If you're in dire need of a vacation (and, really, who isn't?), a cruise could be a welcome respite with endless entertainment, good food and stops in multiple ports. Not only that, it's easy to plan, with no need for you to book hotels in different cities or coordinate transportation.

Any time of the year is a good time to take a cruise, depending on location and your schedule. Here are a few other factors to consider.

Your schedule

If you have kids in school, their schedule will rule your calendar. Summer, spring break or Christmas vacation will give you solid blocks of time to cruise without having to keep the trip too brief. The bonus is that it will be easy to find ships that cater to families and their particular needs. There will be plenty to keep your children entertained (and likely wear them out enough during the day that they sleep like logs at night), especially on bigger cruise lines like Princess Cruises.

On the other hand, if you don't have children at home, you can get away anytime. You can escape the winter doldrums in late January or February for the Caribbean or Mexico, where the temperatures are blissfully higher and the beaches are generally free from rain.

And if you'd like to enjoy some quiet time with your loved one without lots of little people running around, choose a time other than spring break, winter break or summer break. Try visiting southern Europe in the fall, when the temperatures have cooled down. Avoid crowds and heat in the Mediterranean by cruising in October.

Activities available during port stops

Consider planning your cruise around activities and events happening at each port. For instance, travel to Rio de Janeiro during February or March to witness Carnival or head to Mexico around late-October for Day of the Dead.

If Northern Europe's "festivals, water sports and outdoor restaurants" sound appealing, you'll need to go in July or August, when weather is warm and "days are at their longest, with only three to four hours of darkness at night," as USA Today notes.

"Sail during the spring or fall if you want to do water sports in warm temperatures but don't want to deal with excessive summer heat," according to USA Today. If you're looking to snorkel or scuba dive in the Caribbean, you may want to re-think winter because the water could be a bit cooler.

Price

It's possible to vacation at any time during the year and still find a good deal. If you want to go to a popular destination at peak travel time, you'll need to plan far in advance to get the lower prices. Budget Travel says: "The early-bird deals — six to nine months out, generally — tend to have the lowest rates." But, with the help of travel agencies, you can find deals all-year-round.

Weather

Since cruises can take you virtually anywhere in the world, there's always a perfect place to go. Weather conditions in any of those spots will be a big consideration. For instance, if want to see the majestic beauty of the mountains and glaciers in Alaska, there's a window during the summer (May to September, as Smarter Travel notes) when the temperatures and conditions allow ships to make their way through the area.

Similarly, if you'd enjoy the sights of New England and Canada, winter months are out (remember their snow-pocalypses?). The Caribbean is a lovely escape year-round with its temperate weather, but the least rainy months are December through April, as Smarter Travel says, allowing you to spend more time on the beach.

Ready to set sail? Call up a travel agent today at 801-268-4470 or visit CruiseandTravelMasters.com

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