The best time to book any cruise and get the best prices is to do so between six months and a year before departure date, especially for popular cruises such as ones going to the Mediterranean, Alaska and the Bahamas.
Also called shoulder seasons, these occur from October to mid-December, after the holidays in January and from March to May. If you plan for these dates, you can book cruises as close as four to eight weeks before departure date.
In January, February and even March, the travel industry offers the best cruise deals. Booking during these months and planning departures dates for the off season should merit the best overall deals. Some agencies include free amenities and special offers then.
