1) You can secure your preferred stateroom

Owner's Suite on Sun Pincess | Credit: Princess Cruises

We all have our preferences when it comes to staterooms. And, whether you prefer to be on the higher or the lower decks, mid-ship or at the aft, one thing’s for certain – few people like to compromise when it comes to stateroom location.

While you can never quite guarantee you’ll always find exactly the cabin you want, booking early gives you a much better chance. The longer you wait, the more likely you are to become frustrated.

2) You get the cruise (and date) you want

If you want to travel on specific itineraries and dates, especially popular combinations like the Mediterranean during the school summer holidays, booking early is a must.

And even if you’re not tied to the school holidays, don’t forget that some destinations are not available year-round and are at their best for short periods.

The Alaska season may run from April to September. But for the best weather and chances of wildlife sightings, July and August are the best (and most popular) months to travel.

3) You're likely to get the best deal

Cruise lines often offer promotions and deals for early bookers, which means that - not only do you guarantee the sailing and stateroom you want - you also get a great price.

And if you're worried about price drops later, don't. Some lines have safeguards in place. Princess Cruises, for example, has the Best Price Guarantee programme. If you find a lower price before your final payment, you'll receive 120% of the difference as onboard credit.

4) You don’t miss out on your favourite restaurants

The Butcher’s Block by Dario on Sun Princess | Credit: Princess Cruises

As this writer recently found out on a trip aboard Discovery Princess, tables at speciality restaurants do sell out if you’re not organised.

Dining is one of the many highlights of cruising with Princess, and returning guests know it; they make sure to book their tables long ahead of time. And the only way to do that is to book your cruise early.

This is especially true if you sail aboard the line’s two latest ships, Sun Princess and Star Princess. Most guests will want to experience the two new speciality restaurants, The Butcher’s Block by Dario and Umai Teppanyaki, and tables will likely be in high demand.

Princess tip: Princess Cruises’ all-inclusive packages offer exceptional value. Enjoy drinks and dining experiences with Princess Plus and Princess Premier from £50 per person per day. Both packages also include Wi-Fi, gratuities, OceanNow and more.

5) You can spread the cost

Paying the full cost of a cruise upfront is not always possible. Booking early allows you to spread the cost over time.

Princess Pay Monthly, for example, lets you book your cruise with a deposit, followed by monthly instalments. There are no fees or interests, so you don’t pay any more for your cruise – you just get to spread its cost.

6) You have access to a wide range of excursions

Popular excursions can sell out if not booked early | Credit: Princess Cruises

Every survey about cruising tells us the same thing: your favourite thing about holidays at sea is the chance to see several destinations in one trip.

So, with destinations at the heart of cruising, it’s vital to make the most of each port stop. Excursions are an ideal way to maximise your time on shore and get under the skin of the places you visit.

But spaces are limited, so if you want to guarantee your spot on a specific excursion, it’s best to (you’ve guessed it) book early.

7) You score better flight deals

Gone are the days when you could wait until the very last minute to bag incredible deals on flights. Airlines price seats using complex yield algorithms and – usually – the earlier you book, the better.

And it’s not just the prices, booking early also means getting the best flight times to coincide with your cruise, and making sure you can secure your preferred seats on the plane.

If you’re worried about finding the best flights for your voyage, programmes like Princess Plane Sailing are perfect. You’ll receive personalised suggestions for the perfect flights for your cruise, get access to lower fares than most public prices, have the flexibility to change flights and benefit from the line’s late arrival protection.

8) You give yourself plenty of time to research your itinerary

Book early and you'll have time to research what you want to do and see | Credit: Princess Cruises

As we already mentioned, visiting several places in one trip is one of the best things about cruising. But that means you’ll have a bit more research to do when it comes to what to do and see in each port.

Booking early gives you plenty of time to do the legwork. This way, you can start your holiday relaxed, knowing exactly what you want to see in each port.

9) You can get your time off approved early

Picture this: you’ve found the perfect cruise. Maybe it’s a week in the Caribbean on Star Princess or a fortnight in the Mediterranean on Sun Princess. Whichever it is, it ticks all the right boxes.

There’s only one issue: your colleagues Steve and Janet have already booked holidays on those dates. Goodbye, dream cruise. You’ll now have to be at your desk and cover your teammates’ work.

If only you’d book that cruise a few months earlier. Sigh.

10) You have something to look forward to

Last but not least, booking a cruise early means you’ll have something to look forward to. Let’s face it, life can be stressful – work, childcare, housework… Getting a holiday in the diary – even one that’s months away – can put a spring in your step.

We all need something to look forward to, and we can’t think of anything better than a cruise.