NextCruise - Everything you need to know

[cruisenfever]

I borrowed the following from another thread on the Main boards............

 

"Thank you for your email. We apologize for the delay in our response".

 

"We have temporarily relaxed the combinability of the Crown and Anchor Platinum and Diamond balcony/suite discounts as well as the onboard credit for the Next Cruise program. However, for any sailing that is confirmed on or after December 31, 2008, the Crown and Anchor Platinum and Diamond balcony/suite discounts and Next Cruise program will no longer be combinable with each other. In the event that two offers or benefits are available on a given reservation, you may choose which offer you prefer. Unless advised otherwise, we will presume you wish to have the offer or benefit with the higher value".

[emmy]

I borrowed the following from another thread on the Main boards............

 

"Thank you for your email. We apologize for the delay in our response".

 

"We have temporarily relaxed the combinability of the Crown and Anchor Platinum and Diamond balcony/suite discounts as well as the onboard credit for the Next Cruise program. However, for any sailing that is confirmed on or after December 31, 2008, the Crown and Anchor Platinum and Diamond balcony/suite discounts and Next Cruise program will no longer be combinable with each other. In the event that two offers or benefits are available on a given reservation, you may choose which offer you prefer. Unless advised otherwise, we will presume you wish to have the offer or benefit with the higher value".

 

I like the use of the term relaxed :)

 

on your previous post... I hear you on whether you can use C & A coupons with any thing else:confused:

 

Okay if it were you Patti and you were a shareholder and Diamond member would you do a Next Cruise ($100 deposit) or just book a cruise that is into the future like many of us used to do before NC came along if you were sailing next week.?

[cruisenfever]

I like the use of the term relaxed :)

 

on your previous post... I hear you on whether you can use C & A coupons with any thing else:confused:

 

Okay if it were you Patti and you were a shareholder and Diamond member would you do a Next Cruise ($100 deposit) or just book a cruise that is into the future like many of us used to do before NC came along if you were sailing next week.?

Hi Emmy..............if they continue with the shareholder benefits, I would use that as our OBC.

 

If they are not going to let you combine OBCs anymore............to me there is no benefit to book on board.

 

The C&A Savings Certificates don't really bother us if we can or can not apply the. Yes, it is a savings off a cruise, but we would rather have an OBC to use while on board.

 

It would be so nice if they made a decision............and then stick to it. All these different dates that they keep coming up with are just too confusing...........let alone frustrating.

 

As long as they still allow us to use our Visa points.............we're happy. Of course, that will probably be the next change.:(

[emmy]

Hi Emmy..............if they continue with the shareholder benefits, I would use that as our OBC.

 

If they are not going to let you combine OBCs anymore............to me there is no benefit to book on board.

 

The C&A Savings Certificates don't really bother us if we can or can not apply the. Yes, it is a savings off a cruise, but we would rather have an OBC to use while on board.

 

As long as they still allow us to use our Visa points.............we're happy. Of course, that will probably be the next change.:(

 

As a Canadian the Visa is not an option for us. I have asked many times and would have applied if I could. Thanks as always for your input into this ever changing subject Patti :)

[WM219]

Hi Will, so sorry that the LA gave you such back information. The OBC is determined by length of cruise and is per cabin and not per person.

 

$ 50 for sailings of 3-5 nights

$100 for sailings of 6-9 nights

$200 for sailings of 10+ nights

 

According to C&A, as of July 31, 2008, they were not going to allow the coupons if you had an OBC attached to your reservation. It was one offer (which is an OBC for booking a cruise while on board, whether it is a NC or a specific cruise) or $$$ off C&A coupon.

 

However, with all the various changes going on..............I have no idea if one can use a C&A coupon anymore.:o

 

I'll give it a few days and see if both post to my account. The NextCruise misunderstanding is really no big deal. We caught the LA on the last evening and she was absolutely swamped. I was just grateful that she took the time to stop and go over it with us. We will hit platinum on our February sailing, and at that point I wonder if there is even a benefit to booking a NC anymore.

[cruisenfever]

As a Canadian the Visa is not an option for us. I have asked many times and would have applied if I could. Thanks as always for your input into this ever changing subject Patti :)

It's unfortunate that those in Canada, can't apply.

 

I thought I knew everything about NC when I titled this thread.

 

Oh, have times changed!:o

[milford_cruiser]

My question is in regards to Cruisetours. We are looking to go on an 11-night Alaska cruisetour in the summer of 2010. I am considering setting up a NextCruise while onboard the Navigator in February 2009.

