80s) on the islands and ship than in Orlando which was high 90s. I would worry more about hurricanes in August/September...so possibly more missed ports/itinerary changes.

 

[ladyofthetramp]

Warm-yes, humid-yes, chance for hurricane-yes. I find it to be better than WDW. All and all, I don't mind it

 

[Henlady]

We were on the Magic this past August out if Ft Lauderdale , the heat was awful. I am not a hot weather person anyway, but outside on deck was unbearable.

 

[sponica]

We booked August and figure the odds are high we'll get on the boat and if it ends up being a western instead of the eastern we have planned, so be it. I figure if by some low chance the cruise gets cancelled, we get our money back.

We had a cruise to Bermuda last October where we were mentally planning on going to Canada if one of those storms went further north than planned.

 

[dreamer17555]

We have not sailed in Aug but we have sailed the first week of Sept almost every year (some of the lowest prices of the year and often great *GT rates).

Once we were rerouted due to a hurricane and that was the 8 night supposed to go to Bermuda. The rest of the time it has been fine.

I do suggest water shoes for the pool deck. It is HOT getting from the pool to a chair or to the waterslide.

 

[bbn1122]

I have sailed in late August twice, once a Hurricane passed by Florida prior to the cruise in 2011. Rough seas the first night to the point where we were rocking a Main Dining!! Younest son and me were not happy.
Unfortunately CC and Nassau got hit bad. So, no Castaway. So we docked at Nassau on CC day but you could not get off of the ship. That night we went back out to sea and docked at Nassau, as scheduled the next day, all excursions were cancelled but you could get off the ship.

My family of course were a little sad, it was our 2nd DCL and it was only a 3 Night on the brand new Dream. So, we made the best of it. You can not go wrong being on a brand new disney ship....AquaDuck, mini golf etc.

The 2nd time was in 2014 very late August, no worries. Weather was warm, but the same as home in NJ. The prices were so low for late August that I snagged a Concierge Family Stateroom for $2800 for 4. We got a Cabana and everything. You will never see that price again. We had a fantastic time.

So, just like some guest will get an early May 100 degree week at WDW. August is hit or miss with the weather. Prices in late August, I am guessing are still good. I know early September seems to be a good time too for the price.

Happy Sailing.

 

[Doofenshmirtz513]

We've sailed in August a number of times. It's generally milder in the Caribbean than on land, so the heat isn't as bad as at WDW, for example (and definitely better than where we live in Texas). The prices drop as you get further into August, which is nice. We've had one or two minor re-routes, but we're not generally so focused on any individual port so as for that to bother us. And they will do their best to sail around rough weather, so we've had maybe 1-2 rocky nights out of 70+ days at sea.

 

[CamColt]

We go pretty much every August, and I don't feel its bad at all. I prefer the heat over the cool December cruises I have taken. I'm currently booked for this year 8/17, and again next year, 7/31, into August.

 

[meliscan]

We have sailed in August a few times and it has been hot but nothing that you can't live with it. We don't really get off the boat anymore and as long as I was in the shade on deck those days I was a little warm but nothing that was untenable. Sea days were great as there was always a breeze. Getting off and walking around the islands just be prepared to sweat.

 

[OKW Lover]

I don't think sailing in August is bad at all. The temperatures on the water are much nicer than they would be at WDW. If a hurricane happens you're better off on board because the ship can get out of the way, unlike WDW.

The biggest mistake you can make is not cruising because you are afraid something bad might happen.

 

[iloveeeyore]

I hope not! We will be trying August this year and can't wait!

 

[CaseyCruiser]

We are planning on an August Cruise to the Bahamas / Caribbean.

Am I making the right choice? Probably can't go any other time of year, but don't want to feel like we made the wrong decision.

I don't think booking a Disney Cruise in August would be a bad decision. We did one last September. It was hot and we had a magical time.

 

[WB1971]

August is great- unless you are heat averse. We love it.

 

[bakerworld]

The answer really depends on tolerance for heat. I love to sit on the beach with my feet in the water because I'm comfortably warm. On board the ship I sit on the rim at the adult pool for the same reason. We cruised this past February and the weather was great but I needed a towel or cover on the beach because I became chilly. Unfortunately for us, as I age I cannot handle the humidity which is an issue. DH doesn't like cruising August because of the storms - actually he doesn't like all of the Fall.

 

[jimmymc]

It is hot. The water at Castaway Cay can feel lukewarm rather than cool and refreshing, and you might really feel it in the sun.

If it's a good deal or the only time you can go, I would still book it. Just make sure to bring sun protection and stay hydrated.

 

[Cfabar1]

we go every September.... it is hot... other times of the year like November are more mild... but we still enjoy it and think it is worth the cost savings...