Booking A Cruise While Onboard

[Sunset329]

I know this question has been asked and answered, but I can't find the thread.  We will be on the Emerald in February.  There are two Princess cruises we want to reserve.  What is the advantage, if any, of booking a cruise while onboard the Emerald?

[skynight]

Advantages. You can book most cruises with a $100 deposit/pp. Cruises 45+ days excluded require a 3% deposit. This provides you with additional OBC based on cabin cat. and length of cruise. The booking can be assigned to your T.A. if you wish. There may be some additional promotion for booking on board, but this isn't frequent.

You can get the same deposit benefits and OBC by purchasing Future Cruise Deposits on board. These are fully refundable and are valid for two years. 

Upon making your new booking, the appropriate shipboard credit will be applied.*
Future Cruise Length
Per Person Shipboard Credit*  17 - 44 Days
$125 Inside, $125 Outside, $150 Balcony, $150 Suite 11 - 16 Days
$75 Inside, $75 Outside, $100 Balcony, $100 Suite 7 - 10 Days
$25 Inside, $25 Outside, $50 Balcony, $50 Suite 3 - 6 Days
$15 Inside, $15 Outside, $25 Balcony, $25 Suite

* This letter has been issued from the Future Cruise Sales Department for a Future Cruise Deposit (“FCD”) in the amount specified above. The
FCD is available to use on new future bookings only and is non-transferable. The FCD currency is non-changeable. The FCD is combinable with most publicly offered fares and promotions. The FCD will be automatically refunded if not applied to a new booking created within two years from date of purchase. Once applied to a booking the FCD is considered money and is subject to booking terms and conditions in the Passage contract. Only one FCD per person applied to a booking will provide shipboard credit. Shipboard credit is nonrefundable and only applicable to each FCD purchased and applies to the holder of the FCD only, excluding 3rd and 4th berth guests. Shipboard credit is based on the ship’s onboard currency and is not redeemable for cash. FCDs do not apply to bookings on Charter voyages. Reduced deposit and onboard credits do not apply to bookings 45+ days. The reduced deposit requirement for these bookings may vary based on booking dates, and a fare discount of 3% is provided. To make your next booking, please contact your Travel Agent, or Princess Cruises at 1-800-PRINCESS.

[MissP22]

They had a deal on the Regal during Dec to double your on board credit for certain cruises if you booked on board. 

Price out the cruises you're interested in and maybe they'll have the same deal when you sail.

[denmarks]

You basically can purchase the future cruise credit for $100 and use it on the new cruise immediately. There is really no advantage. You can always just purchase the future cruise credit and use later.

[Colo Cruiser]

We never book onboard.

I don't want to spend my cruise time hanging around the Future Cruise Office and be pinned down to select cruises that they "might" offer for an incentive for.

We just buy lots of FCD's and book when we get home with a TA that offers cash off the top and no OBC games.

With the Medallion ships you can buy FCD's right on your device.

Or non Medallion ships just fill out the form and drop it off in the box.

[jeromep]

Future cruise deposits are really the way to go.  Once you have those placed, just head home after your cruise and talk to your travel agent about the next cruises you want to book.  Make sure they know your Captain's Circle numbers and you are good to go.

[Jezabel2924]

They were offering double onboard credit on our cruise in August for any booking made while onboard in addition to the benefits for FCD.  

[jennybenny]

We have $25 per person for an inside cabin, 10 day cruise and I think it's $100 per person on a 15 day cruise. 

 I think Skyknights amounts are a little higher than they are from Princess, at least for inside cabins.