But sometimes the only way to have the experience you want is by booking far in advance, as the Tschidas did. "In general, to get the best deals, you should either book early or book last minute," said Bob Levinstein, chief executive of CruiseCompete.com. "Book early if it's a busy time of year, such as Christmas or other holidays." Be sure to buy a cruise early for those times when parents or grandparents will be traveling with kids, said Colleen McDaniel, senior executive editor of CruiseCritic.com. “If you're interested in a specific cruise sailing, check to see when the cruise line requires final payment.

Source: Los Angeles Times December 10, 2017 15:00 UTC