We’re thinking of booking a world cruise, but they always seem to sell out so quickly! Are there usually waiting lists for these, or would we be better off booking back-to-back sailings instead?

James Cole, founder and managing director, Panache Cruises

As with any specific cruise that you are interested in – a world cruise in this case – it is always best to book as soon as you possibly can, to secure your place at the very best price.

First of all, if the sailing isn’t available to purchase yet, register an interest with your preferred travel agent so that they can book for you as soon as it is. However, if you only see the cruise once it has gone on sale then don’t worry too much – just give your agent a call and ask them to put you on the waiting list because places tend to come available over time. Alternatively, review the world cruise sectors to see if there are certain parts of the itinerary you would like to book as an alternative to sailing the full world cruise.