 

Now the question: when I book the cruisetour, I'm looking at 4 nights on land and then 7 nights onboard Radiance. Is the NextCruise OBC calculated only based on the 7-night cruise portion ($100 OBC) or on the total RCI trip of 11 nights ($200 OBC)?

 

I'll probably still do it, since as a lowly Gold member the return in OBC is better than I get on coupon savings, but I'm curious what I should be expecting. We're also likely to be bringing Grandmothers on the Alaska cruise so I could bring them Friends & Family certificates to spread the joy!

 

The OBC is only based on the cruise portion. But, if you book a 5 day land tour you would earn an extra cruise credit because combined with a 7 day cruise that would equal 12 nights....................and 12 nights gets you 2 cruise credits upon completion. You'll get to Platinum level quicker.

 

Yes, when you do your NC booking...........definitely ask for the Certificates for F&F. Grandmothers are the best...........aren't they?:)

 

I wanted to go back to resurrect this thread because I just got confirmation on my Next Cruise and Friends & Family bookings for the Alaska cruise tour:

 

For the 11-night cruisetour, we are getting $200 per stateroom (3 rooms total) of on-board credit. So even though the cruise portion is only 7 nights, we get the OBC based on the entire trip.

 

Not a bad investment return, really. I put down $100 at the end of February for a Next Cruise booking, and got $600 back on 3/19 when I booked the trip, plus applying the original $100 toward my deposit, so I'm out nothing and have gained $600. Wish I could do that in the casino...

[Coralc]

I thought of a question, too. With the Next Cruise rule change....that "old" (pre 01/01/09) cerificates are eligible to be stacked with other discounts (except coupons). Does if anyone know if the friends & family certificates that are booked with that master booking will be eligible for the same benefits?

 

We just used our April '08 certificate to book a cruise and we are hopeful that our friends will also be allowed to combine the OBC and balcony discount when they book the same cruise. :)

[wieslaw]

I thought of a question, too. With the Next Cruise rule change....that "old" (pre 01/01/09) cerificates are eligible to be stacked with other discounts (except coupons). Does if anyone know if the friends & family certificates that are booked with that master booking will be eligible for the same benefits?

 

We just used our April '08 certificate to book a cruise and we are hopeful that our friends will also be allowed to combine the OBC and balcony discount when they book the same cruise. :)

 

Hi,

I do not know how RCI will handle that - your reservation / booking is going back to April '08, so even that you did not pick a specific ship / sailing until just 'now' but RCI does look at it as a reservation from April '08 and they did make exception to the 01/01/09 rules ( efective Feb 23rd, 09) but your friend's booking / reservation will be dated 'now' even that based on your original NC - I doubted that they will be able to combine their C&A based balcony discount and OBC.

I had a similar situation. I did have NC from june of 08. Past january I booked a TA cruise for may 09. I did use my D status for the balcony discount and was denied the OBC - because of the new rules that went into effect (1/1/09). I accepted that since my balcony discount was higher than OBC.

On Feb 23 I was notified that RCI changed their mind and decided to treat the '08 NC as a reservation made in '08 and they gave me the OBC - thanks RCI.

Wes

[petesweet]

As quoted in the email I received "NextCruise is a new program that allows guests and travel partners to create bookings onboard without having to make a quick decision on what ship or sail date their future cruise will be on".

 

NextCruise is not booking a specific itinerary...........you are just ensuring yourself an OBC that you will get and it is determined when a specific cruise is booked.

 

NextCruise has a booking number that has nothing attached to it until you book a specific cruise. Once you have decided on a specific itinerary/ship/date, whether you book direct with RCI or with a TA, then your air is included.

 

Patti: What do you suppose they mean when they say this is a NEW program? We've done this for several years. When I got this letter after our deposit in January, I assumed it was just a form letter they have been using for years, but then I got to wondering . . . .

 

Kathy

[petesweet]

I wish they would make this a sticky and keep it at the top...........I alwasy thought there should be one dedicated thread to this subject(like the Explorer one, the Monarch one,etc).........

 

Every day there is one or more new threads on booking oboard and OBC......

 

Would make sense to have one place for all of them.......

 

And that is my

 

 

 

 

:D :D :D

 

The problem with those threads is that they get so long and bogged down with extraneous things that when you want to find something, it is too hard.

Kathy

[petesweet]

Patti: What do you suppose they mean when they say this is a NEW program? We've done this for several years. When I got this letter after our deposit in January, I assumed it was just a form letter they have been using for years, but then I got to wondering . . . .

