Understanding the Difference & Maximizing Savings
Norwegian Cruise Line offers two popular future cruise deposit programs that can save guests money on future vacations. While both are designed to encourage repeat cruising, they work very differently.
Knowing when to recommend each program can provide your clients with significant savings and additional onboard credit.
CruiseFirst® is a discounted future cruise deposit that anyone can purchase, whether they are currently sailing or not.
It is essentially a prepaid deposit toward a future Norwegian cruise that is purchased at a discount.
Pay $150
Receive a $300 CruiseFirst Certificate
The extra $150 is essentially free money provided by Norwegian.
Promotions vary throughout the year and may include:
Buy $150, Get $300
Buy $250, Get $500
Limited-time bonus offers
These promotions change frequently.
✅ Can be purchased online
✅ No current cruise required
✅ Great for first-time Norwegian guests
✅ Acts as a future cruise deposit
✅ Can often be combined with current cruise promotions
✅ Usually valid on most published sailings
May not be combinable with every special promotion.
Cannot typically be combined with certain employee, casino, charter, or deeply discounted rates.
Has an expiration period for booking (check current terms).
Only one CruiseFirst certificate may typically be applied per reservation.
Terms can change with future promotions.
✔ Someone considering a Norwegian cruise next year
✔ First-time NCL cruisers
✔ Clients waiting for the right itinerary
✔ Travelers who don't currently have a cruise booked
CruiseNext® is Norwegian's onboard future cruise program.
It is only available to guests while they are sailing aboard a Norwegian cruise.
Guests purchase future cruise deposits while onboard and receive additional onboard credit from Norwegian.
Unlike CruiseFirst, CruiseNext deposits are purchased at full value but come with bonus benefits.
Guests can usually purchase deposits in:
$250
$500
Multiple deposits may be purchased during one sailing.
Many experienced cruisers purchase several deposits to use over the next few years.
Norwegian frequently offers onboard incentives such as:
Extra onboard credit on the current sailing
Bonus CruiseNext deposits
Double-Up promotions
Reduced deposits
Limited-time booking incentives
Offers vary by sailing.
Can be used toward future cruises.
Often combinable with Norwegian promotions.
Can usually be transferred to friends or family (subject to current program rules).
Can sometimes be combined with agency group rates.
No interest or financing involved.
One of CruiseNext's biggest advantages is the Double-Up Promotion.
When available:
One reservation may use two CruiseNext deposits instead of one.
Example:
Purchase two $250 deposits.
Apply both toward one reservation.
Receive additional onboard credit depending on cabin category and sailing.
This can substantially increase the value of booking.
Not every sailing qualifies, so always verify eligibility.
Depending on:
Cruise length
Cabin category
Promotion
Guests may receive:
$100 OBC
$200 OBC
$250 OBC
$500+ OBC
Higher-category cabins and longer sailings often qualify for larger amounts.
Must be purchased while onboard.
Cannot usually be purchased after returning home.
Some promotional fares may not qualify.
Program rules may change.
| Feature | CruiseFirst | CruiseNext |
|---|---|---|
| Purchase Location | Online | Onboard Only |
| Current Cruise Required | No | Yes |
| Discounted Purchase | Yes | No |
| Future Deposit | Yes | Yes |
| Onboard Credit Bonus | Usually No | Yes |
| Double-Up Eligible | No | Yes (when offered) |
| Great for New Guests | Excellent | No |
| Great for Repeat Guests | Good | Excellent |
Best immediate value.
You purchase a future cruise certificate for less than its face value.
Example:
Spend $150
Receive $300 toward your next cruise.
That's an immediate 100% return on your deposit.
Best long-term value.
Although you pay full price for the deposits, Norwegian rewards you with:
Onboard credit
Double-Up promotions
Future booking flexibility
Exclusive onboard offers
Frequent Norwegian cruisers often save much more over multiple vacations.
✔ Client is considering Norwegian but hasn't booked.
✔ Client wants to lock in future savings.
✔ A CruiseFirst promotion is available.
✔ Client is already sailing on Norwegian.
✔ Client cruises Norwegian regularly.
✔ Client plans multiple future cruises.
✔ Client wants maximum onboard credit.
Absolutely.
Travel agents can apply eligible CruiseFirst or CruiseNext certificates to qualifying Norwegian Cruise Line bookings, including many agency group reservations (subject to current program rules and fare eligibility). Agents should always verify the promotion's combinability before confirming the reservation.
One of the best values comes from combining:
A qualifying CruiseNext deposit (or CruiseFirst, when eligible)
Norwegian's current promotional offers
Agency-exclusive group pricing (when available)
Travel advisor expertise to monitor pricing, promotions, and added amenities
This combination can often deliver greater overall value than booking directly through the cruise line alone.
CruiseFirst® is ideal for travelers who haven't booked yet and want to purchase a future cruise deposit at a discount.
CruiseNext® is designed for guests already sailing with Norwegian and offers valuable future cruise deposits, onboard credit opportunities, and special onboard promotions that reward repeat cruisers.
For travel agents, understanding both programs allows you to help clients maximize savings, take advantage of exclusive offers, and plan future Norwegian cruises with greater flexibility and value.
