Gene Sloan, a journalist who covers the cruise industry at The Cruise Log, reports that Carnival Corporation says cabins are filling up faster than a year ago.  Howard Frank, vice chairman of Carnival Corp, which owns Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America, Princess, Cunard and Costa Cruises, says that cruising is booming. 

This comes as a surprise since I’ve noticed that space is available on Carnival’s christmas cruises for the first time in memory.   And, I’ve seen low prices advertised on ships during spring break. 

In his blog, Sloan writes, “in the past it’s often paid to wait until the last minute to book a cruise to get the best deal.  But last’minute bargains may be harder to snatch throughout 2008.”

How far in advance to you normally book a cruise?  Have you found many last-minute deals?