Looking to sail the high seas, but don't want to feel like you paid more than you should have? The best time to book a cruise can vary heavily based on market demand, and there is no easy answer. But there are some important considerations to boost your chances of scoring a deal.
The cheapest month to cruise can vary by your location. Summer is a popular time to visit the Mediterranean, and the winter cold keeps Caribbean-bound ships filled. However, cruise fares are dynamic and can vary by the sailing — with holiday periods being the most expensive.
Other times of the year can be a relative steal when it comes to getting the best bargain for your cruise. Knowing when and where to book is the key.
» Learn more: NerdWallet's breakdown of the best cruise lines
Here are nine tips for booking a cruise at the right time to save money.
On this page
- How to maximize your rewards
- 1. Book during wave season
- 2. Wait for certain days of the year with predictable sales
- 3. Learn how to track cruise fares
- 4. Jump on last-minute deals
- 5. Use discount cruise sellers or travel advisors
- 6. Book early to account for general demand
- 7. Be flexible with your schedule
- 8. Earn or redeem miles on a cruise
- 9. Don't overlook credit card deals
1. Book during wave season
The best time to book cruise deals can be during "wave season," when cruise lines release the best deals for the coming year.
This is when several cruise lines open up bookings for their upcoming sailings and you can score bonuses such as cabin upgrades, prepaid gratuities, welcome amenities and onboard credits. Wave season promotions typically launch in early December and run through mid-February.
» Learn more: Best ways to book a cruise
2. Wait for certain days of the year with predictable sales
Don't panic about whether it's best to book a cruise on a Monday versus Tuesday. No matter what someone swears by, there's no best day of the week to book.
There is one exception, and that is during holiday promotions, such as Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Cruise lines unleash a slew of impressive deals, representing major savings and significant perks on sailings for the coming year and beyond.
You might also find other random cruise deal holidays. For example, NCL runs a “Semi-Annual Sale,” this year offering 50% off all cruises for its sale that runs through July 16. Standout deals include a 7-day Caribbean round-trip out of Galveston, Texas on the Norwegian Viva starting at just $679. There's also a 4-day Bahamas round-trip out of Miami on Norwegian Getaway starting at just $299 which includes a stop at Great Stirrup Cay, the brand’s private island destination — soon to be home to the all-new Great Tides Waterpark, opening later this summer.
Other than that, it's best to book a cruise 6-12 months before the departure date. Generally speaking, the sooner, the better (unless you're willing to gamble on an ultra-last-minute cruise).
» Learn more: Tips for getting the best deal on your next cruise
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3. Learn how to track cruise fares
The Shipmate app is one of the best ways to track cruise fares. Track the exact sailing date and cabin type you are interested in to see if a price drops on a fare you already booked.
Many cruise lines offer price protection guarantees if you book directly with them or through a qualified travel agent. If the price drops for the same cabin and fare type, you can score the lower rate as long as you have not already paid in full or passed the guarantee window.
Just read the find print to ensure you can take advantage of such a guarantee. You may have to cancel the booking and start over to secure the lower rate. Meanwhile, other cruise lines may only give the refund as as onboard credit. Other restrictions may only protect the price within 48 hours of making the booking rather than up to the departure date.
Royal Caribbean allows you to add sailings to your watchlist directly from their website, but you'll need to select the specific date you'd like to track and add each cabin type you'd consider booking to get alerts.
Tracking cruise fares is really the only way to know if you’re getting a good deal on a sailing. If you don’t want to do the extra research, travel advisors can help. Some can also offer extra perks that would not be available by booking a cruise yourself.
» Learn more: Is cruise travel insurance worth it?
4. Jump on last-minute deals
On sailings with availability close to departure, it is possible to find last-minute deals. This can also be a good time to get last-minute bonuses like cabin upgrades or onboard credits when cruise lines are desperate to fill any empty cabins. After all, once a cruise ship leaves, the cabins are lost revenue.
Keep in mind, however, when passengers book a cruise after the final payment window (early bookings can make payments in installments), the cruise must be paid in full. If you aren’t prepared to make a big payment all at once, this could mean that last-minute deals could prove to be a hassle for your finances.
If you’re looking for a particular cabin type, especially suites, these can be among the first to go as they are more limited in number. It is best not to wait until the last minute for premium cabins as they can sell out as early as a year in advance.
» Learn more: Is it best to book a cruise last-minute?
5. Use discount cruise sellers or travel advisors
Travel agents (and online travel companies) often offer discounts or special offers that you can't find anywhere else. Often, they do this by booking up rooms in bulk at a discount, which they then resell to you (and pass on part of the discount).
If you go this route, use a reputable, third-party retailer such as Undercover Tourist to ensure the fare you've purchased is legitimate. Undercover Tourist, for example, offers exclusive Disney Cruise Line discounts, and it also offers credits of up to $1,000 on other cruise lines.
6. Book early to account for general demand
If the sailing you want to book is in demand, like over the holidays or to a rare destination with few sailings, book early. Considering that cruise demand is higher now than it was pre-pandemic, know that you are competing with more people than ever for the best staterooms at the best price.
On the other hand, sailings with greater frequency (like your standard Caribbean or Mediterranean cruise) will offer deals well into the booking cycle since there is more to choose from of those itineraries.
As long as you are not committed to just one particular date or cabin type, waiting longer can reveal more potential deals.
» Learn more: 6 places you can cruise without a passport
7. Be flexible with your schedule
Multi-generational families or friends traveling together may have a harder time deciding on when to sail since work and school commitments can limit the departure date to just one or two sailings, since cruises have set departure and disembarkation dates.
The type of cruise you book is also key. Expedition ships, like those going to Antarctica or the Arctic, are often much smaller and their cabins can fill up quickly.
» Learn more: How to plan a cruise in 6 steps
8. Earn or redeem miles on a cruise
Cruise lines often partner with travel agencies and airlines to offer incentives in the form of miles and points to people who book through them. Other websites also allow travelers to earn or redeem miles and points for a cruise.
This includes airline-affiliated cruise websites like American Airlines Cruises, Delta SkyMiles Cruises and United Cruises. Still, the best time to buy a cruise with miles and points is no different than when booking a sailing with cash, as the redemption rates can vary.
» Learn more: Best travel credit cards right now
9. Don't overlook credit card deals
Many cruise lines have credit cards that provide discounts for cardmembers or special perks during their sailings.
Another consideration is cards like Chase Sapphire Reserve® that offer travel credits when using the card to book travel. This includes cruise trips, and you can take advantage of those rebates when paying for a cruise with that card.
There are many considerations when searching for the best time to book a cruise. The bottom line is that booking early ensures getting the itinerary, cabin and date that you want. And when you book directly, you can sometimes request a credit if the cost drops on the exact same type of fare if you have not already paid in full.
It can be hard to settle on the exact trip you want to take so far in advance, but if you keep your eyes open, great deals can be had.
How to maximize your rewards
You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2026:
- Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
- No annual fee: Wells Fargo Autograph® Card
- Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
- Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®
- Luxury perks: American Express Platinum Card®
- Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
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