Deal Watch

When is the best time to book a cruise?

By Cindy O’Neil

Q: My sisters and I are planning a cruise for our next vacation. We have sailed before and it always seemed like other passengers snagged a better deal than we had. So when is the right time to book our cruise?
— Sharon L., New Hartford, CT

A: The best time to book a cruise is an extremely subjective question. Quite a few factors must be taken into consideration. Ask yourself the following questions:

• Are you considering a holiday cruise? Maybe you’re planning a Thanksgiving or Christmastime cruise.
• Is the date of your vacation locked in stone? Perhaps your job requires you to request your time off in advance.
• Do you want to book a specific cabin, cabin category, or location on the ship? Maybe you have your heart set on that fabulous suite with an aft balcony, or you just have to be close to the elevator.
• Do you need a cabin that can sleep more….

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^{Photo: Carnival Cruise Lines}