Best time to book a fly-cruise-stay

Hope this is the right page to ask this question
I am thinking of booking a Caribbean cruise for Feb 17. We have found an itinerary that we like (fly into Miami, 1 night stay in Ft Lauderdale, 11 night cruise with Royal Caribbean and a 2 night stay in Miami to finish off). We have popped into the local VH shop and got a decent quote (we think). I've done some shopping around (Royal Caribbean site, is much more expensive for instance). We visited a local independent travel agent and although they could price up the cruise and stay part, they said flights could change as they aren't available yet (not necessarily VA of course), but they did recommend booking everything together rather than booking cruise separately as if flights changed and we missed the cruise, we'd be stuffed, but if we booked the whole together, we would have protection?
We obviously want to get good value for money, but at the same time don't want to miss out on our choice of cabin for instance.
I've looked on the VA site and flights for Feb 17 aren't showing as yet (although when we spoke to the adviser in the VH shop, she could quote us a price for the flight)
When are flights generally at their cheapest, should I wait until (February I guess??) the flight is showing on the VA site? Of course I understand that any saving in flight cost could easily be offset by an increase in the price of the cruise.
I appreciate no-one has a crystal ball, but I bow to peoples greater experience in these things than mine

I am thinking of booking a Caribbean cruise for Feb 17. We have found an itinerary that we like (fly into Miami, 1 night stay in Ft Lauderdale, 11 night cruise with Royal Caribbean and a 2 night stay in Miami to finish off). We have popped into the local VH shop and got a decent quote (we think). I've done some shopping around (Royal Caribbean site, is much more expensive for instance). We visited a local independent travel agent and although they could price up the cruise and stay part, they said flights could change as they aren't available yet (not necessarily VA of course), but they did recommend booking everything together rather than booking cruise separately as if flights changed and we missed the cruise, we'd be stuffed, but if we booked the whole together, we would have protection?
We obviously want to get good value for money, but at the same time don't want to miss out on our choice of cabin for instance.
I've looked on the VA site and flights for Feb 17 aren't showing as yet (although when we spoke to the adviser in the VH shop, she could quote us a price for the flight)
When are flights generally at their cheapest, should I wait until (February I guess??) the flight is showing on the VA site? Of course I understand that any saving in flight cost could easily be offset by an increase in the price of the cruise.
I appreciate no-one has a crystal ball, but I bow to peoples greater experience in these things than mine
