Start searching about 60–90 days before departure – around the time final payments are due – since cruise lines tend to slash prices on any unsold cabins at that point. Stay flexible with your dates, departure port, ship, and cabin preferences so you can jump on any Mediterranean itinerary that gets marked down, and aim for shoulder seasons (spring or fall) when fewer crowds mean more unsold space and lower fares in the Med. It’s also smart to subscribe to cruise deal alerts and check travel sites frequently, so you don’t miss flash sales or limited-time promotions on last-minute cruises.