One of the common areas of confusion is determining when the best time is to take cruise vacations. Do you book early to lock in the trip, or book late to try to get a last minute deal? Not surprisingly, there is no one perfect answer. The best time to take a cruise will depend on what the traveler wants out of the trip.

If the choice of ship, cabin, or sailing date is vital, then it’s pretty simple – book your cruise early! The longer you wait, the greater the chance that someone else will book the trip you were hoping for. As an added advantage, when you book a cruise early, you will lock in your price, and can take advantage of incentives offered to early buyers.

On the other hand, if travel times and destinations are flexible but the budget is important, hold out for last minute deals and book late. As it gets closer to the sailing date, prices will peak and then begin to drop as the cruise line works to fill cabins. Keep in mind, popular cruise destinations will fill up more quickly, and waiting to book a cruise backfires if there is no cabin available on your chosen cruise.

When to book a cruise will also depend on what destinations are chosen. For instance, Alaskan cruises during the prime months of July and August can sell out 9 months in advance. Those same months for Bermuda cruises may sell out 6 months in advance. Europe has become a hot cruise destination, and some cruises on being booked a year in advance.

Caribbean cruises, on the other hand, are more plentiful. July and August sell out quickly, and cruises during the Christmas holidays or March’s spring break may be sold out almost a year in advance, but for off-peak months like September and October, you may be able to book a cruise only 2 months in advance.

One time to consider booking is during what is called “Wave Season”, roughly January to March. Because this is a time of year when many travelers are making the decision to book a cruise, it’s also a time of year when cruise lines feature some of their best deals in an effort to out-shine their competitors. Prices aren’t at their lowest, but more incentives may be offered, with extra perks and upgrades available. Book during wave season, and get more value for the money.

In the end, there are a number of variables to consider when planning, and there is no one perfect time for all travelers. Determine your priorities and weigh the options available, and you’ll be able to decide when your perfect time is to take a cruise!