What to pack? What ship to choose? How much spending money to take? These are a few of the many questions, first time cruisers may have. Don't worry, we have you covered with our top 10 tips below:

Where Do I Need To Know ?

January is often associated with travel sales and special offers. For families, however, it serves a very different purpose. It isn't about chasing bargains…. it's about securing the right flights, rooms, and dates before choice disappears.

When you're travelling with children and tied to school holidays, availability matters more than discounts. January is when families still have the widest range of options, and that flexibility becomes increasingly limited as the year progresses.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Why January Feels So Pressured for Families

School holiday travel operates differently from off-peak travel. Flights are finite, family-friendly room types sell out quickly, and the most suitable resorts are often fully booked long before prices peak.

What creates pressure in January isn't artificial urgency, it's genuine demand. Families are all trying to secure the same dates, often with very specific needs around flight times, room layouts, and on-site facilities. Once those are gone, they rarely return.

What January Actually Gives You

Booking in January gives families choice, not just early prices.

Better flight timings that work around children's routines; access to family-sized rooms and interconnecting options; greater flexibility around length of stay; a calmer decision-making window.

When Waiting Can Make Sense

January isn't automatically the right time for every family to book. If your plans are flexible or you're not restricted to peak school holiday dates, waiting can be sensible.

The key difference is intentional waiting versus hesitation. Waiting works when it's a strategy - not when it's driven by uncertainty.

A Smarter Way to Decide

The real question isn't “Should I book in January?” It's “What do I lose if I wait?”

For families, the cost of waiting is rarely just financial. It's often paid in limited choice, less suitable accommodation, inconvenient flight times, or unnecessary stress.

Luxury Family Travel Planning Checklist

Families who plan well early avoid the most expensive mistakes later.

My complimentary Luxury Family Travel Planning Checklist helps you decide:

-when booking early genuinely matters;

-when waiting is low risk;

- when decisions have the biggest impact on family enjoyment.

Download my free Luxury Family Travel Planning Checklist.