Best to book 2nd cruise while onboard or just go home and find a deal?

[WillandStacey]

Dec 8th on the Allure will be our 3rd RC cruise but it's been almost 10 yrs since our last one, I was considering booking another cruise for same time next year and thought should I do this onboard or just come home and search deals (flexible on ship/destination/times).

 

I wasn't sure if what they book onboard were real big savings/deals or about what you would find at home poking around.

 

BTW when I booked this cruise mid year I checked with 3 travel agencies locally, the prices and perks were exactly the same as what RC site was in fact 2 were a bit higher, so I am guessing things are kinda locked into a general price range or was I just not checking the "right" places?

 

Bill :)

[CRUISEFAN0001]

We've seen folks take several approaches to address your scenario.

 

In our case, we routinely purchase a Next Cruise Certificate (NCC) onboard...good for virtually any future cruise.

 

You also get some onboard credit (OBC) when you end up using the certificate on a future cruise. For us...paying $100-$200 onboard for a NCC and then not only using that as a down payment, along with getting some OBC works out very well.

 

Once we return...we shop cruises and look for deals as it's convenient. We've used those certificates several times now in addition to other promotional offerings. We like the idea of not having to commit to a specific future cruise, but know of other folks who have - works either way.

[Clarea]

You don't get any lower prices by booking on board. However, you do get a reduced deposit and on board credit for the future cruise.

 

Rather than booking a specific cruise, consider purchasing an Open Booking. You can do this for $100, it never expires, and gives you the same benefits as booking a specific cruise. Once you decide what cruise you want, you can call Royal and use the Open Booking. Also, from the time you assign a cruise to the Open Booking, you have 60 days to transfer the booking to a travel agent. This gives you the ability to get perks from the agent if you find one that you like.

Edited November 22, 2013 by clarea

[leaveitallbehind]

If you book on board you would be booking a specific itinerary and typically would benefit by a reduced deposit and would get and OBC. You can also purchase a future cruise certificate for the same amount as the reduced deposit as well as get also the OBC. With this, however, you can select a cruise at anytime in the future at with whatever itinerary - and cruise rate - you choose at that time. Both style bookings are also transferable to a TA.

 

To your other point, the base stateroom rate from RCI or a TA will be the same - RCI does not allow discounting of the base stateroom rate through a TA. The TA may - out of their booking commission - offer OBC's or other perks as a booking incentive. Some TA's also charge separate fees for originating, modifying, changing, or cancelling a booking. (These TA's IMO should be avoided for this reason as many do not charge these separate fees). That could account for the differences you experienced.

[nelblu]

Get a NCC for $100 and you get a $100 OBC and reduced deposit. The NCC has no expiration date and you can leisurely plan your next cruise either via RCL or a TA. My TA gives me an add'l OBC and specialty restaurant for 2, plus some other goodies.

[WillandStacey]

You guys rock THANKS!

[jonbgd]

I just used one for the Navigator. I use a TA that gives us free gratuities on RCCL/X and this time extra OBC . I forgot to fill out their name when we purchased it. I thought it was automatic since we have booked all our RCCL/X cruises with the same TA

 

I had to fill out travel agency transfer form and fax it into RCCL before the TA could have the booking

 

So if you use a TA and know you will use them for the future booking

Put there name on it so you don't have to spend 2 days, to finalize the booking

[39august]

And once you have settled on a specific cruise, you then have only 60 days to transfer to a TA. I usually just transfer my Next Cruise (or open booking) certificate to my TA before I even decide on which cruise I want. But then I already know what my TA is going to give me so I don't have to shop around for perks before I book.

[Oxo]

You don't get any lower prices by booking on board. However, you do get a reduced deposit and on board credit for the future cruise.

 

Rather than booking a specific cruise, consider purchasing an Open Booking. You can do this for $100, it never expires, and gives you the same benefits as booking a specific cruise. Once you decide what cruise you want, you can call Royal and use the Open Booking. Also, from the time you assign a cruise to the Open Booking, you have 60 days to transfer the booking to a travel agent. This gives you the ability to get perks from the agent if you find one that you like.

