Next cruise while onboard

[blade3]

Have a cruise 9/24, planning a cruise for 6/25. What are the advantages and disadvantages in signing up for next cruise while onboard?

Thank you to those who have used this opportunity.

 

 

[firefly333]

4 minutes ago, blade3 said:

Have a cruise 9/24, planning a cruise for 6/25. What are the advantages and disadvantages in signing up for next cruise while onboard?

Thank you to those who have used this opportunity.

 

 

The only advantage is if you are booking at least a balcony is for me is the obc. If a inside the obc is less than I get on group rates and not combinable. I dont book nonrefundable so nothing off for a deposit for me, but for nonrefundable the deposit is less.

 

It may or may not be worth it for me. I see themmsitting in there and it calls to me as I love booking more cruises. Lol even though for me not much benefit. Its fun? Not a lot of benefit depends also what you are booking. 

[leaveitallbehind]

As @firefly333 indicates, the only benefits to booking on board are the option of a reduced non-refundable deposit and some amount of OBC based on cruise length and stateroom category.  But the fares offered are the same as that currently advertised publicly, so no special rates or on board deals.

Edited August 25 by leaveitallbehind

[smokeybandit]

The caveat to waiting to board would be risking any price increases in that time period negating any on board perks.

[pcur]

I just prefer booking with my TA who has group rates, refundable deposits most of the time, and obc. He knows all the ins and outs, while I find the "cruise specialists" in NextCruise are a little iffy knowledge-wise. 

[firefly333]

28 minutes ago, leaveitallbehind said:

As @firefly333 indicates, the only benefits to booking on board are the option of a reduced non-refundable deposit and some amount of OBC based on cruise length and stateroom category.  But the fares offered are the same as that currently advertised publicly, so no special rates or on board deals.

I did next cruise .... once .... I gained $25 obc overall. Balcony. Lost $25 because of DP340, solo. So got $75 obc for my refundable deposit and paid full deposit for 2. Would have gotten $50 from TA so I gained $25 ... once was enough. Not worth the effort. 

[lovesthebeach2]

21 minutes ago, pcur said:

I just prefer booking with my TA who has group rates, refundable deposits most of the time, and obc. He knows all the ins and outs, while I find the "cruise specialists" in NextCruise are a little iffy knowledge-wise. 

I’ll second this comment as I agree 100%. and when I book years out, the refundable option from my TA may come in handy.

[OCVTSGIRL]

I just came off of the Utopia and booked a cruise on board the first day for January 2025.  The deposit was only $100 and I received $100 OBC from Next Cruise plus $200 OBC for putting the deposit on my Royal Caribbean credit card.  I am solo in the room and was still given the 60% of the second passenger.  Worth it for me.  I booked this same cruise for my friends who were not on board and they were given the same OBC as me.

[orville99]

We always book on board, but then we always book as soon as the new itineraries are released. At this late date, other than the OBC, there really is no benefit.

[Scottdalfonso]

I book on board more for the low deposit than the little bit of OBC.  I don't even go into the NC office, I do it right on the app- I hit the little button on the bottom, and charges me the 200 bucks and I deal with it when I get home. 

[orville99]

6 hours ago, Scottdalfonso said:

I book on board more for the low deposit than the little bit of OBC.  I don't even go into the NC office, I do it right on the app- I hit the little button on the bottom, and charges me the 200 bucks and I deal with it when I get home. 

Is that a new feature on the app? Don’t remember seeing it on our last cruise (maybe it is buried somewhere). 

[Scottdalfonso]

2 minutes ago, orville99 said:

Is that a new feature on the app? Don’t remember seeing it on our last cruise (maybe it is buried somewhere). 

We did it last October and again this past month. Basically there's a big ad on the app, I think all the way to the right, where your dining and room info is, for Nextcruise. Just click that, and it just asks for your permission to charge 200 bucks to your room for the deposit, then it sends you (and your TA if you used on) an email with the reservation number to use when you book the actual sailing. 

[orville99]

7 minutes ago, Scottdalfonso said:

We did it last October and again this past month. Basically there's a big ad on the app, I think all the way to the right, where your dining and room info is, for Nextcruise. Just click that, and it just asks for your permission to charge 200 bucks to your room for the deposit, then it sends you (and your TA if you used on) an email with the reservation number to use when you book the actual sailing. 

Have to look for that next month when we are on board again. Can you do an actual booking date and cabin or does it only allow you to do an “open” booking (choose later)?

[Biker19]

42 minutes ago, orville99 said:

Have to look for that next month when we are on board again. Can you do an actual booking date and cabin or does it only allow you to do an “open” booking (choose later)?

It's just an opening booking.

[smokeybandit]

1 hour ago, orville99 said:

Is that a new feature on the app? Don’t remember seeing it on our last cruise (maybe it is buried somewhere). 

It's been there for a while, just buried.

 

Also buried and not at all publicized, the ability to book a NextCruise appointment within the app.

[orville99]

14 minutes ago, smokeybandit said:

It's been there for a while, just buried.

 

Also buried and not at all publicized, the ability to book a NextCruise appointment within the app.

When we were on board Adventure in April it looked like no one needed to make an appointment because every time we walked by the desk it was empty (and we were on board for 3 weeks)..

[Scottdalfonso]

5 hours ago, orville99 said:

When we were on board Adventure in April it looked like no one needed to make an appointment because every time we walked by the desk it was empty (and we were on board for 3 weeks)..

same... I'm assuming the app function helps, and even those who go to the office, I'd bet a large amount are open bookings these days so they are in and out.

[orville99]

32 minutes ago, Scottdalfonso said:

same... I'm assuming the app function helps, and even those who go to the office, I'd bet a large amount are open bookings these days so they are in and out.

I honestly don’t think they’re getting many bookings at all.

[smokeybandit]

2 hours ago, orville99 said:

I honestly don’t think they’re getting many bookings at all.

Agreed. I would think most people, both seasoned vets and first timers, would want to have something locked in before leaving the ship.