NCL CruiseNext vs CruiseFirst

[Disneycruzluver58]

What is the difference?

 

[RosieRoo]

One is bought while sailing on the ship and gives you OBC the other one is bought at home. I’m sure someone can explain it in more detail, but that’s the basic difference. 

[Mike Senior]

 

previous thread on the subject

[decrepit old man]

So from what I understand, CruiseNext and CruiseFirst are useless for people who do last minute bookings?

[JasonInPlano]

Correct.  Has to be 120+ days out I believe.

[KDebreuil]

CruiseNext are generally sold as a $250 deposit that you pay $125 for, and they can only be purchased while you are on board.  To the best of my knowledge these can be used as payment on any sailing, I know that I've bought and applied them to cruises less than 120 days out.

 

CruiseFirst are generally sold as $300 deposit for $150 (but often they offer $500 deposit for $250).  These can be used on any cruise that is at least 120 days from the date of purchase.  That means you can buy it ahead of time and use it on a last minute deal as long is the sailing date is 120 days or more after you bought the deposit.  CruiseFirst can not be used to re-book a cruise.  You must book the cruise in the same currency as the CruiseFirst to use it (You can't use a USD deposit and book in CAD).

[debenson0723]

4 hours ago, decrepit old man said:

So from what I understand, CruiseNext and CruiseFirst are useless for people who do last minute bookings?

Not at all.  I do last minute bookings all the time and use my CruiseNext certificates. Haven't used a CruiseFirst yet but just bought one last month so we will see.

[JasonInPlano]

Wow.  I just reread the rules for my Cruise First certificates.  It does read as a 120 day waiting period to use only.  Good to know.  Thanks for correcting me.  Looks like they are currently offering the $500 Cruise First certificates.

[ggTexasGal]

32 minutes ago, JasonInPlano said:

Wow.  I just reread the rules for my Cruise First certificates.  It does read as a 120 day waiting period to use only.  Good to know.  Thanks for correcting me.  Looks like they are currently offering the $500 Cruise First certificates.

I believe you are perhaps a bit confused (NCL's wording is not always clear!).

You may use Cruise First the same day you purchase it.  However, the first day of the cruise must be 120 days away!

Here are the Terms and Conditions for Cruise First...

 

1. CFC(s) can be applied as stateroom deposits or as payment towards new reservations ONLY. Voyage date must be at least one hundred twenty (120) days from original purchase date. CFC(s) are only valid for sailings of six (6) days or longer. A CFC can be applied to satisfy full deposit requirement for stateroom categories up to and including Club Balcony Suite or can be applied as partial payment towards a higher category. New reservations must be in the same currency as your CFC. Reservation currencies vary by market and CFC(s) are not eligible to be exchanged to another currency. CruiseFirst Credit may be purchased up to 72 hours afterwards and applied to a reservation in offer status outside of the final payment period, as no payment was made. CruiseFirst Credit may be purchased for new reservations in BK on or before the date the reservation was created. CruiseFirst Credit are eligible on group space allotment held on or after 4/1/2020. CruiseFirst Credit may be purchased prior to, or up to 72 hours, after the reservation changes from RQ to OF status.