If you’re sailing with Royal Caribbean and already know you’ll want to cruise again, there’s a little-known program that could save you hundreds of dollars and give you extra perks: NextCruise.

Here’s exactly how it works, what you can save, and why so many experienced cruisers stop at the NextCruise desk before disembarking.

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What is NextCruise?

NextCruise is Royal Caribbean’s onboard future cruise booking program. During your sailing, you can visit the NextCruise desk and:

• Book your next cruise right then (Book Now)
• Place a deposit for a future cruise without picking a ship or date (Book Later)

Either way, you’ll get perks and flexibility you won’t find if you wait until you’re home.

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How Much Can You Save?

When you book a cruise of 3 nights or longer during your sailing, you’ll receive up to $300 off your cruise fare or the same amount as onboard credit (your choice).

The amount depends on:

• Length of the sailing
• Stateroom category (Interior, Oceanview, Balcony, Suite)
• Itinerary

Example:

• Shorter cruises and lower cabin categories may get $50–$100 in savings or OBC.
• Longer cruises in higher categories (like a suite) can reach the $300 maximum.

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Other Perks of Booking Onboard

1. Reduced Deposits

• Balcony and below: $100 per person (instead of standard deposit amounts)
• Suites: 10% of the cruise fare
• Deposits are nonrefundable, but they lock in your benefits.

2. Change Flexibility

• No change fees for ship or sail date changes made within 2 months of booking.

3. Multiple Staterooms

• You can book up to 3 staterooms for yourself, friends, or family with the same benefits.

4. Book Later Option

• Pay a $200 deposit per stateroom without selecting a ship or date.
• You have up to 12 months to decide, and if you pick within 2 months, you still get the savings or OBC.

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Can You Still Use a Travel Agent?

Yes! Even if you book onboard, you can transfer your reservation to your preferred travel agent after you get home.

• Book Now reservations: Typically must be transferred within 30 days.
• Book Later reservations: Can be moved to a travel agent anytime before you pick a ship and date.

This means you can lock in your onboard perks and still get the service and expertise of your travel agent.

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Is NextCruise Worth It?

NextCruise makes the most sense if:

• You’re a repeat cruiser or already certain you’ll sail again.
• You want to take advantage of reduced deposits and onboard credit.
• You like the flexibility to change ships or sail dates within 2 months.

Possible Downsides:

• Deposits are nonrefundable.
• The specific sailing and fare you want might not be available later, especially if you wait to pick your date with the Book Later option.

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Quick Reference: NextCruise Benefits

Benefit	Book Now	Book Later
Savings or Onboard Credit	Up to $300	Up to $300 (if date picked within 2 months)
Reduced Deposit	$100 pp (Balcony & below)	$200 per stateroom
Suite Deposit	10% of fare	10% of fare
Change Fees	None within 2 months	None within 2 months after choosing date
# of Staterooms You Can Book	Up to 3	Up to 3
Travel Agent Transfer	Within 30 days	Anytime before choosing date

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Benefits of Booking Onboard

✅ Savings or Onboard Credit – Up to $300 per stateroom (amount depends on sailing length and cabin type)
✅ Reduced Deposit – $100 per person for Balcony and below, 10% fare for suites
✅ Book Later Option – $200 per stateroom to decide ship/date within 12 months (keep perks if chosen within 2 months)
✅ No Change Fees – Within 2 months of booking or choosing a date
✅ Multiple Staterooms – Book up to 3 with the same perks
✅ Travel Agent Credit – Transfer booking to your TA within 30 days (Book Now) or before picking a date (Book Later)

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Bottom Line:
If you’re confident you’ll cruise with Royal Caribbean again, booking through NextCruise while you’re onboard is one of the easiest ways to lock in savings, perks, and flexibility—without spending hours searching for deals later.