Whether you’re new to cruising or you’re a repeat cruiser who can never visit enough new ports of call, one of the top things you probably want to know is: When is the best time to book a cruise? Saving money on a cruise isn't just about when you choose to travel, it's also about when you choose to book your vacation. Timing can be critical when selecting your sailings, and you can save hundreds (or even thousands) of dollars by being a savvy shopper. So whether you’re looking for a sunny cruise to the Bahamas when it’s snowy at home, planning ahead for a major anniversary celebration cruise in French Polynesia, organizing a once-in-a-lifetime family reunion cruise around Alaska, or hoping to reserve a cabin on your favorite line’s newest ship, you want to make sure that you’re timing your booking right.     All of these scenarios play out day after day for millions of cruisers looking to take advantage of the major lines’ continually evolving efforts to fill their increasingly bigger ships. That translates to multiple ways to save — simply by booking your cruise at the best possible time. But when exactly is the best time to book your cruise and feel confident you are getting the best rate on the sailing? Well, that’s difficult to say, mainly because there are multiple times throughout the year when you can use discounting opportunities to reap substantial savings on booking a cruise.