 

Kathy

 

Well, DUH!!! When will I learn to look at the date of the original posting???

That answers my question. RCI is just using the same letter and the letter says "new program." It is no longer a new program. I was wondering if there were significant CHANGES, but I don't think so--only that the OBC benefit cannot be combined. Kathy

[cruisenfever]

Patti: What do you suppose they mean when they say this is a NEW program? We've done this for several years. When I got this letter after our deposit in January, I assumed it was just a form letter they have been using for years, but then I got to wondering . . . .

 

Kathy

Morning Kathy, I believe that email that I am quoting from was sent when the NC program was first started.

 

You are right, it is not a NEW program any longer and if your letter says basically the same thing as what was contained in the email that I received.........I do believe that it's time for RCI to rewrite the letter.

 

We were posting at the sme time, so you answered your own question.:D:D

Edited April 8, 2009 by cruisenfever

[cruisenfever]

Thought I would share some information that I received today when applying for our shareholder benefit on an upcoming cruise. On the bottom of the email that I received from Linda Buchanan it says..................

 

**PLEASE NOTE** The shareholder onboard credit benefit has changed as to its combinability with other discounts or onboard credit offers. This pertains to NEW reservations made on or after 1/01/09 and Next Cruise reservations that are made made after 1/01/09. If you have a reservation or NC booking that was created before 1/01/09, all eligible benefits will be still be combinable.

 

Kind regards,

 

The Shareholder Benefit Team

Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd.

Guest Sales & Services Administration

[sunor]

Thought I would share some information that I received today when applying for our shareholder benefit on an upcoming cruise. On the bottom of the email that I received from Linda Buchanan it says..................

 

**PLEASE NOTE** The shareholder onboard credit benefit has changed as to its combinability with other discounts or onboard credit offers. This pertains to NEW reservations made on or after 1/01/09 and Next Cruise reservations that are made made after 1/01/09. If you have a reservation or NC booking that was created before 1/01/09, all eligible benefits will be still be combinable.

 

Kind regards,

 

The Shareholder Benefit Team

Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd.

Guest Sales & Services Administration

 

Thanks Patti for letting us know.

 

Suz

[cruissett]

Thanks Patti,

I just made a copy of this information. I have one more next cruise and I'll have to make it a good one:)

[Daniel75252]

OK, I'm a bit confused as to what options I have (if any), so I'd be interested in some feedback...

 

During Dec '07 Serenade of the Seas cruise, both my wife and I purchased NextCruise for $200 for RCI (non-designated itinerary). It was my understanding at the time that by both of us paying for the NC, we would get twice the OBC. After all, we are a couple booking a single room and if we knew we only needed to pay $100 for one NC to get the full benefit rather than $200 for no extra benefit, we would have only paid $100.

 

We are looking at using the NC for a September 7-nt sailing (still debating which). We are shareholders intending to use shareholder credit. We also own C&A Visa, eventually intending to redeem for coupon to reduce cruisefare.

 

1. If what I read here is correct, we did not need to pay $200 NC, only $100, as our OBC will be $100 for a 7-nt cruise regardless of cabin type or the fact that we have prepaid $200 NC, correct? [or will we receive $200 OBC since we paid $200 NC and were told that it would work that way]

2. Since our NC was purchased prior to 1/2009, we can combine with shareholder benefit, correct?

3. In any case, if our TA elects to provide us with on board credit, that should not conflict with either sharholder or NC program (i.e. TA $50 plus $100 shareholder plus $100 NC is combinable)

4. Given the new restrictions on NC, can we use this to our advantage and specifically advise our TA to only use $100 of the $200 NC that we purchased for this cruise, leaving the $100 NC balance for a future cruise so we can combine with shareholder and other discounts, or is the 'reservation' stuck together as a single reservation even though we do not receive double the credit?

5. Are we forced to use the same TA designated when we purchased NC or can we use any TA and they can activate our NC?

6. Finally, they did say that NC was only for RCI but if we want to use our credit for Celebrity, is there ANY WAY to get it transferred to their program, it seems like a silly penalty to assess....

 

Thanks

Daniel

[Coralc]

OK, I'm a bit confused as to what options I have (if any), so I'd be interested in some feedback...

 

During Dec '07 Serenade of the Seas cruise, both my wife and I purchased NextCruise for $200 for RCI (non-designated itinerary). It was my understanding at the time that by both of us paying for the NC, we would get twice the OBC. After all, we are a couple booking a single room and if we knew we only needed to pay $100 for one NC to get the full benefit rather than $200 for no extra benefit, we would have only paid $100.