 

Sorry, just got off of Allure and Booked a specific Celebrity cruise and cabin. Received a higher OBC and even a discount for the cabin/sailing. When I booked I used the same TA that booked the Allure for us. When that TA cut my new invoice I also received another OBC that was very substantial.

[Ken at the beach]

Sorry, just got off of Allure and Booked a specific Celebrity cruise and cabin. Received a higher OBC and even a discount for the cabin/sailing. When I booked I used the same TA that booked the Allure for us. When that TA cut my new invoice I also received another OBC that was very substantial.

 

Not sure how it works with Celebrity but that is not how it works with Royal. The post that you referenced was correct.

[riclop]

Dec 8th on the Allure will be our 3rd RC cruise but it's been almost 10 yrs since our last one, I was considering booking another cruise for same time next year and thought should I do this onboard or just come home and search deals (flexible on ship/destination/times).

 

I wasn't sure if what they book onboard were real big savings/deals or about what you would find at home poking around.

 

BTW when I booked this cruise mid year I checked with 3 travel agencies locally, the prices and perks were exactly the same as what RC site was in fact 2 were a bit higher, so I am guessing things are kinda locked into a general price range or was I just not checking the "right" places?

 

Bill :)

You get OBC.

[hasekmpp]

The NCC has no expiration date and you can leisurely plan your next cruise either via RCL or a TA.

[WillandStacey]

Call me silly but I get the concept of having an on board credit, but what can you use that towards, the last 2 i went on we didn't have anything like that so I wasn't sure, can you use it for the rci shops to get a shirt or something or in the casino or for drinks you may want to buy (not part if a drink package)?

 

Bill

Edited November 23, 2013 by FTLOSM

[Clarea]

Call me silly but I get the concept of having an on board credit, but what can you use that towards, the last 2 i went on we didn't have anything like that so I wasn't sure, can you use it for the rci shops to get a shirt or something or in the casino or for drinks you may want to buy (not part if a drink package)?

 

Bill

Drinks, shops, excursions, gratuities, specialty restaurants, spa.

[Ken at the beach]

;)

Call me silly but I get the concept of having an on board credit, but what can you use that towards, the last 2 i went on we didn't have anything like that so I wasn't sure, can you use it for the rci shops to get a shirt or something or in the casino or for drinks you may want to buy (not part if a drink package)?

 

Bill

 

If you have not prepaid your gratuities then your OBC can be used to offset those. Dinner in a specialty restaurant, shore excursion or spa treatment are other options. Different Beverage packages are also available to purchase.

 

If none of those appeal and you are one of the few that has an absolute 0 charge on their Seapass card at the end of the week then you could take the money out at the casino ( for a 5% fee) and have it in cash to use as you choose.

Edited November 23, 2013 by Ourusualbeach

[71Corvette]

We're considering doing this on our cruise next week on Allure. Our next planned cruise will be a 2015 European cruise but since itineraries are not out yet we're not sure what cruise or even cruise line we might choose. Does the future cruise credit apply only to Royal Caribbean cruises, or can it also be applied to RCCL's sister lines like Celebrity, Azamara, etc?

[kc320]

Sorry, just got off of Allure and Booked a specific Celebrity cruise and cabin. Received a higher OBC and even a discount for the cabin/sailing. When I booked I used the same TA that booked the Allure for us. When that TA cut my new invoice I also received another OBC that was very substantial.

 

Was your Celebrity sailing longer than 7 nts? That would account for the higher OBC..the $100 everyone mention's is for a 7nt cruise..longer cruises get more...shorter cruises get less...

