Booking a cruise one to two years in advance is not practical for many families, so a great time to book a cruise is between six and 12 months before sailing. In addition to the lower prices, booking well in-advance of a cruise assures you of the ship and stateroom you want to reserve.
Is it better to book a cruise directly or through a third party?
You should book your cruise with a travel agent if you're a first time cruiser, have a lot of special requests or want to get the best deals. At Cruise Critic, we tend to think that most people should use a travel agent for the best experience.
How do I choose the best cruise deal?
What is the best amount of days for a cruise?
Sailing on a cruise that's between 6 and 9 days in length means you can take in more exciting ports and also relax onboard (and perhaps even schedule a day to enjoy the spa or pool when the ship is in port).
Should you have travel insurance for a cruise?
Not only can travel insurance for cruises help protect the money you spend on your trip if you have to cancel or come home early for a covered reason, but it can also help with medical expenses if you get sick or hurt while away from home on a cruise.