 

We are looking at using the NC for a September 7-nt sailing (still debating which). We are shareholders intending to use shareholder credit. We also own C&A Visa, eventually intending to redeem for coupon to reduce cruisefare.

 

1. If what I read here is correct, we did not need to pay $200 NC, only $100, as our OBC will be $100 for a 7-nt cruise regardless of cabin type or the fact that we have prepaid $200 NC, correct? [or will we receive $200 OBC since we paid $200 NC and were told that it would work that way]Your OBC will be $100 for a seven night cruise. The $200 that you already paid will reduce your deposit to $300 (for a $500 deposit/7 nt. cruise)

2. Since our NC was purchased prior to 1/2009, we can combine with shareholder benefit, correct? Your booking will be combinable with shareholder's and balcony discounts and possibly coupons.

3. In any case, if our TA elects to provide us with on board credit, that should not conflict with either sharholder or NC program (i.e. TA $50 plus $100 shareholder plus $100 NC is combinable) It would not conflict with NC OBC.

4. Given the new restrictions on NC, can we use this to our advantage and specifically advise our TA to only use $100 of the $200 NC that we purchased for this cruise, leaving the $100 NC balance for a future cruise so we can combine with shareholder and other discounts, or is the 'reservation' stuck together as a single reservation even though we do not receive double the credit?No, unfortunately not. Your Next Cruise cerificate was issued with only one future booking number to be used

5. Are we forced to use the same TA designated when we purchased NC or can we use any TA and they can activate our NC? It depends on whether the booking was sent to the TA or not. Is there an agency name shown on the certificate? If your TA has it, you would have to convince the TA to release it back to Royal Caribbean so you could then transfer it to someone else.

6. Finally, they did say that NC was only for RCI but if we want to use our credit for Celebrity, is there ANY WAY to get it transferred to their program, it seems like a silly penalty to assess....Celebrity has their own future cruise program and they are not transferable, but you could always ask.

 

Thanks

Daniel

 

I think that is everything. :) I had a length issue with my reply. :D

[emmy]

Thought I would share some information that I received today when applying for our shareholder benefit on an upcoming cruise. On the bottom of the email that I received from Linda Buchanan it says..................

 

**PLEASE NOTE** The shareholder onboard credit benefit has changed as to its combinability with other discounts or onboard credit offers. This pertains to NEW reservations made on or after 1/01/09 and Next Cruise reservations that are made made after 1/01/09. If you have a reservation or NC booking that was created before 1/01/09, all eligible benefits will be still be combinable.

 

Kind regards,

 

The Shareholder Benefit Team

Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd.

Guest Sales & Services Administration

 

Patti ~ here is my situation. I have a reservation for a 7 day cruise in April 2010 that I booked onboard a ship in November of 2009. I now want to transfer that booking to a 14 day TA on Navigator for next year. On that original booking made in Nov 2009 I have Shareholder, Diamond Balcony Discount and booking onboard credit showing on the invoice...will that all transfer over to the transfer I will make to the 14 day transatlantic. I am hoping for combinability in my situation according to the above information you posted.

 

I have not made contact yet with RCI about this. Booking is made directly with RCI.

 

as usual thanks for any info or insight into this :) anyone else have experiences like this?

[Coralc]

It should Emmy, if you can keep the same booking number. Keeping the same booking number is really important. I would ask them to be sure before the transfer is made. You will have to increase your deposit. :)

[cruisenfever]

Patti ~ here is my situation. I have a reservation for a 7 day cruise in April 2010 that I booked onboard a ship in November of 2009. I now want to transfer that booking to a 14 day TA on Navigator for next year. On that original booking made in Nov 2009 I have Shareholder, Diamond Balcony Discount and booking onboard credit showing on the invoice...will that all transfer over to the transfer I will make to the 14 day transatlantic. I am hoping for combinability in my situation according to the above information you posted.

 

I have not made contact yet with RCI about this. Booking is made directly with RCI.

 

as usual thanks for any info or insight into this :) anyone else have experiences like this?

Hi Emmy, first I think you mean that you made the April 2010 booking on a cruise in November of 2008 (we haven't reached November, 2009 yet)!:D

 

Now to answer your question..........yes, everything should stay with the booking number that you will transfer from the April 2010 cruise to the November 2010 cruise. Just make sure you transfer and don't cancel......but I think you know that already.