[Clarea]

We're considering doing this on our cruise next week on Allure. Our next planned cruise will be a 2015 European cruise but since itineraries are not out yet we're not sure what cruise or even cruise line we might choose. Does the future cruise credit apply only to Royal Caribbean cruises, or can it also be applied to RCCL's sister lines like Celebrity, Azamara, etc?

The open booking is purchased for a specific cruise line. They will sell you an open booking for Celebrity, but you must choose the cruise line when you purchase.

[jonbgd]

If you book a specific Celebrity cruise onboard either RCCL or X you can get up to $500 obc

If you do an open booking than it is only up to $200

[Oxo]

Was your Celebrity sailing longer than 7 nts? That would account for the higher OBC..the $100 everyone mention's is for a 7nt cruise..longer cruises get more...shorter cruises get less...

 

Yes, it was for 14 nights. However, previously last month we were on X and did an Open Booking. X had a flyer that stated if you book a specific cruise you OBC would be greater and it was when we did book a specific X cruise on RCI.

 

So, it does matter if you book a 7, 14 or more. Plus it does matter if you book an Open or Specific cruise. The OBC does amount to more in each case.

[kc320]

Yes, it was for 14 nights. However, previously last month we were on X and did an Open Booking. X had a flyer that stated if you book a specific cruise you OBC would be greater and it was when we did book a specific X cruise on RCI.

 

So, it does matter if you book a 7, 14 or more. Plus it does matter if you book an Open or Specific cruise. The OBC does amount to more in each case.

 

I was not aware there was a difference in OBC based on booking a specific cruise or purchasing a Next Cruise Certif. I had always understood the amt. to be based on the length of the cruise, not booking an actual cruise. Of course there are always exceptions..as X apparently was running a booking special based on the flyer you said you received...

[jonbgd]

Celebrity Future Cruise Vacations presents guests with two flexible options – ‘Cruise Now’ or ‘Cruise Later’ – each with their own set of exceptional values.

 

‘Cruise Now’ is ideal for guests who know exactly which ship and sail date they prefer for their next Celebrity vacation. Guests who book while onboard with the Cruise Now option will receive:

• $100 reduced deposit per person

• Onboard credit up to $500

• Specific stateroom selection

• Combinability with one other offer

• Option to cancel up to 75 or 90 days prior to selected sail date

• Reservations automatically credit booking to preferred travel partner

 

 

‘Cruise Later’ is perfect for guests who know they want to vacation again with Celebrity, but are not sure when or where they want to go. It also allows consumers to offer Celebrity vacations as outstanding gifts for family or friends. Guests who book while onboard with the Cruise Later option will receive:

• $100 reduced deposit per person

• Onboard credit up to $200

• Combinability with one other offer

• Ability to reserve up to three vacations

• Transferable to anyone

• No expiration date

• Reservations automatically credit booking to preferred travel partner

Edited November 23, 2013 by jonbgd

[Oxo]

Celebrity Future Cruise Vacations presents guests with two flexible options – ‘Cruise Now’ or ‘Cruise Later’ – each with their own set of exceptional values.

 

‘Cruise Now’ is ideal for guests who know exactly which ship and sail date they prefer for their next Celebrity vacation. Guests who book while onboard with the Cruise Now option will receive:

• $100 reduced deposit per person

• Onboard credit up to $500

• Specific stateroom selection

• Combinability with one other offer

• Option to cancel up to 75 or 90 days prior to selected sail date

• Reservations automatically credit booking to preferred travel partner

 

 

‘Cruise Later’ is perfect for guests who know they want to vacation again with Celebrity, but are not sure when or where they want to go. It also allows consumers to offer Celebrity vacations as outstanding gifts for family or friends. Guests who book while onboard with the Cruise Later option will receive:

• $100 reduced deposit per person

• Onboard credit up to $200

• Combinability with one other offer

• Ability to reserve up to three vacations

• Transferable to anyone

• No expiration date

• Reservations automatically credit booking to preferred travel partner

 

Thanks for posting the info. I did not keep a copy of it. I use to keep all, but got to much.