I often get this question and have to say that it varies with your destination and travel dates but the quick answer is well in advance, especially if you are traveling to Europe.  Demand for Europe is at an all-time high so preferred hotel and cruise space fills up quickly.  Consider at least one year in advance and up to two years for a river cruise to obtain the best pricing and desired cabin location.  Popular ocean cruises should be reserved 8 – 10 months in advance for best pricing.  If a better price comes along later, rest assured I will be notified through my Cruise Tracking program and will reach out to the cruise line to request that this savings be extended to you.

Flights can’t be purchased until 11 months before travel and pricing can vary considerably based on the time of year and week (and other factors).  Rule of thumb is if you find a good price for your flight, buy it because it will likely increase!