 

I just recently did this. Transferred a booking that we had for September 2009 (which was booked in April of 2008) to November 2009 and everything went with it.......OBC from booking on board, Shareholder OBC and D+ balcony discount.

 

I also just made a new reservation for September 2010 using a NC that I had purchased in 2007 and I received the OBC from the NC, the Shareholder OBC and the D+ balcony discount.

[destiny217]

OK, I'm a bit confused as to what options I have (if any), so I'd be interested in some feedback...

 

During Dec '07 Serenade of the Seas cruise, both my wife and I purchased NextCruise for $200 for RCI (non-designated itinerary). It was my understanding at the time that by both of us paying for the NC, we would get twice the OBC. After all, we are a couple booking a single room and if we knew we only needed to pay $100 for one NC to get the full benefit rather than $200 for no extra benefit, we would have only paid $100.

 

We are looking at using the NC for a September 7-nt sailing (still debating which). We are shareholders intending to use shareholder credit. We also own C&A Visa, eventually intending to redeem for coupon to reduce cruisefare.

 

1. If what I read here is correct, we did not need to pay $200 NC, only $100, as our OBC will be $100 for a 7-nt cruise regardless of cabin type or the fact that we have prepaid $200 NC, correct? [or will we receive $200 OBC since we paid $200 NC and were told that it would work that way]

2. Since our NC was purchased prior to 1/2009, we can combine with shareholder benefit, correct?

3. In any case, if our TA elects to provide us with on board credit, that should not conflict with either sharholder or NC program (i.e. TA $50 plus $100 shareholder plus $100 NC is combinable)

4. Given the new restrictions on NC, can we use this to our advantage and specifically advise our TA to only use $100 of the $200 NC that we purchased for this cruise, leaving the $100 NC balance for a future cruise so we can combine with shareholder and other discounts, or is the 'reservation' stuck together as a single reservation even though we do not receive double the credit?

5. Are we forced to use the same TA designated when we purchased NC or can we use any TA and they can activate our NC?

6. Finally, they did say that NC was only for RCI but if we want to use our credit for Celebrity, is there ANY WAY to get it transferred to their program, it seems like a silly penalty to assess....

 

Thanks

Daniel

We also paid $200 and were told that we would each get the OBC. Why else would we pay double? Thinking of cruising in January. If and when you finally book and get the final answer from RCI, please post and let us all know. Thanks!

[emmy]

Hi Emmy, first I think you mean that you made the April 2010 booking on a cruise in November of 2008 (we haven't reached November, 2009 yet)!:D

 

Now to answer your question..........yes, everything should stay with the booking number that you will transfer from the April 2010 cruise to the November 2010 cruise. Just make sure you transfer and don't cancel......but I think you know that already.

 

I just recently did this. Transferred a booking that we had for September 2009 (which was booked in April of 2008) to November 2009 and everything went with it.......OBC from booking on board, Shareholder OBC and D+ balcony discount.

 

I also just made a new reservation for September 2010 using a NC that I had purchased in 2007 and I received the OBC from the NC, the Shareholder OBC and the D+ balcony discount.

 

oops yep November of 2008 is when I did the booking. Will let you know when I transfer the results. I am being positive on this one.:D

 

Thanks to all for the input.. yep and RCI will get more deposit money from me :)

[cruisenfever]

We also paid $200 and were told that we would each get the OBC. Why else would we pay double? Thinking of cruising in January. If and when you finally book and get the final answer from RCI, please post and let us all know. Thanks!

When you bought your NextCruise you paid a reduced deposit.........that was the whole selling point of buying a NC while on board. Once you activated the NC into a specific cruise, then you would have to pay the balance of the deposit less what you paid when you purchased your NC.

 

It was a $100pp deposit. You could have purchased a NC with just one name on it, thus only paying a $100 deposit...........but the person who's name appears on the initial booking, must be on the cruise when it sails.

 

The OBC is per cabin and is determined by the length of sailing. Any OBC received whether it be from a NC or a specific cruise has always been per cabin and not per person.

 

It's the same with OBC from Shareholder Benefits...........one OBC per cabin regardless if both parties in the household own stock.

[cruisenfever]

oops yep November of 2008 is when I did the booking. Will let you know when I transfer the results. I am being positive on this one.:D

 

Thanks to all for the input.. yep and RCI will get more deposit money from me :)

You should have no problem transferring and keeping all your benefits. Just make sure that you emphasis to whomever you are booking with that this is a reservation that was made prior to 1/01/09..............sometimes they have to be reminded.:rolleyes: