For most cruise regions, there are periods of peak demand (high season), moderate demand (shoulder season) and low demand (low season). The summer months are generally peak seasons, regardless of the weather at home or in the region. Cruises during these periods need to be booked well in advance, and families especially need to take note of this, as some cruise lines limit the number of children per sailing, so you need to get in early. During shoulder and low seasons, you will usually find more bargains, but some low seasons have shrunk in many areas, thanks to the boom in new cruising destinations and home ports, so in some places, all seasons are priced ‘in season’.