Timing your cruise to fall outside of peak travel season can save you a lot of money.
Granted, if you are planning a cruise with your family, this tip may present a challenge. But Colleen McDaniel, editor of Cruise Critic, said it's worth a try.
"For families, this is often a tough one, due to the need to align travel dates with school breaks — often the peak of travel season," she told Business Insider. "But if your travel dates are flexible, timing your purchase to fall outside of peak season is a way to save hundreds per traveler."
By booking an Alaska cruise for September instead of July, for example, you could cut your cruise fare almost in half, McDaniel said. The same goes for a Caribbean or Mediterranean cruise in the fall, instead of summer.
"By booking during that period, instead of that region's peak travel season, you could really save a significant amount," she said.
Another perk of booking outside of peak season — beyond saving money — is that there will likely be fewer crowds to dodge. That means onboard, you might have a better selection of a variety of things, from reservation times to coveted seats by the pool. And in port, you'll encounter fewer crowds as you're exploring.